We wanted to throw out for discussion and opinions the installation of an articulated rudder on a Duck. The heavy displacement, single engine, long keel of the Duck (and offshoots like the Sedan) seem to make it an ideal candidate for the increased rudder response that the articulated rudder claims.

Below is a link to a vendor in our neck of the woods (the Pacific NW).
http://www.bayviewedisonindustries.com/products/rudder.html

I know one BEI rudder is being installed on a Selene 47 being manufactured by Jet-Tern not far from Seahorse and I believe another owner is going to have one installed locally.

Thanks for your views.

Excellent point!
Here is another source "in your neck of the woods":
http://www.rudderpower.com/products.html

Jurgen (Nomad)

Hi there,
have worked with articulated rudders on commercial ships, they are excellent, full side thrust from your main engine. You may have to consider a stronger rudder shaft and an upgrade on your steering gear as well, since higher torque required for these types. There are various versions on commercial vessels (Becker, Hinze) there is as well an effective version without the complex flap-mechanism - the fishtail rudder.
In any case, they all work and give good fun in manouevering.
Bernd

The new 45-Plus DUCK built in Pt. Townsend has that rudder, and no bow thruster. Ross, the owner, can cut donuts it's so good. It appears essentially foolproof, too.

George

quote:

Originally posted by Marcia & Kurt:
We wanted to throw out for discussion and opinions the installation of an articulated rudder on a Duck. The heavy displacement, single engine, long keel of the Duck (and offshoots like the Sedan) seem to make it an ideal candidate for the increased rudder response that the articulated rudder claims.

Below is a link to a vendor in our neck of the woods (the Pacific NW).
http://www.bayviewedisonindustries.com/products/rudder.html

I know one BEI rudder is being installed on a Selene 47 being manufactured by Jet-Tern not far from Seahorse and I believe another owner is going to have one installed locally.

Thanks for your views.

Professional Boatbuilder had an article on this in Aug/Sept 06 and can be read online.

The more I learn, the more I wish I had one, and am torn between fishtail and full articulated designs.

Looks like I will have to do it on my own however.

Has anyone considered a double rudder system? Rozema Boat Works in Seattle installed them on their 57' trawler and couldn't believe the difference. Aside from the extra hole in the hull it seems to make sense

a design mentioned by Bernd in the previous post. It seems to have the benefit of simplicity over the flap design. This would be a simple design for seahorse to emulate or an owner to retrofit. FIsh Tail Rudder


Hugh

I too like the fishtail, but Seahorse does not seem interested.
Pity

this is a great subject....seen the latest Passage Maker article??? all looks very straight forward to upsize something similar....these are VERY popular in Tasmania on fishing boast ......it is relatively easy to remove a 462 rudder....and you could then have a new one built on the same shaft I recon as it is 2inch....the area directly above it on the hull is the aft fuel tank on the 462 (not sure about your sedan) so you could easily weld the required base for the articulated pivot....there are various designs available....but a bigger version of that shown in Passage maker looks good....I have a spare full Stainless steel rudder for ice navigation...but who knows....I may one day modify this to an Articulated design and swap it over...they certainly have some valued features??

Some good fish tail rudder sites:
www.wills-ridley.com/
www.westmarine-sg.com/
www.amartech.nl (good luck finding the info - I know its there, but I could not find it, even after 10 mins searching)