custom sailboat rudders

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We build rudders with passion and precision since 1963.

Ships anywhere, cost effective, satisfaction guaranteed.

In the early sixties, an innovative man named Chuck Foss developed several polyurethane foam systems useful for a variety of purposes, including the production of surfboards. His new firm, The Foss Company, soon became one of the top U.S. suppliers of foam surfboard blanks, which he sold under the name of “Foss Foam.”

Later in the sixties, one of his Foss Foam systems used to make surfboard skags was found to be an excellent material for making sailboat rudders. It was not long before The Foss Company supplied rudders to most of the boat builders in Southern California through the seventies and eighties. 

The Foss Company’s former headquarters. During the eighties and nineties, the company specialized in fiberglass and foam composites. High performance sailboards and paddleboards were some of the products produced. With an extensive inventory of rudder molds, the company now specializes in supplying sailboat owners and boat repair yards with replacement rudders.

In recent years, The Foss Company has formed a strategic partnership with FinCo Fabrication, a major fiberglass manufacturing firm based in Santa Ana, California.  This partnership will assure that The Foss Company’s long tradition of quality products and service will continue for years to come.

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Start your rudder with us now (714) 973-2878 or (949)646-0244

Great old boats - cal 40's new rudder, click to open video, our manufacturing process..

Working together with you the owner we select an exciting mold or sketch out a new design for a  custom rudder. All based off years of experience and time tested best practices.

Prepping mold

Experienced Finco craftsmen begin the manufacturing process by sanding, polishing and waxing the rudder mold.

Gelcoat & first layer

After applying Gelcoat to the mold, they apply a layer of unidirectional fiberglass saturated with Vinylester™ resin.

Rudder Shaft Turned​

A new rudder shaft is turned from the same material as the original (or stronger.) After it is cut to length and tapered, the tangs are welded into place.

Shaft set & foam+

Once the fiberglass has cured, the tapered stainless steel shaft is set into the mold. After the shaft is aligned, the halves are mated, clamped and sealed, and liquid foam is poured into the mold.

Sand to Smooth

When the foam has cured, the rudder is removed and the seams sanded smooth. Most OEM rudder fabrication stops here; we go farther .

Taped and cured

Fiberglass tape is laminated to the seams. After the tape has cured and has been sanded smooth, the rudder gets a final coat of gelcoat.

Faired & prepped

In the last step, the entire rudder is faired and sanded in preparation for you to apply a coat of bottom paint.

Packed in custom box

The finished rudder is packed in a purpose-built crate suitable for shipping to you anywhere in the world.

Why Select Us?

We have many of the original molds and tooling for production boats made over the mast 60+ years in our inventory and can replace damaged rudders with the exact factory replacement. If you would like a custom rudder, we can modify or design from scratch a rudder that meets your exact needs. 

The original rudders originally were manufactured by “clam-shell” method and our exact replacements use the same tooling. Plus over the years there have been advances in glass cloth and in laminating resins making them stronger and more reliable. The closed cell foam core of the rudder remains the same, but the selective addition of unidirectional fibers has increased the strength of our rudders, and the use of Vinylester™ resins has eliminated blisters and the need for expensive barrier coats.

Newer designs to improve handling and directional control. This is most important when sailing very fast and can help prevent broaching and spin-outs. Most boats can use upgraded rudders without incurring a rating penalty. Some local PHRF boards will hit some designs with a 3 seconds-per-mile penalty so you should check with your local board before making your change.​

Get in Touch

Here for you.

Phone: (714) 973-2878 (949) 646-0244 Email: [email protected]

Foss Rudders fondued in 1963 has partnered with FinCo Fabrication, a major fiberglass manufacturing firm in Santa Ana, California. We make precision rudders for you.

Where to find us

2520 South Broadway, Santa Ana CA 92707

Bobby's Boat Works

Bobby's Boat Works

Rudders, Dagger Boards, and Tillers.

Products and Services

In stock components.

