In article , riverman
wrote:

"Howie" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 10 May 2004 10:48:22 GMT, "Martin Underwood"
wrote:

|This is probably an incredibly naive question, and I apologise if it's a
|FAQ, but it's one of those things that I was pondering on in an idle
moment.
| |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? | |- because a rudder at the back gives greater manoeuvrability,
in the same |way that dumper trucks on building sites have rear-wheel
steering whereas |cars and lorries have front-wheel steering?

It's to do with displacement. A displacement hull is designed to 'fend
off' water whilst travelling forwards. A rudder at the front would stop
the displacement hull working effeciently unless you are travelling in a
straight line. So - it slows the boat down.

Also, Because the boat is designed to go at maximum speed when going
forwards, the water stream passing under and around the boat is much more
stable and reliable as a medium than the water you have not yet hit!
Effectively, the water speed and direction helps the rudder to do it's
job. A rudder hinders the effeciency of this water stream, this is how it
operates. You wouldn't want the rudder to hinder the water-stream before
the hull gets a chance to move through it!

Sounds intelligent enough and believable, but then explain canard wings on
aircraft...? That's basically a rudder in front.

I also think this question could be given a lot of insight by some sweep
boaters; they have rudders/oars at both ends, and those guys are well
acquianted with steering with one or the other against the current
differential. Any sweep-oarsmen out there?

Rowers don't have bow-mounted rudders or fins. One guy has mounted a fin to
the front of his scull, but has not convinced others so to do.


Allan Bennett
Not a fan of numbskullers

--

On Tue, 11 May 2004 20:32:44 +0100, Allan Bennett
wrote:

somebody wrote
I also think this question could be given a lot of insight by some sweep
boaters; they have rudders/oars at both ends, and those guys are well
acquianted with steering with one or the other against the current
differential. Any sweep-oarsmen out there?

Rowers don't have bow-mounted rudders or fins. One guy has mounted a fin to
the front of his scull, but has not convinced others so to do.


Allan Bennett
Not a fan of numbskullers

Rowers might not have bow-mounted rudders or fins. I guess a "sweep
boater" is a type of rower. But I imagnied the sort of craft a
sweep-boater to use is one of those great big rubber rafts.

In which case from what I've seen they tend to use levers in any
direction rather than rudders in the context they are being described
here.

In article , Roo
wrote:
On Tue, 11 May 2004 20:32:44 +0100, Allan Bennett
wrote:

somebody wrote
I also think this question could be given a lot of insight by some sweep
boaters; they have rudders/oars at both ends, and those guys are well
acquianted with steering with one or the other against the current
differential. Any sweep-oarsmen out there?

Rowers don't have bow-mounted rudders or fins. One guy has mounted a fin to
the front of his scull, but has not convinced others so to do.


Allan Bennett
Not a fan of numbskullers

Rowers might not have bow-mounted rudders or fins. I guess a "sweep
boater" is a type of rower. But I imagnied the sort of craft a
sweep-boater to use is one of those great big rubber rafts.

In which case from what I've seen they tend to use levers in any
direction rather than rudders in the context they are being described
here.

Sweep-rowing is... rowing with a single oar per person, as opposed to
sculling which requires two sticks per person.

I am not aware of any local interpretations.

Of course, using a rudder, or a stroke described by 'us' as a rudder, does
not mean it is efficient or effective - just that it might serve a particular
purpose under certain conditions.

Racing kayakers employ a stern-mounted (usually understern) rudder and
whatever strokes necessary to assist in turning where the rudder is
inadequate.



Allan Bennett
Not a fan of U-turns

--

"Allan Bennett" wrote in message
...

Sweep-rowing is... rowing with a single oar per person, as opposed to
sculling which requires two sticks per person.

I am not aware of any local interpretations.

Of course, using a rudder, or a stroke described by 'us' as a rudder, does
not mean it is efficient or effective - just that it might serve a
particular
purpose under certain conditions.

Racing kayakers employ a stern-mounted (usually understern) rudder and
whatever strokes necessary to assist in turning where the rudder is
inadequate.


That was an oversight in multiculturism, sorry.
"Sweep Boats" are used in the western US, commonly on the Salmon River in
Idaho. They are large, flat-bottomed rafts (often solid hull, not inflated)
with a wooden tiller fore and aft. Instead of rowing them like a typical
side-mounted oar, they are used to steer the front and rear of the boat and
make use of current differentials to maneuver. They basically slip sideways
across the river to control the line. They can employ two oarsmen (one for
each tiller) or sometimes a single oarsman works both. See a description and
picture he

http://www.sevyguide.com/sweep.html

I figured that a sweep oarsman would be well-acquainted with the 'feel' of
steering a boat with just the bow tiller, and could tell us more about
steering with a front rudder. Its new (and suprising) to me that there isn't
anything like this on that side of the pond.

-riverman