Wheres My Rudder?

[scott_sale]

A few summers ago I was finishing a five day coastal navigation lesson with two other students on a 41 foot production vessel. Suffice to say we were very surprised when we lost steerage and 2/3 of our rudder floated way(we learned later it was a poor layup at the factory). Being five miles from land and ten miles from our destination, what would you have recommended to return the vessel safely?

[Freesail99]

Drop anchor and "Hello, Seatow".

[sailortjk1]

Use the sails to control the vessel.
This might get you to a safe harbor or at least to an anchorage and out of harms way.
For a detailed account of how to sail with out a rudder go here.
Alex covers it very nicely.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/sailnet-how-tos/38015-giuliettas-sailing-instruction-videos.html

[nolatom]

I agree with both the above. Depending on wind direction, you could conceivably use the sails to steer the boat more or less towards your harbor. But when you get there, you'd want a tow (preferably tethered on the hip) to steer you in close quarters between the other boats.

Jury-rigged rudders and "steering with the sails" may work (sort of) in open water, but in harbors you need more precise control (meaning a tow who provides your steering as well as your propulsion)

[Giulietta]

The steering with the sails system efficacity varies from boat to boat, and off course with wind conditions, boat size, skipper skills and sea state among other variables.

Obviuosly a large boat in a narrow channel is probably an almost impossible achievment. Granted could be done with extensive practice.

Generally the steering with the sails is more often used in open sea, when the distance to be travelled are far greater, and the presence of obstacles is somewhat un-existent. Its is a method to get you to a point where assistance can be provisded in the last few miles to get the boat back to port.

I am of the opinion that the proper use of an Auto Pilot makes you a better sailor, because if you don't have the boat properly trimmed the AP will work harder, chase itself and drain more power.

All sailors should know how to steer with sails, as part of the early basic sailing skills to be learnt.

[chucklesR]

Sail if possible, SeaTow or dinghy as a tugboat/Pushboat to dock if needed.
Coastal navigation course implies you have knowledgeable sailors onboard (at least the skipper).

so give, what did ya'll do?

[sailingdog]

If the water was shallow enough, dropping the hook is always a good idea... since it will give you some time to figure out what to do next. Steering with the sails or using a drogue will allow you to steer to some degree, but in a busy harbor, calling SeaTow is probably a better idea.

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by scott_sale

A few summers ago I was finishing a five day coastal navigation lesson with two other students on a 41 foot production vessel. Suffice to say we were very surprised when we lost steerage and 2/3 of our rudder floated way(we learned later it was a poor layup at the factory). Being five miles from land and ten miles from our destination, what would you have recommended to return the vessel safely?

I have 4 or five owners of Chris Crafts and associated power boats that I can call via mobile (and had to do once when my Atomic 4 just decided to retire).... cheaper than Seatow as I get to enjoy the case of beer I buy for them and they love to state they towed in a sailboat I have humility what can I say...

[Zanshin]

I lost my rudder at sea last year. It snapped off at right the hull. There was no way that the fin-keeled boat could be steered by balancing the sails, I needed to head 90 degrees or so to the wind and could only balance heading roughly downwind. The 10hp dinghy wasn't strong enough to point the boat in the right direction so that the main diesel could propel it. If I had been out of range I might have jury rigged something, but drifted over a 70 foot deep patch and dropped my anchor.
I would take the "balance the sails" suggestions with a grain of salt, I think that unless you have a full keel your chances of doing anything other then running are slim. Although in your case you still have a bit of rudder that is useable, so you might be able to use a balanced sail approach; I might have started with a handkerchief foresail and mainsail to get going and see how much directional stability you haven, then progressively let out more sail/reefs. If winds and seas are light and you have people onboard you might be able to use the dinghy to counteract prop wash on the main engine (push directly against the hull, not by using a tethered dinghy to pull the bow).

[CharlieCobra]

You can tow a drogue and steer somewhat with the drag by pulling it from one quarter to the other.