Do Rudders Ever Fall Off ?!

[dniello]

Just throwin this out there....but has anyone ever had major rudder issues, like the thing falling off?? Im just curious as most most now have the spade rudders with no support. The damn thing failling out is a majore concern of mine...plus the hole that may come with it. Just looking for some thoughts.

[imagine2frolic]

It does happen, and some at the worst time..........i2f

[skipmac]

Never happened to me but it does happen.

[dniello]

Really guys...you took the time to write that!!?? Why even waste the time?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by dniello

Really guys...you took the time to write that!!?? Why even waste the time?

Some could ask the same of you......

It happens, and depending on the design of the boat the hole may or may not pose a problem. Read about the major races, syd-hobart, transpac, etc.....

[dniello]

I know it happens. Its just funny when people take the time to write "Its bad" or "happens at the worst time". These are about as obvious as it gets. The point of me posing that question is to see if it has happened to anyone, warning signs, and what they did as a result.

[idpnd]

Yes, that is a risk with the spade rudder type designs. Just lately it happened to some transatlantic regatta yacht.. had to be abandoned. Do a google search.

[dniello]

I have read all about those. Dont think they necessarily needed to abandon those boats....but who knows. Has anyone ever had major rudder issues personally??? and yes, I know they are verrrrrry baaad.

[Drumroll30]

Originally Posted by dniello

I have read all about those. Dont think they necessarily needed to abandon those boats....but who knows. Has anyone ever had major rudder issues personally??? and yes, I know they are verrrrrry baaad.

How about this? Not my boat but a friend with the same type of boat as I have. The seal at the top of the post was compromised, the freeze thaw cycle in winter weakened it and it fell off on his first sail of the season. Just enough meat left to make it back to port.

[sailorboy1]

not to me, but I have heard it happens!

sorry just had to

I have a spade rubber, but just can not really understand it could just fall out

[Sailmonkey]

I have never lost a rudder mid ocean, or even in a storm for that matter. I have lost one in protected water and light winds. It makes you feel sort of helpless.
the design of the boat left us with a hole into the cockpit, no danger of sinking, but also no way of steering other than with the sails. Had is really been blowing I could have seen the spin broaching us in a hurry, this would have been compunded by wave action. Abandonded..in the bay.....no way, mid ocean with no steerage....hard to say, maybe?!

[dniello]

Drumroll30.......YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!! Someone steppin it up and gettin to the meat of this!!!!! Great job, and very interesting. This is the kind of stuff people want to see and learn from.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by dniello

I have read all about those. Dont think they necessarily needed to abandon those boats....but who knows. Has anyone ever had major rudder issues personally??? and yes, I know they are verrrrrry baaad.

I was on a boat with cable steering and one of the pulleys jammed. The rudder didn't fall off, but it was pretty inoperable. No warning signs from the cockpit, and wasn't my boat so I can't speak to the maintenance aspect.

The rudder was more or less amidships so we sailed it to its mooring using the sails. Missed the first time or two I think.

Good time to hope you learned how to turn a boat under sail without using the rudder.

[Hudson Force]

About ten years ago I had my rudder delaminate and the port half of the two molded pieces fell away. The starboard half remained attached, but weakly, to the tangs. Fortunately we were able to cruise to a hual out and use the starboard half as a template to recontruct the rudder. Numerous boats have their rudders made from two halves that are attached and any hairline crack along this seam can lead to the problem that I had. A simple prevention of risk, if you have this type of rudder, is to cover the seam with a fiberglass tabbing that will prevent any intrusion of water and subsequent delamination. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by dniello

Really guys...you took the time to write that!!?? Why even waste the time?

That was the answer to the question you asked. Guess the respondents, like myself, assumed if you asked a really simple question you might only understand a really simple answer.

There are plenty of newbies that post on this forum that barely know the pointy end from the other end so does not pay to make assumptions.

Want more info, ask a more specific question.