If my main rudder extends aft of the transom how much separation do I need between the boats main rudder and the Hydrovane rudder? Does an offset help or solve this separation issue?
The Hydrovane rudder needs ‘clean’ water to do its work. It must not be confused by turbulence caused by the main rudder. We have always stated that the two rudders, the boat’s main rudder and the Hydrovane rudder, need 8″ (20 cm.) of separation on a fore and aft basis. This is a nebulous science as who knows from boat to boat how the Hydrovane’s power is affected by distorted water flow from the main rudder….and the boat to boat comparison even gets harder considering various offsets. The Hydrovane generates all its power from the action of its rudder. When its rudder turns the water pressure against rudder will push the rudder and hence the boat in the opposite direction – yes, just what you expect of a rudder. Our 8″ (20 cm.) notion is certainly conservative as we do know of installations much tighter where the Hydrovane is said to operate ‘beautifully’. Surprisingly we do not have any such criteria for offsets. Common sense says the further the Hydrovane rudder is moved laterally f
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