1969 B31 rudder v. 1977 B31 rudder

[John F.]

The smaller rudder was on my (ex) '69 FBC Anna E. The bigger is from my current 1977 FBC Crows Nest. Thought some might find it interesting. The 1969s were replaced with Capt. Pat's.

[Tony Meola]

John

I don't think there was any rhyme or reason to which rudders made it on to the 31. My 75 had the small rudders, my friends 67 had the larger one, an it goes on and on. I am not sure why they never sized them properly and kept them all the same size. I think it was what ever they picked up when they were being installed.

[Carl]

Look at that, a 77 larger rudder.

Looks a bit different then mine, plus yours has a square drive for tiller were mine is just keyed. Odd, might be as you said..,walk over to a pile of rudders and grab what's on top and call it good.

Can't see how those small rudders found there way into a 31 Bertram...maybe a go a 31 go fast, but not a sportfish

[pschauss]

Mine look like the one on the right but I still find it easier to steer with my engines at idle speed. I have no reason to think that they are not original.

http://www.ipernity.com/doc/307687

[Tony Meola]

John we had the small 28 rudder on ours. I believe they were the smallest ones they put on a 31. A friend of ours had a 69 and his rudder were larger, but at speed I could turn tighter then he could but on one engine his would respond when mine would not.

I never under stood why Bertram did that. If two boats came out of the factory days apart, they could have different rudders. I have to go to the boat this week. I will look at the rudders on the 31 next to mine. His are still factory.

[pschauss]

I never under stood why Bertram did that. If two boats came out of the factory days apart, they could have different rudders. I have to go to the boat this week. I will look at the rudders on the 31 next to mine. His are still factory.

Not really surprising for a model with low production numbers. On my Austin Healey, the passenger's side door is 1/4" longer than the one on the driver's side. I have been told that the guys on the assembly line hand fitted all of the body parts (doors, fenders ...), trying three or four from the pile of parts until they found one which fit best.