Re: Rudder

Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Tue, 25 Aug 1998 14:34:18 -0700


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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>I have a P-15 and I would like to add a system of raising and lowering the
>rudder from the cockpit. The lake I sail is very shallow. I have to launch
>with the rudder fully retracted. Also, has anyone a better idea on stowing
>the main inside the cabin? I flake the sail as best I can, then bungee to
>the boom. I have no other sailboats (of any make) to compare with. Thanks
>for the great bulletin board for info.
>
>Mike Wetteroth
>"Fifteen"

Mike-

I've just added an article to the Potter Yachters web page describing the
push-pull rod that Tom Grimes and I (and some others) use on our P-14s. The
article is a reprint from a Potter Yachter newsletter and can be seen at
<http://songbird.com/py/manyway/rudrrod.gif>. I think it's much simpler
than any system of lines, blocks, and cleats, and the rod also serves as a
flag to let you know if your rudder has come up when you're sailing. The
photos are of Tom Grimes' boat. Mine is similar except my pushrod is
attached lower on the rudder blade, which I think gives me better leverage.
Also I used a gearshift knob instead of a T-handle at the top, thinking
that the T-handle could possibly foul the sheet when coming about. I'm
using an eye-screw as the upper guide for the rod. I've been using this
successfully for several years.

Harry Gordon
P-14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA