Steer with rudder or outboard?

[cnc33voodoo]

on my old mirage 24 i would always lock the motor and use the rudder.i would however lower the motor when entering the marina as it seemed to give me more control in reverse.you just have to remember to go slow and youll get used to it.

[timebandit]

[quote=nolatom;317365]
Also, how does a solid link between rudder and motor work if, once you're done with the motor, you're going to kick up the outboard to reduce drag, which is what we do on this lightweight boat? Seems to me learning to do both manually is part of the learning curve.


Just disconect the link.

Conecting the two will ensure the rudder does not get eaten by the prop.

[eMKay]

[QUOTE=timebandit;317451]

Originally Posted by nolatom

Also, how does a solid link between rudder and motor work if, once you're done with the motor, you're going to kick up the outboard to reduce drag, which is what we do on this lightweight boat? Seems to me learning to do both manually is part of the learning curve.


Just disconect the link.

Conecting the two will ensure the rudder does not get eaten by the prop.

The rudder can't touch the prop on my boat, it has a spring loaded mount, the prop doesn't come close to the rudder.. The mount has two lower setting too, one for short shaft, and one for long shaft which is convenient because I have a long shaft now, but just bought a short shaft 4-stroke.

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by timebandit

.....
Conecting the two will ensure the rudder does not get eaten by the prop.

I must admit that I have never really understood why people find this to be an issue. :-(

Our outboard has a simple stiff plastic plate (with rounded edges of course) bolted to the top of the inside "wing" on the outboard leg. With this set-up there is no way the rudder can ever reach the prop and is so simple it beggars belief as to why it's not common practice the world over...

FWIW, we alway use the rudder to steer our little Hartley. The outboard tiller is only ever used for tight manouevering near the dock and as a fine adjustment to keep the boat straight under power. Reverse is crap, but you get used to that.

[feetup]

The propeller is not the only way to eat a rudder with an outboard.
Getting up a bit of stern way and having the tiller get free to slam against the stop is a sure way to over stress at least the rudder, if not the stock and tiller, and the side of my head, as the quickly moving tiller struck my temple just as I turned to look.
That was a lesson I'll NEVER forget.
I vote for connecting the outboard to the tiller.


Feetup.

[knormb]

We took our Cal 25 out for the first time last Sunday, the sailing was fun and all went well until coming back into the (tight) slip. But I was trying to steer with the rudder and had the outboard locked. It didn't help that the outboard died when I shifted into reverse. No permanent damage, (and I didn't hit another boat) but did cause a bit more attention focussed our way than desired.

Next time I'll try steering with the outboard. And hope it keeps running.

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by feetup

The propeller is not the only way to eat a rudder with an outboard.
Getting up a bit of stern way and having the tiller get free to slam against the stop is a sure way to over stress at least the rudder, if not the stock and tiller, and the side of my head, as the quickly moving tiller struck my temple just as I turned to look.
That was a lesson I'll NEVER forget.
I vote for connecting the outboard to the tiller.

I hate to break this to you, but connecting the outboard to the tiller is not going to prevent that happening and having a stop on the rudder before it gets to the hard over point (like on the side of the outboard perhaps) is going to be the best way to reduce stress on the rudder in the situation you mention.

The only _slight_ disadvantage that I can see in not having the two linked is that the outboard restricts the amount you can swing the tiller over one way when near the dock - but at low speed you should be steering with the outboard anyway, so it's a bit irrelevant really..

The way to fix your problem?? Don't let go of the tiller!

[merttan]

In close quarters, I use both for really close turns. I don't have a connection between them, I just use both hands...It takes a bit getting used to but fairly easy and really useful especially when docking or manuevering around moorings...

[Hartley18]

Of course, the BEST solution is to mount the outboard in a well immediately inboard of the transom.

Sure, there's a bit of work involved: Cutting a hole about 18" square in the cockpit and the bottom of the boat, making up an open-ended box out of ply, glassing it in place and re-fitting the outboard bracket... But you do get the following advantages:

1. No obstruction to rudder or tiller movement (the outboard cowling is now underneath the tiller, not beside it)
2. No over-revving in steep chop when the prop clears the water (it can't).
3. No weight hanging over the stern (better trim).
4. No risk of dropping the thing overboard when lifting it in/out for maintenance.
5. You can maintain the thing without risk of falling overboard or losing parts into the briny.
6. Reduced risk of theft (if it ain't there, it can't be pinched!)
7. The boat looks more like a real yacht.

The only disadvantage is the work involved to do it.

[Rockter]

The outboard has the advantage that it can steer at very low speed. The rudder struggles at low boat speed.