"Martin Underwood" wrote in message ws.com...
Why is it that on all boats, the rudder is at the back rather than the front
of the boat? Is it ... because a rudder at the front simply wouldn't work
properly to steer the boat?

A rudder pretty much has to be at the back (behind the centre of
mass/rotation) to work. When aligned with the direction of travel, a
rudder acts like a fin (as with a rocket's tail fins or surf board
fins) and works to keep itself at the rear, thus the craft straight.
If you put it at the front would try to flip the craft around to be at
the back.

A small temporary rudder up front is great for making quick turns (as
used in a kayak or canoe), but a liability at all other times.