J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Rudder CAD

a rudder engineered 30+ years ago ... when paper and pencil was the way to go.

23 years ago when I decided that I didn't have time to OD race Vee Jay and would use it mostly for day sailing ... the built in weather helm became tiring. So I added a little blip to the leading edge to provide a bit more balance ... took this photo yesterday of work from 23 years ago.

Bill thinks this may be a bit too much, when he sailed Vee Jay this winter and felt he needed more feedback [weather helm]. I think after a few weeks he would have become addicted to it.

When I sailed Rhapsody last summer I thought his OD rudder steered like a barge. Red head, when she sailed Vee Jay this winter, instantly related it to another J30 she had sailed on with a re-engineered balanced rudder.

I will leave Vee Jay 2 OD for the NA ... and see if I can get used to a OD rudder again. I may have to start lifting weights to build up my arms.