Association Forum - IDA Kick-up rudder from Catalina Direct

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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IDA Kick-up rudder from Catalina Direct

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/28/2005 : 09:53:26

I have recieved my Ida kick-up rudder from Catalina Direct and was surprised at how much I have to do to this thing to get it to work. They have installed a jam cleat on the top of the rudder which they say can be removed and put on the back. (The stainless tiller bracket will obviously not fit over the cleat.)The problem is, this would require removing a padeye so at best I am going to have a brand new, expensive rudder with a bunch of extra holes in it, at the worst, I will be missing a piece of hardware that helps the rudder function well. Ideally the jam cleat would be screwed into the top of the stainless tiller bracket that clamps the tiller to the rudder but this would entail drilling through some very heavy metal to get it on. I have also had to drill a hole in the rudder for attaching the tiller bracket, (IT DID NOT COME BOAT READY) and have found that this will keep the tiller from being able to be lifted straight up to get it out of the way in the cockpit. While I can't comment yet about the performance of the rudder when sailing, I can say that I am more than a bit dissappointed in the presentation of the products "boat readiness" from Catalina Direct. After finding the rudder online I called so as to avoid this kind of situation and repeatedly asked if this thing would be ready and fit my particular boat which I described by year, make, and model. They certainly didn't mention that it would require fabrication to fit my boat.
They have responded by saying that they mount the cleat on the top of the rudder as that way it doesn't interfere with the newer style tiller brackets...which I don't get because I have been to the Annapolis boatshow every year since I bought my boat and have seen no variation. They have also said I can return the rudder and they will attach my tiller to it. I am sure this doesn't happen too much from sailors on the East Coast as it would not be very cost effective. The end result is, they have been polite, and offered solutions, but not really very practical ones. They may have a great performing product, something I will report on when I get in the water. But if you are going to order one of these, they are expensive, and shipping is also not cheap, it would make sense to ask a lot of very specific questions. "Is this rudder made for my specific make and model boat and will it fit on there ready to go?" might get you an answer you end up scratching your head about!
I would be extremely interested in anyones elses experience with this rudder and any fabrication / fit solutions they have come up with that have worked.

Edgy, WB#655
Dewey Beach, DE

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RSHOOTER
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2005 : 19:41:51

I just bought the Kick-Up Rudder for my C-250. I went directly to the source which is Ida Sailor. I bought mine with the IDA Tiller. Everything came pre-drilled and ready to go...even the Tiller was varnished. IDA does use a different Tiller Bracket than Catalina so I'm glad I ordered their Tiller with the Rudder and I think that may be your problem. Haven't sailed it yet and will report on that .....

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2005 : 16:53:46

I mounted a cam cleat on top of the stainless tiller bracket that should do the trick. I'm going to mount it on the boat this weekend but still won't get to sail until the second week of May.
UGH! I am really getting the itch to be out there!

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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.