Keel-attached rudder

A rudder hinged on the trailing edge of a full keel.

On a full keel the rudder is hung on the aft edge of the keel itself, usually on gudgeons and pintles or a heel bearing, with the propeller in an aperture just ahead of it. The rudder is completely protected and the arrangement is simple and strong. Because the rudder sits close behind the keel and the propeller, the boat steers slowly at low speed and reverses poorly under power. Alberg's designs (Pearson Triton, Alberg 30, Cape Dory 25D) all use it.

Boats in our guides with a keel-attached rudder