Method and apparatus for self-deploying rudder assembly

1. Technical Field A self-deploying rudder assembly for use with a water craft including an exhaust port having a exhaust stream includes a mounting assembly and a pivoting rudder blade assembly. The pivoting rudder blade assembly typically includes a thrust plate attached to one end of a rudder shaft and a rudder blade attached to the other end of the rudder shaft. When the selected thrust level is above the preselected thrust level, the thrust plate is moved out of the exhaust stream and the rudder blade is thereby moved from a deployed, operational position to a stored position.