Please take a moment to read about Standard Finishes and Options, and How to Order.
| Design: SHK01R | |
| Rudder
This design is influenced by the elliptical rudders that are popular in this class. The one shown at right is set up for a tube tiller, but a conventional head is also available. Specify head thickness: 42mm if you wish to transfer over your original fittings, or 38mm (1.5") for use with more common small keelboat fittings. Douglas fir core, with fiberglass layup. |
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| Design: SHK02R | |
| Rudder
This design came from a customer who wanted something different... and smaller. So we scaled up the well proven Albacore design ALB02R to minimum chord length and span for the Shark. The customer took home the shaped core, then came back with the finished rudder for me to take a picture (at right). And he's very happy with how it performs. Fall '06: Hi Phil, I wanted to tell you how pleased I am with my new Shark rudder. Having had my Shark #34 since 1975, I've experienced various other rudders: the original 1962 model which packed it in at the Nationals (maybe the North Americans) in the late 70's, to be replaced with a heavy (28 pounds!), deep, balanced, fibreglass model from Hinterholler. That thing was very log-like and I jumped at the chance to revert to the old style when John Moss sent one my way. I cut that one down to minimum size and was relieved to get some "feel" back in my steering, even if not any sort of hydrodynamic sophistication.Which brings me to the rudder which you have designed and made. As we discussed, it was to be of almost minimum wetted surface, not balanced, not particularly eliptical (certainly not double-eliptical as most fancy Shark rudders seem to be), but more like a 505 blade that you had in stock....very cool! Further, in the interests of cost and my desire to finish it to fit in with the decidedly "classic" appearance of #34, you were to complete the rudder only to stage one.All these things came to pass, and I am more than pleased with the result. The new rudder still allows me to feel waves and weather helm when it appears, steers well even when abused, and looks like a million bucks! The unit including hardware weighs in at a little over 18 pounds.Thank you again for a terrific rudder. Bill Hillary |
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This one is done in off-white, with the head set up for a standard tiller w pivot bolt. The foil sections have been refined since the prototype, including a finer entry at the waterline.
Customer says: "Phil, We're very pleased with our new rudder. It's lightness makes it easy to handle, it doesn't gather weeds like my old one and our impression is that it tracks well enough to head off a broach. We like to think it is fast too. I'll let you know about that in the Fall. Thanks, George" Its worth noting that they took 5th place in the 2005 Worlds with this foil.
And this one has the wetted section left in epoxy primer, as it is left in the water when not sailing:
Customer says: "Hello Phil,
I finally installed the new rudder at the beginning of last week, and had chance to use it in fairly strong winds on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
I quite surprised how well it worked.
All in all, a very nice rudder. Now, all I have to is work a little harder at finishing higher in the fleet. Michael"
Here's a pair going out set up for tube tillers and 1.5" rudder fittings (Schaefer fittings shown too!)
