So I've had my new Wave since Sept 2009, and always noticed a difference in handling between a port or Starboard tack. Since it was just a feeling there wasn't much I could do to figure it out. Lately the winds have been blowing 15 + knots and I've been getting a better feel for the boat and noticed that on a Port Tack I had noticeable windward helm, which is what I expected. What I didn't expect is have a strong leeward helm on a Starboard tack. So much so that it takes quite a bit of force the point the boat up during a gust to spill out some air.
I checked the boat out and found some interesting/troubling items with the rudders.
First: with the rudders down, the port rudder has quite a bit of play in the EZ-Lock housing. Measuring everything out I found the rudder is about 1/16 of an inch thinner than the other and the housing is about 1/16 larger, giving me ~ 1/8 of an inch clearance the other rudder doesn't have, and explains the play.
Second: I've read about warped rudders and checked that out also. There doesn't seem to be any warp in the vertical direction, however in the horizontal direction, something is off. I don't know it it is a warp or the mold not being symetrical on both sides.
Here are some pictures I took from the very bottom of the rudder that best shows what I'm talking about. These are of the Port rudder, the starboard looks exactly the same.
So this leads me to 2 questions:
1. Would this create the issue I have with leeward helm on a starboard tack?
2. If so, how would I get this resolved. (Dealer is closed today, will be contacting him tomorrow)
Charlie