We have many rudders, daggerboard, tillers and other items premade and ready to ship.  To see these items please use the shop button at the top of the page and navigate to the item you need for your boat.

Made to Order Components

Due to a high demand for stock items and a large backlog, we are not taking any custom orders at this time.

I built my first boat in 2005 and found the building process to be almost as much fun as being out on the water. Since that time I have built several boats, some for me and some for others.   In December 2019 I decided to buy John Owens' business of making rudders, daggerboards and tillers for several production boats. I always found that these were some of my favorite parts to make during a boat build.  The foil is such an intimate part to the performance of the boat and making one that water would flow smoothly over fascinated me.

a great reputation for quality products at a fair price and it is my intent to continue that tradition.

La Grange, Texas 78945

[email protected]

(979) 250-1668

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You are here: Home › Marine › Phil’s Foils A-Z › C&C

Several C&C models have had changes through their production run – please confirm all critical measurements when ordering.   You’ll find the 2nd generation boats built by Tartan down near the bottom.

C&c27 mk1 rudder.

The Mk3 shape is also a possible replacement for the Mk1.

Price is for rudder blade only. Replacement post quoted separately.

Click Here for Price          Post Feedback

C&C27 Mk3 Rudder

The Mk3 shape also makes a nice upgrade for the Mk1 and Mk2.

Price is for rudder blade only. Replacement post quoted separately

C&C27 Mk5 Rudder

C&C30 HP

Need a rudder?   We can supply.

C&C30 Redwing Rudder

C&C33 Rudder

C&C34 Plus Rudder

C&C35 MkI Rudder

The “scimitar” shape of the original C&C 35 Mk I rudder was perhaps not their best idea.   We developed a more conventional design for our customer, much in the way that the C&C 27 evolved from the MkI to MkIII.

Click Here for Price    Post Feedback

C&C35 Mk3 Rudder

C&C36 Rudder

C&C37 Rudder

We had one of these come in to the shop that was, honestly, horribly unfair and very waterlogged. Our replacement, while of the same planform, is a much nicer section and considerably lighter.

After a couple of months of sailing with the new rudder I couldn’t be more pleased. The boat is much more balanced and the issues with a very heavy helm that got loaded up with a lot of weather helm are gone. Boat handling is dramatically. I just sailed the boat from Annapolis, MD to Bermuda and back as part of the Bermuda Ocean Race and took second in my class. Everybody is impressed with what a change it’s made.

Regards, – Steve

C&C37R Rudder

We’ve taken a 37R rudder from a rather chunky shoal draft design to one with more ‘normal’ aspect ratio.   If you want one in the original shape, we have those dimensions too.

C&C38 Rudder

C&C38 Landfall Rudder

C&C39 Rudder

The blade was built around his original rudder post. The replacement is higher in aspect ratio (and lighter, due to construction method).

Price is for rudder blade only. Replacement post quoted  separately.

C&C Northeast 39 Rudder

CCI is pleased to offer this replacement rudder for the Northeast 39 designed to match the factory dimensions. Built using E-glass vacuum bagged over a CNC shaped foam core, this rudder can be built with a full carbon fiber post or stainless steel post.

C&C40 Rudder

C&C41 Rudder

C&C44 Rudder

C&C110 Rudder

C&C115 Rudder

Of course CCI can provide a new rudder for your C&C 115.

C&C 115 Bowsprit

For this project we first milled a foam test piece to verify fit to the bow, based on dimensions the customer had provided.  Then we proceeded to build the unit itself.  This sprit allows a headsail to be set an additional 15″ off of the bow.

C&C121 Rudder

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Custom Fixed Rudders

Start here to select your new rudder.

Measurements required: A form will be sent to you after purchase

Leaves warehouse: 30 business days after measurements are approved

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• Sailboat Rudder

Making a Sailboat Rudder for s/y Alacazam

It's not enough just for a sailboat rudder to steer the boat effectively, it should also contribute to the keel's job of providing lift to windward, and for it to do this it must be designed as a hydrodynamic foil.

