Emergency Steering

Status
Not open for further replies.
Prime Time

Prime Time

.
Sep 25, 2008
544
Bristol 43.3 Perth Amboy
I am thinking about sailing in the 2011 Marion-Bermuda race and was looking at some of the requirements. This one stood out.

4.15.1 Emergency steering shall be provided as follows:

b) crews must be aware of alternative methods of steering the yacht in
any sea condition in the event of rudder loss. At least one method
must have been proven to work on board the yacht. An inspector
may require that this method be demonstrated.

Has anyone tried an alternative method of steering. I don't believe they are talking about just using sails. I'm looking for suggestions.

gary
 
Patrick17430

Patrick17430

.
Jan 22, 2008
250
Cherubini 37c HULL#37 Alameda
Rudder loss ? I think you'd be up the creek. How many people carry an extra rudder ? I guess you could have some kind of clip on rudder w/a tiller that attached to the transom. If your transom would allow one.
 
Manny

Manny

.
Oct 5, 2006
983
Hunter 82? 37 Cutter Wherever the wind takes me
Would a windvane self steering system qualify?

Manny
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

.
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
You should find some steering options via Google. Sail trim is one but as you said probably does qualify. Warps or drogues may work on your boat. I have heard of using the spinnaker pole with an attachment that is stored away.
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

.
May 25, 2004
978
Catalina Capri 14.2 1670 Rochester, MN
I've always carried a long paddle on every boat I've ever owned. While it is intended as an emergency propulsion method, it can be lashed in place as a rudder as well.
 
C

claskey

.
Mar 10, 2008
43
Hunter 27_1984 gibraltar MI
Another way to provide a steering system for race requirments. If you carry a spinaker or wisker pole, find a removeable shelf or compartment lid, use U bolts that fit around the pole and bolt the lid or shelf to the pole and lash to the boat at a cleat or rail, as a temp rudder. It is also a good idea to pre assemble everything before hand. keep the U bolts with the shelf or lid.
 
L

larryw

.
Jun 9, 2004
395
Beneteau OC400 Long Beach, CA
Alternate steering methods must be bulletproof cause they have to work in extreme conditions mostly, exept in the event your rudder loss is caused by impact collision, hitting a whale or a container, but if you lose your rudder in real snotty conditions, how long do you think a whisker pole lashed to the pulpit or cleat will work? Not long enough to effect a rescue. You need a sturdy custom-made bracket with solid attachments that can be installed at night, with 50 knots of wind, in twenty foot seas, cause if anythings going to happen, it'll happen out there.
 
Prime Time

Prime Time

.
Sep 25, 2008
544
Bristol 43.3 Perth Amboy
Thanks for the replies

Thanks for the ideas. I like the SOS rudder link and was thinking of building my own. I also thought about attaching the spinnaker pole to the backstay and plywood rudder attached to the pole. Control lines brought forward to the winches.

I don't know if it would put too much of a load on the backstay.
 
C

Cayennita

.
Nov 28, 2009
495
Catalina 30 St. Croix
Other Bristols have done the race before. Contact them through the owners site or the manufacturer. Your stern is high off the water and would need a rudder with a pole that can be long and deep enough to stay in the water regardless of sea conditions.
The designer would be the best person to guide you in the right direction.
 
BobM

BobM

.
Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Chances are...

Prime Time said:
Thanks for the ideas. I like the SOS rudder link and was thinking of building my own. I also thought about attaching the spinnaker pole to the backstay and plywood rudder attached to the pole. Control lines brought forward to the winches.

I don't know if it would put too much of a load on the backstay.
Click to expand

...if your rudder goes in a storm there may be a pretty good load on your backstay as it is LOL! I actually think the price is a pretty good deal at $2500. I thought they would want twice that, given the natural urge to add a multiplyer to all things marine. Kind of ugly though and lots of mounts everywhere.

I'd be tempted to design something that fit into something like a re-inforced fishing rod holder in the deck that would be unobtrusive when capped off (could double as a fishing rod holder too LOL). You would then drop it into those for the top connections. Perhaps with some spring loaded pins like I have on my boat hook. Anyone got a good idea for the bottom connection?
 
Rick D

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Todd Smith said:
Has anyone actually made the spinnaker pole/u bolt/ panel rudder work ?

I have read several accounts of them being tried, but never actually working.

My former dock mate lost his rudder between the Azores and the UK. He used his spinnaker pole and a cabin door to fashion an emergency rudder. He had a cut away full keel with attached rudder. The skeleton broke away from the shaft. Hunter Marine was kind enough to send some drawings they had made up even tho it wasn't (obviously) a Hunter. He made 500 miles with this rig, altho he had to de-rig it once to sit out a gale. However, his boat was better equipped than any I have seen with tools, spares and he was a contractor by trade, so he had an edge up. Even so, he tried several variations until he came up with something that would work well enough to get to port. One of the pre-fab rudders would be a smart investment since they are well-engineered and constructed.
Click to expand
 
C

COOL

.
Feb 16, 2009
118
Islander 30 mkII Downtown Long Beach
Manny said:
Would a windvane self steering system qualify?
Click to expand
Some windvanes are designed to function as an emergency rudder.

There is some good infrormation on alternate steering methods
on the website for the 2010 Pacific Cup.
Many of the systems that have worked well enough in theory
to pass a race inspection, have not worked at all in reality.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom