TOPIC:

I am wondering if there is a preferred shape and size for the rudder blade. I sail mostly on the sea and often in choppy water.

I just wonder what folk use and what is considered the best shape and size for a rudder blade for an Albacore.

Cheers

Tim Coleman
A6812

Milanes do two shapes dagger and spoon, the spoon is apparently better for flat water. The dagger shape prety much standard with cee vee stock.

Jonathon Jarvey makes a nice rudder. Squareish

Simon Maguire does a very nice dagger board style lifting rudder with stock.

I normally use a milanes dagger style, not to be confused with dagger board style, however i did use my spare slightly bigger suare ish rudder the other night and it did give a bit more feel.

good luck

Phil
A8152 Albaholic

I started this discussion becuase I needed to replace my broken blade and was considering the various designs out there.

I have read what I can find on the internet about rudder blade shapes and it does seem that the high aspect ratio blade with an elliptical curve on the bottom from edge is considered to be the best shape overall but at slow speeds it is more likely to stall. At slow speeds the more spoon shaped blade is a more effective shape. Also for flat water sailing the thinner spoon shape is generally better and the high aspect ration blade better on the sea.
Anyone got any other wisdom on this?

I borrowed a Milanes blade and found it much better than my old blade but at £372 its a bit pricey. I have just ordered a new blade from JJboats as I think that the differences are unlikely to matter. It will be a much better blade than my old one.

What I do find curious is the shape of the Milanes high aspect blade that has a sort of hook shape to it on the back edge at the bottom and wondered why? The only thing I can think of is some kind of attempt to reduce the drag caused by a vortex from the bottom of the board. I can see why Aeroplane wings may need to consider the vortex off the end of the aerofoil but I doubt that the speed an Albacore sails at would warrant such considerations. Maybe its just a gimmick.

NACA 009 & NACA0012 airofoil shapes are normally used, personally I prefer the 0012 as it is not as parabolic on the leading edge and does not stall as much especially it light airs.

The cut away bit on the leading edge of a high aspect is the bit thst gets you out of trouble at gybe marks, unfortunatly it's not there!

Phil