Anyone care to comment?
the left one looks like a regular Inter blade...what are they from?
I'm assuming the one on the left is the updated version?
Actually no...the one on the left is the original one. Since the F18 and the I20 (I18? I17?) share the same blade, the modification could be interesting! After recently helming an I20, I can tell you the old one (left) is very, very, very sensative compared to the likes of my 5.2, 6.0NA, TheMightyHobie18. I would describe the handling as 'twitchy' but very responsive. Perhaps it just takes some getting used to but I thought it might be too touchy and might suffer while moving slowly. Maybe the wider rudder might help the boat in the lighter stuff.
Ok, I had a couple thoughts
Looks a lot like a Jav-2 rudder (better/more efficent shape?).
Since we run a lot of rake on the I20, the additional rudder aught to help carry the rake.
I don't know if I'd call it twitchy, just very responsive. When properly adjusted it's a dream to drive. However maybe the new rudders will take a little longer to cavatate. If they put a little more carbon in the head, I'm sure there would be no complaints about that either.
The right blade looks very similar to my rudders from AHPC, only larger--Boyer blades?
Seltacker, new rudderblades= there goes the one-design status.
So this I-20 one-design class is yet again nothing more than a monopoly play by a manufacturer.
Wouter
So...
The one on the right is a new blade supplied by performance for the I-20? Is it what comes on the boats now? Or something that somebody is trying? Something from Phil's Foils?
Not sure I understand the source or intent of it.
Looks like the one on the right is better for sailing off the wind, and in rough water.
Sorry, all. Forgot to provide the info.
The blade on the left is the "original" I-20/I-18 blade. The one on the right is the "new" blade being offered (don't worry, it's WAAAAY on backorder).
A few people have pointed out that it may help reduce cavitation due to the additional width. Some aero-types noticed the change in lower end, which may reduce drag from "tip loss".
On the other side, some have noted that it could induce even MORE strain on the gudgeons, pintles and other rudder parts, possibly increasing fatigue/failure.
Yes, the "original" rudders are very responsive. Two finger steering at speeds from 2 kts to 20 kts. They do cavitate in situations where you need to yank the tiller hard and your weight is forward, but you get used to it.
Having sailed with these "original" blades, and going to the wider ones on a N6.0, I could definitely appreciate the fine touch of the I-20 blade. I find that I use the sails to steer moreso than the rudder, anyway. Travel out, boat goes down. Travel in, boat goes up.
Tiller movement slows you down anyway, right????
I do have a question on the tip loss thing... I know it works on airplanes, but what about the fact the rudders are:
1) working at slower speeds
2) working in thicker medium (water)
3) raked forward of perpendicular to water flow
4) bouncing around (not always laminar flow)
You engineering types are more than welcome to comment, since I know little in this area...
The new rudder is coming out for what purpose? I havent heard any of the I20 guys screaming for a new design, butI have heard of 2 criticisms of the old rudder. Cavitation and stall, especially when pinching and reaching. Both of which you learn quickly to compensate for with sail trim. The question is why performance came out with the new rudders. What was their thougthts? why would they want to change a 1 design class?
Dave Mosley
I20 234
www.teamseacats.com
My thoughts are echos of Dave's comments.
Has anyone asked the factory?
GARY
One thing that does interest me is the ability to move the boat better in down speed turns. What this rudder is probably in response to is the ability of the Hobie Tiger F18 rudder to better steer the boat in a stalled flow(starting line) and handle cavitation instances when in waves. It's not so much a change in the other classes one design status; it's keeping up with the F18 changes. I would think it wise to allow a superior rudder to filter down through ALL the Nacra/Inter classes. Remember the subtle changes to Hobie sails over the years and no complaining from the masses about that! I'm all for small improvements to fortify a class.
IMHO,
Bob 
Somebody said, why not ask the factory why they changed the rudder design.
To me, that is backward. If you have a one-design class, it should be the factory asking the class if it is okay to make this change.
The problem with beach cats is that none of them that I know of has a strong class association independent of the factory. That makes it very difficult to maintain control to keep boats strictly one-design. The factories are free to do whatever they want in the way of modifications, whether it is in the name of development or cost savings or safety.
I agree with Bob. It will also help the learning curve for the new sailors on the boat. When I first sailed the boat it stalled on the line, and I was shot out the back at most starts. It'll keep the boat from cavitating at A mark roundings and pressure sensitive areas, as well as light air. There is no problem with slight innovation in OD, as it keeps the class on the cutting edge. We should support our manufacturers also, and buying a product that improves performance is well worth it. Wait until after you sail it to complain. PC won't put it out unless it's an improvement. They've been devloping it for over a year.
>The factories are free to do whatever they want in the way of modifications, whether it is in the name of development or cost savings or safety.<
Over the years we have all seen product innovation (PI) at what cost?
Can vestal one design be maintained forever? (Even the Laser has changed it's rigging, oh my deity)
However PI seens to keep selling new boats, or new sails as Curry mentioned above. Again, no one complains when sails change, and chalk it up to maintenance.
If the perfect boat could be built to a level where they are maintence free, NO fibreglass fatigue, no rigging revisions, no one would need to rotate boats, and the manufacturers would SINK?
The price of keeping the manufactures afloat is paid by the sailors sacrificing virginal one design. Product innovation is what keeps the manufacturer at sea. If there is no incentive to buy a new boat/sail/innovation how are the manufactures going to stay afloat?
So perhaps there is a fourth class of boat.
1. Formula one design (F18)
2. International one design (Tornado)
3. Manufacturer's one design (Laser)
4. Manufacturer's one design with mucho product innovation.
Not to mention fibreglass fatigue problem, which only the Tornado class has resolved (ARC?).
Vestal one design throughout the lifespan of my boats has appeared to be a myth. Somehow one design boats (& sails) seem to get a little better every year, and after a couple of years I want to buy a new boat. Just the cost of new set of sails on some boats can justify the cost of buying a new boat and supporting the manufacturer. What good does has it ever done to whine at the factory for wanting to make some dineros by building a better, stiffer, longer lasting boat? Sometimes I don't like it and the price is to high to play, but I am not against anyone trying to make a buck.
I think the Tiger really opened the door wide on this issue - they came out with many upgrades to the boat after many existed. This can be easily justified because it is primarily a formula boat designed to race against other manufacturers. If the boat doesn't stay at the top of it's game sales will drop. Hence improvements need to be made in order to keep up with the other manufacturers.
I am assuming that since the Inters and the relatively new Nacra F-18 all share the same rudder, this improvement was focused at the Nacra F18 for the same reasoning. Economies of scale, plus the fact that the other products could use a beefier rudder to improve handling, would make the decision to offer these rudders to all pretty easy. Even the H16 has seen occasional changes to the 'standard' equipment over time. Also, the price I heard, albeit unconfirmed, for the rudders is very reasonable at $165ea.
Had a change been made that was prohibitively expensive, or impossible to make to older boats (like a weight reduction) then a problem would exist. I support the rudder change - think it's a good idea.
When Hobie changed from EP to Hobie sails there was a fair amount of complaining! The Hobie sails espically the jibs were considered a lesser product!
The I-20 is an extremely repsonsive and easy boat to sail. Yes, I agree starting can be a challenge but you only need to F up once and you figure it out.
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against the new blades, but I will be in no hurry to put them on the back of my boat.
Dave
You'll be sailing with em ASAP!
When?
Dave