[Zeerover]

At Cherubini we found that most of our foam-cored C44 rudder blades have gone rotten with the years. One of my conclusions was that people keep removing the cute teak fiddle on the top and taking it home in the winters to revarnish it (it should be painted as part of the boot stripe); and, when it got reinstalled with less than 5200 and/or mishmash, it was working back and forth and water was getting in through the mounting holes. That rudder is very stoutly made, the rudder pipe is phenomenally strong, and we concluded the foam core serves no purpose whatsover, so it's been omitted completely from newer and repaired boats.

[kiav]

I can imagine one reason why you would want to do this; but in terms of general seaworthiness the rudder is better with a skeg on it.

[ritobana]

I recommend the drain plug for everyone's rudder. Take out the plug every haul-out; and if the boat will not be out of the water for more than a few weeks, apply a hair dryer or dehumidifier under it for a few hours and see if you get any sweat weeping out of it. Use epoxy on the threads when putting it back in. (Never have faith in silicone for this.) If you have any difficulty threading it out again, touch it with the tip of a soldering-gun for about 15 seconds and then turn it out with a wrench.

[espermatzd]

In response to Jesse's post, spade rudders are under phenomenal stress-- the whole blade, cantilevered out there, takes 100% of it with no help. The fact that 'most boats have them these days' is because they are cheaper to build (and repair), not 'better' technically or structurally. That's also the reason the rudders (like the whole boats) are lighter in construction as well. When our 1970s Hunters were designed and built, there was at least a mindset that boats were to be used for sailing in deep water in yet-unknown conditions. The Hunters of the 1990s and 2000s were designed and built with (what was assumed to be) a conviction that 'most' people don't sail like that any more, that most sailing is done by the day, between safe anchorages at night, and in predictably mild conditions and with plenty of electronic and mechanical assistance. more

[The Eternal Coin]

I'm only suggesting a technical or theoretical position here. What happens in the 'real world' may be entirely coincidental to what is, technically, compromised logic. Maybe I'm just the Dilbert here (!) but I'd prefer to be a little pessimistic rather than optimistic when it comes to working on people's boats, giving them advice or sailing myself. I get the rep of being 'Doctor Doom' on here; but it's true what I have long said: 'Prudent pessimism is the mark of a responsible skipper.' more

[FrY10cK]

Good luck with the project and fair winds,

[sizewraps]

Let’s try to leave the last year-plus in our wake and chart a new course for our favorite boat shows — because they're back, with a few twists.

[IndoWatch]

The BoatUS Magazine print edition is available
exclusively to BoatUS Members—join today! [links]

[ellimistd]

Might there soon be a solution to the expired flare disposal issue?

[yeahsam51]

And check out that shiny prop. The captain is a whiz kid
when it comes to exterior boat cleaning.

[williams9gross]

We held our breath for a day,
wondering if we were back to square one.

[Need2Revolt]

Geoff’s research into a new rudder brought some good news. The company that made the rudders for the Endeavour 42s was still in business and still had the mold. It wasn’t going to be cheap to have one made in Florida and shipped to Grenada, but it was much better than having one fabricated in the islands. The cost and time to do it down here was exponentially greater - $$$$$ rather than $$. I’m not sure that’s mathematically sound, but you get the drift. here

[sujanacast]

T here are two conventional rowing stations as well as the stand-up rowing station amidships. The two rowing stations are too close together to allow for tandem rowing but can be used to row solo from whichever rowing station achieves the best boat trim. The Sweet Pea rows well even when carrying a heavy load. We’ve had four adults aboard at one time or two adults with schooner provisions. more

[Timo Y]

When I’m out for a row just for the fun of it, maybe to get some exercise, or to explore some new harbor, the Sweet Pea rows along smoothly at a decent pace, steady as can be. In a steep chop, the bow will stomp or slap a little. If the stern is weighted down (usually with me, while Captain Trubee is at the oars), some spray will make its way aft when pulling into a headwind. I’ve never noticed much spray, if any, coming aboard when rowing solo. Payson said the same of the boat. Bolger gives the Sweet Pea a hull speed around 3½ knots, 4 knots if rowing hard. It’s not a race boat and there are some craft she just won’t compete with that way. Recently I rowed with a friend in an Adirondack guideboat fitted with a sliding seat. His paper-light boat flew along, gliding across the water with great ease and speed. But, on quick reflection, I considered how tender his boat is, how limited the conditions are for safely taking it out, the loads it can’t carry, its lack of a sail, and my momentary envy yielded to a solid appreciation for Bolger’s sweet design. [links]

[Moredread]

We once had our Sweet Pea out in a bad squall, trying to row back to the schooner out at anchor; the wind gusted across the tops of the waves, rain poured down, and lightning was all too close. Our success that night was partly due to the skill of the rower, but also to the boat itself with its seaworthy design and solid construction. We never felt at risk of being swamped and knew even if we were, the boat would stay afloat. [links]

[joechip]

An unusual feature of the Sweet Pea is its stand-up rowing station amidships. The rower faces forward “to see the rocks before hitting them,” as Dynamite Payson would say. The boat is surprisingly stable when standing. Stand-up oarlocks are essential for this practice. more