Of course a rudder doesn't have to provide lift, but it's a wasted opportunity if it doesn't.

As with an aircraft's wing, to develop lift the sailboat rudder must have water flowing over its leading edge at an angle of attack.

Fortunately for us sailors, the pressure of air on the windward side of the sails, pushes the boat bodily off course slightly and it's this leeway that provide the angle of attack - or angle of incidence- that enables our keels and rudders to provide lift.

But What Type of Sailboat Rudder would be Best for Alacazam ?

First, we considered twin transom-mounted rudders. The usual argument for twin rudders is:

• as the boat heels, the leeward rudder is more deeply immersed and provides better control, and
• the boat, resting on the keel and two rudders can dry-out upright.

But in the end we decided against the twin rudder arrangement because:~

• with Alacazam's deep draught (7 feet, or 2.2m) the twin rudders wouldn't be deep enough to achieve the drying-out upright benefit, and
• the mechanical complexity of tiller steered twin rudder system went against one of our key design principles - keep it simple, and
• with no propwash flowing over the rudders, manoeuvring under power in tight situations would be a little too interesting for my tastes.

So the conventional single rudder approach it was to be. But what type of sailboat rudder?

A Transom-Hung Rudder

We liked the simplicity of this arrangement, but it didn't suit Alacazam's hull design at the stern. We wanted a sugar-scoop design with a bathing platform to allow easy access from the dinghy which ruled out a transom hung rudder. Similarly, it meant that mounting the servo-pendulum self-steering gear would be unnecessarily complicated.

Spade Rudder

The spade rudder is the most efficient of all sailboat rudders, which is why you're unlikely to see any other design on racing yachts.

The absence of a skeg means that all of its area is used to apply a turning force to the hull, minimizing wetted area and associated drag.

The area ahead of the stock helps to balance the rudder, making life easier for the helmsman.

But it's not the most robust design, being entirely dependent on the strength of rudder stock to resist impact damage.

Theoretically it's just a matter of engineering, but high performance spade rudders just aren't thick enough to incorporate a rudder stock of sufficient diameter for ultimate security.

Skeg-Hung Rudder

Other than those rudders hung on the following edge of long keels, the skeg hung rudder - supported top and bottom on a full length skeg - is the most robust design.

Without a portion forward of the stock, there's no balancing force to take the load of the helmsman's arms - so loads can be quite heavy in some designs.

Nevertheless, it's a very popular design for offshore cruising boats.

Semi-Balanced Rudder

This design of sailboat rudder is something of a compromise between the spade rudder and the full skeg rudder.

Supported at its mid-point by a half-depth skeg, it benefits by the area forward of the stock, below the skeg.

This applies a balancing force as the rudder is turned making the steering lighter than it would otherwise be. And it was this design we chose for Alacazam's rudder.

Making Alacazam's Rudder

A typical productions boat's rudder is likely to have been fabricated as shown here, with two GRP mouldings 'clamshelled' around a foam core.

Not the most reliable arrangement you might think - and you'd be right.

We wanted something a little more robust for Alacazam's rudder.

But first, the rudder stock.

We fabricated this from a 2" (50mm) diameter stainless steel solid bar and welded on flat stainless tangs that would be embedded within the rudder.

The Admiralty Bronze casting will eventually connect the rudder to the skeg.

With the rudder stock fabricated, we began the construction of the rudder core.

It was made up from half inch (12mm) marine ply sheets, cut to shape and incorporating cut-outs for the tangs, screwed and glued together.

The rudder and skeg was built up as a single unit at this stage.

The rudder design software generated coordinates for various stations along the rudder, and we used these to cut templates so that we could get the shape right.

Shaping the rudder profile was done by hand, initially with a plane to remove the excess, then with a file and diminishingly coarse grades of sandpaper.

Once the rudder profile matched the appropriate template we removed the section that would form the skeg.

Next, the rudder was fitted to the stock with any gaps between the tangs and the ply taken up with high-strength epoxy 'gloop'.

