Yacht sinking off Nambucca Heads

[Pelagic]

Here I am banging on about not speculating... but what else do I have to do at the moment!
Unquote

I wasn't speculating just asking if anyone knew the actual location.?

Generally discussing ;
A stuck rudder in heavy seas would be a nightmare.
The only idea I could come up with is a sea anchor from bow and wait it out.

[Wanderlust141]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Indeed. I sold a very special to me Rib to a Dutch guy who wanted the fuel tank filler moved. He employed a local welder to use a stick welder on the built in empty petrol tank with predictable results. Welder went to hospital for a week and the what was left of the rib to land fill. So sad, it was a brilliantly balanced and sweet handling rib in big waves.

I even commissioned a water colour painting of the first time I made a trip to a foreign country, France. That was quite adventurous in an open boat back then and sleeping on board for a week.

Pete

Sad end to a nice boat with a good history.

[Wanderlust141]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Here I am banging on about not speculating... but what else do I have to do at the moment!
Unquote

I wasn't speculating just asking if anyone knew the actual location.?

Generally discussing ;
A stuck rudder in heavy seas would be a nightmare.
The only idea I could come up with is a sea anchor from bow and wait it out.

I agree, Sea anchor would be the best action to take in most swell / wind conditions.

[silkie]

How is a sea anchor going to stop the boat from sinking?

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by silkie

How is a sea anchor going to stop the boat from sinking?

It wont!
but trying to tow a boat in heavy seas with its rudder stuck hard over will definately put the boat in danger of foundering .

First I would try and hove to so that boat is turning up to head sea with stuck rudder
....then if sea room... rig sea anchor take sails down and deploy.
Then focus on the cause of water and rudder.


Not talking about wanderlust's old boat as we dont know details other than it was sinking after they tried to tow.

You need to stabilize first before towing unless you are getting pushed onto beach, which may have been the case here

[Jim Cate]

Wanderlust, do you know the current owners well enough to ask for details of the incident?

Jim

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

It wont!
but trying to tow a boat in heavy seas with its rudder stuck hard over will definately put the boat in danger of foundering .

we have first hand knowledge of the water police at coffs hrb. whilst well intentioned and always there to assist, the seamanship we experienced was non-existent.

that having been said, perhaps the folk at the scene assessed the situation and felt it necessary - who knows ?

hope we hear some facts so we can cease speculation

cheers,