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Old 02-01-2008
sailaway21 sailaway21 is offline
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Skeg hung rudders

We've all heard the mantra about skeg hung rudders protecting the rudder. Some recent comments from Jeff, I believe, have caused me some thought on the matter. Is that a really valid advantage or just a shibboleth. Sort of like the perception that one could not have a fin keel for offshore work, until the Cal 40 came along and obsoleted the full keelers in offshore racing?

My own perception is inclined to think that, in a fin keeled boat, one is most likely to strike or snag an underwater object with the keel about 99% of the time before ever getting to the rudder. And most all transom mounted rudders have done without a skeg since time immemorial as well.

Thoughts?
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