We spent three hours in this weekend to build the rudder mechanism as specified in the plans. To be honest I don't like it very much. We'll see how it works.
The system is based on a so-called "false transom" which is hinged to the transom at the deck level, on the vaka. The rudder's pintles are bolted to the false transom. When sailing, the rudder is kept in the "low" position by means of a rope tied to the false transom, passing trough a eye-strap fixed on the transom and up, via two bulls eye fairleads, to a V-cleat on the aft aka. So, when the rope is completely pulled ad cleated, the rudder is supposed to stay in the water, while if the rope is taken off the cleat the rudder is set free in order to avoid problems if running aground.
The following photo shows the two bullseye fairleads on the vaka deck.
The next photo shows the eye strap on the transom.
Since we used thickened resin to reinforce the fasteners, we also coated all the carriage bolt holes to fasted the seats to the vaka deck.
Total work time to date: 785 hours
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