| The closer your boat is to danger, the faster you will | | | | wires and pulleys that fails. Whether you are cruising |
| need to deal with steering failure. If, for instance, the | | | | or racing, it doesn't take much room to have ready, cut |
| wind and tide are pushing your boat towards the | | | | to the right length, and swaged, a complete |
| shore, you need to implement your solution quickly. | | | | replacement. |
| Similarly, if you are in a busy shipping lane where | | | | Usually when the steering has gone it is because the |
| there's increased risk of hitting or being hit by another | | | | boat has been under some pressure and conditions |
| vessel, you have to know what you should do to | | | | were bad. Having a complete replacement gives you |
| regain control of your boat quickly. | | | | plenty of time to make up or repair the broken part, |
| First, prevention is better than cure | | | | which can then act as the spare for the future. |
| To avoid losing your steering, you should check your | | | | How to rig the emergency rudder |
| steering mechanism at the start of the sailing season | | | | The normal jury rudder consists of the spinnaker pole, |
| and then before each major voyage or race. This | | | | two U-bolts, and a board or locker top or door which |
| check is often overlooked because of its | | | | has holes drilled in it so that the parts can be |
| difficult-to-reach location. Look for wear, tighten fittings | | | | assembled very quickly. In an emergency the board is |
| that have worked loose over time. Replace the wire | | | | attached to the pole with the two U-bolts, which bolt |
| cable if you find signs of decay. | | | | up tight. Then the new rudder is lashed over the |
| Be prepared | | | | pushpit using a square lashing, which will allow |
| Nobody should go to sea without an adequate and | | | | movement of the jury rudder. |
| easily rigged emergency steering mechanism. If you've | | | | Some cruising boats weld or otherwise attach eyes to |
| got a wheel, you should have a spare cable - fitted to | | | | the rudder and lead lines from them into the boat so |
| size so as to go around the quadrant - which can be | | | | that in the event of the steering column failing they can |
| put in place in minutes. If you've got a tiller, you must | | | | make tackles that will provide them with emergency |
| have a fitting on top of the steering post to accept it | | | | steering. |
| which again can be fitted very quickly. | | | | Steering by trimming the sails |
| If you've lost the rudder, your problem is bigger | | | | Now that you know what to do to fix your steering, |
| In many well-run ocean races it is a requirement for all | | | | should it fail, it's also good to remember that it is |
| entrants to have a prefabricated emergency steering | | | | possible to steer a yacht just using its sails. You won't |
| mechanism. Competitors have to install their system | | | | be able to sail close to the wind, probably between 70 |
| over the stern of their yacht prior to the start so that | | | | and 140 degrees will be the best you can make. And |
| race officials can register their compliance with the | | | | you certainly won't be able to tack. You should, |
| racing regulations. | | | | however, be able to find somewhere that you can |
| While it's not a statutory requirement for them, all | | | | head for in safety. |
| cruising boats should carry a prefabricated emergency | | | | Call for help |
| rudder - not an emergency tiller, but a replacement to | | | | Some might say that you should call for help as soon |
| use if the rudder breaks. | | | | as your steering fails. This would be necessary if you |
| Racing yachts carry U-bolts and their associated nuts, | | | | are at risk of going aground or hitting or being hit. If, |
| with a board - usually one of the removable boards | | | | however, you have the wherewithal aboard to fix your |
| which cover water tanks or lockers in the main cabin - | | | | steering without putting anyone's life at risk, you are |
| which can be quickly made up into a quite effective | | | | displaying good seamanship by being self-reliant. |
| steering device. The board makes a steering 'blade' | | | | What else should you do? |
| which is attached to a spinnaker pole or similar. | | | | The suggestions shared here don't cover every detail |
| How to repair or replace the steering cable | | | | of how to cope if your steering fails. To learn more, |
| Once the jury rig is in place there is a tendency to | | | | talk to your crew, assuming you have recruited some |
| think, 'OK, that's well done, now we'll press on,' and no | | | | who have wide experience. Chat to other skippers at |
| more permanent repair is attempted. Don't neglect the | | | | your sailing club and ask them how they have handled |
| basic fault. | | | | this situation. Consider how you could apply their |
| Very often, a competent crew member with flippers, | | | | answers to your particular boat. |
| weights and goggles can go over the side and effect | | | | A good skipper will imagine disasters that may affect |
| repairs. | | | | his boat and will get as much knowledge as possible |
| More usually, with wheel steering, it is the system of | | | | of how to deal with them. |