Locking the Rudder While Moored

[stevensuf]

How many of you do it, why and why not?

[SailingwithSoul]

I use my pedestal's wheel lock. I do it with the presumption that it's better than having the rudder move back and forth from the waves/wakes hitting the boat all day.

[Jbaffoh]

Yes, so the tiller doesn't whack stuff in the cockpit.

[donradcliffe]

So you don't wear out your autopilot's rudder feedback sensor.

[nigel1]

Me to, although I use a rope lashing, and for the same reason.
On a larger scale, a container ship in our company shagged its rudder when at anchor with a large swell from astern. Should have left the hydraulic pumps running. Anyway, a costly error.

[Rick]

Lock the rudder midships so that if you have to quickly get away from a mooring or anchor you know which way to steer.

[zeehag]

i used to unless i was onboard. my formosa doesnt have a wheel lock, so i dont bother with it,i just keep rudder midships.

[Blue Stocking]

I always lock the rudder at about 15 degrees.
My home is about 50ft above sea level, and I keep Bluestocking on a very heavy mooring about 150 ft off shore in front of my house.
In Hurricane Fabian she stretched out and broke 1/2" chain at the stem, in gusts to 177mph.
She is a long straight keel boat and when she gets going, will hold direction well.
I watched her round up, and fall off, 3 times before ending up in the mangroves.
I like to think the gentler motion helped her get across some shallow flats sideways instead of just driving ashore.
Tidal surge was about 12ft, and it lifted her up into the mangroves.
Lifted her down with a 35 ton crane.
She broke her Port bow light.
Even when sailing about on her mooring, with some rudder angle she appears to round up quickly on one tack, and heave-to on the other.
Just my opinion.

[Hudson Force]

I center the rudder and leave it alone,- hydraulic steering.

[barnakiel]

Tiller, locked.

b.

[ozskipper]

Always lock the rudder its not in use for long periods. Allowing it to rock side to side will just add wear to the bearings or pintles-let alone other parts of more complex steering systems. (depending on design) . If its allowed to rock and roll for a year, you have just put a years worth of wear on the steering system.

I noticed Zeehag doesnt lock her rudder. I suspect that Keel hung ruggers on long keel boats may not "flog" as much. But I would certainly lock anything on a Skeg, transom or a rudder that is mounted independent of a long keel.

On a Gibsea with a fin keel. I would certainly do it. The only reason not to do it, would be laziness. There are no down points on a wheel steered boat. Even if the wheel doesnt have a brake, a short length of chord will quickly lock it in place.

On a tiller steered boat, the only negative (not that its much of a negative) is that there is a line crossing the cockpit when boarding from the transom and its just one extra thing to step over. Not a big deal eh?

[bruce smith]

Absolutely. In addition to wear, there is the added potential of electrons being set free to raise heck. (electrolysis) I do not have plastic bushings. I lock her up right in the middle

[Gybe]

Tiller tipped up and lashed midship, I think is saves wear and tear on the bearings, control arms and the rudder itself.

[bobconnie]

I always lash my wheel or tiller at about 15 degrees off center so she will round up if she comes loose. sometimes if the wind is astern I will lash amid ships and use a stern anchor also. but I dont carry hull insurance, so Im very carefull when we anchor. Just our 2 cents (and I don't leave the boat unless the ancorage is super Safe!!)

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Me to, although I use a rope lashing, and for the same reason.
On a larger scale, a container ship in our company shagged its rudder when at anchor with a large swell from astern. Should have left the hydraulic pumps running. Anyway, a costly error.

Our slip is on a channel with lots of boats going by hitting us with their wake. We use a bungee on each side of the wheel to to keep it to center and yet it allows movement when we get smacked.