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To paraphrase Capt. Ron, ?Rudder design is hoodoo, voodoo and all kinds of weird?stuff.?
Tim, why did you decide on this configuration for the Daysailor, vs. the standard Triton configuration? Are there any other rudder designs that have been tested? What are the advantages/disadvantages when compared to the original design? Is this a worthwhile modification for a Triton intended for extended cruising or is it a more race related modification?
Just playing around, really. The crescent rudder shape went out of style for full keel boats by the late 60s; full keel boats built since then have the more square design. There must be a reason, right? Good enough for me.
Also, the Triton design has the known problem of strong weather helm. Adding a small amount of additional area low on the rudder should help with this issue. I have no idea how much.
Honestly, my new shape could be a disaster. I kept the basic shape of the original, only I created a tangent line from the aft crescent down towards the bottom, rather than continue the curve. The amount of added area is quite small.
When I get the boat in the water I'll report on any noticeable difference the rudder makes, good or bad. That'll be in late August.
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Forum Founder--No Longer Participating
You got me thinking; Kaholee never seemed to have all that much weather helm, so I went out and took a look. As you can see in the picture comparison of the three rudders, her rudder has more area lower down than the original one does and almost as much as yours. This is the first time I ever had the opportunity to do a side by side comparison, I just figured those who were complaining about the Triton's weather helm were just more sensitive or had more experience with Tritons than I did.
