Emergency Rudder Solutions?

[NorthStar]

I have been contemplating blue water sailing and have refered to the PACIFIC
INTERNATIONAL YACHTING ASSOCIATION SPECIAL REGULATIONS GOVERNING
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT AND ACCOMMODATIONS STANDARDS
Category 0: Yachts capable of extended offshore races, such as Victoria-Maui is
the highest category of qualification. My Beneteau423 is capable of meeting
this standard. Among that list of requirements is
"3.1 Separate emergency steering apparatus adequate to steer boat in event of
loss of rudder. An inspector may require that the apparatus be demonstrated."
I have no idea what a solution would be for a B423. What have you seen or seen done that addresses 3.1 for B423's or other sail boats?
Cheers, northstarseatac

 

[Mike Holibar]

That is Quite a tall order Northstar. I have seen many arrangements covering the failure of steering gear, my boat has mechanical and if the gears fail I can go hydraulic and if the quadrant falls off I can fit a tiller to the rudder stock. If the tiller fitting is no good I could always drill a hole in the top of the trailing edge of the rudder and steer with ropes, but if the rudder fell off then my self steering gear is Hydravane auxilliary rudder type and I could steer in a limited way with this. It works ok under motor but under sail, balancing the sail plan would be the critical thing. I wonder if this would meet the requirement? The important thing would be that any axilliary rudder device would have to be easily mounted, given that it could have to be fitted in heavy weather. Some kind of transom mounted steering oar or small rudder might do the trick. It would have to be easily stowed as well. good luck with this one. Kind regards,

 

[Hermit Scott]

I thought all you off shore guys had a rudder for a cockpit table?

 

[jviss]

...have seen many arrangements covering the failure of steering gear, ...

I think the requirement is for a lost rudder, i.e., the rudder broke off, not simply broken steering gear.

A wind vane steering system would be ideal.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Scanmar makes an emergency rudder assembly out of stainless. Looks like a wind vane, but with gudgeons to hold a stainless rudder, the rudder itself is kept inboard until required.

 

[tommays]

The big Hunters offer one as and option