Horizon Rudder Use

[Boat-in]

Good Day all,

We continue to get our new to us Horizon Day Cat ready for its first sail.

We put the rudder and tiller on today and we had some questions about it's use.

1) When towing with the rudder up, other than tie the tiller in place and tighten the rudder nut, is there anything else we should do?

2) I was surprised how difficult it was to lift the tiller, with the metal tiller lifter, while on land. I assume the rudder has foam inside and it's natural buoyancy makes it easier to lift on the water.

3) Do you all sail with the tiller locked in the down position? If it runs aground will the metal rod unlock and allow the rudder to kick up?

Any thing else we should know about using the rudder?

Thanks tons,
Dan

[alsantini]

Hi Dan.  Al here with a 2021 Horizon.  First off I would not travel with the rudder locked up.  Vibration will cause it to fall off the clip and drag on the ground - not good.  I remove the rudder if I am driving anywhere with the exception of the launch area.  With the rod and rudder all the way down, the square metal protrusion on the top of the rod should slip below the tab of the rudder assembly.  This is hard to describe and if it doesn't make sense I would be happy to send some pics.  If the rudder hits something while sailing it will pop free and float up.  However the rod may be slightly bent and will need to be re-straightened until the lock tab is again held under the top of the rudder assembly.
Hope this helps.  Sail On - AL

[Boat-in]

Hi Dan.  Al here with a 2021 Horizon.  First off I would not travel with the rudder locked up.  Vibration will cause it to fall off the clip and drag on the ground - not good.  I remove the rudder if I am driving anywhere with the exception of the launch area.  With the rod and rudder all the way down, the square metal protrusion on the top of the rod should slip below the tab of the rudder assembly.  This is hard to describe and if it doesn't make sense I would be happy to send some pics.  If the rudder hits something while sailing it will pop free and float up.  However the rod may be slightly bent and will need to be re-straightened until the lock tab is again held under the top of the rudder assembly.
Hope this helps.  Sail On - AL

Thanks...great description. it helps lots.