| 3D model | specifications | hull construction | engine | steering |
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| tanks & plumbing | miscellaneous | heating & insulation | people |
The two Steering Positions
Rusty is steered by a single tapered aerofoil rudder mounted on a skeg just aft of the propeller.
The aerofoil section is NACA0012, I won't try to explain, you need to look it up. The skeg forms part of the aerofoil (about the leading quarter).
Rusty's rudder
The rudder section can swing through an arc of approximately 45º either side of straight.
To be properly efficient, water should not be able to escape above the rudder surface when it is turned, we have a plan to do this by fixing a plate to the top of the rudder that is in the form of a quadrant, this should close the gap. But we haven't done it yet and she steers ok.
The steering Ram
There are two helm positions, one inside mounted at the front port side of the wheelhouse, and one outside, mounted on the starboard on top of the back of the wheelhouse. This gives us a weatherproof position for normal sailing or motoring, but also a position with very good visibility for close manoeuvring.
The steering Hydraulics
Because of having two steering positions, we were pretty much forced to use hydraulics. Non-return valves makes it really easy to separate the two helms. The downside of this is that there is no feedback on the wheel, and no easy way of telling the rudder angle.
