Looking at my emergency tiller and just not figuring how I could possibly use it. The backstay prevents the tiller from moving side-to-side.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
P42 - Emergency Tiller - How to use
- Thread starter Puesta del sol
- Start date
Hi Keith, I've never tried ours. It is, however, angled as referenced in sail sfbay's diagram. A picture of your handle might be of some help.
Jim, I'm not so sure about that statement. In the mid 90's Hunter had "swept back" spreaders and I believe they were called B&R rigs but some, including a Passage 42 I was looking into, had a split backstay. For that matter, my 1994 40.5 has swept back spreaders like a B&R but it has a split backstay. In both the P42 and Legend 40.5 possibly they are not actually a full fledge B&R rig. The mast will stand without the backstay attached but I would not consider sailing it without the backstay in place. I'm not sure if it was a transitional thing but I'm pretty sure it was not a dealer or PO installed mod.
By the way, the brochure for my 1994 40.5 says "swept back spreaders" but does not say outright that it is a B&R rig. I suspect it is not actually a "full fledged" B&R. It does have an OEM split backstay as can be seen if you closely look at the Brochure picture.
Last edited:
You should try it the next time you're on the boat. An emergency situation is the last place you want to find that you have problems with it. If it works it's one last thing to worry about. On a C30 the wheel has to be removed. What I found was the nut was frozen and I had an awful time removing it. Could have been a serious situation if I waited for a situation to develop when I needed the tiller in a emergency.
Agree, Don, a must do. Same with exercising a MOB rescue plan. Never done one, but have a mental plan on what to do. Big difference having a plan and finding out what does/does not work.
One thing with our boat we have a separate tiller attached to the rudder post for the autopilot. In the event our steering system fails, the autopilot can be used to steer the boat to safe harbor. Regardless, I need to make sure the emergency tiller actually works as designed.
Thank you for the sage advice.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,143
That is a good idea.
One question. Knowing that you love to sail solo, pretty much doing all the sailing work on the boat, how is that mental plan going to be shared should their be a crew member left on board and your in the water? Unconscious.
I figure while solo sailing what I do on board and how I do it pretty much dictates how I treat myself being a MOB.
When I have a crew that could be capable we have a practice session - toss a fender at the start of the cruise. Most of the time even when some one is with me, I sail as if I am solo.
Hi John, my point is to not fall overboard under any circumstance. And if I do, swim like hell for the nearest shore. Some have suggested to leave a long knotted polyester line training the boat that in the event you do go over, grab the line and pull yourself aboard. Sounds easy enough, but very difficult to accomplish with our high freeboard. Tether in a good solution, but very inconvenient.
Remember your ET is only needed when your other rudder control is Broken or not functional.
I tested mine with full control cables still attached to the Helm Wheel, and two people could barely move the rudder, when at berth.
Jim...
I tested mine with full control cables still attached to the Helm Wheel, and two people could barely move the rudder, when at berth.
Jim...
I remember breaking steering cables on my previous h34. Thought, no problem, got the emergency tiller. Haha, no way you can steer the boat. Tiller is way too short, you don't lose steering in a calm sea, I am big and strong but the only thing it was good for was lashing down the rudder.
No way a tiller pilot will steer it.
That experience was an eye opener for me.
I ended up just lashing the tiller tight to be able to do a temporary cable fix (dangerous at sea). Babied the boat back home successfully.
No way a tiller pilot will steer it.
That experience was an eye opener for me.
I ended up just lashing the tiller tight to be able to do a temporary cable fix (dangerous at sea). Babied the boat back home successfully.
Mystery solved. The pole goes in the hole and works to the port side of the back stay. Hope to never need it. Would be a long ride in bad weather
Attachments
Doesn't look like a good setup. Looks like very little leverage if you're moving at hull speed under sail (or motor).
Yep. There is a pole that extends out of the one you see. Maybe 2 feet. Would not want to use in bad weather for sure… of course the likelihood of needing it in good weather…………
Still not a lot of leverage. And it looks like you have other items on your transom that will restrict movement of the emergency tiller.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,143
Be prepared like many to lash it and power the tiller by use of block, tackle and a winch. This is not a zip about the mooring fields tool. It is an emergency get from open sea to near shore and call for a tow.
Worse is the rudder gets damaged and the emergency tiller is useless. Then what do you do...
Worse is the rudder gets damaged and the emergency tiller is useless. Then what do you do...
Then it's time to get creative. Lashing together a make shift rudder from boat parts as others have done. Do what you have to do to reach safe harbor. Hopefully, that never happens, but...