Finally both the rudder and the skeg were sheathed in several layers of epoxy-glass rovings before being filled and faired with epoxy fairing compound.

Fitting the Sailboat Rudder

The skeg was letter-boxed through a slot cut in the hull, securely braced internally and bonded to it with fillets of high-strength epoxy and epoxy glass rovings.

Inside the hull we had constructed a GRP tube to contain the stock, and the skeg was also bonded to the lower end of that.

The rudder was then securely fitted to the stock via the bronze bearing, and located at the top of the rudder by a stainless steel bearing.

That's it, we now have a very robust and efficient rudder securely attached to Alacazam's hull.

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4 Rudder Types for Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

A rudder is an ancient piece of technology that people still use to steer sailboats today. Modern sailboats use many different types of rudders.

If you turn the rudder to the left, the stern will turn right, and vice versa. You can use either a steering wheel or a tiller to move the rudder. Not every type of boat has the same kind of rudder, nor should every boat - different boats need significantly different rudders.

There are several different types of rudders in common use. Sailboats use full keel rudders, spade rudders, outboard rudders, and skeg-mounted rudders, plus variations on each type. What type of rudder is best depends on the shape of the hull and the boat's size.

Table of contents

Different rudder types and their advantages

Full keel rudders.

Many sailboats have a full keel rather than a fin keel, which requires a particular type of rudder. A full keel is the standard type of keel, or flat blade at the bottom of a sailboat. A full keel is designed for stability, not speed - it can keep you safe in rough water.

A generation or two ago, nearly all cruising boats had full keels. However, this is no longer true. Many customers today prefer fin keels, which are designed with speed rather than stability in mind.

A fin keel is smaller than a full keel and shaped differently. Fin keels are more popular today because many sailors today never go far from the coast. If you are near the coast, fin keels are relatively safe.

With a full keel sailboat , the rudder appears to be part of the keel. It is attached with a hinge and looks like a continuation of the keel. There may be a hole between the keel and the rudder, where the propeller is, although not all boats use this design.

What is the advantage of a full keel rudder?

A full keel rudder is strong and protects the boat from harm. A full keel rudder helps a boat survive a storm. Any debris floating by will not snag on a full keel rudder as it will snag on some other rudders.

Do full keel rudders have any disadvantages?

It is harder to move a full rudder than to move other types of rudders. Water flowing by the boat puts a great deal of pressure on a full keel rudder and makes the rudder hard to move. It takes a lot of force to push the rudder against the water moving past the boat.

Spade rudders

Spade rudders are for fin keel boats rather than full keel boats. A spade rudder sticks straight down into the water. A spade rudder can rotate left or right with a rudder post that extends into the hull.

Advantages and disadvantages of spade rudders

The most obvious advantage of the spade rudder is that it can be part of a fin keel boat. A full keel rudder requires a full keel - you could not attach a rudder of this type to another type of boat.

It is also not nearly as difficult to turn a spade rudder as it is to turn a full keel rudder. The water does not put all of its force on one side of the rudder, so it does not take as much force to turn it.

One disadvantage is that debris floating in the water can get caught on a spade rudder. Spade rudders are more delicate than full keel rudders in many ways. Debris can damage a spade rudder.

A spade rudder can also be damaged by rough water. Large waves may exert enough pressure on a spade rudder that it will break. A large wave can bend the rudder post, and after that happens, your rudder becomes useless.

Outboard rudders

An outboard rudder is not part of the boat's hull and is mounted outside of it, at the back of the boat. Usually, an outboard rudder is not hooked up to a steering wheel.

Instead, it is hooked up to a tiller, which is a steering lever. A tiller can take a bit of getting used to if you are used to a steering wheel, but a tiller is not hard to use. Many sailors prefer a tiller, especially for smaller boats.

Advantages and disadvantages of outboard rudders

If an outboard rudder is damaged, it is not likely to damage the rest of the boat. Since there is no rudder post running through the hull, damage to the rudder usually won't mean damage to anything else as well.

