Idasailer rudder -- advice re: Teddy B

[Pat McL]

   Had the unique opportunity to sail Teddy ('75) against an '86 CP/2 (with bowsprit) last weekend. Found that she could pretty much out-sail the newer boat, although as soon as that rig is lightened up and balanced, we are probably going to be toast.(I do not really want to add a bowsprit to Teddy B).
   We couldn't point as well, which was a disappointment, and of course with the original 1975 Johnson sails, had some weather helm even though her mast was raked forward. As to the rest, she sails like a dream
    I need some input as to whether or not an Idasailer rudder would be worth investing in. What do you guys think? --- Thanks -- Pat

[Craig Weis]

Well Pat McL you better order the Idasailer rudder. This will make the tiller in your hand feel as if the rudder has power steering...additionally you will be able to stay in control of the boat when heeled over just a wee bit longer. A reduction in weatherhelming may be noticed, and the darn rudder will be more quiet cutting through the water. Plus on land it weighs more than the alum blade, but once in the water the plastic, anti fouling when waxed, rudder is lighter 'cause it wants to float by about a pound. Some where in the past posts is more about the Idasailor rudder.
I like mine. Skip.

[Gil Weiss]

Ida Sailor Foiled Rudder is a GREAT investment. Improves steering and handling at all speeds and under all conditions!

Excellent upgrade . . .

[TroyVB]

I can only echo what Skip and Gil have already said.

[Paul]

You'll read of folks giving rave reviews for the Idasailor.  There is no exaggeration.   I could tell immediately a positive difference in handling and pointing ability.  I find it rare to see a product live up to so much praise, but this one does.

You'll enjoy it.

[Pat McL]

  Well guys, I went ahead and took your advice -- ordered and received the Idasail rudder. Installed it, and took Teddy out for a sail last Fri.
   
  Wow!!!!  The difference is simply incredible. Weather helm all but disappeared, no stress on the helm anymore, can steer with one finger (have photo), and improves pointing.  I had not expected to see such a difference in a 16/1 although I can't say I wasn't warned. Anyone else with a 16/1 reading this, BUY THIS RUDDER!
 
  I will need to order from Hutch, the tension lever for the blade, as the specific gravity of the Idasail induces it to move aft and up as velocity picks up. I temporarily locked it in position for this sail with the lock-up pin (not really safe, but expediant). Will use delron break-away pin for this until I can mount the lever.  On the negative side, I can no longer scull the boat with the rudder, but I think we can suffer through this pretty well.

    On another subject, (almost called K3vin), one of my sons, Ryan and his wife, purchased from Scupper Stu (see Yahoo site forum) The Queen Irene. She is a CP/II, 1986 well found and kept in good order by Stu. (I can use nautical words like that as I am a past member of the USPS, Education Officer, Safe Boating Inspector and Instructer of Celestial Navigation -- you know, stuff like sight reductions etc. Boy, did I just impress myself!)  Stu is a snowbird, wintering here in Eustis (FL) who I discovered on the forum. Keeps Q.I. on lake Eustis while he is here during the winter months. (Apparently too smart to hang around here during the summer). I forgot why he calls himself Scupper Stu, and I don't want to dwell on the mental image that just came to mind----
   
  Anyhow, Ryan now owns the boat and has an agreement with Stu to keep her on the dock and share useage  until Stu heads home sometime in March. Have posted some pics in owners gallery. She sails a bit sluggish as compared to Teddy B, but I know that Ryan will leave me standing when he develops the full potential of the CP/II vs CP/I. I can't tell you'all how much fun it is to sail more than one of these boats together (Marcus knows) --

BTW, Suzy's brand new Westmarine boat hook is now resting on the bottom of Lake Eustis. It was a rather stirring site as it slipped from her hand, hit the drink and promptly sank as we all watched the red label stating "IT FLOATS disappear from view.

Thanks for convincing me about the foiled blade --- Pat

   

[hobnob]

IdaSail has recently added a kick-up package which includes the rudder, rudderhead, gas strut and tiller - basically everything but the gudgeons, and it looks really nice.  For the CP16 it's currently running $369.  I went down to their shop yesterday and had a look around - Joel and Jay are extremely nice and courteous guys.  Anyway I bought one of these kits and hopefully I'll have it mounted soon.  They're currently (as of yesterday) running a 10 day lead time on these.

[B.Hart]

I've been putting off buying a idasail rudder (just cheep I guess) but it being moved to the top of the list! Hope to see you guys on in the Eustis lakes soon.

[hobnob]

Rudder Update:

So I ordered the CP16 kick-up rudder assembly.  My existing tiller handle was in good condition so I purchased the assembly sans tiller for a small savings.  However it should be noted that even though the dimensions of my old tiller were proper, there were several issues pertaining the installation.  I'll spare the details, but suffice to say that IdaSail will probably not be selling these without their tiller in the future.  I also had a couple of measurement issues, and after talking to Joel we decided I should just leave my boat with them so they could tweak things.  I can't emphasize enough how great these guys (Joel and Jay) are to work with.  The next day I had the boat back with the necessary adjustments and everything looks good.  I haven't sailed it yet, but this Saturday is supposed to get into the 80s so it should be a good inaugural run.

One of the issues we came across is that as a general rule IdaSail does not do 5/16" pintles and that's the size my boat had.  After some discussion it was decided that the easiest route was to bore out the originals to 3/8".  This worked fine because it's only aluminum and there's a ton of surrounding metal, plus that took care of any slop from 30 years of a 5/16" bolt wearing away at the holes.  I believe that in the future, this is going to just be how they sell them so be aware you probably won't be able to just slip it on and sail away.

The worksmanship on both the rudder itself and the rudderhead are fantastic.  All the welds are great and the finish looks sweet.  After Saturday I hope to post more about how this thing does with the actual sailing aspect of things.

[hobnob]

The IdaSail rudder has made a world of difference in this boat.  With the original rudder frankly it was all I could do to get this boat to go into the wind.  Where most people boat around here is a narrow, long reservoir with steep sides, and the wind is frequently unstable, so you're constantly having to adjust.  As often as not with the old rudder I wasn't able to get this boat to come about without ending up heading downwind, but last night was a joy.  The responsiveness is greatly increased.  And aside from anything else, it looks about a million times better than that stock aluminum plate.

On another note, is everyone else's 16 extremely sensitive to other boater's wakes?  Our reservoir is just crawling with power boaters and jet skis and it seems like every time a wake hits my bow, the boat wants to turn perpendicular to the wave.  If I'm moving slowly, sometimes I can't keep it from happening.

[Paul]

Hobnob:

Yes, the IdaSailor rudder is probably the single most effective upgrade on a CP-16.  Glad you're doing well with it.

And yes, stinkpots' wakes reek havoc on my 16 on lighter days.  When the wind picks up a little, say to  8+ knots, she eats up the wakes.  Quite a joy to sail no matter who's around.

Good sailing,

Paul