emergency rudder advice

[msmith10]

I want to build an emergency rudder. I have a C&C30, Mk 1. I singlehand most of the time on the Great Lakes, including racing, and race with the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society, which are about 300 miles long. I didn't really take the thought of losing a rudder seriously until I saw it happen twice in these races.
I have a below decks autopilot so I don't worry about breaking a steering cable- just losing the rudder (bending the rudderpost so that it's jammed is another issue). I've given it some thought and want to build a "cassette" style rudder for easy installation- you don't lose your rudder when conditions make installation easy. I would need to beef up the transom for reinforcement. I think glassing in some preformed fiberglass beams could do this.
I am wondering if 3/4" plywood, with or without a metal framework for reinforcement, would be strong enough to withstand the forces involved. The rudder design would have to sweep back some to avoid the existing rudder if it's still attached. I am thinking a small rudder would minimize forces but still allow steering with a balanced rig, although certainly not like the real rudder would, but it would at least allow control of the boat.
Use of plywood like this would enable me to store the rudder on the settee below.
Opinions?

 

[jssailem]

Your approach to beefing up the transom is all wellsnd good, but I’m afraid you are adding considerable weight and expense to prepare for a contingency that is not a frequent occurrence.
Here is a pretty good review of the issue.
https://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/know-how-rigging-emergency-rudders
I approach the idea in two ways.
The purpose is to rig a way to get to nearest safe harbor not win a race. Options:

1. Communication. Have several radios or phones, even a satellite phone would work for the Great Lakes. Call for help. Stay afloat till help arrives.
2. Adjustable drag. Move a drogue from side to side to steer the boat. Watched the owner of a 40 foot Swan steer his boat using a drogue attached to two lines steer by pulling in port or starboard line on the drogue.
3. Buy a strong wind vane (ie Monitor) that comes with an emergency rudder.

Depending on your approach you will need to consider the forces against you. One is the loss of leverage that might make the transom tiller a problem.

 

[garymalmgren]

Any spare/replacement rudder would need to be as strong and as useful the original.
Ponder that.
Then do more than the proper maintenance on your original rudder (make sure it doesn't get waterlogged, check the shaft for corrosion, ensure bearings are lubricated and in good condition, etc) and you should be fine.
Oh, and try not to hit any submerged logs. Just thought I would throw that in for fun.

gary

 

[Gene Neill]

Another good article on the subject:

https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/sailing-skills/jury-steering-30065

 

[Gunni]

K.I.S.S. Mr. Smith, K.I.S.S.

 

[Gunni]

Plan C: Hydrovane.
https://hydrovane.com/features/#emergency-steering

 

[capta]

Should you be attempting a circumnavigation, your concerns might be warranted (though honestly, I wouldn't choose a boat for that where I had any doubt about my rudder), but sailing within the range of several subscription towing services it seems a bit over the top to me.
To build an emergency rudder, as you propose, would surely cost the equivalent of many years of a towing subscription. I might be inclined to beef up my current rudder if I was seriously concerned, as you seem to be, but I just can't see going any farther.

 

[msmith10]

Should you be attempting a circumnavigation, your concerns might be warranted (though honestly, I wouldn't choose a boat for that where I had any doubt about my rudder), but sailing within the range of several subscription towing services it seems a bit over the top to me.
To build an emergency rudder, as you propose, would surely cost the equivalent of many years of a towing subscription. I might be inclined to beef up my current rudder if I was seriously concerned, as you seem to be, but I just can't see going any farther.

I wouldn't leave the dock without towing insurance. However, I've seen two boats towed in off Lake Erie after losing their rudders during storms, and it wasn't pretty. Rudders don't break in ideal towing weather. Damage was sustained from the towing operation itself as the boats yawed at the bridle. Even the towing operation would be easier and safer with a rudder to prevent this.
I think Gunni's suggestion of the drogue is the best alternative.

 

[thinwater]

For inland water (including GL), a drogue should be enough. You just need to get somewhere, and you probably have enough fuel to just motor. Down wind is probably OK.

A commercial drogue like a Gale Rider, Delta Drogue, Shark, or Sea Brake is nice, but you should also know how to rig one from an anchor and fender.

The other thing to remember is that you will be trying to install this emergency rudder while the boat is wallowing, possibly going in circles (remember, you are NOT hove to--the rudder position is random and possibly fluctuating), and you are getting pasted (maybe) by waves. You can make a very good case for setting some manner of drogue just to stabilize the boat while you work! A single person can set a steering drogue in any weather.

I've published on this topic and demonstrated rigging steering in less than 5 minutes on a number of boats, often using what is on-hand (spin sheets, anchor, and fender).

(Yes, I've jammed a rudder on a log. That is what prompted my interest in the topic. I was singlehanding.)

 

[jmce1587]

good post and as always great info shared. this topic is of special interest to me since I lost my rudder a few weeks back in a race in Galveston Bay. We were a few miles out into the bay near the shipping lane. Apparently we hit something or something hit us that broke the rudder completely off (pic attached of remaining stub). Weather conditions were breezy (~15 miles) with a chop/slop from an approaching cold front. I have TowBoat US so for bay sailing/racing , this was sufficient to get us back to the marina but like other posts above, I am concerned when I do go offshore Gulf of Mexico (cruise from Tx to Fla panhandle in the spring) and what would I do if this were to happen again.

Lessons learned from this recent experience is to have some sort of drogue onboard. While under tow, the boat was swinging wildly. To mitigate this, we towed a 5 gal bucket from about 30 feet from the stern. this did help somewhat but a proper drogue would have been safer. I've read the posts above and agree that a drogue such as a Gale Rider (got kudos from Practical Sailor) is a benefit to have onboard if offshore sailing and I do plan to invest in one as part of my safetey gear for offshore.

That said, out of curiosity, I will investigate if I can make some sort of jury rig for a stern mounted rudder consisting of Sch 80 PVC piping, angled fittings, marine plywood and SS bolts for attaching similar to a wind vane type of rig. I would like to develop something that is easily stowable and can be taken apart so that is why I will investigate PVC and fittings. Still in the "minds eye" stage and I'm not sure what I will use as an attachment to the boat but if it works, will post pics. If others have any "design" suggestions, let me know.

 

[capta]

That said, out of curiosity, I will investigate if I can make some sort of jury rig for a stern mounted rudder consisting of Sch 80 PVC piping,

I would suggest you consider Speed Rail fittings rather than PVC.

 

[jmce1587]

Thanks. Never knew anything about them and Just looked them up. Appears this will be a better experiment. Once again, good forum info.