Warning for Fountain Pajot Owners

MeckDC · 12-11-2009, 13:55

My husband and I were sailing in our FP Belize, off the coast of TX in about 6 meters of water, wind blowing around 15 knots with 4-6 foot seas when our rudder "cable" snapped. We were attempting to tack for the 3rd time. The first 2 we were using the auto tack and we kept stalling. My husband is new to sailing so I was determined to move the boat with just the wind so we could practice rather than turn on an engine. The 3rd time I turned the wheel by hand and it just kept turning. Realizing the cable had snapped I fired up the engines only to turn in circles. We had no idea where the emergency rudder was on the boat (we bought her in May) so we tied the rudder bar from each engine compartment to the stern cleats. It took us a couple of tries before we got the rudders straight. I was then able to motor us back through the jetty to the marina and into our slip. Once there, we contacted the previous owner to see if he knew where the emergency rudder was. He described it and my husband then knew where it was hidden in the anchor locker. When we tried to open the access plates the were corroded closed. My husband pulled the storage compartment that gives access to the steering "cable" to find that it wasn't a cable at all but a piece of rope the size of my pinky! It was so worn in other spots that when you ran your fingers over it it would shed dust. I'm surprised it hadn't snapped before. We tried to contact FP to see if they had a replacement cable and never received a reply. We went to the hardware store and bought some stainless steel cable and replaced it. I would suggest if you own a Fountain Pajot you check to make sure your rudder cable is actually a cable and not a thin piece of rope. MeckDC

Vasco · 12-11-2009, 14:01

Interesting, what did your surveyor say about the steering gear when you bought the boat?

**David M** · 12-11-2009, 14:06

I would not attribute such a problem specifically to one boat manufacturer or the other. Everyone needs to periodically inspect their steering gear. If they do not know what to look for then hire a professional. While he is looking at your steering gear get his opinion on the quality of the system and any improvement that might be made.

RoadRacer · 12-11-2009, 14:07

Don't think that FP use "skinny rope" on their boats. Seem to remember it as Spectra.....
Also good idea to know where emergency tiller is prior to setting sail....
Good luck!

MeckDC · 12-11-2009, 14:09

Okay, that's a whole different "we're idiots" story. We didn't have one. Please don't tell my dad, I'll never live it down. MeckDC

barnakiel · 12-11-2009, 16:55

Amazing - going out and not having checked such basics. Or I am just out of synch with the times ;-)

b

markpj23 · 12-11-2009, 17:14

OK - everyone who's actually RIGGED their emergency tiller(s) raise your hand..... yeah, I thought as much!

And no - I've not (yet) on mine either......

svHyLyte · 12-11-2009, 17:22

smj · 12-11-2009, 17:37

Hey Meck,
Kudos on taking control and overcoming a bad situation. Most people would have called sea tow or coast guard!
Hey barnakiel get a life.

Ram · 13-11-2009, 05:20

One of the things I do before I leave the dock after buying a new to me boat is go over every square inch of it- Really every square inch of it to get to know it-This way there are no surprices! and I do this about 2x a year after the first time!

MarkJ · 13-11-2009, 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpj23

OK - everyone who's actually RIGGED their emergency tiller(s) raise your hand..... yeah, I thought as much!

And no - I've not (yet) on mine either......

Nope. I haven't. But I know where the thingy is and the hole

Nor did my surveyor check the cables (nice wire) to my recolection.....

sneuman · 13-11-2009, 06:15

Hindsight is 20-20, but this is one of the reasons I periodically open and lubricate the emergency steering hatch. When I bought the boat, it was seized shut. I suspect that's not uncommon.

Joli · 13-11-2009, 06:19

Sorry about your misfortune but I certainly would not blame the boat for that. Glad you sorted out the issue and made it back to the dock ok.

You might contact the local dealer and ask about the steering gear? Not sure I would trust the cable if the sheaves are designed for and made for fiber, maybe rethink that?

Good luck and enjoy the boat. You'll do fine and learn along the way.

Joli · 13-11-2009, 06:20

You haven't? Tskkk tskk tskk.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpj23

OK - everyone who's actually RIGGED their emergency tiller(s) raise your hand..... yeah, I thought as much!

And no - I've not (yet) on mine either......

sneuman · 13-11-2009, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpj23

OK - everyone who's actually RIGGED their emergency tiller(s) raise your hand..... yeah, I thought as much!

And no - I've not (yet) on mine either......

yep. Takes five minutes, at most!

