Build Your Own Kick Up Rudder

William Mantis offers up plans for a creative and effective DIY rudder

by Bill Mantis

I built a rudder for my 8.5’ x 4.5’ sailboat—named City Slicker 2.0—the same time I built the boat itself, two years ago. Since I was in a hurry to get it done, I didn’t bother designing a kick-up rudder, figuring I could make the modification at a later date. But then I lost it. I lost my rudder. How does one lose a rudder? I can’t explain how it happened. I only know I had it when I came ashore one day, and didn’t have it the next time I tried to launch. Fortunately, I’d been designing a kick up rudder before suffering the loss, and I had the necessary epoxy and lumber on hand. Only the material for the rudder blade and new pintles had to be ordered. As a result, I lost only one week of the sailing season.