Rudder nightmare at sea

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by colemj

Or it may have had something to do with that rock the previous owner fetched up on……….

Mark

..chuckle...your right, we are just guessing

[colemj]

No, I meant that the previous owner actually did fetch up on a rock and had damage.

That's the problem with long threads - lots of info gets forgotten or passed over.

Mark

[CaribbeanCraig]

May I chime in...

As a former commercial net fisherman from Florida ( before the laws were put in place ).
I wouldn't own any type of boat with a spade rudder . Lots of long lines and drifting nets to get caught up on something thats guiding a vessel that has their family aboard . Also, honestly I don't believe Ole Man Beneteau would build these boats the way that they are being built today. A family boat should be thinking about the family and not racing performance. Thank You .

[guvet]

I was inspecting a new fp lipari 41 at boat show 3 days ago and couldn't find an emergency tiller access hole on deck over the ruder shafts, so asked the rep who seemed bemused i should even enquire. I was even more bemused that it was absent.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by CaribbeanCraig

May I chime in...

As a former commercial net fisherman from Florida ( before the laws were put in place ).
I wouldn't own any type of boat with a spade rudder . Lots of long lines and drifting nets to get caught up on something thats guiding a vessel that has their family aboard . Also, honestly I don't believe Ole Man Beneteau would build these boats the way that they are being built today. A family boat should be thinking about the family and not racing performance. Thank You .

Yes if they had skegs they would be less snag prone and far stronger overall---plus would also steer better...... Long ago I had a Newport 41 sloop that had a spade rudder----it was almost unmanageable off the wind......

[Paul Elliott]

A well-designed and built spade rudder will perform better than any skeg-attached rudder, and will be as strong or stronger. The problem is that apparently many spade rudders aren't designed or built as well as they need to be. Skegs have some advantages too (shedding lines, easier to make sturdy, etc), but don't assume that all spade rudders are weak and poorly-performing -- they aren't.

And for what it's worth, my boat has a good, solid, skeg-attached rudder.

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

A well-designed and built spade rudder will perform better than any skeg-attached rudder, and will be as strong or stronger. The problem is that apparently many spade rudders aren't designed or built as well as they need to be. Skegs have some advantages too (shedding lines, easier to make sturdy, etc), but don't assume that all spade rudders are weak and poorly-performing -- they aren't.

And for what it's worth, my boat has a good, solid, skeg-attached rudder.

But, the truth is is you smack something on the beam and the skeg or spade rudder takes the force there is gonna be a much larger chance of having major damage as opposed to a full keel vessel. I really feel safer around whales as long as my boat and rocks with a full keel. Yes I know they are slower but definitely safer

[JPA Cate]

In the meantime, let's kind of hold this space for bluewaters, if you all don't mind. I'm particularly interested to see what (if anything) they were able to do to help the vessel tow more manageably with the rudder gone.

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

In the meantime, let's kind of hold this space for bluewaters, if you all don't mind. I'm particularly interested to see what (if anything) they were able to do to help the vessel tow more manageably with the rudder gone.

Thanks Ann. I have a small case of insomnia at the moment lol. Just read an email from the rep. Rudder is due to arrive 15-18 November according to him.

It will now be a case of deciding what products to use if the rudder arrives in an "unprepared" state, which I suspect it will.

[Hud3]

Whatever you do, thoroughly remove any residue of the mold release compound before painting it. That wasn't done on our boat's bottom, and the anti-fouling paint peeled off in sheets the first time we hauled the boat. (Thankfully, the dealer didn't hesitate to make it good.)

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Whatever you do, thoroughly remove any residue of the mold release compound before painting it. That wasn't done on our boat's bottom, and the anti-fouling paint peeled off in sheets the first time we hauled the boat. (Thankfully, the dealer didn't hesitate to make it good.)

Easier said than done, mold release wax is tenacious. I wonder if the OP can acquire 202 in his present locale?


Your bottom was probably skip sanded. Lots of builders like to commission that way to save a buck.

[Zanshin]

Minaret - doesn't acetone work to get rid of the release chemicals? I am pretty sure I've seen tins of Interlux 202 at the various chandleries in the islands so that should be available.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Good stuff Bluewaters... My participation in the discussion has been limited by the "sailing wifi blues"! (but most of us prefer the isolation... albeit frustration when we need connection for times like this!)

Glad things are going your way!!!

Next posts are not to lead from the progression and outcome of your plight, but for informative discussion...

Good luck my friend!

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by MARC D

Agreed 100%

I would be curious to see how a boat with a plywood board on a pole would be able to make any easting in the Caribbean Sea knowing how prevalent wind and especially current want to blow you away.

Now wouldn't this be a great read from a mag or PS!?!?!

We've all read the "pole and door (or table) accounts over the years... But wouldn't it be great for some publication to do an experiment with 3 or 4 methods on say full and fin keel boats???

I've done the drogue steerage routine, and it works in a pinch... but not that great!

[CaribbeanCraig]

Has anyone tried reefing the main and using it for steering while under diesel propulsion ?
In calmer seas of course . just curious .