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 Post subject: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 12:51 pm 
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:54 am
Posts: 93
Location: Apollo Beach, FL
When I purchased my boat awhile back, I got an extra set of rudders. The previous owner was as clueless as I am about them. They are white and have the name Raditch Speedblades on them. They appear to be made of plastic. My searches have turned up nothing on them so far. Is anyone familiar with this brand of rudder?

Thanks,
Dave W


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:41 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:19 pm
Posts: 340
Location: San Diego
Do they fit your Hobie? what do the hole patterns look like.

You said they appear plastic, is there any way to tell what the interior of the rudder looks like. Maybe looking into the drill holes.

They seem like racing rudders, are your other rudders better? Is that why your don't use Raditch

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:07 am 
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:54 am
Posts: 93
Location: Apollo Beach, FL
The spare set of rudders have the holes filled (epoxy?). However, they are identical to the set that is on my H14 which are also Raditch Speedblades. After looking more closely at the ones on the boat I noticed the bottom tips where there is some wear is a darker brown-grey color indicating the white finish does not go all the way through. Would that indicate they might be fiberglass? Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 12:11 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:04 am
Posts: 818
Location: Clinton Lake Kansas
DaveW70 wrote:
The spare set of rudders have the holes filled (epoxy?). However, they are identical to the set that is on my H14 which are also Raditch Speedblades. After looking more closely at the ones on the boat I noticed the bottom tips where there is some wear is a darker brown-grey color indicating the white finish does not go all the way through. Would that indicate they might be fiberglass? Thanks.
I've got a pair of "Switchblades" that have some mystery substrate, similar to what you've described. One, of the pair, had obviously dropped down when trailering and worn through exposing this material. I have no clue what it is but that particular rudder weighs about twice the undamaged one, even after being left exposed to dry out for literally years.

To answer your question, more than likely the outer layer is glass and gelcoat. Chip away at the damaged area in search of fibers.

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:38 am 
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Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:58 pm
Posts: 184
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
I've got a pair of those rudders. They were made by Rick Raditch from Tampa back in the early 80's. We set up next to him at the Midwinter's East In St. Augustine. He was a buddy of Bob Curry when he was stationed at Mc Dill Airbase in Tampa.

When I saw them I speculated that they were made of Kevlar or carbon and got a positive response.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:20 am 
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:54 am
Posts: 93
Location: Apollo Beach, FL
Thanks jkkartz. Any idea what a used pair of these might be worth? I am thinking about selling my spare set since they are just collecting dust.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:29 am 
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Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:58 pm
Posts: 184
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
How much is a set of EPO's worth?

That is probably the closest comp.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:50 am 
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Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:47 am
Posts: 1
The boards are made out of Fiber glass and epoxy. Rick is my father and I was there many days in the shop.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2018 3:57 am 
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Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 6:19 pm
Posts: 144
Location: Florida Panhandle
The Raditch Speed Blades were truly the only ones that I could sail well with one rudder up! I wish the molds were still around.

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery Rudders
PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2018 4:50 pm 
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Joined: Mon May 14, 2018 4:36 pm
Posts: 2
I agree, great rudders. We still have them on our Hobie 16.


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