Re: [Paddlewise] Upgrading old style Klepper rudder in Australia

In a message dated 4/21/2004 8:00:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
windshift_at_iprimus.com.au writes:


> I am keen to get some ideas for upgrading an old fashion rudder blade on a
> Klepper Aerius 2 double.
> 
> The style I have (1970's) has an trailing alum. horizontal blade with little
> "bite", particularly in following seas and /or whilst sailing.
> 
> My uses are loaded sea touring and sailing with Klepper jib and occasionally
> a S4 mainsail (without gear).


I sail my schooner rigged Klepper A-2 with Balogh Batwing sails (24 sq. ft. 
foresail and 32 sq. ft. sail mounted midship).  I use the Balogh designed 
balanced rudder sold by Longhaul.   Works fine.  You might also try reversing the 
blade on the old Klepper rudder as Ralph Diaz has described in his book and 
newsletter.  Drill out the rivet on which the blade swivels, turn the blade 180 
degrees and remount.  The result is a higher aspect and slightly balanced 
rudder.  Be sure to add a tensioning line to the blade to keep it down and forward. 
 My tensioning line consists of about a 2 foot length of 1/4 inch bungie and 
the rest is a dacron line.

On my Feathercraft K-1 I use an aft mounted 32 sq. ft. Balogh Batwing sail.  
I tried the Feathercraft K-2 rudder but found it inadequate in size (blade 
area).   I then modified the larger Folbot rudder and attached it to the K-1.   
Works well.  I think that an aft mounted sail requires a larger rudder.  The 
mast and leeboard are close to the rudder resulting in sort of a short lever 
arm.  The K-2 rudder might have worked o.k. if the mast and leeboard were mounted 
in front of the cockpit.  CLC used K-2 rudders on its single kayaks but the 
sails were all mounted front of the cockpit.

I have never tried the Feathercraft K-2 rudder on the Klepper A-2 but I have 
heard of someone who did it.  I think they liked the way the Feathercraft 
rudder flips back up onto the deck.  I don't recall if they sailed the Klepper 
with that rudder.

Your simplest, cheapest solution is to reverse the Klepper blade.  If that is 
not adequate for your needs then you might try to adapt a Folbot rudder.  
They are not as expensive as the Feathercraft rudder and seem to be adequate for 
sailing their Greenland II's.  The Greenland II's are roughly comparable in 
size to the Klepper A-2.

Tony Niilus








> 
> One thought is to upgrade the blade to a Balogh style "balanced blade" design
> as indicated in Ralph Diaz's Folding Kayaker book.
> 
> If this approach what aluminium should I (thickness, hardness) use to avoid
> bending or too stiff = cracking.
> 
> Another is buy a Feathercraft K2 rudder (about $A300 - $400 here) or the new
> Klepper rudder system - like a Feathercraft (about $A200 - $300
> here).Significant investments.
> 
> Finances lean towards having a go myself making a new blade using the
> existing
> rudder attachment fitting.
> 
> Any experiences with these options or suggestions?
> 
> How does a wider profile blade Balogh style perform vs a narrower and deeper
> Feathercraft K 2 rudder blade profile.
> 
> Any other better rudder shapes going round?
> 
> Does anyone used stainless for rudder blades, if not why not?
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