Abandoning Ship

[DeepFrz]

After all the things that the Vendee Globe racers have hit on this current race I wouldn't put my faith in anything but an emergency rudder.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

After all the things that the Vendee Globe racers have hit on this current race I wouldn't put my faith in anything but an emergency rudder.

I think it all depends how they are built.

If you hang a light weight spade rudder way out there in harm’s way… then you are just creating the problem.

My Rudder is well protected and balanced, 80% filled with diesel oil to maintain neutral buoyancy.

Have surfed down following seas, needing only a light touch to correct the sheer.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Any emergency tiller is better than no steering.

None of them are long enough. Need to lash fender boards or boat hooks to it to get the necessary leverage.

Anybody practice with their emergency tillers? Me neither. Something worth doing, I think.

I have, the results were not promising

Dave

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

As in line with boatman... I would never second guess any others decision to abandon... That said... same answers as most... lay/heave/lash wait...

To make others aware of this option... bridle a drogue and steer with that until repairs can be performed....

Ever done that , have ya !!!

Dave

[barnakiel]

IMOCA rudders are not all that bad: most of the time there are two, they tend to have security flip-up of some sort, and many designs have the foils easily accessible. Much can be done in an emergency. Last but not least, their skippers' skills, stamina and determination tend to be way beyond those of an average cruiser.

b.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

People who have radios / emails / EPIRBS / liferafts will tend to make decisions that involve such items. Perhaps sometimes such decisions seem less than optimal.


b.

That's a bit like saying that people with sails go sailing.

As to rational/ irrational behaviour, I'm sure many delivery skippers here had funny /crazy things done or suggested by crew when they got frightened.

Dave

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

That's a bit like saying that people with sails go sailing.

As to rational/ irrational behaviour, I'm sure many delivery skippers here had funny /crazy things done or suggested by crew when they got frightened.

Dave

Yes, it is.

I noticed that sometimes saying something aloud creates a ripple.

Not that I will make my opinions a religion.

b.

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by boatman61

No second guessing here.. just what I'd likely do in the given situation with weather as described...
As soon as I discovered the fix was not immeadiate I'd have fitted the emergeny tiller then hove to on the favourable tack.. most likely to keep me moving W.
Then... head below eat and rest up...
I'm a great beliver in sleeping on a problem in weather once there's control after a fashion...
When the weathers eased... trace and repair if possible... if not scavage blocks, shackles and line and rig a pully system...
The panic's over, shes riding easy...
take your time and experiment..
Similar thing happened to me last year.. emergency tiller was below in the aft cabin under the queen double, and with zero visual anywhere... luckily the oil re-fill/top-up worked but it had me getting the thinking cap out thats for sure.
Could be something you should do to while away the rest of winter... its one thing to know you have one...
something else when you have to use it...
can you make yours less hardship to use..?

I do like your thinking Boatman. Ideas and solutions always seem better with a rested mind.

[barnakiel]

+1! from me too.

I noticed that staying with the issue for a moment turns the mind from finding ways to escape to finding ways to solve and 'just do it'.

Probably some basic psychological fact, but came as a big eye-opener to me after our knock-down.

b.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Ever done that , have ya !!!

Dave

It's an EZ set up!
You tie two lines to the drogue with the drogue in the middle, and hang them over the side P/S just forward of the cockpit using the spinnaker blocks and a pair of winches.
When you hoist the drogue to the port side the boat turns to port, and visa versa for stbd.
It's the caterpillar effect.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

It's an EZ set up!
You tie two lines to the drogue with the drogue in the middle, and hang them over the side P/S just forward of the cockpit using the spinnaker blocks and a pair of winches.
When you hoist the drogue to the port side the boat turns to port, and visa versa for stbd.
It's the caterpillar effect.

I seen and used series drogues to help the rudder. I e never seen it used successfully instead of the rudder

Dave

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I noticed that staying with the issue for a moment turns the mind from finding ways to escape to finding ways to solve and 'just do it'.

b.

I agree with that. But also take time at sea if theres a problem.
Sometimes the 'fix' isnt obvious, isnt easy etc. Its probably very easy to becaome overwhelmed and hit the EPIRB.
But it may be better to ride the storm out, have a sleep or two, have a few good meals and then see if the problem can be sorted out.

Jury rigging a mast when dismasted etc may take a week or more to build something that makes you go 2 knots.
A jury rig rudder made from spars, doors etc may take a week too. With my carpentry prolly 2weeks

Not many emergencies need to be tackled at that precise moment.. Take time, think it through. If you have sat email etc , instead of ringing the kids, email the forum and get some advice... and encouragement!

Mark

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I seen and used series drogues to help the rudder. I e never seen it used successfully instead of the rudder

Dave

It wouldn't be a replacement, but just for steering a boat until the orig'l is fixed/replaced. Emergency steering only.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

It's an EZ set up!
You tie two lines to the drogue with the drogue in the middle, and hang them over the side P/S just forward of the cockpit using the spinnaker blocks and a pair of winches.
When you hoist the drogue to the port side the boat turns to port, and visa versa for stbd.
It's the caterpillar effect.

I have seen the same idea just using a bucket. Haven't tried it.

[jackdale]

Some friends lost their rudder 600 miles from Lahaina in the 2000 Vic-Maui race. They rigged their required emergency rudder and finished the race with not much time to spare.

I do tend to fit the emergency tiller when doing boat orientations before charters or classes.