Rudder Fittings

We build more wherries and double enders than anything else. And the one thing they all share in common is that typical rudder fittings aren't really suitable. It's a problem common to every boat where there is narrow bearing for the lower rudder fitting. That includes double enders, Whitehalls, and even dories.

Here's what they look like during installation...

This shot was taken during the construction of Osprey,
a 16' glued lap Duck Trap Wherry. Though it's difficult to see in the optimized photo, the 5/16"bronze rod extends about 6" beyond the lowest fitting.

When completed, the gudgeons on the body of the rudder will be concealed by the mahogany rudder cheeks. This photo is one of a series from the Duck Trap Wherry construction CD that we hope to have out sometime in October.

Duck Trap Rudder Fittings

We build more wherries and double enders than anything else. And the one thing they all share in common is that typical rudder fittings aren't really suitable. It's a problem common to every boat where there is narrow bearing for the lower rudder fitting. That includes double enders, Whitehalls, and even dories.
		We carved the patterns and made the match plates for these rudder fittings. They are cast in the same New Hampshire foundry that does our oar locks, and then finished right here in our shop..."Made in the USA" from start to finish. We furnish them bored and countersunk for #10 mounting screws, and drilled for the 5/16" connecting rod.

This is a set of bronze rudder fittings for a wherry. We use gudgeons only. The rudder gudgeons at the top of the photo, attach to the body of the rudder-they are designed for 3/4" thick rudders. The transom gudgeon (2nd one up) works well on any transom. The sternpost gudgeon (at the bottom is the photo) is unique. It is just the ticket for down low on a wherry transom where it's narrow. You won't find them elsewhere. It is our design, and this is the only place where you can get them, as far as we know. A piece of 5/16" bronze rod passes through all four fittings and acts as a hinge pin. Why no pintles? Because they have a uncanny tendency to become unshipped. Attached using the rod, should the rudder strike bottom, it can jump and then drop right back down in place. We've been using this system for years, and never had a problem. These are sold as "machined castings," as seen above, or you can order them fully polished if you prefer. An installation page is included with every set. Machine Castings (shown) priced at US$60./set Polished @ US $85./set ...bronze rod not included... Want to save a few bucks? ...then order the castings and you handle the drilling. Casting price @ US$50./set We can mix and match rudder fittings to suit your boat... Wherry Set: 2 rudder gudgeons+1 sternpost & 1 transom gudgeon Double Ender Set: 2 rudder gudgeons+2 sternpost gudgeons Sunshine Set: 2 rudder gudgeons+2 transom gudgeons All sets are the same price. Remember, the sternpost gudgeons are the vertical ones, and the transom gudgeons are the horizntal ones.
Here's what they look like during installation... This shot was taken during the construction of Osprey, a 16' glued lap Duck Trap Wherry. Though it's difficult to see in the optimized photo, the 5/16"bronze rod extends about 6" beyond the lowest fitting. When completed, the gudgeons on the body of the rudder will be concealed by the mahogany rudder cheeks. This photo is one of a series from the Duck Trap Wherry construction CD that we hope to have out sometime in October.
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Duck Trap Rudder Fittings

Duck Trap
Rudder Fittings