Rudder toe in question.....

[IRGuy]

Before launching I thought it would be a good idea to ask here about how much toe in my rudders should have. I have oversized rudders, each is about 200 sq in.

I recall reading somewhere rudders should not be parallel, but should have some toe-in. I am not sure where I read this. Any comments from you guys?

Thanks in advance.

[CaptPatrick]

Actually they should be toed out rather than in, Frank...

It actually doesn't make any difference fundalmentally, but toeing out leaves you with a larger patch of clear water drictly behind the transom when trolling.

Toeing keeps a slight tension on the rudder assembly and reduces mechanical chatter at admidship. In or out, the difference bewteen the leading edge and the trailing edge should only be 3/4" - 1".

From the Tips Page: http://bertram31.com/proj/tips/rudders.htm

[White Bear]

With all respect I ask what is considered the "toe" of a rudder.
Normal usage would consider the forward edge to be the "toe," and that a "toe-in" condition would exist when the forward edges of dual rudders are closer together than the distance between the trailing edges - somewhat akin to "toe-in" and "toe-out" of automobile wheel adjustment.
This being said, the published text refers to "toe-out" as being the preferred condition while the diagram clearly shows a "toe-in" configuration.
What am I missing?

[Carl]

Take the measurement from the stern edge (Trailing) of the Rudder Blade.

You only want to keep them a tad off parallel creating some tension on the blade, otherwise the can flutter...like a bad wheel on a shopping cart. That vibration would drive me absolutely nuts...

Unlike an the automobile the leading edge of the Rudder is used as a Counterbalance to the Rudder...kinda works like power steering.

[CaptPatrick]

WB,

"Toeing" refers to position of twin rudders in relation to themselves. Just as the term applies, look down at your feet: Toes together: Toe In. Toes apart: toe out. In the diagram above, the rudders are toed out...

The terminology for the front and back edge of a rudder is leading edge and trailing edge. If the leading edges of the rudders are closer together than the trailing edges, the rudders are toed out as viewed standing in the cockpit looking aft over the transom.

It's from a fishing stand point. When your fishing you look back into your bait spread. If you're cruising, you refer to a port and starboard rigger, but when fishing you refer to right and left rigger. Port becomes right and starboard becomes left when facing aft...

[IRGuy]

Thanks Sim and Capt Patrick...

I couldn't recall where I read the answer to my question.. I should have known to look in the Tips section.. it is usually the first place I go with a build/repair question.

[White Bear]

The terminology for the front and back edge of a rudder is leading edge and trailing edge. If the leading edges of the rudders are closer together than the trailing edges, the rudders are toed out as viewed standing in the cockpit looking aft over the transom.
It's from a fishing stand point. When your fishing you look back into your bait spread. If you're cruising, you refer to a port and starboard rigger, but when fishing you refer to right and left rigger. Port becomes right and starboard becomes left when facing aft...

Who would have thought that one's perspective should change when describing rudder orientations and that you must look aftbackwards rather than forward. I am learning things every day.