Phil Giboney is a Lakewood, Washington, real estate executive who manages a range of commercial and residential properties. Skilled in old boat restoration, Phil Giboney has completed projects involving a 1973 Sea Ray 24 SRV and a 1983 Boston Whaler Montauk.
One of the essentials of any vessel, large or small, is the rudder. Situated at the boat’s stern, part above water and part below, the rudder forms a portion of the steering mechanism. Unlike with airplanes, which have essentially the same rudder type, boats have several configurations.
The oldest, introduced in the 1840s, is the spade (balanced rudder). This is distinguished by a plate fixed to the rudder stock, a vertical shaft that transmits the steering gear’s turning force, at the top. It is positioned partially in front of this connecting post, which provides balance and stability. This positioning also keeps water resistance to a minimum and allows efficient sailing for medium-sized, as well as commercial, vessels.
Unbalanced rudders feature a rudder stock that runs top to bottom through its forward-most point . This offers stability and enables sharp turns in small watercraft. They are no longer very common, as most smaller, twin-screw boats today feature a semi-balanced rudder, or one that is balanced on the lower half only.
Skeg-mounted rudders are protected by the projecting stern section of the keel, or the centerline of the vessel’s bottom hull. This helps avoid issues with debris in the water. While such rudders traditionally present challenges in turning the vessel, contemporary designs address this through a semi-balanced configuration. Lastly, tiller-controlled outboard or transom rudders are raised out of the water, which allows for removal while the boat is still in the water.
