I'll give you my two cents worth on both questions (prop/Rudder and .....lazyjacks) but I'll make it in two topic forums. I bellieve that this will make it easier for others to follow the thread.

With regards to your question of a rudder chewing propeller, I would suggest that you place a cage, similar to what you see on a desk fan around the prop. The cage would prevent the rudder from hitting the propeller while at the same time not distrupting waterflow under the hull too much. I got the idea of using a cage from fishermen in Nova Scotia. They put these cages around their props so they don't get all fouled up in wayward anchor lines, fishing nets, etc. I also find it easier to steer via the tiller rather than the motor.

I personally do not use a motor on my CL 16 hence I'm only going by theory. I hope this helps you.

posted May 07, 2003 08:09 AM            

The cage sounds good but may be a bit cumbersome on a small boat when lifting the motor off or reversing. I've seen a number of small boat sailors equip their motor with a small stiff pipe which acts like a guard bar on the rudder side of the motor. Located near the propeller on the lower drive unit, this guard will hit the rudder before the prop does. There is virtually no waterflow problem with this system. Some are actually located just above the waterline.

posted May 20, 2003 08:20 PM            

I had the same problem with my CL14. I needed some way to prevent the outboard from chewing up the rudder when it was hard over.

I fabricated an extension to the cavitation plate (out of 1/4" aluminum flat stock) that extends beyond the prop. The aluminum is easy to work, simpler to construct than a cage, doesn't catch weeds, etc. Works great.