Sailing Alone Across an Ocean on a 30ft Sailboat and Losing the Rudder 1000 Miles from Hawaii

[Tomahawk]

However its all a bit academic - under what conditions are you going to loose all of a modern rudder without it causing major issues to the integrity of the yacht. I can see you losing part of the rudder (and causing no other damage) but the whole rudder - I'm sceptical. If the rudder blade collapses then most rudder stocks have splines - specially devised to allow you to tie/lash a prepared board - though not easy, or even possible, unless its calm.
Jonathan

When an Orca bites it off......see various threads on the subject.

 

[doug748]

I believe some orcas are getting quite good at dismantling them!

They are, in large numbers. I doubt if any small boats are moving in Portugal or the northern coasts of Spain without a degree of worry and the problem seems to be getting worse.

On the theme of emergency rudders it transpires you will have less problems if a skeg remains on the boat. Failing that you could improvise one:

How to steer a yacht without a rudder: Jury steering methods tested - Practical Boat Owner

How long it would last in the open sea we can only guess, I guess.

.

 

[AndrewB]

[Deleted]

 

[bluerm166]

Here's an epic blow by blow account from Hilma Sailing that shows just how hard they found it to make towards land with a jury-rigged rudder .

 

[Arcady]

Here's an epic blow by blow account from Hilma Sailing that shows just how hard they found it to make towards land with a jury-rigged rudder .

I found it interesting just how severe the yawing was when they were being towed. It made it virtually impossible and caused the tow line to part. It’s a sobering lesson in that as much planning needs to be given to controlling the boat during towing as to steering after rudder failure.

 

[geem]

I've never understood why long-term blue-water cruisers don't routinely carry an emergency rudder.

It's not really different from mobo owners carrying a second, get-me-home outboard.

It might depend on the rudder. Risk of damage to a Spade anchor is a lot higher than a three bearing skeg hung rudder on a 100mm diameter s/s shaft that has an attachment for a tiller on top of the stock. It's a bit like saying should I carry a spare mast?

 

[Bilgediver]

I think I am right in saying that the Solent is not classed as "open water" (hence no passage plan required) therefore, not part of the English Channel, hence the derogatory term lake.

Typical misconception.

Some bedtime reading :-

https://dns.planninginspectorate.go...88 MGN 166 Guidelines for Voyage Planning.pdf

 

[bluerm166]

Here's an unusual approach driven by the circumstances - replacing a spade rudder from below while afloat,albeit in shallowish water.

 

[geem]

Here's an unusual approach driven by the circumstances - replacing a spade rudder from below while afloat,albeit in shallowish water.

Done that on a catamaran. Not too hard on light rudder with just a one inch diameter shaft. Current rudder is 4" diameter shaft at its widest and 12'6" long. Would need a small crane?