Would a larger block work on the rudder

[FishHawk]

I'm thinking of replaceing the OEM rudder block with a larger one to improve the rudder deployment. Has anyone tried this? FishHawk

[Lt.FireDog]

FishHawk,
are you refering to the pulley (block) for the rudder deployment/retraction?
If so, it shouldn't affect the movement at all, as you should be pulling on the "ball" farthest back from the cockpit. The pulley should not effect this movement at all. Motion for either raising or lowering rudder should be a pulling (towards front of boat) movement. The pulley is really there only to give the bugee cord something to attach to, keeping the lines taunt.

[FishHawk]

I think that the sticky rudder deployment is on of the weak point to this yak. It shouldn't be that difficult to raise and lower the rudder but it is. I've tried the bees wax solution but it still is hard to raise and lower the rudder on my Marlin. This Winter I'll have more time to come up with a solution to this problem. FishHawk

[Santiago II]

There are definitely better rudder systems out there. I can horse the rudder around now, but between the blade and the deployment system, I can see changing it out in the future

[Lt.FireDog]

It was recommended to me by a couple owners of Dorado's & Dorado II's to push forward on the left pedal (when raising rudder), which puts the rudder blade in line with the rudder up/down lines, this is supposed to take some of the tension of the lines, allowing the blade to raise a bit easier......give it a try.
I spray my rudder assembly on the DII with Reel Magic and that seems to help. I think if you could get a poly washer between the blade (both sides)and the mount, the friction problem would be removed or at least decreased, but it would be a bitch to do. :D

[FishHawk]

I took a close look at the rudder and it seems to hang up on the small holes where the cord come out. I was thinking of enlarging the hole but will run this by Art before I do it.
I will probably change the rudder in the future. FishHawk

[FishHawk]

I am thinking of drilling another hole farther up on the blade to increase the leverage of the up deployment. The problem seems to be that the leverage point is too short . Also there is a lot of friction of the cord having to pull against the block which is the friction point. FishHawk

[joebh]

I plan to mount a forward attachment point near the rear paddlers feet and several pulleys to allow pulling the rudder line straight back on my Kaskazi Duo to lift the rudder. If it works better, I will post photos.