New kind of emergency rudder

[Bene505]

I don't think I've mentioned it before here, but I love to invent things. I'm working on something new that I think no one has done before. I must make sure to NOT go into any details on a public forum, so let me provide some information which reveals nothing of the design or anything.

• This would be an emergency rudder that can go easily from one boat to another.
• It would not need to be permanently mounted.
• It would not need permanently-attached mounting brackets.
• It would be bought for less than $400, stored onboard, and easily used when needed.
• It would be very compact for storage.
• It would have sufficient force to overcome the effect of your normal rudder, if that was stuck to one side.

Would there be a strong need for this product?

Regards

[smackdaddy]

With a run-down like that - I could definitely see a market.

[AdamLein]

Originally Posted by Bene505

• ...
• It would have sufficient force to overcome the effect of your normal rudder, if that was stuck to one side.

Hm. Could it "overcome" the drag involved in such a scenario. My guess is that your design will involve the use of eccentric drag to create a turning moment on the boat. Drag from stuck rudder + drag from Bene505Rudder + decreased inboard prop performance due to stuck rudder = too much drag methinks.

My suggestion is, before you get too concerned about your potential market, build a prototype (your wording hints that you have not yet done so), lash your tiller, and see how your boat performs with your emergency rudder. Then come back and say, "Adam, you were way off base. The boat goes even faster than before," so that I can stand corrected.

At that point I don't think you'll have too much of a problem with marketing.

[capn_dave]

and if it does everything you say I'll show you da money.

How about that. Sounds to good to be true

Fair Winds

Dave

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by AdamLein

Hm. Could it "overcome" the drag involved in such a scenario. My guess is that your design will involve the use of eccentric drag to create a turning moment on the boat. Drag from stuck rudder + drag from Bene505Rudder + decreased inboard prop performance due to stuck rudder = too much drag methinks.

My suggestion is, before you get too concerned about your potential market, build a prototype (your wording hints that you have not yet done so), lash your tiller, and see how your boat performs with your emergency rudder. Then come back and say, "Adam, you were way off base. The boat goes even faster than before," so that I can stand corrected.

At that point I don't think you'll have too much of a problem with marketing.

Adam,

It would go slower, since there'd be two rudders, each acting in opposite directions, but it would still make headway and make the boat steerable.
Does anyone know if rudders get stuck fully deflected usually? (I'm thinking sliding down the face of a wave or hitting something. There must be more examples. Come to think of it, I ought to call the guy who drifted for 40 days southeast of Bermuda.)

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by capn_dave

and if it does everything you say I'll show you da money.

How about that. Sounds to good to be true

Fair Winds

Dave

That's good advice. Thanks.

Smack -- you too. Thanks for the advice. I will have one to test with you when you visit in June.

Any other feedback?

[Sequitur]

An emergency rudder is one of the options offered on the Hunter 49. I have one, and it is a big, beefy stainless steel structure that attaches to three eye pads mounted on the transom, and is controlled with a stainless steel tiller. I have it stowed on cradles in one of the transom lockers. Its cost when I ordered it in June 2006 was CA$1,100.

[AdamLein]

Originally Posted by Bene505

It would go slower, since there'd be two rudders, each acting in opposite directions, but it would still make headway and make the boat steerable.

I hope so. All I'm saying is, this remains to be seen.

Does anyone know if rudders get stuck fully deflected usually?

Unless something actually wedges itself between the rudder and the rest of the boat, I think it would be unusual to get stuck in such a position. More likely the stock would bend and stick the helm in a position closer to neutral.

[tweitz]

It sounds like a reasonable idea. As you know, the total market for sailboats is sadly quite small, so you should not expect gigantic volume or economies of scale. Would it be designed for a particular range of boat sizes?

[sck5]

or even more likely the damn thing comes off entirely because you ran into something