Loading Menu ... or Your browser does not support JavaScript

Previous page

Building the 'Swift' - part 6: This part covers making up rudder, centerboard and other fittings for the "'Swift'".
At left the rudder head which will house the rudder blade is shown prior to assembly. The plywood parts for the gaff jaws and boom horns have just been made up using a flush trim router bit and templates. For details on this technique see: Template cutting with a flush cutting bit - This makes multiple copies! Router tips, Page 2 Most small parts that are a little more complex or if there a few of them can be made quickly and accuratly this way.
Left pic: Here the tiller fork is being made up by glueing. Right pic: All the small parts are finished and for the purpose of the photo layed out on the foredeck. Note that the access covers have been installed.
Left pic: The rudder parts in more detail complete with stainless steel pintles and gudgeons. The cleats for the lifting and downhaul shockcord are fitted to the tiller. Right pic: A view of the glued up blanks for the centerboard, rudder and tiller. Although it is not strictly necessary to laminate the tiller as one can cut it from suitable stock - this was a fun project using left overs from the gunnel laminations.
Left pic: The rudder blade during the shaping process. The two major bevels have been cut, the leading edge will be bevelled once more and final finish sanding produces the hydrofoil shape. Right pic: The centerboard completed and sealed. The hole for the pin is oversize and fitted with a piece of pvc pipe. The centerboard "pin" is a 1" diameter nylon spacer bush that is held by a 5/16" (8mm) bolt.
Left pic: This shows the assembled rudder installed in the gudgeons on the transom. Right pic: This is what the mainsail looks like with gaff jaws and boom horns fitted to the gaff and boom and the sail laced on. All that is left now is to complete the rigging and go out for a sail!

Top of Page