Sounds like we have our own kickup rudder group.
If you look at the picture I linked based on what I'm describing. There is a hole in the forward edge of the rudder that is not seen. The rope is attached here and the line goes between the cheeks (internal) and up the back side of the rudder to a cam cleat. I'm hoping to put bungee on this downward pull line with enough stretch that will still allow it to pull up successfully.
Where you see the clamp on the trailing edge? That is where I plan to put another hole for the pull up line. I mocked it up with twine. I'm contemplating putting a hole through the top tiller piece and a cam cleat. Thus leaving one line to pull up and the bungee'd line to pull down and keep down.
I also plan to use graphite extensively. The rudder, the insides of the cheeks etc...all will have graphite. I'll post up pictures next week when I dive into the build.
I have the parts for my Skerry rudder cut out and will begin to shape the leading and trailing edges next week. This discussion us very interesting to me because having experienced the Skerry under oar I don't know how much fun it would be leaning over the stern with a mast, boom, yard and sail swinging around. My question is, wouldn't the natural buoyancy of the rudder cause it to float up if the downhaul U.S. released?
Wing15601:
Christine de merchant made an extra pullup string on het skerryrudder. On her case the rudder did not float up by itself.
http://www.christinedemerchant.com/rudder.html. Scrolldown all the way.
Christines idea is pretty close to what I was thinking. I like how she egressed into the rudder below the yoke. As for the rudder floating up? I think the bungee'd downhaul would keep it secure.
Is it feasible to weight the rudder blade so that the default position is down and the only line need is an uphaul? Possibly replace the wood rudder blade with a steel one?