[Rhodes22-list] Curved Rudder | 84 Rhodes 22

[Chris on LBI]

It is so interesting that to me that this topic just came up. I've been 
thinking about posting some late-season observations about my Rhodes 
that are closely related to this thread.

After years of being frustrated with what I consider to be excessive lee 
helm, toward the end of this past season I noticed that the forward edge 
of my rudder was not vertical. It is much like the white rudder shown in 
Bob's photo. It kicks forward a little. In an attempt to rectify this, I 
changed how I was using the rudder down-haul. Rather than pull it tight, 
I eased off a bit allowing me to use the up-haul to make the leading 
edge of the rudder close to vertical.

I only had the opportunity to try this twice before we had to take the 
boat out for the season, but in both outings, I was able to much more 
easily balance the helm and was able to tack very close to 90 degrees 
(something that eluded me on this boat since we purchased her). Attached 
is a diagram showing my track as I tested my ability to tack while 
sailing as close to the wind as I could. As you can see, the tacks were 
about 95 degrees. In the past I was generally closer to 110 degrees, so 
I consider this a great improvement.

Also, prior to trying this adjustment with the rudder, we frequently had 
difficulty bringing the bow through the wind; we had to be very precise 
with our timing of releasing sheets. I did not have the opportunity to 
test the change in high wind conditions, but she seemed to be much more 
responsive to a turn to windward.

I'll continue to experiment next year and spend more time working on a 
way to be sure that the leading edge of the rudder is truly vertical.

Chris

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