Turbocoles rudder

Isle of Wight company offering whale flipper inspired rudders for dinghies

Hampshire based company 50° North SES Ltd have launched the revolutionary Turbocoles rudder at the Alexandra Palace Dinghy exhibition last weekend for Isle of Wight-based producers of high specification mouldings, Composite Craft.

The Turbocles rudder is a not a new idea in yachts and larger craft but it is an almost unheard of concept in dinghies. But how?

Well, flippers on humpback whales have non-smooth leading edges (lumps called tubercules), yet have greater ‘grip’ to the traditionally smooth leading edges of rudders. Despite being 40-50 feet long humpbacks can swim in circles tight enough to produce nets of bubbles only five feet across!

This amazing ability is due primarily to its non-conventional flippers. Sheets of water flowing over smooth sections break up into turbulent vortices as they cross the rudder while sheets of water passing between the tubercules maintain even channels of fast-moving water allowing the rudder to keep “grip” on the water at sharper angles and providing the ability to turn tighter corners, even at low speeds.

Tests have demonstrated the fluid dynamic improvements tubercules make.

32% reduction in drag,
8% improvement in lift
40% increase in angle of attack over smooth sections before stalling

While the initial rudder has been made to fit the Hornet, Osprey, 505, Merlin, Hornet, Phantom and Scorpion other classes are coming soon. Prices are from £475 and, due to the flexible nature of our service, we can look into any alterations or further developments to suit other classes.

For further information email Toby Dawn Barsley-Dale here