WHAT'S YOUR PLAN FOR RUDDER OR STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE?

Written by Sarah Curry, Hydrovane

Second only to keeping the boat afloat, is keeping her pointed in the right direction. What is your plan for the multitude of situations that entail a ‘steering failure’? 

The inability to steer a boat can have major ramifications. Consider these potential scenarios:

• Steering quadrant failure: most boats have a back-up tiller, but when was the last time you tried to use it? Sometimes it’s in a difficult position (such as in an aft cabin) and would be impossible to use in bad conditions.
• Linkage failure: this could be a broken steering cable, rod, or attachment - do you have spares and know how to install them? 
• Rudder post fissure: crevice corrosion in the steel shaft is often to blame for rudder posts that shear in half. In this scenario the boat is left rudderless. 
• Rudder failure: do you know what’s on the inside of your boat’s rudder? Typical construction is a foam core with stainless strapping, covered in fiberglass. It’s difficult to inspect and if there is any corrosion, you may not know about it. 
• Hydraulic steering malfunction 
• Autopilot failure: if sailing short handed with full reliance on an electronic autopilot, even an autopilot failure can feel catastrophic [accounts of autopilot failure are ample, but not included here]
• Becoming an orca play toy 

In planning for these scenarios, please ask yourself these questions: How long would it take you and crew to get back to port? If you are sailing shorthanded, would you be able to avoid fatigue as you deal with the situation? Without a proper emergency system in place, would you be able outrun or steer well enough in bad conditions? What if you are close to shore or navigational hazards?

STORIES WITH POSITIVE OUTCOMES

The Hydrovane is not only a windvane self-steering device (ie, a crew member that steers in all conditions without drawing any power), it also doubles as an emergency rudder/steering system that is ready to be used.  Accounts from Hydrovane customers who have experience such situations speak for themselves. Read more at: www.hydrovane.com/true-stories  with keyword: emergency.

COLLISION WITH UNKOWN OBJECT EN ROUTE TO BERMUDA

Jeanneau SO 43

“…We collided with an unknown object at 02:30am local time. As a result, we discovered that our rudder was not only damaged but completely lost. Thus, the Hydrovane emergency tiller was used for the first time…

Without the Hydrovane, I wouldn't have a ship today. It's as simple as that.”

BROKEN ROD IN THE GULF STREAM

Hylas 46

“When we came up from the Bahamas to US east coast, the main steering failed, due to a broken rod. We rigged the emergency tiller, lashed it with two control lines and exclusively used the Hydrovane. Even motor sailing worked well.

…My wife did all the steering with emergency tiller of the Hydrovane into the inlet to the marina. Just the final turn into the slip we need the emergency tiller. So it really proved to be a backup for the main steering system to us.”

WATER INTRUSION, MAIN RUDDER PULLED, HYDROVANE ONLY FOR STEERAGE

Beneteau 461

“As you know, our rudder tube failed while at sea and our only option was to drop our main rudder [while anchored off Clarion Island] as it was causing too much stress on the tube. We then sailed back to Mexico some 550 miles with the Hydrovane rudder only. The Hydrovane quite literally saved us and our boat.”

STEERING QUADRANT FAILS EN ROUTE TO THE MARQUESAS

Roberts 44 Ketch

“At 0900hrs this morning the main steering quadrant failed – it sheared in two places and is in need of a good welder...

We rigged up the emergency tiller which we centred and are steering using the Hydrovane.  This works very well considering we are using the manual bilge pump handle as a tiller and we’re steering from the ‘hen bench’.” 

MAIN RUDDER SHEARS OFF NEW BOAT DURING ATLANTIC CROSSING

Motiva 49

“…the Hydrovane did a great job and without it we might have ended up on the shores of Senegal, or before that destroyed by colliding with bigger ships in the ship lane between Cape Verdes and Africa; that was my main worry.

… We made it to Cape Verdes and are proud of that fact. Anyway, I think it is a good story thanks to the Hydrovane.”

CLOSE CALL IN A CHANNEL WHEN CONTROL OF STEERING IS LOST

C&C 39

“Myself and my two young boys were entering between the two rock breakwaters. The channel into the marina was running quite a bit of a swell, with breaking waves along the rocks. 

As we entered between the two rock breakwaters [my son] started yelling that he could not steer. I grabbed the wheel and – nothing. According to the depth sounder we should have hit bottom, and I thought we are either going to be smashed against the rocks or we were going to get knocked down. 

Then I remembered the Hydrovane right behind me. I pulled the pin and pushed it over hard, and before you knew it we are back in the channel, and at the slip. Looking at the boat from the side we saw that the rudder was completely gone. We later found it drifting in the channel. The shaft had sheared off, perhaps from corrosion from some as yet undetermined source.

This was the day before yesterday and just wanted to say ‘thanks…’”

BROKEN QUADRANT IN REMOTE SOUTH PACIFIC

Taling 33

“We lost our steering! Our quadrant broke -this triangle connects the steering wheel with the rudder. This could have gone wrong in so so so many ways.

Unfortunately, at that moment we were at the Tuamotus - the most remote islands you can imagine...

Fortunately, we discovered it in time and in calm conditions. Also we are so lucky to have a Hydrovane as this self steering system has his own rudder.”