Rudder enlargement

[jimesh]

Prior to our P35 we owned and sailed a P30. The rudder responsiveness of the P35 is *noticeably* worse than it was on the P30. Affecting factors are (1) longer keel on P35 (2) P35 rudder is farther forward => shorter lever arm to CLR. (3) The P35 rudder is a smaller fraction of the underwater lateral surface.

Of these #3 seems to be the most easily improved. I'm considering adding a more or less semi-circular addition on the aft edge of the rudder to improve it (which would also help weather helm and the hydrodynamics -- cut down two tip vortices.) Needs careful design for strength and attachement to the exisiting structure. Anyone heard of someone doing this or has some thoughts on it? Know the details of the metal structure inside the rudder?

[roverhi]

I've thought of it because the boat is severely rudder challenged. It won't help the weather helm but may give you much better control. Will also require more effort to turn the rudder. Might need to get a bigger wheel to compensate. Why semi circular addition. Adding to the whole rear edge of the rudder seems like it would be more effective. You could put a shoe on the bottom of the rudder, believe the aero term is a horn that extends in front of the rudder shaft to lower the effort needed to turn the rudder. That would make the rudder more susceptible to damage in a grounding, however.