Is SAILSetc now making a deeper/narrower rudder moulding?
A Yes. All our rudders have been relatively short and wide in the past the 358 series. The reason for this is that their drag is lower than deep/narrow rudders. For a given thickness of stock they can also have a lower thickness/chord ratio which also keeps their drag low. All the tests I have carried out with earlier designs of deeper/narrower rudders have shown perceptible speed loss in light airs and this has been a cost that I have felt not worth taking. However, sailing downwind in large waves is one occasion when a deeper/narrower rudder scores well over a short/wide one. The reason for this is that there are times when the speed of the rudder though the water is lowered considerably because of the presence of a long, steep, wave. This reduces the control that the rudder can exert on the hull. One solution is to push the rudder area lower. There will be a cost to light airs speed though. You will need to determine the best solution for a range of conditions if you want to do well
