Other optional features:
Heel bearing support
This feature improves the performance of the rudder and is often applied to fishing vessels. It reduces the load in the neck bearing and it protects the propeller from fishing nets. With heel bearing support, a rudder can be designed with a slim profile. The distribution of rudder reaction forces in three points (rudder carrier, neck bearing and heel bearing), compared with the free hanging rudder, will increase the strength of the rudder, especially during trawler operations.
Rudder trunk extension
To extend the trunk into the rudder blade, the lower neck bearing is positioned as close as possible to the centre of the force that is acting on the rudder. This gives the opportunity to build large rudders. With trunk extension the stresses, from bending, in the rudder trunk and stock are reduced. Also, the reaction forces in the neck and carrier bearing are smaller.
