NACA-0014 Rudder Modification Underway

[Salty19]

I seem to recall a comment a while back that mentioned IDA tested both profiles and found the 0012 style foil to be more efficient.  That is what they implement on their rudders (for the Compacs anyway).   

With that said, the 0014 obviously works well too.  Probably splitting hairs between the two.

[Bob23]

To all:
   Doug142 has graciously mailed me the NACA 0014 foil templates for 12, 13, and 14 inch widths. Thank you so much Doug! Dang...no I have no excuse for getting started! Looks like another major nor'easter here in NJ tonight and tomorrow. With snow. One could really get used to wonderful weather like this. My snow shovel has sparks flying from it, I've used it so much.
   With the weather going to Hades, maybe Saturday I'll get started on the rudder project. And maybe, just maybe, I'll buckle down and learn how to post photos here.
Bob23
(ps: Again- much Grog is due Doug!)

[Greene]

Well today I figured I could just make up a quick template for some kind of insignia, paint the template, and post the final product.  ARGGGGGGG! Seems the blue paint I chose to use with the template reacted with the white paint already on the rudder and I ended up with a bubbly mess.  Ok, I'm an easy going kind of guy so I kept the language pretty PG and moved on.  I cleaned off the mess and repainted the white.  No cool insignia, but here is what it looks like before I do the final touch-up and cleaning of the bare aluminum.


Side View


Top and Side

Mike

[kchunk]

Looks great! And you'll be so happy with the noticeable performance. Great job!

[DOUG142]

Looks really nice, M Greene.
Good job!
Can't wait to see you zipping along with it.
Doug142

[Glenn Basore]

Nice work,

This was a fun project to follow, thanks for the post.

Now I'm waiting for the actual test results when you take her out with the new rudder!

Will you really be able to notice the difference ?

[Salty19]

Mike-  very nice handiwork!  I think you'll find the foiled rudder to be the biggest improvement yet for your boat in terms of handling.   

I used the IDA assembly on my 16 (and have one on the 19 ready to be installed) and was amazed at the difference it makes.  No more strong weather helm, much better controlled tacking, points higher into the wind and the boat tracks with less slip.  I also noticed a MUCH increased ability to hold a tack before weather helming in strong winds.  Yes, enough to hold the boat on it's lines to take water over the rubrail in a good breeze.  That was with new sails too.  She will fly compared to last year.

Adding a 155% genoa, roller furling and a decent main sail will really make the most of the boat.

Glenn..if you're waiting for a review before you make one, don't bother! This is a proven modification that has been tested by many sailors.   Just do it!

[Greene]

Salty,

I am anxious to get out on the water and try it.  I have an older 155 genoa which will be attached to the PVC roller furler I am in the process of building.  The main is OLD, but it'll have to do.  I don't want to spend $400 on a new one since I hope to go to a 19 later this season or next.  I'll start a thread this weekend about the furler to get some input from others.

No details, but here is the start of my prototype.

[Greene]

We test sailed the new foiled rudder today.  Even though the winds weren't as strong as we would have liked, we got to try out the foil.  The most immediate and obvious difference was our ability to easily tack with very little headway.  With the flat blade we would often stall in the middle of a slow speed tack.  The foil just doesn't put the "brakes on" when you throw it over.  Brenda actually found herself oversteering during these tacks.  It seemed to allow the boat to gather speed more easily as well.  The nicest thing about the new rudder was the ability to sail closer to the wind.  Last year we felt that the CP16 would struggle to go even close to  45 degrees.  Some days it seemed like we were closer to 80 degrees!  Today with gentle winds of 7-9 mph we consistently tacked back and forth at 45 degree each way.  When the wind would pipe up a little we could sail even closer than that.  I hand sailed the last three hours non-stop today by myself and had little or no fatigue from holding the tiller.  It does feel like it has "power steering" as someone said it would.  

I also wanted to note that the rudder does end up with positive bouyancy.  If the tightener is left loose the rudder will float into the raised position.

I can't imagine a less expensive improvement that we can make to these fine crafts that would have this much impact on their ability to sail.  I'll be doing the same thing to the rudder on our CP19 ASAP.

Mike and Brenda

[Bob23]

   Thanks for the feedback, Mike. I'm looking forward to trying mine out but it'll be about 2 weeks till it's done completely. I don't know if I'd undertake one of these wood-rudder projects again...very labor intensive and that's not good for one with limited time.
   I've wondered if a small skeg installed just forward of the rudder would help even more. Maybe next winters project, eh?
Bob23

[Greene]

Come on Bob23 - Pick up the pace.  I've got the wood leading edge on and the styrofoam glued to the plate.  I'll be shaping the styro tomorrow, so you'd better get moving or I am going to lap you. 

Post some pictures already!

Mike

[Bob23]

Harsh bells, brother. Harsh bells you ring indeed!
   Yeah, I've been slacking. Work has been busy and I've had the rudder home for about a week. I have decided to fiberglass the bottom 1/3  for contact protection (not that it ever happens, mind you) and finding a place to do that is a challenge.
   Currently, there are 3 coats of West System on the body and another clear coat using 207 hardener will be applied. After that, about 3 coats of Flagship varnish will be applied and then, and only then, will it be installed.
   Looks like rain this Sunday but Saturday I hope to sail aboard my friend Dennis' Morgan 30.
No, I don't drink Captain Morgans rum; the name is just coincidental. I like Gosslings.
   I'll give the photo thing a good honest try this weekend. Promise.
Bob23
(ps) your adventures into roller- furling have inspired me to make a retractable awning for my home using an old sail. The original plan was to not buy anything for the project but instead scrounge around my vast store of "good junk". Looks like I will need to buy a few things but it should be kept to a minimum. Needless to say, Linda (commander in chief) is not thrilled with the idea  of an old sail hanging off the front of the abode.)

[Salty19]

Bob said it best in an email to me about the rudder project (paraphrasing slightly) describing that the planning and procrastination stage is very important to the outcome of the project.

So with over two years of planning and procrastinating, Bob's rudder is sure to be the most finely crafted, perfectly designed piece of aluminum, wood, and fiberglass mankind has ever seen, and will ever know for eternity.

[Bob23]

Not currently though:
   For some reason unbeknownst to myself, the rudder turned a bit milky when left out in the rain the other night. Geez...it's supposed to be in water, right? I think I can remove it with mild heat.
   I'll be glad when this is over...it's turned out to be a bigger project than I anticipated.
Bob23

[DOUG142]

Bob,
Doug here.  What coating is on the rudder right now?  Epoxy resin?   Not that polyester resin I hope.

I have seen that happen to stuff before and wish I could remember why.  But it seemed okay once dried out. 

If you can email me and pics in the email.  There wasn't varnish on the wood was there ? before glassing it in.
dougmartindale at elknet dot net

Doug