: Malcom: From your photo it looks like you had once built and installed Nicks
: foot rest system. Did you modify so that you could install a rudder?

: I am hoping to start on a Schade foot rest soon. Any pointers?

: grant

Yes, I did have that system, and I loved it. I like the way the brace is angled to match your feet. I bought the kit from www.shearwater-boats.com, because the kit was actually cheaper than what I can buy the lumber for here, even with shipping. The only thing I did was shorten the rail. I put my bulkhead far forward since I have a 30" inseam, and the rail for the footbrace was a little too long.

Also you want to be sure not to put too much line on it so you don't get your feet hung. During my testing I had the railing come unglued (my fault, too sparing on the glue) and the line got hung on my foot and almost inhibited a wet exit. Other than that I had no problems. I left the track thinking maybe perhaps it could be some sort of tiedown, but again, be careful with line in the cockpit.

I actually thought of making the brace mobile like in Nick's book and use it to steer the rudder, but cost was a factor there. Again, materials are very costly here, and sometimes it's actually cheaper to ship in a finished product than a raw material. Wood is very hard to come by around here. For my cockpit coaming lip I actually had to plane down some trim moulding because I couldn't find clear white pine in any other form.

Thanks for asking,

Malcolm