Does the Ericson 27 rudder interchange with the Ericson 26 Crealock sailboat? Having nothing but trouble controlling my Ericson 26 Crealock sailboat. The rudder design on the Crealock 26 is not doing its job. It simply wants to do what it wants to do. I would like to know if a bigger Ericson 27 or similar Ericson sized sailboat has a better design and can be interchanged with the Crealock 26. Thanks.
Rudder interchangeability???
- Thread starter William
- Start date
That's not a complaint I have heard before, and a friend of ours used to sail a Mk 1 26 for several years; he and his wife liked it a lot. Can you post up a picture of the rudder? (and the tiller?)
When you turn the tiller, does the boat turn? Is the boat afloat now, or on a trailer? Some further information will help us help you.
When you turn the tiller, does the boat turn? Is the boat afloat now, or on a trailer? Some further information will help us help you.
Slick470
Sustaining Member
Well, that sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole of trying to find pictures of the rudder on the 26 (and not finding one), and after that, my answer (based on pure speculation) is most likely no. From what I recall the first few boats Ericson built were either re-branded/re-badged designs from other builders, or like in the 26-1's case designed by Crealock vs most of the later boats by Bruce king. So, it is unlikely that a rudder for one of the later boats would be a direct replacement for a rudder on yours. You may be able to find something close and then modify it if you have the skills.
That said, most rudder builders can build you a new rudder that is based off of the design of another boat but adjust it so it would fit yours. For example, the upgraded rudders that were designed for our boat, are also direct replacements for a few other very similar designs, but also the very different Cal 40 and I think I've seen it on one of the larger Ericsons as well.
So, long way of saying that an new upgraded rudder is very possible, but a direct replacement from another boat is less likely.
If it were me, I'd try to learn what situations the boat is becoming uncontrollable in and either avoiding them, or understanding where the line is and see what adjustments can be done to keep things under control. Often it's too much sail area on a particular point of sail and yes, a deeper, higher aspect rudder could help, but it's a lot easier to reduce sail area or head up or down a few degrees to put the boat back in it's comfort zone.
That said, most rudder builders can build you a new rudder that is based off of the design of another boat but adjust it so it would fit yours. For example, the upgraded rudders that were designed for our boat, are also direct replacements for a few other very similar designs, but also the very different Cal 40 and I think I've seen it on one of the larger Ericsons as well.
So, long way of saying that an new upgraded rudder is very possible, but a direct replacement from another boat is less likely.
If it were me, I'd try to learn what situations the boat is becoming uncontrollable in and either avoiding them, or understanding where the line is and see what adjustments can be done to keep things under control. Often it's too much sail area on a particular point of sail and yes, a deeper, higher aspect rudder could help, but it's a lot easier to reduce sail area or head up or down a few degrees to put the boat back in it's comfort zone.
AK67
Member III
Did you see this thread? https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/crealock-26.14819/
User One21five, same boat, similar issue, found that (1) his outboard was overpowering his rudder while in the water and (2) cleaning the bottom solved the issue.
User One21five, same boat, similar issue, found that (1) his outboard was overpowering his rudder while in the water and (2) cleaning the bottom solved the issue.
I live aboard my Ericson 26 Crealock and it may be slightly on the heavy side with my belongings and generator I just bought. However even when it was lighter the rudder response was not good. I find myself force turning the sailboat and definitely won't keep the bow on course, instead requiring constant rudder adjustment. I would like a rudder that is longer and can hold course.
I asked because I know that Lyndin sailboat wrecking yard has 2 Ericson 27 sailboats they are parting out.
Thank you for showing me this post...and I am experiencing the exact same problems. I don't even have my engine running and the sailboat refuses to move past a certain angle when trying to tack, even with force tiller turning techniques...it simply will not tack with this wide short rudder.
Is the motor tilted up all the way when sailing?
Same issue with either the mainsail or headsail or both up. They are the original sails to the Crealock 26 Ericson
No I keep it down due to the fast moving and without warning tides and currents of Pugent sound. So the engine stays down for emergency situations
The tides and currents in the Sound are well documented via books and I have found them to be understandable when sailing up there. That motor needs to be raised when sailing, and the opening in the transom was designed to accommodate that tilt-up. (Unless you wander directly into the path of a ferry, you are unlikely to experience many emergencies, IMHO.)
Several owners have liked this site for tides and currents: https://deepzoom.com/. You'd need to have your smart phone or tablet with you.
Here is a recent app title from the (Apple) App Store, and I see that the illustrations look just like the book I have used for trips in the region. Very Cool.
PNW Current Atlas on the App Store
Thank you for that information. The resistance and cross section of the lower unit from an outboard is not enough to prevent the ability to move the bow of a sailboat and point it in the direction you wish to tack. This sailboat does NOT allow me the ability to tack or point the bow where I want to go no matter if I force turn it via the tiller or not. This rudder does not let me point the bow
Besides missing a picture or diagram of the rudder and keel, perhaps another missing piece of info is the condition of the boat bottom. If covered with barnacles and weed, and if the motor is regularly left down and also covered with weeds, etc, that would make the boat very difficult to sail.
Where do you moor?
Where do you moor?
Slick470
Sustaining Member
Original design, or original to the boat i.e. late 1960's? If the sails are that old, or even just old they could be worn to the point where you are not getting enough driving force forward when heading up wind. That in combination with the motor being down, and/or a fouled bottom could be conspiring against you.
To Loren's point, leaving the motor down will reduce the rudder's effectiveness. I agree it doesn't seem like it should, but It will provide some directional stability straight ahead and the rudder will have to overcome that force. I owned a trailer sailor for a number of years and there was a surprising difference between how the boat handled motor up or motor down. Worth giving it a try.
I am currently on anchor at Port Hadlock
AK67
Member III
If the rudder post is the same diameter, you could pick up the E27 rudder if the price is right and have it rebuilt to fit. Possibly too ambitious than you want, but just a thought. Have you tried reaching out to Foss rudders to see if they have dimensions on file?
This is from this thread, https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/plans-for-extending-rudder.6744/ where a member was looking into having a rudder extended - Foss plans for having a Cal40 rudder adapted for an E29. Might still be cheaper to have your existing rudder rebuilt.
Last edited:
Thanks! Nice picture. The profile looks to be ahead of its time and the area looks more than adequate.
Back to Basics: sail with the engine raised, as was planned by the NA. Confirm that you have a Clean bottom and fins (keel and rudder blade).
Is this picture your boat? Clean!
Edit: May we assume that the tiller is well attached to the post at the top?
Last edited: