CA.IV.A.S10 addresses regarding water rudders?

• A. Retract the water rudders and establish the most efficient planing/liftoff attitude.
• B. Deploy water rudders during takeoff.
• C. Use water rudders as primary steering device at all times.
• D. Remove water rudders from the vessel.

Answer: (A)

Retracting the water rudders during takeoff is the best practice because they add drag at the speeds needed to transition from displacement to planing. The goal of the takeoff is to reach the most efficient planing/liftoff attitude, which minimizes resistance and allows the hull to lift off smoothly. Water rudders are useful for steering at very low water speeds, but keeping them down during takeoff slows acceleration and hinders achieving the proper liftoff attitude. They’re not intended to be the primary steering device at all times, especially as speed increases, and removing them isn’t necessary.