The rudder is huge

Posted By: Ray Henry, Nimble Kodiak Yawl, "Seaweed", NC
Date: 6/5/08 6:59p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Astern control (David)

*ALL* rudders need way on of some amount to be of any use. The Kodiak's "barn door" rudder requires much less of this "way on". If you can't get enough speed up, then the technique with any boat is to "back and fill". I have used this technique with several boats, up to a 16,000lb trawler in 3knots of current. You can google it to see how to do it - it would be wise for ANYONE to learn how to do this. It has advantages that you will never know until you are in a "situation". If you can do it without a second thought, it will be invaluable. Here is a pretty good video demonstrating the technique: http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/pivot_turn.htm Watch the view from the dock first, then watch the view from the cockpit and pay attention to the instructions closely. The nice thing is the rudder never moves throughout the maneuver. You put the rudder hard over to the side that is OPPOSITE your reverse prop-walk tendency. Then you just alternate between forward and reverse throttle. When in forward, with the big Nimble rudder, you can actually "goose" the throttle and really make the boat change its position. You can usually spin a boat around in not much more than its length when you get good. The nice thing is that this requires *ZERO* risk or other devices in order to practice - you can do it out on open water until it becomes second nature. Sorry for the rant.........