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The Problem With Dual Rudders Nobody Talks About
June 7, 2025 · 12 min · 177K views
What this video covers
Modern wide-transom sailboats utilize dual rudders to prevent rudder aeration and loss of control when the windward rudder lifts out of the water at high heel angles.▶ 4:59 While this configuration maintains steering authority in wide-stern hulls, it introduces significant handling challenges for offshore sailing. As these boats heel, the shift in buoyancy toward the wide aft sections moves the center of lateral resistance (CLR) leeward and aft.▶ 5:33 Simultaneously, the aerodynamic center of effort (CE) of the sails shifts, creating dynamic, unpredictable weather helm.▶ 6:09 This constant imbalance forces the autopilot to work harder, increases battery consumption, and requires frequent sail trim adjustments to maintain a balanced helm.▶ 7:55 While dual-rudder designs excel in downwind planing conditions, they lack the predictable, balanced performance of traditional hull shapes during upwind passages.▶ 8:18 The inherent instability of the CLR and CE relationship in wide-stern designs makes them less optimal for long-distance offshore cruising compared to more balanced, traditional hull configurations.
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