rudder alignment question

[Sonic Boom]

Anyone know how much toe in or out our rudders should have? Measured ours and they're set toe out 3/4". Measured a friends boat and it was set at only 1/16" toe. Thinking this much toe would cause extra drag?

 

[Avenger]

1/4" to 1/2". Mine are set toed in. Theoretically it could be either, but the Hatteras alum that I spoke to said he preferred toe-in because he felt toed-out they tended to wander.

I know that's true for wheel alignment. Not sure if it works the same on a boat. However, if you want to consider Ackerman geometry, toed-in helps get better angles in turns.

 

[Sonic Boom]

Avenger, thank you for the advice! Having another tie rod made now

 

[Captain Ralph]

Toe in / out.
Need to insure we are talking from the same view.
The after edges of the rudder are usually crosser together than the forward edges.
1/2" is nominal.

 

[Avenger]

I would call that toe-out.

My usual reference is to tell people to pretend they're facing forward in the boat and look at their feet.

If you look at the newer Hatt's steering they have angled tiller arms that enhance the geometry of the rudders in tight turns. Setting the standard tiller arms toed-in has a similar, but lesser effect.