I think I have the answer to all this confusion!

Posted By: Jay Levy - Indianapolis, IN 5.2 #35
Date: 10/5/06 12:55p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: My rudder (Mark)

As I see it, the rudder needs only be in two positions: all the way down when sailing and all the way up when taking the boat in or out of the water. I too, don't believe in attaching or removing the rudder while afloat. I doubt the thing floats, and I sure don't want to find out. So, on shore, I put the rudder and tiller on and secure it in the "up" position by cleating the 3/16" line that is attached to the back of the rudder to a clam cleat on the starboard side of the tiller. For security, I wrap the bitter end of that line around the tiller and extension with two half hitches. This not only keeps the rudder up, but it keeps the tiller extension centered on top of the tiller. When the boat is in the water, I release this line and pull the board down via a 3/16" downhaul line. This downhaul is secured to the port side of the tiller via the oft-mentioned "auto-release rudder cleat" I've mentioned countless times in regards to the CENTERBOARD problem many of us have experienced. If the rudder hits ground, the cleat is swung open and the board comes up. If it nevers hits ground, it's in the fully down position all the time. No drifting up due to worn-out shock cord! It seems to me that this is as simple a system as there can be, yet one that is foolproof. If I need to sail in really shallow water, I just leave the downhaul uncleated.