Since no one else is jumping in, I'll offer my opinion.

The rudder should not float. The solid plywood panels are a technique I
understand, and with some lead or ??? will be at least neutral.

The critical thing is the rudder shape (air foil).

Trying to steer when the rudder head twists with respect to the rest of the
blade is BAD! (been there, done that)

Roger

http://home.insightbb.com/~derbyrm

"pete" wrote in message
...
Well its time to make my rudder, for a tiller steered 34 foot Van de
Stadt. Now Van de Stadt have given me a nice drawing showing three
types of construction:

wood strips with a gap of around 1 3/4" between the strips, filled
with polyurethane foam, and covered with a plywood skin.

Solid plywood panels glued together and shaped

foam with a epoxy and glass fibre skin.

any of the above seems ok (apart from perhaps the plywood one may be a
bit heavy?)

but is it possible ( perhaps the stupid question) to make a rudder the
salme way as my hull ie; western red cedar strips laminated with a
fibreglass and epoxy skin? Its seems pretty tough now my hull is made
and for me it may be easier to make and fit on my rudder stock. It
seems to me it would be at least as strong as a foam rudder, and
almost as light.

BTW, the first construction method doesn't make the rudder shaft
manufactureres (Jefa) squeal with joy.