Unifoil Kick-up Rudder from Rudder Craft

[OrionNC]

Anyone have experience with this rudder system?  I am thinking about purchasing the entire Unifoil Kick Up Rudder Assembly. 

[Billy]

no, no one on this site has ever discussed this issue.....ever.

Seriously, do a search for rudder and you will be surprised how much feedback you get.

People have built there own. gotten the foiled rudder from Ruddercraft. I just got one for my 19 from the Hutchins' factory which is much different than the IDA sailior rudder.

[OrionNC]

How is the rudder from the Hutchins' rudder differ from the Rudder Craft?  It is different in terms of how the boat sails?  Thanks!

[Billy]

I cannot compare it to the IDA rudder but I can compare it to the old factory aluminum blade. I have only had it out a few times and the biggest difference I noticed was when under power. I really is like adding power steering. Almost too much. The tiller is much easier to hold. I haven't noticed a big difference in performance, just less force on the tiller. However, I do feel like the factory has a much easier raising system than the IDA. if you watch the video of the horizon cat you can see what I mean. And my easier I mean more simple, not less effort. You do have to use a bit of muscle to raise it, but it is a much more simple design that will hold up very well over time. I'm not so sure about the IDA. (but that is just my opinion). 

I think I paid around $450 for mine and I had to give them my old blade.

But just visually compared to the IDA it tapers down at the trailing edge. Where as the IDA pretty much goes straight down. The Ida has the same profile at the top of the rudder as it does at the bottom. While the Factory foil rudder does not. How this affects the performance I cannot tell you.

If you search the factory's website you can see some images of what I mean.

[Salty19]

I had the assembly on my old 16 and now on the 19.  Love it!  I wrote a bit about it in the past.  Do a search on the word unifoil and you'll find it. Sorry I'm on an iPad so kinda tough to go on and on...