Have been sailing on shallow lake. Rudders kick up but too far from shore making it difficult to navigate in heavy winds. Has anyone shorted the rudders and if so how much?

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Mark

Prindle 16 and Laguna 18DS
Ripon, WI
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I shorten my right rudder recently, but not on purpose....



Edited by av8 on Aug 10, 2011 - 07:05 AM.

not a good idea typically. there are a few instances where a smaller rudder will work on a boat (i.e. nacra rudders on a mystere) but the results could be terrible (poor helm, over /under steering or power etc)

Pull up and lock windward rudder early. When Leeward pops up dump excess wind to keep speed manageable and putt some muscle into it ;) Remember you can steer with your sails as well. Trim in Jib and let out Main to steer to leeward and let out Jib and pull in Main to steep windward.

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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook.
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Mark,

DON'T shorten your rudders. I know lake levels around NA are going down, but you will regret it. Aside from poor helm and over/under steering as mentioned above, you will encounter other problem.

You know that feeling as your hulls stuff into the back of a wave heading down wind? Your rudders start to feel lighter and lighter, but at the last minute you are still able to steer and prevent a pitchpole? Well, those 6 or 8" you cut off might save your ass every time.

Think about it....

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Jay Brown
Nacra 16sq. spin and modified
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