My boat has dual rudder/tillers that are linked together. If one fails the linkage can be disconnected from the second rudder/tiller. Can this be considered adequate for emergency steering?
Redundant (dual) rudder boats require emergency steering?
Wed, 2011-08-24 13:14
Wed, 2011-10-19 11:15
#2
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Good news. I read the story of California Condor's failure and it convinced me to carry/test a drogue for steering backup should one or both rudders fail. Due to the transom design and mainsheet rigging on my boat a conventional backup rudder would not work. Flattening the boat to keep the windward rudder in the water (which is not transom hung but under the boat), and deploying a steering drogue is a much better solution in my case.
Thanks,
Doug
Sat, 2011-08-27 07:12
#3
Dual Rudder Boats
In 2010 we said that dual rudders would meet the requirement for emergency steering if the entrant could verify that the boat was able steer with the weather rudder only. One of the boats in 2010 tested that system and it worked, however both her rudders ended up failing during the race. This was a fairly new boat and was relatively untested for ocean racing. They wisely carried a drogue which worked and got them to the finish line...eventually.
We'll review this subject again amongst the Pacific Cup inspection and tech committees and post something for you before the end of September.
By the way, we recommend in the NOR that every boat carry a drogue or sea anchor:
4.27.1 A drogue for deployment over the stern, or alternatively a sea anchor or parachute anchor for deployment over the bow, complete with all gear needed to rig and deploy the sea anchor or drogue, is strongly recommended to withstand long periods in rough conditions (see Appendix F).
Thanks for your question.
Fri, 2011-10-14 10:21
#4
Dual Rudders Can Satisfy Emergency Steering Requirement
After discussion with the Pac Cup Tech Committee we have determined that we will continue following the same parameters that we used in 2010, that dual rudders can meet the requirement for emergency steering if the entrant can verify that the boat is able to steer with weather rudder only in at least 10 knots of breeze. As with all boats who test their emergency steering, you will sign the form to that effect and you and crew should be prepared to demonstrate it to your inspector if requested.
Skippers/crews competent to make the decision to race should understand the boat’s equipment and understand their backup plan when it fails. Skippers and crews should have knowledge of the equipment required to deploy any backup plans when the primary equipment fails. This includes rudders, banding tools, storm sails, etc. If the crew and the boat can pass the inspection criteria that PCYC has already established, then they should be OK.
Most rudder failures occur as a result of the boat hitting a submerged object. On a boat with twin rudders the second rudder should function acceptably, just as an emergency rudder, oar, spin pole setup, should function acceptably.
During racing, if both rudders break the crew will have to make the decision whether to withdraw or continue racing, but in either case will have to be able to continue sailing to the closest destination. If a boat has only recently left the mainland and is sailing upwind, or is tight reaching, shore is not far away. In 2010 one boat was as far from land as she could have been when she had her critical failure of both rudders and still made a decent passage. This boat used a drogue set-up which got them to Kaneohe. However, drogues do not work upwind, something to keep in mind.
Good news. I read the story of California Condor's failure and it convinced me to carry a drogue for steering backup should one or both rudders fail. Due to the transom design and mainsheet rigging on my boat a conventional transom hung backup rudder would not work. Flattening the boat to keep the windward rudder in the water (which is not transom hung but under the boat), and deploying a steering drogue is a much better solution in my case.
Thanks,
Doug