Bahamas Trip

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Billy, how did your Bahamas cruise go? Did you sail across the gulf stream or motor? Did you say something about breaking some rudder or rudder bracket?

I have to admit, even the new SS bracket design does not seem all that strong. When I'm in 3-4 foot choppy waves, I see those things sloshing all around and figure its just a matter of time before either the rudder or the bracket snaps off.

[Jack O'Brien]

Dimitri:

Check that the rudder bracket bolts through the transom are tight. I have noticed some looseness in one of mine and plan to tighten them all when I get somebody on the other side of the transom to hold the nut.

[TonyHouk]

Jack,
Use a pair of vise grips. Works like a charm. Happy sails, Tony

[Billy]

The other X on this trip was a '99. Both brackets cracked/broke across the mounting holes. They appeared much thinner than the ones on my 2001. Fortunately, we were near Morgan's Bluff in Andros where the water barge spends 9 hours loading water to carry to Nassau. After a few members of their crew, I finally got to their chief engineer. He ended up making the repair better than new. ($40 dollars less and Luke was on his way.) Recrossing the Stream, I think his bracket broke again; but, not where it was repaired. My later model brackets seem to be a real improvement over the older--thicker.

I did break a rudder at its head. It had already been repaired twice. Guess I'm not much of a fiberglas repairman. (Of course surfing waves in excess of 10 knots doesn't do anything to improve the life of the rudders either.)

The trip was a real adventure. We're waiting for Rick to do a write up.