Where do I find good rudder fittings in the EU?

  • 20 Mar 2021 13:29
    Reply # 10217399 on 8569462

    Thanks, but ”... small to midsize dinghies and daysailers” doesn’t sound too convincing.

  • 20 Mar 2021 13:16
    Reply # 10217348 on 8569462

    Hi Jami,

    perhaps you like this fittings:

    Toplicht Hamburg. https://www.toplicht.de/en/shop/decksbeschlaege/pinne-und-ruder/ruderbeschlaege/ruderbeschlag-44mm-aus-bronze-davey 

    It is a complete set.

    The fittings of my rudder for „Runa“ have been made by a bell-founder. I still have the moulds of those fittings, they are really strong and can be used again. If You are interested, write to me. 

    Bert

    Last modified: 20 Mar 2021 13:17 | Anonymous member
  • 20 Mar 2021 12:33
    Reply # 10217233 on 8569462

    Thanks, these are interesting ideas.

    I did try the Wharram method on my self steering gear, but failed to make it tight and straight enough. From that experience, I’m afraid I’m not competent on trying it on a larger scale.

    The plywood-carbon fiber on the other hand would be well in my comfort zone. Is anyone able to say about the strength of it? We’re talking about a 1600kg 22ft monohull with a large junk sail and a larger rudder than the original plus I’m moving it some 40-50cm aft to the transom.

  • 19 Mar 2021 20:19
    Reply # 10215145 on 8569462
    Deleted user

    I also came up against this problem when building my 6 meter catamaran here in New Zealand. It seems that these days the only off the shelf rudder fittings available are for dinghy size yachts. I did not want to use stainless steel fittings because of weight and complexity in having them fabricated. I thought about the dyneema lashing system and that certainly has some big plusses in simplicity, weight, and low cost. In the end, and being a person who likes to experiment, I fabricated my own fittings from carbon fiber. I already had carbon cloth from other parts of the construction, and after only a very small amount of trial and error I have ended up with some successful rudder fitting which cost almost nothing, only a small amount of carbon cloth and epoxy resin, and some stainless bolts and nuts. I made the spacing washers from some super slippery polysomething plastic I had lying around from another project.

    Oddly enough these are almost as per the suggested sketch Arne posted. On the rudder box a flange is constructed of several layers of plywood which basically encases the box top and bottom. Around the outside of these flanges are a number of layers of unidirectional carbon fiber. The bolt passes through this flange in a 10mm carbon tube sleeve which acts as a bearing. The transom fittings are just the simple carbon brackets as per the photo. These brackets were made up over a male mould. I also later fabricated the boom gooseneck from carbon fiber as once again it is impossible to purchase an off the shelf fitting which is suitable for the size of boat, although a junk rig yacht will not have that problem!

    3 files
    Last modified: 20 Mar 2021 05:47 | Deleted user
  • 19 Mar 2021 15:55
    Reply # 10214450 on 8569462

    Could you perhaps follow Annie's example and figure out how to use a Wharram-style figure 8 Dyneema lashing? 

  • 19 Mar 2021 12:21
    Reply # 10213529 on 8569462

    This is just unbelievable. I can't seem to find a welder that wpuld understand what I need or would be interested in such a "small" job.

    These kind of mass-produced fittings won't be strong enough for my 1600 kg Galion 22 then? Can't find any info on the specifications.

    So what next? Anyone here willing to make me some fittings for a fair price?

    Last modified: 19 Mar 2021 12:24 | Anonymous member
  • 20 Jan 2020 22:41
    Reply # 8634019 on 8569462

    I could not find anything,  so fabricated my own.  You can stick weld stainless with the right rods. I also settled for securing them with studding expoxyed in the rudder blade and transom. ...OK so far.


    You can just see the ones in the rudder in this post from Befur's Blog

    Blog Post

    https://sy-befur.co.uk/2017/09/29/providing-some-direction-befur-gains-a-rudder/

    Last modified: 20 Jan 2020 22:46 | Anonymous member
  • 14 Jan 2020 17:26
    Reply # 8571666 on 8569462

    Weaverbird has rudder fittings of the 'gudgeons plus long rod' type. I agree that getting a welder to make a set is the best option.

    1 file
  • 14 Jan 2020 17:13
    Reply # 8571594 on 8569462

    Jami, 

    I notice there are a few manufacturers of sailing boats in Sweden. Maxi yachts, Halberg Rassy and maybe more.

    Might they have something suitable you could buy?

  • 14 Jan 2020 17:03
    Reply # 8571485 on 8569462
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Ouch!
    Not only are the prices rather stiff; the bits are also unlikely to fit a thick, large rudder. If you have any chance to get help from a local welder, I suggest you make something like on my sketch, below. Both the hinges on the rudder and on the transom will be of the gudgeon type (no pintles). Instead of pintles, a long rod spanning both the upper and lower hinge should be used. The photo of that windvane hinge demonstrates the method.

    The brilliant thing with this setup is that one can achieve perfect alignment, almost without trying.

    Arne

    (PS: Read the captions of the diagrams as well)



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