Post by bargemast on Sept 28, 2019 16:20:24 GMT
These sure are nice photo's of a very nice boat Joe, a vessel to be proud of, I have no doubt you are, and rightfully so.
The work you did to your rudder will help at least a bit for easier manoeuvring, but I see a few things that I would have done slightly different if it was my boat.
I tell you what I would have done, 1/ make that half tunnel above the prop slope slightly downwards to help the thrust being pushed down instead of up and over the rudder, 2/ weld a horizontal flat plate on each side of the rudder maybe about 1 inch above this half tunnel sloping downwards too, this would probably not be an easy thing to do as is, as there are some rudder fittings in the way, the top flat plate as it is now looks on your photo to be about 3 to 4 inches below the half tunnel.
That would surely make quite a difference in rudder efficiency and also less loss of valuable thrust.
If you have the time (money and will) you could make a different rudder of the most efficient type that's used nowadays, the well known "Fishtail-rudder".
On all the barges and boats that I've owned, I've never had a bow-thruster, but my rudders were well adapted, now I have an hydraulic bow-thruster on my twin engined trawler yacht that I bought in 2004, and I've never used the thing even once.
It's going to cost me money next time I'm out off the water, as the seals have dried out or they've got glued to the bow-thruster shaft because of never using them, a couple of months ago some friends asked me if the BT was a helpful gadget, and if it pushed the boat hard enough, and when I tried it, after 15 years of not using it made a terrible noice, I think that the bearings have a rust problem now, which will be something else I'll have to do before I can offer the boat for sale, as a future buyer may want and/or need the BT.
My boat, like yours, looks as good on the dry as in the water (at least that's what I tell myself )
Peter.
That certainly is a beautiful boat.
Some good ideas, thank you for the input.
If I had twin engines and a bow thruster though, I wouldn't bother with altering the rudder at all. They really do make handling a boat in tight areas a doddle. As it is i have a single, vintage, slow revving Gardner, driving a boat that is 50 tons, 60' x 14', and moored in a marina full of GRP boats. Just to get into my mooring i have to do a full 360° spin within the marina. I have considered reversing through the tight gap into the marina from the canal but we have some strong currents at times and they can really embarrassed you. I could sell tickets just for the entertainment some days. 😀
Joe
On days with no wind or strong current when everything go's exactly the way you want it to go, there will be nowbody to admire you skills, but as soon as it becomes a bit (or very) hairy, they're all out, that's what they call "Sods Law" if I remember well.
Peter.