I am considering modifing the rudder to extend some of it in front of the hinge point to reduce the amount of pressure on the tiller (similar to a spade rudder or a j-29) to make it more cuiser-spouse-child friendly! I am sure some of you have considered it and/or done it. I would like to keep the original section to avoid PHRF complications. I wish to modify/build a second rudder and keep the original one stock. Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks-Mike Leary, Pangea #21

I modified my rudder a few years ago. When I first got the boat I couldn`t believe the weatherhelm especially on a reach.I cut a piece out of the front top section just above the water line and reglassed the section. This put the leading edge of rudder just even with the front of the hinge pins.Doing this made the top section of rudder look a bit narrow, so i built up the slanted section on the upper aft section of rudder and it now appears to be the same shape as origional except for the leading edge below the pintles being forward,If you can send me a fax number I could send you a diagram.No other J30 here but of the 4 J29`s, only one has the balanced rudder.The helm is much better now.
Regards,Clive Johnston.

Ahh,

Rather than cut up your rudder, (which decreases the value of the boat) why not trim the sails to decrease weather helm. A J/30 with the right combination of sail trim, sail area and crew weight, does not have excessive weather helm and can be sailed flat in most (but not all) conditions.

Don't modify your rudder - trim the sails.

Weather helm is not the issue, it is the heavy helm that is the problem. I have a near nuetral helm going to weather, but broad reaching in even moderate swells is a two handed job. And I plan on modifying an "extra" rudder to maintain the class value

Heavy helm off the wind is correct terminology. I also have almost neutral helm going to weather with proper sail trim.You are smart to modify the spare rudder and keep an origional.I singlehand quite often and need my boat as comfortable as possible,so modify I did.

Clive, did you get my direct e-mail with my fax #? Please fax me your diagram and any other info to 805 339-9000. Thanks, Mike

This weekend, during a 15 mile race, we had winds of 15-20 on a beam reach. We put up the 100% blade and un-reefed main. The blade was barber-hauled to a pad eye on the rail. Only two abord. We were making steady 7.5's with 8 knots not uncommon. No heavy helm.

Don't modify your rudder - trim the sails.

While I agree with some of your post, I don't think it's the whole story. By definition, the J/30 has an unbalanced rudder. Sail trim can _help_ the situation, but it cannot take care of it entirely. If you were racing one-design on the Chesapeake Bay, I can guarantee you that in 15-20 kts true, about three-fourths of the fleet would be flying their 163% genoa, a couple of folks would have their kevlar blade up, and maybe one person would be sailing their 140%. The helm would be loaded up significantly, no ifs, ands or buts! I do think that if one were to re-design the J/30's rudder with a more modern design, it would move the center of resistance closer to the axis of the pintles. This is what J/Boats has done with their newer designs, like the J/80.

Joe: As I recall, there was a thread about modifying rudders on the old website. Is that archived and retrievable someway. I know you are the website "guru" and may be able to help. After watching my 10 year old son drive through the PHRF fleet in light air, I've seen his potential and decided to go ahead and make or modify an extra rudder to be balanced.
Any body out there have an old rudder they would be willing to sell?!

I purchased a new rudder a year and a half ago. I was "shaving" down my old rudder in preparation for fairing and noticed moisture coming from within. Further investigation revealed a fair amount of water had saturated parts of the core. I removed more of the laminate to allow for drying. My plan is (was) to rebuild the rudder, fair it then offer it for sale. The rudder has been drying for over a year and is ready to be "refurbished." I would be willing to sell it as-is for considerably less than the normal used price. Sounds like with the modifications you are planning, this may be what you're looking for. I sail Lake Michigan out of Manitowoc, WI but live in Iowa. If interested send me an Email.

Steve Sullivan
Temptation, #311