[rcwiegand]

I have a 1998 31 open which I bought over the winter. My friend has a 1995 ft taria open and he extended his rudder 4" and tool me that this improved his  control while trolling on Lake Michigan which help a bunch. He also  suggested that I go 5". I am getting a piece of S.S. made up 10" x 8" which I will lap on the existing rudder 10 " x 3 " . What is the existing rudder made of as I will be bolting the S.S. to ?

Thanks

I bought a new 2004 35 Open and the auto pilot would not hold course in the wind when trolling with one engine.  I contacted Tiara and after much discussion and providing data that Sea Ray made larger rudders for my previous boat (37 Express) which demonstrated similar problems, Tiara agreed to install rudders from a 42 Open.  Problem solved-I can now troll into the wind on auto pilot with one engine with no issues.  Also maneuvering in harbor at low speeds improved exponentially.  In both boats, larger rudders made a HUGE difference.