Association Forum - IDA Sailor rudder

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

IDA Sailor rudder

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Fantasy II
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
80 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/29/2006 : 18:28:48

I finally received my new IDA Sailor rudder, and does seem very long! Seems to be around 6'2" in length - top to bottom, at least when sitting on our guest room bed. But the boat stuff always seems to be HUGE away from the boat! My new bimini, sitting in the garage, also seems really large. Does anyone know the actual length of the standard rudder?

Bill
Stockton CA
'81 Cat 25 TR FK
"Fantasy II"
'88 Cat 27 SR FK "Deja Vu

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2006 : 11:11:56

My stock (early) C25 rudder is 65" 'tall'.

I've used UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) plastics for years. Be sure to heed IDA's advice on keeping the rudder 'thermally stable'. UHMW reacts to heating (it expands quite a bit). I imagine uneven heating could warp one of those rudders.

Unprotected UHMW will also crack or craze after prolonged exposure to sunlight (talking years here). If I had a UHMW rudder, I'd contemplate making a cover for it to protect it from heat/sunlight when not in use.

Edited by - on

jesse camp
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 11:30:58

I replaced the original rudder with an Idasailor. I would suggest
removing the rudder after use. Take it off wipe down, dry and put in the quarter berth with the tiller. I also put a 1/4 inch line on it and tie to the railing in case of quick removal and easier handling.
I you do this, you dont have to worry about any weathering or marine
growth.

Best Regards,

Jesse Camp
87 SK SR 5550
Sea Trekker
Orlando, Fl

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 16:07:38

I don't understand something here
Why make a rudder out of a material which can't stay in the sun?
What are the upsides?
Are these rudders made by the same folks who make America's cup boat masts which break in a gust?
What are our newer balanced catalina rudders made of? (mine is but 3 years old)

Edited by - on

Fantasy II
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
80 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 19:55:16

Frank, I don't believe anyone has said that these rudders can't stay in the sun! There does seem to be a misconception going around to that effect, so here is a direct quote from Catalina Direct about these rudders:

"Caution: Never leave any rudder sitting in the sun in the back of your pickup. With half the rudder immersed while moored, water will dissipate any heat buildup. But while stored, heat may damage the rudder. A Fiberglass rudder may expand and split at the seams. A polyethylene rudder may warp. Always store your rudder out of the direct sun."

It's pretty clear (at least to me) that the caution applies to ALL types of Catalina rudders, and ONLY if left "in the back of a pickup." In the water, there is NO problem with HDPE rudders warping. I hope that this clears the misconception up - they are really great rudders (I have no affiliation with IDA Sailor, just want to clarify the situation).

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 20:09:18

gosh bill, when I see comments that you should remove your rudder after use, or that you should make a cover for it, my suspicious mind became tweaked
My rudder from catalina has no seams, so I would assume it's polyethylene, or does IDA sailor supply rudders to catalina?

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2006 : 07:21:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 
My rudder from catalina has no seams, so I would assume it's polyethylene, or does IDA sailor supply rudders to catalina?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Despite the lack of a seam, Catalina's OEM rudders are still foam-cored fiberglass, not injection-molded HDPE. In responce to complaints about rudders splitting, Catalina came up with a process to fabricate them without the seam a few years ago.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2006 : 12:53:54

thanks Larry,
I thought the rudder was mighty stiff, and was wondering if it was polyethylene after I made that statement.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2006 : 13:56:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 ...when I see comments that you should remove your rudder after use, or that you should make a cover for it, my suspicious mind became tweaked...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It is recommended to use a light colored antifouling paint on rudders that spend time on the hard to prevent warping due to heat from the Sun. I learned this tidbit from my friend with a H28 who has a VC bottom, but a white rudder. If one does paint a rudder with a dark colored paint, when on the hard, they should wrap their rudder in white plastic to prevent it from heating up in the Sun. Personally, I remove my rudder and store it inside during the off season.

Edited by - on

jesse camp
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2006 : 14:41:41

The point I was trying to make is the rudder is light enought to pull up and store away while I am not on it. Since I keep the boat in sea water, I would not have to worry about anti-fouling or any other condition which would degrade bothe the rudder, tiller, and hardware
due to sun/sea water.

Jesse Camp
Sea Trekker
87 SR SK 5550
Orlando, Fl

Edited by - on

Fantasy II
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
80 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2006 : 18:58:49

Jesse, there are literally thousands of IDA Sailor rudders installed on al types of boats now, but you are the FIRST owner who removes the rudder after each use! Granted, taking it out of the water, cleaning and storing inside the boat will keep it "like new", but personally I think it is overkill. I, for one of many, would not even consider a rudder that had to be removed after each sail - too much work

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.