12-11-2009, 13:55	#1
MeckDC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Boat: 43 Fountain Pajot Belize Posts: 20	Warning for Fountain Pajot Owners My husband and I were sailing in our FP Belize, off the coast of TX in about 6 meters of water, wind blowing around 15 knots with 4-6 foot seas when our rudder "cable" snapped. We were attempting to tack for the 3rd time. The first 2 we were using the auto tack and we kept stalling. My husband is new to sailing so I was determined to move the boat with just the wind so we could practice rather than turn on an engine. The 3rd time I turned the wheel by hand and it just kept turning. Realizing the cable had snapped I fired up the engines only to turn in circles. We had no idea where the emergency rudder was on the boat (we bought her in May) so we tied the rudder bar from each engine compartment to the stern cleats. It took us a couple of tries before we got the rudders straight. I was then able to motor us back through the jetty to the marina and into our slip. Once there, we contacted the previous owner to see if he knew where the emergency rudder was. He described it and my husband then knew where it was hidden in the anchor locker. When we tried to open the access plates the were corroded closed. My husband pulled the storage compartment that gives access to the steering "cable" to find that it wasn't a cable at all but a piece of rope the size of my pinky! It was so worn in other spots that when you ran your fingers over it it would shed dust. I'm surprised it hadn't snapped before. We tried to contact FP to see if they had a replacement cable and never received a reply. We went to the hardware store and bought some stainless steel cable and replaced it. I would suggest if you own a Fountain Pajot you check to make sure your rudder cable is actually a cable and not a thin piece of rope. MeckDC

12-11-2009, 14:01	#2
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 2,570 Images: 34	Interesting, what did your surveyor say about the steering gear when you bought the boat? __________________ Rick I Toronto in summer, Bahamas in winter.

12-11-2009, 14:06	#3
David M Moderator Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Boat: research vessel Posts: 5,181	I would not attribute such a problem specifically to one boat manufacturer or the other. Everyone needs to periodically inspect their steering gear. If they do not know what to look for then hire a professional. While he is looking at your steering gear get his opinion on the quality of the system and any improvement that might be made. __________________ David Life begins where land ends.

12-11-2009, 17:14	#7
markpj23 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cruising the Keys Boat: Manta 42 - "Nauticat" Posts: 1,083 Images: 47	OK - everyone who's actually RIGGED their emergency tiller(s) raise your hand..... yeah, I thought as much! And no - I've not (yet) on mine either...... __________________ Mark

12-11-2009, 17:22	#8
svHyLyte Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, USA Boat: Beneteau First 42 Posts: 1,116 Images: 25	__________________ "It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."

12-11-2009, 14:07	#4
RoadRacer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Skippack, PA Boat: FP Mahe "Normandie" Posts: 26	Don't think that FP use "skinny rope" on their boats. Seem to remember it as Spectra..... Also good idea to know where emergency tiller is prior to setting sail.... Good luck!

12-11-2009, 14:09	#5
MeckDC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Boat: 43 Fountain Pajot Belize Posts: 20	Okay, that's a whole different "we're idiots" story. We didn't have one. Please don't tell my dad, I'll never live it down. MeckDC

12-11-2009, 16:55	#6
barnakiel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea Boat: a sailing boat Posts: 1,934	Amazing - going out and not having checked such basics. Or I am just out of synch with the times ;-) b

12-11-2009, 17:37	#9
smj Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: galveston tx. Boat: solaris sunstar 36 Posts: 83	Hey Meck, Kudos on taking control and overcoming a bad situation. Most people would have called sea tow or coast guard! Hey barnakiel get a life.

13-11-2009, 05:20	#10
Ram Commercial Vendor Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cruising Greece Posts: 941 Images: 21	One of the things I do before I leave the dock after buying a new to me boat is go over every square inch of it- Really every square inch of it to get to know it-This way there are no surprices! and I do this about 2x a year after the first time! __________________ Ram www.sailing-charters.org

13-11-2009, 06:15	#12
sneuman Senior Cruiser Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Magothy Marina, Severna Park, MD Boat: Tayana 37 Cutter - "Symbiosis" Posts: 1,375 Images: 37	Hindsight is 20-20, but this is one of the reasons I periodically open and lubricate the emergency steering hatch. When I bought the boat, it was seized shut. I suspect that's not uncommon. __________________ Sailing Maryland Blog: http://sailingmaryland.blogspot.com/

13-11-2009, 06:19	#13
Joli Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,841	Sorry about your misfortune but I certainly would not blame the boat for that. Glad you sorted out the issue and made it back to the dock ok. You might contact the local dealer and ask about the steering gear? Not sure I would trust the cable if the sheaves are designed for and made for fiber, maybe rethink that? Good luck and enjoy the boat. You'll do fine and learn along the way.

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