Boat rudders nevertheless demand our attention throughout their lives. Boat rudders are designed to have the appropriate buoyancy so neither pushes the hull up nor drags it down when the vessel is afloat. Boat rudders: pros and cons of popular designsSpade rudderPros: light, wide arc, tight-turning, less drag, often high-aspect ratio. Boat rudders: maintenance tipsHold the rudder by hand and shake fore and aft: Excessive play is indicative of wear. Want to read more articles like Boat rudders: everything you need to know?