You may also be able to remove and fix a damaged outboard rudder while you are still out at sea. There is no way to remove a rudder that is part of the hull and beneath the boat, but a rudder attached to the boat with hinges may be possible to fix at sea.

Outboard rudders are not necessarily weaker than and can be stronger than other types of rudders. The hinges that hold an outboard rudder in place may be stronger than a rudder post.

In some ways, an outboard rudder is worse than either a spade rudder or a full keel rudder. Unlike a full keel rudder, things like rope floating in the water can get caught on an outboard rudder. Objects floating by can also hit and damage an outboard rudder more easily than they can damage a more durable full keel rudder.

Compared to a spade rudder, the outboard rudder is harder to turn. The water pressure will always be on one side of the rudder; this is not always the case with spade rudders.

Skeg mounted rudders

Skeg rudders are both durable and possible to use on fin keel rather than full keel boats. Skeg mounted rudders are more durable than the spade rudders you usually find on fin keel boats.

Skeg mounted rudders have the same disadvantage as full keel rudders and outboard rudders, which is that they require more energy to turn. The water will put all of its pressure on one side of the rudder. Only spade rudders avoid this problem.

Is a tiller better than a wheel?

Either for inexperienced or veteran sailors, a tiller can work better. With a tiller, you will get immediate feedback. If you turn a wheel, the boat won't turn right away, which can confuse or annoy a new sailor.

The tiller should be long enough, as it is harder to turn if it is shorter. In strong winds, you need a long lever to turn your boat without it taking a great deal of strength.

It is easier to turn a wheel than to turn a tiller, as there is more leverage with a steering wheel. Therefore, wheels are better for larger boats; as a tiller is harder to turn with a bigger boat.

A tiller's advantage is that it is more responsive than a wheel, even though it is harder to turn. The boat will start to change direction almost immediately if you use a tiller. In racing, it is normal to use a tiller because you can change direction more quickly.

How does a rudder work?

A rudder works through water pressure. If you turn the rudder, the pressure becomes higher on one side of the rudder than the other. The rudder then moves toward the side with the lower pressure, which causes the boat to change direction.

When a sailboat turns, it pivots around a point near the middle of the boat. Both the stern and the bow move simultaneously, with the middle of the boat not moving. You have to take this into account while sailing, or else you might swing the end of your ship into another boat.

What is the purpose of the keel?

The keel keeps the boat stable. Without a keel sticking down from the boat into the water, it would be easy for the wind to push the boat around. Without a keel, the wind could easily push you sideways and make the ship much harder to control.

A keel is also weighted. The keel is full of ballast, which is weight that keeps the boat from flipping over. Without ballast, a boat would be top-heavy and unsafe.

Keels are usually made out of the same material as the rest of the boat - if the boat is aluminum, the keel will be as well. The ballast is usually lead.

While full keels are better in rough weather in most ways, a fin keel does a better job of preventing the wind from blowing your boat around. Wind can create leeway, which is sideways movement of the boat. Leeway is most likely if you are sailing into the wind.

Do rudders often fail at sea?

Yes, a rudder failure is one of the more common hazards you might encounter at sea. Not every sailboat has a good, durable rudder. The rudders on cheap boats, especially cheap fiberglass boats, can fail.

The rudder pole should neither be too weak nor too strong. If the rudder pole is too weak, it will bend easily. If it is too strong, it may damage the hull rather than bend, which is even more dangerous.

A rudder has a metal framework inside of it. If the framework breaks, the rudder will become unusable. With a cheaper boat, the metal framework may not be welded together properly.

