Ditch the Rudder

[tome]

A friend has taken to sailing without a rudder, even in heavy weather. This has honed his sail balancing techniques. He now firmly believes that we should all ditch our rudders, and is writing a book on the subject 'What goes round comes around'.

He's formed a society of like-minded bretheren called the 'Hands Free Club' and invites you all to join. To qualify, you need only complete a 100 mile passage calling at a foreign port without using any steering.

You know it makes sense.

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[robp]

<<a 100 mile passage calling at a foreign port without using any steering.>>

Ah, the UK in Europe!

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[Roberto]

nice one! nm

nm

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[AlexL]

Does it have to be the port you were aiming for?

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[Sybarite]

I used to crew on a dinghy where the helmsman, (an Irish champion in the class) used to take shortcuts near islands by sailing over the floating sea weed. We would lift the plate and the rudder and then steer by shifting our weight.

It does therefore work. You would probably need a great deal more crew to do it on a keel boat. I'm not quite sure how you might reverse out of a finger berth but if you have no engine then the relative weight of the large crew will have that much more effect..... but then you need to embark so much more food and water that that must neutralize part of the heeling effect... but then you could rig an anchor to the masthead...


John


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[MainlySteam]

Would love to join, I know it makes sense for me to do so.

But having trouble locating a foreign port not too much more than 100 miles away - would I get life membership or a special flag if I do 2,400 miles instead?

Could I do it on another boat - will be doing at least 500 nm on a big new waterjet powered boat next week. Will have a paid helmsman but as it has 4 waterjets it is actually short of 4 rudders, and as it is new we don't even know if it will work yet, so I think just being on board is brave enuff myself.

Looking forward to seeing an internet site up soon for the rudderless ones - remember the text (er um graphics) have to be small enough so non-believers will not bother reading it and making stupid criticisms.

Wonderful idea

John

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[qsiv]

Just dont park it on any rocks on acceptance trials....

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[MainlySteam]

The naval architect who designed this one had just that done recently to another of his in the Solent. Ran onto a bank - during trials - which did the waterjets and the bottom panels no good at all.

Yours must be only a few weeks away from being shipped?

John

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[qsiv]

Boat is due to be shrink wrapped tomorrow, and trucked to the docks next week, for onward shipment on 26th May....

Excitement grows - will have more pic's soon.

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[qsiv]

Oops forgot - it was one of the Condors (for Jersey) some years ago that was put onto some rocks of the NZ coast on either builders or acceptance trials - delayed delivery a bit I bilieve as a small amount of panel beating was required.

Probably not a CV enhancing moment for the skipper/pilot ..

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[MainlySteam]

Wonderful - looking forward to seeing the pictures

John

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[Robin]

Ditch Jimi?

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[jimi]

Robin by Ditch

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha

 

[Robin]

Re: Robin by Ditch

Handsome is as handsome does. The photo has captured the belly overhang (tumblehome?) quite well! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Aardee]

Re: Robin by Ditch

Am I the only one to notice the ironic name of the photographer /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

<hr width=100% size=1>"I am a bear of very little brain and long words bother me..."

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: Robin by Ditch

Nope - I suspect that was part of Jimi's reason for the title of the post!

<hr width=100% size=1>As one bar of soap said to another - "That's Life Boy"