Sunday Cat Rudder

[jimn]

I am a brand new owner (1 week) of a 2010 Sunday Cat.  In my brief experience (1 Day) I seem to be having trouble tightening the rudder down.  I thought I really pulled on the handle but it stilled moved up.  I did not install the pin as the dealer old me not to because of hitting something.  Should I include a pipe in my tools to really leverage the handle - only kidding.  Any help would be appreciated.  Any suggestions on setting the boat up, small modifications  or sailing ditto.  I did see the 3rd party kick up rudders but will have to wait a while if that is the only fix.  I have sailed for over 30 years but this is my first outboard sailboat.  Located in Marathon on Boot Key. 

[skip1930]

On the CP-19 I could never tighten up the nut tight enough to hold the rudder fully down, even with my cheater bar that I had in my tool bag.

So I drilled clean through the rudder's casting and the rudder and shear pinned it with a snow blower shear pin.

Ever year for years now I teak it this a bit and try something different. Nothing really good yet.

skip.

[capt_nemo]

jimn,

Congratulations on your Sunday Cat and welcome to the Forum.

Never really experienced that with the stock rudder on my Sun Cat.

The casting is supposed to clamp fairly tight when you tighten the nut handle on the pivot bolt thus holding the rudder in the FULLY DOWN position(more on this later).

Two SIMPLE recommendations. First, you should remove the bolt and check that you are not running out of THREADS too soon which would prevent the nut handle from doing its job. Second, if the rudder has too much "play" or looseness with a loosened bolt, you could take up some of the space INSIDE the casting with one or more large nylon washers on either side of the bolt. (Start with one on the side where the bolt inserts 'cause it's easier to fit the rudder back in.) The casting is designed and made flexible, to a limited degree, and you might be trying to force it beyond that limit with the nut handle to no avail.

If the aforementioned do not solve the problem you can EITHER use Skip's suggestion with a light shear pin on a ring with lanyard to "lock" the rudder in the FULLY DOWN position, OR get the stainless rudder lift/lock down rod from the factory to do the job.

On my Sun Cat I replaced the stock rudder with a foiled rudder from the factory and the stainless lift/lock down rod BUT I still use the nut handle to tighten the rudder in the FULLY DOWN position!

OK, you're wondering why all the fuss about the FULLY DOWN position. Well, any rudder position other than the FULLY DOWN position will result in noticeable contributions to weather helm, especially in moderate to heavy winds. If a rudder is left to "fall into the down position" with gravity, or otherwise work itself loose and come even slightly aback you will eventually notice the weather helm difference.

With my stock rudder I leaned well over the transom pushing the rudder to its stop before tightening the nut handle to ensure it was in the FULLY DOWN and FORWARD position.

Let us know what happens - we're all root'in 'fer ya!

capt. nemo

The photos below show first, the rudder if allowed to "fall into the down position", and second, the rudder pushed FULLY DOWN and FORWARD by hand or stainless handle. Go back and forth between these two photos and you'll see a significant difference in the position of the bottom forward tip of the rudder and the leading edge of the rudder with respect to the transom. Better yet, look at the difference in distance between the bottom of the rudder and the orange extension cord to the left.

[Bob23]

Hi Jim:
   Just dropping a note to welcome you to site! Looking forward to hearing about your Compac adventures both in and out of the water.
   I assume the Sunday Cat is the same hull as the Suncat? If so, there are many here with much experience with the Suncat so any question you have should already have an answer to it!
   Again, welcome!
Bob23 and "Koinonia" 1985 23/2 in NJ

[skip1930]

A fully down and forward position that places the rudder blade under the transom is a balanced rudder.
A balanced rudder takes a lot of the steering efforts out of the tiller. Like power steering.

skip.

[rogerschwake]

Ahoy Capt. Nemo
 What is this lift lock down rod that you mentioned. I have a 2004 SunCat with what I think is a Ida rudder, it is rectangular in shape with slightly rounded off corners and white nylon over aluminum. Will this rod work on my boat with the rudder that is on it. Looked on the internet and could not find a parts list for Com-Pacs. That rod looks like it would make lowering the rudder a lot better.
ROGER

[crazycarl]

capt,

i noticed the engine in your exemplary clean garage.

is this a future inboard project for you "super cat"?

cc

[Bob23]

Carl:
   I have personally seen the Capt's garage and can attest to the absence of not only dirt and dust but also germs. He is one orderly and organized skipper and a darn hospitable one at that! I had the pleasure of meeting Nemo a few years ago while visiting my daughter who lived in Punta Gorda at the time. I also wonder what he's got planned for that engine? Maybe he let that secret photo out. Kinda like letting the "cat out of the bag".
   Well, Nemo? What of it?
Bob23

[capt_nemo]

 crazycarl &  Bob23,

Truth be told, I "borrowed" a friend's man cave to perform some maintenance on my boat. It is a three-car, well lit, air-conditioned wonder with lift and lots of tools. He has a few cars and used to work on cars and race them. A Vietnam Vet "Brother" he suffers from Parkinson's Disease.

On this earlier occasion (photos below), a while back, I waxed and buffed the hull and took advantage of some photo ops.

More recently, I used it again to recoat the exterior wood, and while watching the Sikkens Cetol Marine Light dry, I waxed and buffed the hull, again.

The garage Bob23 saw wasn't too shabby but it was SMALLER.

Here are a couple of photos definitely worth a thousand words.

capt. nemo

[capt_nemo]

rogerschwake,

Sorry to have left  your question unanswered in previous post. Give Gerry at the Factory a call (1.727.443.4408) and ask him if it would fit your rudder.

I think there is a short video somewhere on the Factory Web Site that shows the rod in operation, if my memory is correct. Ask Gerry where.

capt. nemo