Dave Gerr - Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook-How to Design, Install, and Recognize Proper Systems in Boats

Chapter 12:Rudder-Stock Angle, Control, and Installation Considerations

Rudder Stops

All steering arrangements should have rud-
der stops installed (Figure 12-15). These
block the rudder from rotating more than
35 degrees to either side. Without the stops,
there can be serious problems when backing
down or when lying a-hull in heavy seas. Usu-
ally, the stops are set up to block the motion
of the quadrant on a cable-steering system or
the tiller arm on a hydraulic system; however,
the stops can be set up to block any of the
moving parts of the system if some other
component is more convenient and strong

enough to accept the load from the stops. You

need to be able to unbolt and remove the

stops to rotate the rudder past 35 degrees on

single-screw boats where the rudder must be

rotated to 90 degrees to pull the prop shaft

through a hole in the rudder (or remove or lift

the tiller arm or quadrant for this purpose).

Rudder stops should also be fitted on

outboard rudders. These can be made of

wooden stop blocks (saturated with epoxy,

painted, and bolted in place). Figure 12-16

shows a beautiful cast-bronze rudder stop for

Maximum

Turning Angle

Figure 12-15.

Rudder stops

(Courtesy

Lewmar/Whitlock)

Figure 12-14. High-aspect composite rudder
and rudder stock with emergency tiller
(Courtesy Edson Corp.)
Figure 12-16.
Bronze outboard
rudder stop