S/Legende rudder

[rob]

Hi Robin and other SL owners,

in the very short first trial of the boat, I noticed the turning radius of the boat with rudder hard over and at engine tickover is wider than on my previous boat (which is very very similar to the SL).

Is the maximum angle the rudder can rotate from side to side determined only by the length and attachment points of the sector bridles, or is it determined by some other mechanical constraint (ex skeg shape) ? in other words, if I'd take off the bridles, would the rudder be able to rotate from 90 degress port to 90 degrees stb ?

thanks
r

[Robin]

In our case the limit is set by the Autopilot ram arm but the skeg where the rudder shaft sits partially in a semi circular limits it also I would think.

Actually turning the rudder more than about 30 degs stalls the blade anyway so I'm nor sure why you need to do it any more? We find we can turn ours easily enough either to starboard which the prop walk/kick favours or even to port against it. We have a Brunton 3 bladed self pitching/feathering prop not a fixed one or a folding one. The boat handles very well under engine both ahead and astern, we sail just husband/wife and have not felt a need for a bow thruster or had any real problems berthing even in strong winds.

[rob]

thanks Robin

(been away a few days)..

I checked in my SL there is a huge post which blocks the sector, the wheel can make two full turns from port to stb, I guess every modification is ruled out

When the boat is idling ahead and is already turning the rudder can have a higher angle vs centreline keeping the same incidence angle vs water flow, in my former boat one could achieve a very tight turning radius but I will have to get used to the new one!

cheers r