The rudder mechanism is designed by Jens Langert, Rigging Designer, and follows a historical concept from the old days. It is fitted with 5 spindles which must enter the casings on the sternpost and the hole for the rudderhead, found on old ships (and nowadays on the replica Gotheborg). This proved to be a perfect point of balance to install the rudder. The rudder weighs more than 4 tonnes, is built in the mast workshop and many hours have gone into completing the rudder. The rudderpost consists of two oak pieces which are 6m. long and their strength has been proven by a full scale trial-loading. The whole exercise has been approved by Det Norske Veritas (the Norwegian Veritas).On account of the risks to be found in connection with the launch, we choose to wait with the mounting of the rudder till after the launching took place. "Instead we are doing it the old fashioned way, and by means of manual pulleys we slowly guide it into the sternpost", says Bjorn Ahlander, who is in charge of the rigging department.
He thinks it is satisfying that another important part of the vessel is complete and Bjorn has himself taken part in building the rudder together with his staff.
To have the rudder installed, is an important symbolic event and a step closer to guide the vessel over the oceans on a course to China.
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