In addition to getting a Head Race Rudder to provide more maneuverability to your boat for fall racing, did you know you can turn your steering yoke to provide more throw (angle) to the rudder?

Our shop standard is for boats to leave with the curved ends of the yoke facing towards the bow. We build our boats to go as fast as possible in a straight line; to that end, this ‘short’ setting was engineered with a 2k racecourse in mind.

A yoke that is turned so that the ends of the yoke are pointing towards the stern allows for three more inches of steering cable to be utilized by the coxswain. But beware: With more maneuverability brings more (negative) consequences to boat speed when the coxswain is on the rudder.

Flipping the yoke along with our two rudder options provide a spectrum of steering sensitivity.

Going from least to most maneuverable, your possible combinations are:
Sprint Rudder, Short steering
Sprint Rudder, Long Steering
Head Race Rudder, Short Steering
Head Race Rudder, Long Steering

As with all things rowing, finding the right balance between coxswain’s skill, size of rudder and the aggression with which it is used, the strength of your athletes, and the need to be mobile on your waterway or racecourse will dictate what setup is right for you and your crew.

At the very least, the starboards will be grateful you investigated the best option for the boat when they are hitting it hard at the Weeks Footbridge.

Happy Fall Racing!