Make sure you buy a sailboat that has a reputation for safety. Don't buy the cheapest boat you can find - look into whether or not the boat is safe to take out to sea.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Small Craft Advisor

Build Your Own Kick Up Rudder

William mantis offers up plans for a creative and effective diy rudder.

by Bill Mantis

I built a rudder for my 8.5’ x 4.5’ sailboat—named City Slicker 2. 0—the same time I built the boat itself, two years ago . Since I was in a hurry to get it done, I didn’t bother designing a kick-up rudder, figuring I could make the modification at a later date. But then I lost it. I lost my rudder. How does one lose a rudder? I can’t explain how it happened. I only know I had it when I came ashore one day, and didn’t have it the next time I tried to launch. Fortunately, I’d been designing a kick up rudder before suffering the loss, and I had the necessary epoxy and lumber on hand. Only the material for the rudder blade and new pintles had to be ordered. As a result, I lost only one week of the sailing season.

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New Rudders

Replacement Sailboat Rudders and Centerboards

Four Types of Rudders On Sailboats

The four rudder types are: full rudder, spade rudder, skeg rudder, and outboard rudder. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Full Rudder

The full or full keel rudder is at the aft end of a full length keel. The keel-rudder runs along the entire length of the bottom of the boat’s hull. This full length rudder is safe and more resistant to damage. The leading edge of the keel protects the rudder from debris. The full rudder is a trademark of offshore cruisers like Cabo Ricos and Wetsails. Damage may be avoided even when grounding. The boat will rest safely on its side until the tide returns and lifts the boat off the shoal.

Spade Rudder

The spade rudder rests below the transom separate from the keel. A spade rudder turns easily because the water rushes both against its fore and aft edges – good when using a tiller. There’s less wet area so the spade rudder is fast. The spade, along with partial spade rudders are becoming popular in many sailboat designs.

Skeg Rudder

Compared to other styles, the skeg rudder is modern in safety and performance and popular on current production boats. The skeg rudder is similar to a spade keel and is fast. The skeg rudder’s fore edge is protected by a “faux keel” that extends from aft of the hull. Hylas yachts are known for their skeg rudders.

Outboard Rudder

Outboard rudders are used on smaller boats. They are attached to the transom of the boat, hanging off the stern. Racing prams employ outboard rudders. They are also easy to jerry rig as emergency rudders. Any long piece of metal and flat piece of wood, as in a cabin door, can work.

Each type of rudder has its advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, inspect your rudder regularly and carry a spare.

Foss Foam products can create a replacement rudder for your sailboat. Contact us for more information.

BOAT RUDDERS

Increase your vessel’s performance with a bespoke rudder from the UK’s marine manufacturing experts.

Rudder Efficiency And Hydrodynamics

CJR’s custom, performance-oriented boat rudders have long been a key consideration for discerning boat owners. Our custom-crafted rudders have a notable impact on several factors, including vessel manoeuvrability, responsiveness, fuel consumption and boat speed. In addition, they directly reduce noise, vibration and cavitation levels, making them an imperative component of a fully optimised propulsion package.

Our Boat Rudder Steering Systems

Through the use of CFD and FEA design tools, CJR-designed rudders are tailored to your specific hull form and optimised for peak performance and longevity. Our extensive experience in the marine industry means that we are able to offer our customers the finest boat rudders on the market. This is due to a number of factors:

• Our accurate understanding of the flow into the rudder from the propeller and the hydrodynamic loading.
• Our ability to calculate rudder stock and blade strength requirements.
• Our extensive work around supporting bearings reactions with precision accuracy.

Our rudder design and manufacture can meet any classification society rules, including all IACS societies, and can be cast in a range of materials to suit the specific application. Nickel aluminium bronze (NiBral) is the most popular choices. Equally, CJR’s boat rudders can be manufactured using a range of alternative approaches to best meet your specific requirements.

Flow-Aligned Twisted Rudders

In addition to our standard rudders, we also offer our customers the option to invest in pioneering, flow-aligned twisted rudders. Fully tailor-made, our twisted rudders have been specifically crafted to match the rotational flow of water from the propeller. This unique design allows for minimal resistance, increasing boat speed and manoeuvrability, without sacrificing steering. 

Read more about flow-aligned rudders here .

Custom Assemblies 

Cast rudders.

