Jouet 37 rudder modified

[Yucatancruiser]

Hello! I own a 1979 French build Jouet 37 sloop, and the rudder seems very hard on the tiller while sailing. Also I find it hard to turn and particularly in reverse, the boat just goes pretty much anywhere. Does any body have any advise on what might be the problem, or even better is someone has the same boat, does it perform the same way. I have come to the conclusion that my rudder may have suffered some modification from a previous owner, but by just looking at it, it looks fine.

[Brent Swain]

Could you post a picture of your underwater profile and rudder shape?

[Faster]

The rudder looks kinda small and not too well balanced, I'm not surprised you'd have some helm issues. Otherwise, though, she looks the type of boat that should back up well. What prop are you running?

[Brent Swain]

Raking the rudder post aft reduces it's effectiveness ,but yours doesn't look all that bad. Check the bearings for binding. I recently had to jack the rudder out of a Finot design with a hydraulic jack.The bearings were that badly bound. Flexing of the skeg will tend to bind the bearing at the hull joint.

[celenoglu]

The lower bearing is responsible for hardness. The plastics used for these bearings generally absorb water and cause this problem. Replace it.

The rudder generally does not respond well when astern. This is due to the effect of the propellor not the rudder. After the boat starts to move astern, water will pass from the rudder and the rudder will be affective. Allow some time until the boat starts to move astern and the rudder will be responsive.

[Yucatancruiser]

Well the rudder it self moves just fine, so i don´t think the bearings have any problems. here is a picture i took of the rudder the day i purchased the boat. Shape of the rudder and the size is what i think is modified.
http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/.../solotimon.jpg

[Yucatancruiser]

i also have a picture of another boat i found on the internet, and that is where I´m concluding that is not shaped correctly. The diagram that by Faster is the same diagram that came with my boat.
http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/...ene/lafoto.jpg

[Yucatancruiser]

[Yucatancruiser]

[Faster]

Definitely looks like the balancing tab is missing from your rudder.. This would lead to a heavier helm than designed. I think that would be a reasonable project to undertake if you're comfortable with glass work.

Not sure those mods would address your issues backing up... I'm guessing that may be more prop related.