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May 26, 2010





 
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 Monkey Rudder or Assist Rudder

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An assist rudder is a tube about a foot long that sits just forward of the skeg (see a picture). When the propeller is reversed the propeller wash goes through the tube. If it is turned one way or the other the water jets out of the tube and helps move the stern of the boat.

Normally, without a monkey rudder, when approaching a dock, the rudder is turned to kick the stern of the boat towards the dock. The propeller is then reversed and the boat stops its forward motion and the sideways monentum of the stern settles the boat into the dock, you step off and casually tie it up.

But, if you have a monkey rudder, when you reverse the propeller after kicking the stern toward the dock, the jet of water is shot out of the tube and the stern of the boat is moved away from the dock. So, if you have a monkey rudder, it has to be turned in the opposite direction before reversing. If you have to do a lot of maneuvering to get to the dock that is a lot of swinging the rudder back and forth. A monkey rudder makes the boat handle as if powered with an outboard motor or outdrive.

If you learn how to use it, it can help especially if backing long distances. I prefer to remove it and use a bow thruster. A bow thruster is more effective in tight spaces as marinas, especially if there is any wind or current.
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