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Adam0264
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Aug 2019 : 20:03:55
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Hi everyone,
I've recently purchased a Norman 23 with a honda 20hp outboard and have a question regarding the vague steering and the issues with the boat 'wandering'. Me and my dad took it out for the first time last week along the bridgewater and taunton canal and found ourselves constantly having to correct the steering and struggled to get the boat to stay in a reasonably straight line! (Not ideal on such a narrow canal). The previous owner has put 4 sandbags in the storage compartment in the bow of the boat which he said has helped. I'm wondering if anyone has overcome/improved this problem or whether it's just something I'll have to live with? I have read online about installing a rudder and have seen different types online ranging from anywhere between £30 and £175 and am wondering if anyone has any reccomendations on this and if it is worth looking into?
Many thanks in advance
Adam |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2019 : 20:58:51
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| Installing a rudder is the solution because you then have steering when you have no power on |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2019 : 22:20:29
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Welcome to the nuthouse!
If it's your first boat live with it for a while as it's probably you over correcting in the first place, steering with a boat involves a good bit of steering then take it off to straight again and wait to see what effect it has, if you keep steering till it reacts you will have steered for way too long hence the constant corrections.
Just about every first time boater zigzags along for the first while, kids tend to pick it up quicker as they have never driven a car so don't expect it to react the same.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2019 : 23:57:28
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Good advice from the stoma bag oop's, Dave. Minimal correction was always the mantra I used and eventually it does sink in and works to a degree. There are add on rudders which can be very effective. My own boat had an outdrive rather than an outboard but I added an extender to that with good effect. There was/is a popular one for outboards that was called "Course Keeper" I think. Not sure about that that! Hopefully we may have a member or two that have actually added rudders to outboards who might comment. |
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Revolvor
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2019 : 13:51:20
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Good luck with your new purchase!
My Norman 23 is on the Upper Thames.
I have an add-on rudder very similar to this - not sure of exact make, as it came with a 2nd hand outboard. Just clamps around the lower leg.
I've used the boat with and without the rudder, and it does make a difference, especially at slow speeds, when there is little thrust from the prop.
https://www.jonesboatchandlery.co.uk/adda-rudder-steering-extension
Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads! |
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Dave F
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2019 : 20:04:37
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Hi Adam, a month or more ago now, I fitted a TILT-R rudder to my 15hp Mariner Bigfoot, and it's made a big difference. Far easier to keep a straight course, and a big difference to manouvering. It's made of strong plastic, single blade, which lifts up at speeds, and lifts out the way when the prop is fouled with weed etc. I'm very glad I have fitted it, even though it was £100.
Regards
Dave F.
Dave |
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Dave F
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2019 : 20:21:52
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The Classic TILT-R Rudder, for up to 15hp outboard motors, helps cure the wandering effect often felt when outboard engined boats are used at low speeds on rivers and canals.
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The ability to navigate easily in a straight line makes for a much more relaxed, and safer, day out at the helm.
The rudder will tilt up as you increase the speed to move out of the propeller wash, reducing over steering
The tilt up function is great for releasing weed build up
If you hit something under water it can lift out of the way
The engineering build, using Acetal black plastic, will not encourage electro corrosion
Access to the propeller due to damage is easy with TILT-R
It is simple to fit (full instructions are provided); just slide it onto the leg above the cavitation plate and tighten the stainless steel bolts.
The size of the rudder is approximately 275mm deep x 195mm wide x 8mm thick. The side plates to locate the rudder are 595mm long x 27mm x 8mm, suitable for engines up to 15hp.
Fitting Instructions:
DOWNLOAD – TILT-R FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
See our videos below
Fitting the rudder
Dave F.
Dave |
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Margaret
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2019 : 08:21:21
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Definitely practice the main thing. I took 50kgs of ballast out of the front of ours. The steering is now much more responsive. Try the boat with passengers on the bow, to give you an idea of its handling with weight up there. Ours is fitted up a course keeper.
Most boats seem to have some sort of rudder.
J.L mee |
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2019 : 15:15:58
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| Interesting. I was looking at the Adda rudder but I can now see that the design may struggle with weed and maybe the TILT-R would be better. |
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2019 : 22:04:42
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| Practice certainly improved my steering of my Norman 23 as it gave me an ability to anticipate what the boat was going to do and how long it would take to happen. But I have fitted an add-a-rudder and it makes a big difference. Changes to steering take effect more quickly at all speeds and this is specially useful at slow speeds, of course. Keeping a straight line is much easier. The steering feels more positive at the wheel, too. There's slightly more resistance than before and you can feel the rudder making a difference. |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2019 : 05:17:51
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| Our 23's handling was improved hugely with a bolt-on rudder. The only reason not to fit one is if you ever plan to exceed a speed of "slow". |
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Adam0264
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2019 : 16:23:21
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Thanks everyone for the replies!
Sounds like an add on rudder should help my problems along with some more experience. I'll be looking to order an 'adda rudder' type rudder in the next few days.
Adam |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2019 : 17:30:54
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Did I mention the main thing to try? Drink more beer before driving the boat, some of my best moorings have been rat-ar5ed!
It normally only goes badly wrong when sober.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Margaret
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 31 Aug 2019 : 17:37:58
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The course keeper is a double rudder and fits either side of the prop, so it doesn’t stick out much behind. It’s a well made item and works well ,but it is quite expensive.
J.L mee |
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philihun
United Kingdom
283 Posts |
Posted - 31 Aug 2019 : 19:05:08
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Get the cheapest bolt on rudder (add- on) is as good as owt. Gives you steering in Neutral as well as the gears. Then as the other guys say, little at a time and take off what you put on. Failing that you need bigger fenders lol.
pr hunt |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2019 : 03:00:02
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Another way on canals is to have 2 crew-members or pressed volunteers on each bank with a line from bow cleat to the pair at the front on each side and a line from the stern to to the pair behind each side.
Then they can correct the course made good by pulling the appropriate way as you chug along.
It is also possible with an overseer to turn off the engine completely thus conserving fuel, and speed is adjusted by a bull-whip skilfully wielded by the overseer from the cockpit snapping to right or left as appropriate. This is a very green method of travel with a minimal carbon footprint
Finally living the dream!
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Norman 23 steering
