"High Seas" rescue with a Mac 26M

[dbcounihan]

Over Labor Day Weekend, I sailed my 26M "Y.B.NORMAL" from the North end of Lake Winnebago (NE Wisconsin) to the South end and back. The winds, which clocked around over the 3 days, made the trip a nice downwind/reach sail in both directions.
Because the lake is long (30 miles) and shallow (ave. 25 feet), the lake can kick up pretty fast and strong.
On Monday, we were sailing with an O'Day 25 heading downwind in 20 Knots of wind and 3-4 foot seas when the rudder of the O'Day broke at the lower pintel, causing it to flounder. We immediately headed toward her to render assistance, which involved towing it 4 miles into the wind, through the 3-4 foot seas to the nearest harbor.
If it hadn't been for our 50-hp motorsailor, we wouldn't have had enough power to rescue the O'Day.
I LOVE MY MAC MORE EVERYDAY!

[NiceAft]

Congratulations

Ray

[Doug W]

Thumbs up!

Doug

[Laika 26X]

YESSSSSS!!

....and an excellent display of true seamanship to boot!

"Sub" Ed Tordahl
S/V LAIKA
USCG Auxiliary
Qualified Crew
Qualified Aids (Nav) Verifier
Qualified Public Education Instructor
NYS Qualified Safe Boating Instructor

[Love MACs]

Kudos to the boat and her skipper


Allan

[Catigale]

...and dont forget to claim your salvage rights so you can buy more boat stuff



BRAVO ZULU

[John McDonough]

If it hadn't been for our 50-hp motorsailor, we wouldn't have had enough power to rescue the O'Day.
I LOVE MY MAC MORE EVERYDAY!

The Oday was in a bad situation, rudderless. Are we to assume that its motor was in-operative.?
Was the motor inadequate to cut thru the waves. When I had my first 1997 macX, with 10hp motor, I was caught out in Lake Erie in big waves. As the waves got bigger I could not steer or make any headway. I put up the main, fully reefed with motor and could only make slight headway. It was not fun.

20 years ago I recall reading an article in Sail Magazine.
Ruderless & motorless... How to use your Sails to continue steering and Sailing. It helps to Have a small bucket dragging off the aft quarter.
Ancient cavemen crossed the water for Centuryz before Geovanni Rudder invented the rudder.

It couldnt hurt to pull up both your rudders. Try to figure out how to balance and steer the boat.
Dont try this manevuer in rough water, wait for a nice day to practise. But never forget, that its usually in rough conditions that something important fails..

[Hamin' X]

...before Geovanni Rudder invented the rudder.

The development of the rudder: a technological tale

Seriously, learning to steer the boat by sail trim and in the case of the and M26S, the centerboard, is a good skill to have in your toolbox.

~Rich

[pokerrick1]

I know about the "drag a bucket to steer" trick if the rudder(s) are incapacitated. It works, but it takes some practice. I looped the line from the bucket around the aft cleats to secure the bucket for steering under sail.

Rick

[Catigale]

That technique was just in sail magazine last month in the "voice of experience"feature article - the Admiral always reads that one first

[kmclemore]

I wonder... after the rescue... did the owner of the boat, or guys at the docks, still call the Mac a "Waterbago" or a "Floating Clorox Bottle"?

[DaveB]

When Sh.t happens than you want all the power you need. My pride in sailing is a boat that can do most anything and not to worry.
Dave

If it hadn't been for our 50-hp motorsailor, we wouldn't have had enough power to rescue the O'Day.
I LOVE MY MAC MORE EVERYDAY![/quote]

[Y.B.Normal]

The lower area of the O'Day's rudder was rotted out, which caused the lower pintel to break off the rudder. The rudder then pushed against the OB in such a way that it was unusable. The skipper tried to move the rudder, but couldn't.
After we got back to the harbor, we discussed ways they could've steered the boat, including the use of a bucket and bridle. We also discussed using a sea anchor to keep the boat facing into the wind until the situation was sorted out.
It's always easier to analize the situation after the fact.

Perhaps we have more curteous or open-minded sailors on our lake than on other lakes. We own one of 3 26M's in Neenah. I've never heard a "discouraging word" about our boats, only compliments about the boats' room, versitability and good looks.

[Catigale]

The O'day trailer series is known for having undersize gudgeons and pintles which fail - source Sail and Cruising Forums..