TOPIC:

Hi

About the Dotan Stock and maybe the rudder too . . .

www.dotan.com/collection/

Has anyone used a Dotan Rudder or Stock on an Albacore?

Are either or both allowed under the Albacore rules?

Is the stock as good as it looks?

The stock looks quite useful for where I normally sail so I am thinking about buying one. Any thoughts?

Thanks

John

John,

They are used on all of the boats at Toronto Island Sailing Club as they launch off a beach not docks. They like them and fitted them to the three new Ovington boats they purchased this year.

George

It states that both the "rudder box" and the blade are made from composite materials. It further suggests usage of both kevlar and carbon composite materials, although it's not entirely clear if that's the normal usage.

I confess that I haven't paid much attention to the revised class rules, but surely this type of composite construction is outlawed? It always has been up until now.

Found it now - in the 2010 rules it's quite clear:

E.4 RUDDER BLADE, RUDDER STOCK AND TILLER
E.4.1 MATERIALS
(a) The rudder blade shall be of any combination of wood, plywood, foam,
GRP and resin, and paint and varnish.
(b) The rudder stock shall be of wood, GRP or aluminium.
(c) The tiller shall be of wood, GRP or aluminium.
(d) The tiller extension materials are optional.

Hi George

We're in the same position, beach launching on a tidal river that can occasionally also be a little short of water in places so a lifting rudder is essential for us.


Norman, this page of the website:

www.dotan.com/construction/

talks about fibreglass blades so I guess that would be ok so long as I avoid carbon fibre etc?

Thanks

John

Hi John

Even if the blade is made from a "legal" combination of materials (i.e. those specified in the rules and nothing else), the stock itself is clearly outside he rules. The rule states that the stock must be made from one of 3 specified materials, and not a combination - the Dotan rudder stock is a composite construction.

Sorry!

At Parkstone we have similar problems with shallows so my CeeVee stock has been modified by Chris Somner with a Camcleat autorelease mini cleat that lets go of the rudder when it hits the bottom. Very effective and enables you to lower the rudder from the helm position. You have to remove the locking mechanism from the stock and epoxy a place to attach the rope in the rudder. I can send pics if anybody is interested. works very well and saves the transom!....and it is within the rules!
Trevor

Hi Trevor

I would be interested in seeing pictures if you don't mind.

Thanks

John

John,
E mail me at trev(dot)smif(at)gmail(dot)com
Trevor

GRP is in fact by definition a composite material, in which you are allowed, however with respect to the rudder stock it is not clear in which materials are used in the composite construction and as you are not allowed exotic materials such as carbon or kevlar. You would have to be very careful. I suspect for this reason you may struggle.

Phil

Northern rep.

www.allenbrothers.co.uk/item.asp?prod_id=144&cat_id=9

I would suggest you started with the above, for a replacement stock,

If you are stuck I have can supply you the Allen stock with a lifting version of this blade

Hi Mark

That looks really interesting.

Can you PM me more info to: jwincott2 (at) virginmedia (dot) com

Thanks

John

John,

In Canada the combination of the Milanes rudder blade and the RWO rudder stock is very common and proven. Barney has a nice system where in addition to tightening the wing-nut when the rudder is down, the downhaul has a triple length of shockcord in the line. This allows the rudder to pop up if it grounds, but has enough strength that it never lifts when sailing.



In the photo you have the Milanes elliptical lifting rudder with the RWO stock and a fixed version of the standard Milanes high aspect rudder that is popular in the UK.

George