Rudder system
The rudder also has a kick-up system. Thus, by hitting the ground, the rudder will
always automatically kick up. The downhaul line and release cleat are placed in
the smaller aft portside cockpit floor locker.
IMPORTANT – Always make sure that the rudder is in a fully down position,
otherwise the rudder gets hard weather helm. To pull it hard down, take the
rudder downhaul line up to the SB winch and pull the rudder downhaul line a bit
hard and secure and push by your fingers the rudder downhaul line into the cleat,
while it is under load. NEVER USE ELECTRIC POWER ON THE WINCH but pull it
gently and slowly semi-hard down by using only winch handle.
Maybe mark the line, so you can easily visually check that the rudder is always
fully down. Again, this is very important.
Do regularly check that the downhaul line is ok and not damaged. The rudder
system is NOT designed to be used while sailing in no other position than fully
down. Otherwise, the rudder system will bend and become loose and could be
damaged.
To pull up the rudder, first release the downhaul line and pull the thinner lifting
line that is placed next to the downhaul line. Also, regularly check the bolt, where
the rudder is bolted to the rudder head, to see that this nut is tight, but not too
tight, so the rudder cannot move.
When e.g., beaching the Dragonfly, just beforehand release the downhaul line
fully, so the rudder goes up by itself when it touches the ground and then pull it
up, it is a big rudder and not designed to go easy up and down like on a dinghy.
The auto
matic quick release cleat can be adjusted lighter and/or harder, if
needed.
If the rudder is bolted too tight on the lager center bolt, it can be difficult to
move it up and down – just bolt it easily tight, so there is no slack sideways in the
rudder.
Always make sure that the rudder downhaul line is always ready to
release with no kinks and no knots on the line and that the line can
run freely so the rudder can kick-up freely.
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