There's got to be an easier way to return the rudder on a Com-Pac 23 to its position for sailing. I've got block and line for retracting it, but have to lean way over the transom to reach down and get it set back in the full vertical position in the water.
Any devices or suggestions for addressing this? I've considered a downhaul line like the one that's used to retract it but seems forced and complicated and might interfere with the benefits of a foiled rudder if attached to the forward side of the rudder. Also thought about a rod or dowel in place of the retraction line so that I can push in addition to pull.
Let me know if you've got any ideas!
HJ:
I fabricated a downhaul that worked fine on the stock rudder blade which did not float. I cut a groove in a piece of 5/8" marine ply and sandwiched it between the transom and the gudgeon, which of course needed to be removed. In groove ran a length of 1/4" like down to the front of the blade. At the top end, I drilled a hole through the stern and epoxied in a short length of PVC pipe, cut flush with the inside. This worked great but when I built my wood sheathed foiled rudder which floated, it didn't work so well. I now use the factory stainless steel hold down bracket in conjunction with the downhaul.
There are photos here somewhere but buried I suppose. You could try a search for foiled rudder blades. Hope this helps.
Bob23
This kinda shows it.
(http://i.imgur.com/IqthGyV.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/eaFLRFW.png)
Hey! Secret spy photos!!! Yup, that' it! Been on there for years with no problems.
Mine has a metal bar on the back of the rudder that pushes it in place and holds it there.
You can see the handle on the back of my tiller here:
(http://s296.photobucket.com/user/HeaveToo/media/May%202015%20Cruise/DSCN0315_zpsnksiuxxj.jpg.html?o=49)
Here you can see it with the rudder in the up position:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm199/HeaveToo/Compac23ontrailer_zps7b8ebc96.jpg)
I have the rod made by Com-Pac to hold my rudder down and have been very happy with it. I believe it will fit all of the Com-Pac models with very little modification but it is a little expensive at just over $100. This system will release if you should hit something, also no more hanging over the transom upside down. You decide what works best for you and have a great summer.
ROGER
I have the same bracket made my Compac but due to the floatation of the rudder (and an occasional kiss with the bottom), it developed a bend to it so I had a local welder who is talented in stainless, weld a small truss to the back of it. On my boat, it's crucial that the rudder stay all the way down as I've modified the rudder blade head to tilt further forward than the factory location resulted in greatly decreased weather helm.
Thanks, everyone, for the comments. Heave Too, your first photo is not showing up for me could you upload it again? It sounds like you've got exactly what I'm looking for. Is this a part that Com-Pac sells because I looked on their parts list and didn't see anything that sounded like it.
If you buy the handle you might have some other irritating issues with nuisance kickups. You might consider this modification to the stock system.
http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7267.0
I did a similar setup. Had a u-shaped band of stainless made which bolts to the tiller straps using the rearward boat. There is no way the bracket can escape even when the line is uncleated. I didn't use a bungee, but rather a thin line run through a small jamb cleat. I have this thing about bungees on a sailboat.