A rudder is a device used to steer vessels or other conveyances that move through the water. Rudders operate by re-directing the flow of water past the hull, thus imparting a turning or yawing motion to the craft. In basic form, a rudder is a flat plane or sheet of material attached with hinges to the craft's stern, or after end. Often rudders are shaped so as to minimize hydrodynamic drag. On simple watercraft, a tiller—essentially, a stick or pole acting as a lever arm—may be attached to the top of the rudder to allow it to be steered by a helmsman. In larger vessels, cables, pushrods and hydraulics may be used to link rudders to steering wheels.

Boat rudders may be either outboard or inboard. Outboard rudders are hung on the stern or transom. Inboard rudders are hung from a keel or skeg and are thus fully submerged beneath the hull, connected to the steering mechanism by a rudder post which comes up through the hull to deck level, often into a cockpit.

Some sailors use rudder post and mast placement to define the difference between a ketch and a yawl, similar two-masted vessels. Yawls are defined as having the mizzen mast abaft (ie. "aft of") the rudder post; ketches are defined as having the mizzen mast forward of the rudder post.

Small boat rudders that can be steered more or less perpendicular to the hull's longitudinal axis make effective brakes when pushed "hard over." However, terms such as "hard over," "hard to starboard," etc. signify a maximum-rate turn for larger vessels.

A sailboat rudder is of particular concern to the surveyor because many are laminated of a combination of wood,  foam, and fiberglass. I find that many are saturated with water and punky. When sounded with a metal mallet a very dull "thud" sound is returned. Often they have cracks in the skin and some deep cracks into the laminate.

Rudder bushings/bearings are also a cause for concern as they are frequently overlooked or not even on the maintenance list. On most sailboats the rudder bushings are difficult to check, never mind change. Bushings have been made from nylon for years and are almost always shot in vessels over ten years old. If the vessel is hauled for the inspection, it is easy to check the bushings. First. try to lift the rudder to check for end play, then move the rudder, at the shaft, back and forth to determine side to side play.

If the bushings need to be replaced, the rudder must be removed (lowered)  from the vessel. Usually, because of the length of the rudder and shaft the rudder must be repaired in a boat yard so the vessel can be lifted, or if the vessel can not be lifted a hole must be dug under the rudder to drop it. This is a difficult procedure and is probably the reason most mariners avoid rudder maintenance unless a failure occurs. The rudder tube houses the rudder shaft and lower bushing. It is a tube which extends from the hull penetration to a point well above the water line. Using a rudder tube to house and support the rudder shaft eliminates the need for a device to prevent water from entering the vessel.

Rudder Pintles and Gudgeons

Pintles are a hook or pin on which the rudder hangs and turns. We carry bronze pintles, sized by the width between their straps, in 1/2 in., 3/4 in., 1 in. and 1.5 in. sizes. Bronze rudder pintles are used primarily to attach a rudder to the stern or transom of a sailboat. The pintles are designed to fit onto the rudder, pins facing down, and the pintles fit into the appropriate sized gudgeon, which is attached to the stern of the boat. Pintles are measured by the width between their straps.

Gudgeons are a metal eye or socket attached to the stern post to receive the pintle of the rudder. We carry bronze gudgeons sized by the width between their straps.

Steering Quadrant

A wheel steering apparatus for a boat. A pedestal housing is mounted onto a cockpit sole or other support member. The housing supports a shaft and sprocket that are rotated by a wheel. A quadrant is mounted onto the rudder post that extends from the rudder. A chain and or cable linkage couples the sprocket and the sheave to pivot the quadrant as the wheel rotates the sprocket. The pedestal housing encloses the entire assembly. The apparatus is particularly suited to convert boats steered by a tiller normally attached to the rudder post to wheel steering

Typical Quadrant