Jump to content

Keeping the rudders down


landlubber
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

NZ Mari sailer. Had the boat for a while but only just got it ready for the water after a year of re-building and fettling. First sail out before xmas and pitchpoled it with the old man. To much wind and not enough talent. Was a hoot. 

I know this has been answered a few times but im after current thoughts and contact details.

My Mari has the original rudder lever/lock things on it and although they are in good nik they are not working the best and also offer me zero adjustment outside off all up or all down. I sail a bit  in the local harbour and the first 200m is pretty shallow, especially if you get a bit to excited out there and miss the tide.....

Id love to have the ability to lock the ridders half or 2/3 down for my return to the ramp. I will set it up with a 2:1 system and a cleat/rope jam of some sort but I want to make sure the system will also release if my depth sounder (squinting into the water) is not as accurate as I hope.

Ive seen on the forum guys using the "new style" lock down system with the cam and cleat that I believe is supplied by Mick Colecliffe. Does anyone have an email contact for Mick? Im based in NZ so its more difficult for me to get in contact with him.

I have also read guys using the Clamcleat CL257. This is available to me in NZ so might be an easier option? Does anyone have a photo of how this version is setup/installed on the boat?

Thanks for all your info. Cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These things are simple and tough and in my opinion are best .....

they take a bit of adjusting to get right. As standard the clamping force is too great and will not pop, and need trimming, but go slowly. Trim a bit test, trim a bit test.

when set up they stay right for ever, they hold down firmly and pop if/when you hit something solid.

now for the secret squirrel set-up - for the hold down rope or clamping rope use some cheaper stretchy stuff (BCF type) not the fancy non stretch - by pulling this tight the stretch will apply a positive tension/pressure to the rudder and keep it down tight against the rudder box.

mick colecliffe can sell you the clams.

PS: you don’t need that flex hose stuff for the rudder arm/ cross bar joint - make/buy a solid joint- one less thing to wear/rot/break.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's 8mm. Nothing fancy. Mine are on a 2:1 line so line from front of tiller, round block and into cleat. The block is tied to the rudder down thing.

The cleats are alloy so pretty strong.

When I  first used them we had a windy day at Budgewoi. When I overstood the top mark and was close reaching to the mark the windward rudder came up. There would have been a lot of force. Once I got in I tweaked the little cam which fixed it easily.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...