Idasailor Rudder Review

[dgholmes]

I couldnt stand it and had to take off from work early and try out my new Idasailor rudder.  I decided to single hand the CP16 so I could push her to see what she would do.  The winds were from the South at 10 to 20 mph gusting to 30 mph.

Since the conditions were similar to the last time when I complained about how bad the CP16 pointed, I ran with only the main sail, as last time, to see how the rudder would perform.  UNBELIEVABLE!!!  I could not believe how much different the boat sailed with the foil rudder.  The weatherhelm with just the main sail was reduced significantly.  I was also able to point the boat very high without the rudder stalling.  I would say I was sailing as close as any other keel boat I have sailed.  Also, you barely had to pull the rudder off centerline to maintain course.

I then wanted to push the boat and see how it would sail with full sails and not reefed.  The rudder was just like others had described -- like have power steering.  The rudder significantly improved the sailing performance of the CP16.  I could not believe it.  It pointed much higher and didnt stall like it did with the flat blade rudder.  I felt I was fighting the boat before with the flat blade rudder, but with the foil rudder, it just sailed wonderfully on all points.  

Speed was much better when sailing close to the wind.  Sometimes I felt I was sailing directly into the wind which was a great improvement from last time.  Again, the wind was blowing from the south and directly from the boat ramp.  I think it took me less than half the time to get back to the launch because it was pointing so much better.

Getting more and more comfortable with the boat, I decided to push the boat on the gusts.  When the gusts would hit, I would fight the boats tendancy to head up to see how far I could heel the boat.  About the best I could do was get the rail in the water.   I could not get water in the boat.  It would just head up into the wind and right itself.  This boat is very safe.  It absolutely will take care of you.  I was very impressed!!

I ran full sails the whole time and had one of the best sailing days I have had in a very long time.  I also sailed back to the dock and never cranked the motor.  It was wonderful.  The foil rudder transformed my boat into the best sailboat I have ever sailed.  To be honest, I was considering another type of sailboat after my last sail.  But now, I plan to keep the CP16 forever.  I am just glad I put the foil rudder on before I switched boats.

In summary, this is absolutely the best $200 I could have ever spent on the CP16.  The people that have posted the performance improvements by the foil rudder are not exagerating.  I cannot imagine doing anything to the CP16 that would improve the performance as much as the foil rudder.

[Craig&Lisa]

Hi Darrell,
Craig here.  Well, you convinced me...... I will be getting myself the foil rudder ASAP.  I am still very much the "learner", with my CP-16 being my first boat.  What a forgiving teacher she is.... terrific.  But i have experienced that tugging on the tiller in moderate winds.  And I notice the need to pull the rudder well across the cernterline just to maintain course.  The feeling is fighting the boat to hold its line.  So I look forward to the improved feel and "power steering" effect of the foil rudder.  
Looking forward to getting The White Rose out this weekend.  Winds please!
Craig

[dgholmes]

Craig,
You have the right boat as a learner.  The great part is that you have the right boat when you are an expert too.  I promise you that you will absolutely notice the difference with the foil rudder.  I feel that the foil rudder allows the CP16 to reach its full potential.  That tugging you  described will disappear.  The only tugging I did today was when I was trying to see how far I could heel the boat.  You will not be disappoinited.

[B.Hart]

I'm sold! Everybody seems to have great results with the foil rudder.   I guess it's time to bring some high teck to my old teck girl. :shock:     Is there any other place to order the rudder other than the idasailor site?

[Gil Weiss]

I added a bit more forward rake to my mast this season, and the weather helm issue between moving the mast slightly forward each of the past two seasons  and the foiled rudder is SOLVED!!!

[Craig&Lisa]

Hi Gil,

Having great fun saling our new-to-us CP-16 here at Marsh Creek.  We hope to sail up at Nock-a-mixon soon, so may will see you.  Tell me more about the forward rake of the mast that you have found so helpful.  What kind of angle do you reccommend?

Craig

[Craig]

Craig,

If you have a 16/1(no bowsprit) tighten the turnbuckle on the forestay as far as it will go (you may need to loosen the side stays). That's what I did. My 16/1 still has a bit of weather helm, which is good, but between the forward rake of the mast and the Idasailor rudder it is much better. If you have a 16/2 or 16/3 or XL turn the buckle a bit at a time until you get it where you want it.

Craig

[Gil Weiss]

I can't really measure the mast angle with any accuracy, but for each of the past two years I "loosened" the turnbuckles on the port and starboard shrouds two full turns. I adjust the overall rigging tension with the forestay. What ever tha amount of rake this added, my weather helm issue is gone. Of course, the foiled rudder helps too.

I'm glad you are enjoying your CP16 and Marsh Creek. Look forward to meeting you at nockamixon some time.

[Nate]

I just did the cheap shipping so I dont know how long it'll take to get here but after reading all of those good things I figured I'd buy one.  I experience all of the problems written about as well.  I didnt know how normal all of them were because this is my first boat and I've only sailed lasers and those types.  Going upwind can be frustrating for me and it's a little the boat and a little me.  I know what pinching is and try not to do that and I'm wondering how much the sail shape (as in how old and litterally the shape of the sail!) matters.  I'm assuming a lot.  Is it best to flatten the main out when on a beat?  My main is sort of baggy and just doesn't look correct.  I took the topping lift off when it was hoisted and the weight of the boom flattened it a tiny bit, but I'm not sure what a new sail would like.  Cant be too much more for a new one?  Anyway I am excited to get the rudder and cant wait to sail in wind more than 5 MPH!  I was so happy to see the boat move (slow but under control) with just a tiny bit of wind.  
So long!
Nathan