Hi,
I find my rudder blade difficult to raise or lower – the cleated line seems particularly difficult to release.
The line is a single piece, coming from the haul up attachment point , through the top of a V jam cleat on the side of the tiller then exiting to become to the downhaul attachment – is this a normal ararngement? I have, on the few occasions I’ve been out, found this not at all intuitive and hard to use – either lowering the rudder on launch, or retracting it when beaching. We launch in a reasonably narrow river and don’t have a lot of wriggle room either way and wrestling with the rudder doesn’t enhance my sailing experience! Even an experienced chap (instructor) who came out with me found it awkward.
I have looked at loads of photos & rigging guides dinghies for of all flavours, but haven’t found much about this. Are there other methods or is this something I just need to learn?
Many thanks