I just bought a 50 year old Petrel; a 12' aluminum sailboat. I can't find anyone who has used it in the last 25 years for info on how to use it.
I noticed that there was nothing to secure the rudder to the boat; and while I thought there should be, I figured if they designed it that way, it can't be urgent.
Today I found out I was wrong. On my second outing today, the rudder simply flies off; fortunately I managed to hold onto it by the tiller extension.
Attached is a photo of the rudder. How do I secure it? I was thinking of drilling a hole near the top, and attaching a rope between the hole and an eyebolt near the bottom of the boat. I would put another eyebolt inside the boat in case I needed to take it off for some reason. Does that make sense? Any other ideas?
Also attached is a very poor photo of two holes behind the rudder, just below the gunwale. (sorry, it was full sun and I couldn't see the display...) Something was there at one time; maybe it was something to secure the rudder. Any idea what it might have been?
Thanks much.
I noticed that there was nothing to secure the rudder to the boat; and while I thought there should be, I figured if they designed it that way, it can't be urgent.
Today I found out I was wrong. On my second outing today, the rudder simply flies off; fortunately I managed to hold onto it by the tiller extension.
Attached is a photo of the rudder. How do I secure it? I was thinking of drilling a hole near the top, and attaching a rope between the hole and an eyebolt near the bottom of the boat. I would put another eyebolt inside the boat in case I needed to take it off for some reason. Does that make sense? Any other ideas?
Also attached is a very poor photo of two holes behind the rudder, just below the gunwale. (sorry, it was full sun and I couldn't see the display...) Something was there at one time; maybe it was something to secure the rudder. Any idea what it might have been?
Thanks much.
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