Or the title of this post could be "Do you know where your emergency tiller is?"
Out sailing Saturday afternoon in 10-12 with gusts to 20. Just completed a tack when i heard a bang and lost all steerage, wheel spinning freely. Luckily i had plenty of searoom so at least i was able to take my time. I got the engine cranked and pulled in the jib all the while trying to remember where i had stowed the emergency tiller. After rummaging around a bit i located it, pulled the access panel and got the tiller seated in the slots. I was then able to motor to a protected cove to sort things out.
The tiller worked pretty well but due to its design it's uncomfortable and with engine power applied its hard to control. I'd sure hate to travel very far using it because it will wear you out.
The starboard cable broke at the pully coming out of the pedistal. I was able to find and order replacement cables from the Edson website this morning so i guess the real fun will be next week trying to figure out how to get it all back together.
For anybody who has never messed with the emergency tiller i suggest you take a little time and pull yours out, fit it on the rudder post and get an idea of how everything handles. Or at the very least find it and put it somewhere you won't forget where you put it.
Out sailing Saturday afternoon in 10-12 with gusts to 20. Just completed a tack when i heard a bang and lost all steerage, wheel spinning freely. Luckily i had plenty of searoom so at least i was able to take my time. I got the engine cranked and pulled in the jib all the while trying to remember where i had stowed the emergency tiller. After rummaging around a bit i located it, pulled the access panel and got the tiller seated in the slots. I was then able to motor to a protected cove to sort things out.
The tiller worked pretty well but due to its design it's uncomfortable and with engine power applied its hard to control. I'd sure hate to travel very far using it because it will wear you out.
The starboard cable broke at the pully coming out of the pedistal. I was able to find and order replacement cables from the Edson website this morning so i guess the real fun will be next week trying to figure out how to get it all back together.
For anybody who has never messed with the emergency tiller i suggest you take a little time and pull yours out, fit it on the rudder post and get an idea of how everything handles. Or at the very least find it and put it somewhere you won't forget where you put it.
