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Rudder clearance to ground.
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Doug Burtner Quantu
10/31/2026 10:16 AM

Anyone know how much clearance you need below rudder/keel to slide rudder out.


Doug Burtner

Quantum Sails Rochester

585-342-5200

dburtner@quantumsails.com

Tobias Biedenkopf
10/31/2026 1:44 PM
Sounds like, we have the same project in mind!

Measure the rudder shaft inside cockpit and add 2 inches to be safe. That would be my guess, probably a foot and a half?

For my trailer, the keel bed extends beyond the rudder, so I have to use a crane for sure.

Good luck, only 5 months to mid-winters!

T.



Bud Brown
10/31/2026 1:46 PM
Three feet should do it.

Back up to a (dry) ditch.



--
Best regards,

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

Tobias Biedenkopf
10/31/2026 2:16 PM
Thanks Bud - from your experience, can you leave the bottom shoe on, lift the shaft out and drop it to the side? Or remove the shoe together with the strap?
Bud Brown
10/31/2026 2:54 PM
Tobias,

I was able to remove the rudder without removing the shoe but I had substantial vertical distance to work with. 

The biggest issue in replacing the rudder is dealing with the ridiculous spacer/bushing that's inside the rudder shaft tube when you try to put the rudder shaft back up the tube. I was told that someone at Pearson believed it was necessary to prevent water from splashing up the tube! You know, when we're planing downwind...

Just push it to the top of the tube and remove it. It is not needed and you surely don't want to try stabbing the bushing hole with the rudder shaft when you're putting the rudder back in.



--
Best regards,

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

Bud Brown
10/31/2026 2:56 PM
By the way...

Attached are five new rudder structures built by our new builder!

Stainless.



On Sat, Oct 31, 2026 at 2:53 PM Bud Brown <sailorbud1085@gmail.com> wrote:
Tobias,

I was able to remove the rudder without removing the shoe but I had substantial vertical distance to work with. 

The biggest issue in replacing the rudder is dealing with the ridiculous spacer/bushing that's inside the rudder shaft tube when you try to put the rudder shaft back up the tube. I was told that someone at Pearson believed it was necessary to prevent water from splashing up the tube! You know, when we're planing downwind...

Just push it to the top of the tube and remove it. It is not needed and you surely don't want to try stabbing the bushing hole with the rudder shaft when you're putting the rudder back in.



--
Best regards,

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

Doug Burtner Quantu
10/31/2026 5:33 PM
Update. I’ve also heard 25” is needed for clearance. 

I ended up having some time in a travel lift so wasn’t a concern. 
Took 45 min. 

I was able to accomplish by not removing shoe. Just strap. 
Wiggled and lifted and was able to clear shoe then wiggle and pull down.  

I like buds advise about reinstall. If you don’t need that spacer/bushing, I may try to pull it out. 

Sent from Doug phone

James Knape
11/1/2026 1:26 PM
On my Ensign 1576 I found the rudder to be off center when I refurbished it. I ended  up having to  move the top bearing in the cockpit by  about 1/4  and ditching the intermediate bushing as it was off center also. But I did make a new intermediate bushing  by putting one layer of thin clear packing tape  waxed it up and forced in thickened epoxy, into the annulus,  removed shaft and took off tape and it ended up quite tight with little play.  Those rudder blanks Bud sent a picture are  OVER BUILT.  I cringe when I see  the old bronze rudder shaft thrown away and replaced by stainless, the bronze is worth a fortune and will last in salt water pretty much forever.  Stainless really does not like being underwater in salt water, so I guess if you over build  perhaps it will last ???? but the grade  and finish of stainless makes a huge difference

Robert Panico
11/1/2026 6:08 PM
The Ensign is a great boat but 1960's technology needs to go. The rudder is an ancient design. It's vulnerable for water to be absorbed into the wood. They stopped making wood boats with fiberglass over it years ago in part for that reason. 
 
There are so many better alternatives today. I like the aluminum rudders in the photos.  Will they put foam and glass over them? 
 
I have replaced 2 rudders on my Ensigns. One was a foam rudder from Ensign Spars and the other one I made using Coosa Board. Doubt either one will have to be replaced again.
 
Bob Panico
NO REGRETS / #1669
 
    
Robin & Lizette Durr
11/5/2026 11:44 AM

Hi Guys,

Thought I'd add a little advance notice on the new boats that will be available soon and specifically the rudders that are envisioned for those boats. I believe the new rudders will be made out of composite materials that will solve a lot of the problems with the material used in earlier boats. Another element coming out of the new boat program is an effort to make IGU's for the cabin bunks and floors into a 3 part kit so that all that wood can be replaced with composite/fiberglass material without the need to remove the deck.


New decks are now available for order from Thoroughbred Boats in Manistee MI.

Contacts:

ensign@thoroughbredboats.com

davidk@thoroughbredboats.com

mikek@thoroughbredboats.com


Rudder and IGU's I don't think are available just yet but are coming soon.


Robin


Bud Brown
11/5/2026 11:52 AM
Excellent progress being made!

Many thanks to all those making this happen.

Warm regards,
Bud Brown



--
Best regards,

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

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