Why do people paint their rudder tips?

I'm just curious, why do people paint the tips of their rudders? Is it to see if there have been any recent chips or is it so you see them through the water better?

I know this guy is on the forums so maybe he will respond
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=274&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

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Zach

The obvious answer is because chicks dig it. If that's not obvious enough then it's to wallow in the envy of your peers.

Probably for visibility so they're less likely to get walked/driven into.

sm

Discussed earlier here.

Cause it looks like you ran over someone.



Actually for me it matched some red striping I have on the deck. But still looks deadly.

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H18, H17 & Various motor boats

I don't know about other states, but here in California, when towing we have to have a red flag on anything sticking out more than 2 feet from the trailer.

I have a friend who painted his mast head red so he would not have to put a flag on to tow. Also, I use rudder covers when towing and they are red on the ends.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

For me, you're absolutely correct. I store my boat not too far from the beach so I find no need to remove the rudders. Since the older pic was taken, I've made rudder covers but they too have red tips.


I've also made a mast bag which, you guested it, has a red tip but I still use a red flag.

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Happy Sailing,

David

This the "Open 60" the the company I work for sponsers (Safran). Before anyone asks -No I do not get to sail on it.
But I do see that they did copy Sciattica and paint the rudders (it has two). Also, if you look - it is steered with a tiller - nice.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

Just curious, where did you get that mast cover? And how much of a fight is it to get on?

Actually, I made it. The market price was a little too rich for my blood so I went to Jo Ann's, got all the material and made it myself. This one was my third. Shrouds, trap lines and all other attachments are left on the mast when covered. Cost to make . . . about $70 !!!
Lessons learned from previous covers compelled me to make this one 27’ long with a 24' circumference. I know that sounds a little large but with all the lining and mast components, it helps to get it on & off with ease. And as you can see in the pic, it fits quite well .Also made sail bags, boom bags and rudder covers.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Nice work on the bags.

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