This
is a custom rudder I purchased from IdaSailor
Marine. Over the past several years,
Com-Pac owners have been discussing the merits of replacing the stock aluminum
flat plate rudder with a foiled rudder.
A number of Com-Pac owners who had fabricated foiled rudders out of
bondo, wood, and other materials claimed that the foiled rudder shape reduced
drag and thus limited weather helm while improving the boat’s upwind and
tacking performance. IdaSailor added
Com-Pac rudders to its line sometime during 1992.My rudder is an early “prototype.” It was originally designed to fit the Com-Pac 19, and was cut down to fit my 16. I had IdaSailor cut it with a bit deeper draft than their normal Com-Pac 16 replacement rudder – it is a bit deeper than my keel, providing even better upwind performance and an early warning if I run the boat too shallow!
Overall this rudder has improved the performance of my 16 significantly. Tacks are much smoother without the frustrating loss of headway I found with my original flat plate rudder. Upwind performance has also noticeably improved.
Although I never had problems with excessive weather helm using my original rudder, I do notice that steering is more responsive than it had been with my old rudder. In sum, I’d argue that this is a necessary upgrade for any Com-Pac owner – and worth every penny!
