In my never-ending quest for lower setup-breakdown time, I am thinking about trailering my P16 with rudders attached. I read on these here forums - I think - that people do that by simply sticking wood stoppers into the casting loops, thus fixing the rudders in the up position. That's certainly better than relying on the cleated rudder uphaul lines, but I am concerned that the rudders will basically rest on a single point of contact between the wood stopper (curved outward from the transom) and the rudder top (curved inward toward the transom) and on the axis of up-down rotation. that seems like a lot of pressure from road vibration going onto the rudder top curve (no biggie) and the pin on which rudder rotates up-down (how long will that take to bend/loosen the rudder hole?)
I am thinking of fashioning stiff foam or Styrofoam blocks with a deep groove through the center that would distribute the pressure along the whole leading edge of the rudder (resting in the groove) and the transom surface (resting against the back of the foam block). The only thing is I am not sure if the long pins to which the casting attaches - and, for that matter, the transom loops to which they attach - can manage the load of supporting attached rudders hanging back from the boat.
Any opinions or personal experience on this topic would be appreciated - I would really love to set up the rudders once a season.
Edited by mgoltsman on Jul 22, 2014 - 11:54 AM.
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Mike
Prindle 16
Rochester, NY
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