Cast in a single piece in either aluminium bronze or high tensile bronze, before the stocks are fully machined in our CNC machining centre for adherence to the required tolerances and ensuring optimum fit.

Bolt On Stock

Bolt on stock rudders follow the same quality-centric approach as our cast rudders but with a bolt on stock for easy replacement and repair of the blade if it gets damaged. The stock and blade are fitted with flanges with a ring of bolts which usually fits into a recess in the hull to minimise drag.

Fabricated  

Fabricated single plate or streamlined NACA shape rudders are manufactured and welded in stainless steel or mild steel and can offer a notable weight saving for large vessels. All welding is carried out by Class Society coded welders and all our rudder types can be manufactured to major Classification Society requirements. 

Common Rudder Issues

Regular maintenance is fundamental to ensure the peak performance and endurance of boat rudders, however over time you may experience issues such as stiff steering, vibrations, leaking bearings and/or reduced manoeuvrability. Below we have underlined some quick troubleshooting you can do to remedy some of these common problems.

For stiff steering: Check for obstructions in the rudder bearings or linkage.

For vibrations: This may signal misaligned rudder blades or bent rudder stocks.

For reduced manoeuvrability: This may result from a damaged rudder blade and you may need to consider replacement.

Boat Rudder FAQs

A rudder is part of the steering equipment of a boat or ship. It is placed behind the propeller, usually attached to the stern. Its primary use is to change the direction of the vessel through deflecting water flow. When the helmsman turns the tiller or helm, the force increases on one side and decreases on the other, and the rudder will move in the direction of lower pressure. As the rudder turns, so does the stern, and the boat changes direction accordingly. Rudders are operated in different ways depending on the size of the vessel. In larger boats, the rudders are controlled via hydraulic systems, electrical equipment or sometimes steam, whereas in smaller boats, they are manually operated by a handle, called a tiller, or helm. 

Since inception, boat rudders have been made from a whole host of materials. Before the introduction of high strength stainless steel and aluminium, older ships used crafted wood or bronze to steer their vessels.

At CJR, we offer our customers a variety of materials for custom-made rudders, but we have found the most durable and popular are nickel aluminium bronze (NiBral). This is because this material has a high corrosion resistivity, high mechanical strength and good resistance to shock loading and fatigue. 

In modern motor-powered boats, there are three main rudder designs: a balanced, or spade rudder, an unbalanced rudder and a semi-balanced rudder. The key difference between them is based upon the portion of the blade that extends out in front of the stock (the mechanism that turns the rudder). Balanced rudders have around 40% of the rudder area in front of the stock. This set up means a lot less torque is required to rotate it, which in turn lowers the energy requirement of the steering equipment, and the fuel consumption of the ship.

An unbalanced rudder is where the entire rudder blade is positioned behind the stock, which, in opposition to the balanced rudder, requires much more torque to move the steering equipment and rotate the blade. It does, however, provide good structural support. Due to the additional pressure on the steering, this type of rudder is less frequently used in modern boats.

A semi-balanced rudder sits between the two, with 20% of its rudder blade sitting ahead of its stock. This is a popular choice with ship designers for modern vessels, as it relieves torque pressure on the steering gear apparatus, but also aids in structural support to the rudder from vertical displacement.

Typically vessels use hydraulic steering or electric steering systems. This offers smooth and easy control, and as such, is the most common type of power steering on larger or higher horsepower boats. Mechanical steering is another alternative, however only suitable for smaller boats up to 10m in length.

Evidence of the first sternpost-mounted rudder goes back as far as Ancient China, depicted on a pottery model of a Chinese junk ship created in the 1st century AD. In Europe, the earliest known representation of a boat rudder appears on a font in a Belgian church (Zedelghem), dated around 1180. Evidence of practical use can be found on medieval sailing ships, where rudders were hung from boats’ stern posts and controlled by tillers.

Get in Touch

CJR combines decades of experience with continuous investment in the latest technology and engineering prowess. Just drop us a note to find out more about how we can help you.

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