Steering Failure 600 Miles from Port. Suggestions?

[Rick D]

Hanging By A Drogue

My friend who has lost his rudder sailing from the Azores to the UK has sent his latest update. There are gales all around his area, so he was directed to an area where they are expected to blow through fairly quickly this weekend:"Time Z 1600.oo pos N 47.29 W 18.09 wind W 18 kts seas 6 ft cog 145 degrees sog 1.7 kts There was a bit more wind this morning and I felt it was time to deploy the drogue. That went quite well. However, I'm not lying as close to the wind as I would like around 70degrees, hopefully I'll come up a bit as the wind increases. I was able to get the rudder system off without any damage so that was a relief. I've been in touch with Falmouth coast guard and they are sending me weather forecasts; it's good of them to do that, thank you Falmouth."FYI: I have edited his posts slightly to delete references to his boat, his identity and others with whom he is communicating. Seemed the proper thing to do and still share this unfolding story. Special thanks to the guy who e-mailed me with several excellent suggestions which I passed on to him. Rick D.

 

[Rick D]

Hanging By A Drogue: Update

(This is in relation to the friend of mine who lost his rudder between the Azores and the UK. He is lying on a para-drogue with the makeshift rudder removed to ride out some gales):pos N 47.19 W 16.54 cog 50 degrees drift 1.5- 2 kts wind SW 30-40 kts seas to 18 ft. The boat is lying quite nicely btwn 40 - 70 degrees off the wind, everything is ok,plenty of food and water, chaff protection on hawser is holding up well. Hopefully I can get underway again on Thursday. ps It's now Z 1730 the front just passed wind clocked around to NE and dropped to 25 kts. One down two to go.

 

[Rick D]

Hanging By A Drogue; Update ll

Latest sailmail from my friend:Z 1000 pos N47.19 W 16.16 Drifting SE at 1.5 kts NW wind 25 - 30 kts 8 ft seas. For the past few days since I deployed the drogue I have been drifting east 25 - 30 miles a day. Considering the difficulties I have with steerage it's a probably a four day sail to Falmouth. Also it's about a half a days work to get the boatready to sail and maybe the same to prepare for rough weather again. I don't want to have to deploy this drogue again close to shore. My conditions seem quite stable right now and I'm inclined to wait for this front which has slowedto come through and by that time I may have drifted another hundred miles east.I think he's done the right things so far.Rick D.

 

[Debra B]

Did he make it?

You left us hanging. Did your friend make it through the gale, and to port?

 

[Rick D]

He's Just Lifted the Drogue

And is attempting to get to Spain since winds dictate it. 300 miles. He got the emergency rig on and it's rougher than he wants, but he's ready to get going. I'll post his message later since I'm on a slow connection. Rick D.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Debra, this is real life, live action.

 

[Rick D]

Underway: Update lll

Latest from my friend with the lost rudder. He reinstalled it in some pretty rough seas but was biting at the bit to get underway again. Rick D."Hi The sail trim sounds right but I've already decided on Spain, plenty of fuel, mechanical systems taking a bit of a beating but I'mcoping. About 300 miles more."

 

[mthood]

amazing

Thanks for all the postings, Rick. Please make sure to update us the whole way through... I don't know about others but this is great learning!

 

[John Nantz]

Sea Conditons

Rick D: Great "blow-by-blow" (no pun intended) accounts of your friends situation.Here is a nifty web site that has sea conditions like wave height, wind, etc. for the area he's sailing in: http://www.surfersvillage.com/europe/ or http://www.surfersvillage.com/europe/#swell300 miles @ 60 miles/deg = 5 degreesIf he is about 300 miles north of Spain it look like he has somewhere around 12 to 14 foot waves as of this post.Please keep the updates coming!

 

[Rick D]

Closing On Spain... Update lV

Just got my latest e-mail from my friend. Hope he can hang in there to get to La Carona Spain where I understand there are good facilities. RD All is well here, pos. N 44.50 W 12.19 wind N 12 seas 2-3 cog 115 deg sog 5 kts bar 1031 Winds were a bit light today,other than that it was a good day. About 180 miles to go rumb line.

 

[Rick D]

Made Spain >> Makeshift Rudder and All

Just got a quick e-mail from my friend who was disabled with a lost rudder between the Azores and the UK. He has made it to La Carona Spain safely.Interesting experience he had. I didn't think the storm anchor was a big deal when he got it since I thought it was pricey, little chance of use and difficult or dangerous to deploy singlehanded. Clearly, he was smarter since it probably saved his boat by helping him endure a week's worth of gales and maybe as important, get some rest. I also don't think his ability to throw together a makeshift rudder is a good model for others since the boat is loaded with tools and he's an experienced wood and metal smith. Better to have it thought out and tested ahead of time. The Falmouth UK Coast Guard was excellent, sending him continual weather advice and monitoring his situation. Also, proves the value of SSB and Sailmail. Rick D.

 

[Michael Dougan]

The Bucket Trick....

I know the saga is over with, but one trick I've heard is to drag a bucket or two over the side. If you lead two lines from the bucket, to a port and starboard aft winch, then you can control which side of the boat the bucket rides on, and somewhat steer the boat. The more drag you have, and the more you can position the drag to one side or the other, the more power you'll have. Haven't tried it personally, but have heard testimonials from people who've saved their boats with this trick.Mike

 

[Rick D]

Tom S. re; Sea Anchor

I probably used the term incorrectly. I think drogue would more often describe an aft drag and sea anchor a bow one. He had a sea anchor to hold the bow into the wind and sea. I think it was a Para-tech. See link.I'll give you an update when I find out more. Like most cruisers, he's not the most communicative, but since I'm taking care of some of his personal stuff, I'll see if threats will work ;D Rick D.

 

[Rick D]

Sea Anchor, Tom S

Sorry for the sloppy terminology. I think a drogue is usually considered a drag from the stern and a sea anchor a (large) drag from the bow. Additionally, a sea anchor retards drift and a drogue slows forward movement. Just from memory, not Chapman's. I believe it was a Para-tech. See link.I will try to get more info, but, like most cruisers, he's not too communicative. I'm doing some personal work for him, so perhaps a threat may work. ;D Also, if this is a near-duplicate post, forgive me since I did it before and it never materialized. I probably never submitted it. Another victim of the 60's....Rick D.

 

[Tom S]

Rick, thanks. That's the way I understand

the terminology is for drogues and sea anchors also

 

[Tom S]

Rick Great story remember to give an epilogue

Also, did he have a sea drouge or a sea anchor (you mention both) and what brand/type did he use ?