Emergency Response to Steering Problems?

[Jim Cate]

I'm planning to do more open water sailing in the future, and I want to be prepared and equiped for all potential emergencies. One that I have thought about but don't have a good answer for is the possibility that some part of the steering system could become jammed or broken during heavy weather, or the rudders or rudder supports or linkages could become broken or bent, or pintels come loose, etc. Obviously, I should check the condition of all systems before leaving shore and ensure that they are working properly and are properly lubricated, etc. However, there's always the possibility that something could go wrong under stresses incurred in rough weather. (Incidentally, I have sailed for some 30 years and have taken advanced sailing courses from Annapolis and another ASA school, and I do have some experience sailing offshore.) While it's possible I could fix a problem with the steering linkage at sea, I can't see myself crawling back over the rear birth to inspect the steering linkage while the boat was bouncing around in high winds and six-foot waves, etc.

So, what should one do on a Mac under such circumstances? My initial thought is that I ought to have some form of emergency steering system, such as a substitute rudder that could be jury rigged for use at sea. Or, perhaps one could steer the boat by guiding it with the motor, postitioning the motor by hand. - Do most outboards (mine is the Tohatsu 50hp) have a tiller, or means for attaching a tiller, that could be used to control the motor in such an emergency?

Suggestions, recommendations?

Jim

[Mark Chamberlain]

You have two rudders, doubtful that you break both,

Get yourself a paddle to carry under the rear berth for emergency.

Rachet strap to the motor that also turns the rudders,
that should get you home in a emergency.

A mac is not a off shore cruiser and should not be used as one.
If weather is that bad fire up the motor and get to cover quickly.


changing the steering cables as you feel it get harder to turn is smart,
In salt water mine last about 4 years before change is needed.

I you wanted a spare part on the boat, rudder bracket would be my investment, stressing rudders over 6 mph under power will break them before bad ocean.

I take no changes in my Mac, I have too much in electronics to loose if I tip over. As well as the insurance company will no cover your loss as some might think. My Mac is worth more than book value to me.
Besides the water is only 48 degress at warmest. Getting wet would mean
the grandkids and kids get the mac in the will

Mark

[Frank C]

Emergency steering and backup rudders aren't just a Mac problem, it's true for all sailboats and it's widely discussed in the trade media. Mark's points are valid ... and it's actually fairly easy to address because his boat is a 26X. His entire linkage is exposed on the aft deck, so it's a simple matter to examine it and bypass or jury-rig a solution. If the engine is working, that's the most direct and efficient backup system. If the outboard is dead, yes you can still strap a tiller to it and force it to move the rudders.

If the 26M has a steering problem, yet the motor is still operable ... then motoring is the most direct solution, even if it requires a jury rigged tiller strapped to the motor. But if the motor's inoperable, there is no guarantee you can control the rudders by using the motor. IMO, the 26M's embedded steering linkage leaves you owners with a more serious and significant problem. Most larger sailboats also have embedded steering linkages so the problem is not unique ... but the solutions are more involved than with the 26X. Not sure how I'd deal with it, but the OP's concern for his 26M is valid.

[Craig LaForce]

I installed a combination emergency steering system and inside helm on my 26X. Not sure if it would work on an M or not, since I am not familiar with your steering.

I have broken a rudder bracket and one of those 8 inch long pintle bolts on 2 different occasions. Offshore in big waves you can very easily break both rudders (just my opinion of course). The motor is much less likely to break off, and as long as it is running, and hooked up to a helm, you have good steering. But once you run out of gas, that solution goes away.

THe X is not a blue water boat. But for short hops offshore, in good weather windows seems to be reasonably safe.

The long rudders put high stress loads on the rudder heads when the boat is hit from the side. My rudderhead broke when 8 to 10 ft steep- confused waves at an inlet were tossing me around like a cork. When the boat is lifted up 10 feet, tossed sideways through the air, and lands in relatively still water, the rudder forces are incredible at the top of long thin rudders, and can easily break anything, I repeat anything that is holding them in place.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=111

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=308

[Tahoe Jack]

Your concerns are well founded....more than a few Mac owners have experienced steering failure....usually siezing of the cable. When ours failed, luckily two on board so one at the helm, and another hugging the disconnected motor. Not fun in choppy weather. We posted a mod showing our solution....easily deployed within one or two minutes...and not too expensive. An emergency tiller. Check 'Mac Mods Page' on left margin of this website, then search 'motors'. The posting was 'emergency tiller'. Check it out. Jack

[Zoran]

This is a problem that anybody might have even in protected waters. Steering can be lost in different ways, rudders broken linkage works, use motor, linkage broken rudders OK build emergency tiller. There were few mods for this problems. I found out that I can use mast holder (rod that stick out of the pedestal when the mast is down) and install it on bracket originally designed for tiller handle on my 30 and I have a tiller in less than 60 seconds. Not the best one but it will bring me home.

Zoran

[Catigale]

I have lashed a boat hook to my Merc Big foot 50 HP and brought the boat home to dock (decent conditions) with just this arrangement. Take it nice and slow of course. THe big prop with the BF motor helps slow speed handling too.

Im trying to put a tiller pilot mod on Catigale this winter, and one of the motivations for a tiller pilot vs wheel pilot is the added steering redundancy.