Let me relate a little story, and hopefully convince you to get or make an emergency tiller. It's my project for this weekend.
We decided to go for a sail and have lunch on the hook. We took our new to us 1980 H30 out and got sails up early. It was a beautiful day, little or no waves, winds varying from 5-10 kn.
We were out about 2 hours, and found a protected bay. We put the bruce type down 15 feet into some soft bottom, on about a 5:1 rode, and proceeded to swim from the boat, barbecue some kebabs, and generally enjoy ourselves.
The swimming was cold (we were in Georgian Bay). I mention that as it comes into play later.
Around 4:00 we decided to pack up. The wind was up a little, but still little for waves, and the forecast was continuing to call for calm. With what happened next I'd say we were lucky it held true.
In trying to head up the anchor to collect rode, we couldn't stay on course. Something during our anchoring - perhaps a wild swing on the rode, perhaps an errant foot coming up the swim ladder - had disconnected our wheel from our rudder.
Quick inspection left me unable to determine if the cable had just slipped, or if the tensioner was shot, or if a pin had been sheared. The wire was off the keel post wheel.
We left the anchor down and considered. During the consideration I climbed down the swim ladder (transom center) and checked the rudder for freedom. It was moving well.
Then I had a thought:
I shouldn’t have believed local wisdom about the reliability of these Edson steering systems and the lack of need for an emergency tiller.
Then I had another thought. I could climb partway down the swim ladder, and using my feet position the rudder for navigation. I tested this. It worked. My feet were pained by the cold water soon into my experiment, and I realized I couldn’t last more than 10-15 minutes.
I still recall the fellow at the chandler’s saying “everybody wants sailing boots, nobody uses them”. I used mine. Those Gill boots left about 2” of freeboard when standing down on the ladder where I could reach the rudder with my toes.
We decided to make a try for home port. We called the marina, and had standby for towing and assistance ready if we needed it. Then I pulled us upwind for 75 feet of rode and weighed anchor.
For 2 hours I stood like an ape on the swim ladder, in my short pants and rubber boots, holding onto the pushpit rail, giving the passing motor boats an entertaining insight into sailing life.
I could see well to the sides, a bit to the front, and could keep an eye on the chartplotter. My wife called marks and turns, and I pushed the rudder around with my feet, sometimes both to one side of the rudder at once.
We called back in to the marina as we made our way, and they had someone to help us dock at the sea wall. Things went very smoothly indeed.
We could have sailed instead of motoring, using the sails for turning, but we felt it would complicate the situation given tacks would be required.
It turned out to be a failed tensioner, and all is well now. I smile as I remember how tiring that ride home was, and how fortunate we were with timing and weather, but take from my experience the serious note that an emergency tiller is a good idea. I believe it to be a requirement.
I’ll be fitting mine this weekend before we head back out.
We decided to go for a sail and have lunch on the hook. We took our new to us 1980 H30 out and got sails up early. It was a beautiful day, little or no waves, winds varying from 5-10 kn.
We were out about 2 hours, and found a protected bay. We put the bruce type down 15 feet into some soft bottom, on about a 5:1 rode, and proceeded to swim from the boat, barbecue some kebabs, and generally enjoy ourselves.
The swimming was cold (we were in Georgian Bay). I mention that as it comes into play later.
Around 4:00 we decided to pack up. The wind was up a little, but still little for waves, and the forecast was continuing to call for calm. With what happened next I'd say we were lucky it held true.
In trying to head up the anchor to collect rode, we couldn't stay on course. Something during our anchoring - perhaps a wild swing on the rode, perhaps an errant foot coming up the swim ladder - had disconnected our wheel from our rudder.
Quick inspection left me unable to determine if the cable had just slipped, or if the tensioner was shot, or if a pin had been sheared. The wire was off the keel post wheel.
We left the anchor down and considered. During the consideration I climbed down the swim ladder (transom center) and checked the rudder for freedom. It was moving well.
Then I had a thought:
I shouldn’t have believed local wisdom about the reliability of these Edson steering systems and the lack of need for an emergency tiller.
Then I had another thought. I could climb partway down the swim ladder, and using my feet position the rudder for navigation. I tested this. It worked. My feet were pained by the cold water soon into my experiment, and I realized I couldn’t last more than 10-15 minutes.
I still recall the fellow at the chandler’s saying “everybody wants sailing boots, nobody uses them”. I used mine. Those Gill boots left about 2” of freeboard when standing down on the ladder where I could reach the rudder with my toes.
We decided to make a try for home port. We called the marina, and had standby for towing and assistance ready if we needed it. Then I pulled us upwind for 75 feet of rode and weighed anchor.
For 2 hours I stood like an ape on the swim ladder, in my short pants and rubber boots, holding onto the pushpit rail, giving the passing motor boats an entertaining insight into sailing life.
I could see well to the sides, a bit to the front, and could keep an eye on the chartplotter. My wife called marks and turns, and I pushed the rudder around with my feet, sometimes both to one side of the rudder at once.
We called back in to the marina as we made our way, and they had someone to help us dock at the sea wall. Things went very smoothly indeed.
We could have sailed instead of motoring, using the sails for turning, but we felt it would complicate the situation given tacks would be required.
It turned out to be a failed tensioner, and all is well now. I smile as I remember how tiring that ride home was, and how fortunate we were with timing and weather, but take from my experience the serious note that an emergency tiller is a good idea. I believe it to be a requirement.
I’ll be fitting mine this weekend before we head back out.
