[Public-List] Dolor sailor on Alberg 30 made it to Hawaii, broken rudder

[Wade Wall]

Thanks for all the insights everyone. Gordon, I don't think anyone takes it
as criticism; this is how we all learn from each other and I had the same
thoughts about weather helm and sail trim when I watched the video. And
like you, I tip my hat to James for making it to Hawaii with the drogue and
the way he handled himself. I would have had a lot of video of me losing
it! LOL

On Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 10:22 AM Gordon Laco <mainstay at csolve.net> wrote:

> It was once normal for larger sailing vessels of all types to have a hole
> bored through that upper aft corner of the rudder specifically for the
> purpose of running emergency jury rigged steering lines through it in the
> event of damage to the shaft attachment or rudder head.
>
> Gordon Laco
> 426 Surprise
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 23, 2021, at 10:08 AM, Wes Gardner via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
> Same observations...I am wondering if there'd be a "call" to install an eye
> bolt in the trailing edge of the rudder where steering lines could be
> attached...this would work for both tiller steering and wheel steered boats
> where the rudder itself stays in tact but the gear to turn it fails
>
> Wes
>
> On Thu, Sep 23, 2021 at 9:55 AM Winslow Ayer via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
> I too was taught to sail without a rudder for the same reasons as Gordon.
> It also made us aware that if we lost our rudder on one of these small
> boats that all was not lost. As challenging as it was to learn this, we got
> a great sense of how a boat handles with just a centerboard(or keel). Truly
> a courageous effort to rig and sail the drogue, something I can’t imagine
> myself doing.
>
> Winslow Ayer
> Tinkers Damn #283
>
> On Sep 23, 2021, at 8:51 AM, Gordon Laco via Public-List <
>
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
>
> Good morning friends,
>
> I watched his video in which the rudder failure occurred and have a few
>
> observations.  I am in no way bring critical of his courage and spirit of
> adventure, but reckon that despite his many sea miles of experience, he
> does not have a great depth of understanding of seamanship.
>
>
> On the passage to Hawaii, before the rudder trouble, I noticed that he
>
> was sailing with at least 20 degrees of weather helm on his boat.  When
> sailing down wind, he always had his sails close hauled, and there was a
> sequence where he was trying to reef his mainsail while it was full and
> drawing… sailing downwind.  He eventually gave this up with the clew only
> partially drawn down, leaving a very deep curve in the sail.  When next the
> point of view included the tiller, it could be seen that the weather helm
> was much worse.
>
>
> This of course is perfectly natural given the condition of the mainsail
>
> and point of sail, with the sails close hauled despite the course.   The
> boat was sailed for days in this condition… sailing quite fast so the load
> on the steering must have been tremendous.  At one point in the video, you
> can see the tiller is absolutely hard over for a long time as he was trying
> to hold a course… the point of view pans back to the rig and again, despite
> sailing downwind, the sheets are in as if close reaching.   While watching,
> and knowing the shaft later came adrift from the blade of the rudder, I
> thought to myself ‘ah’.   I might have thought the rudder head might have
> come adrift before the blade broke due to the prolonged abnormal strain…
> but there it is.
>
>
> Again I wish to emphasize I do not snipe at his courage, resourcefulness
>
> nor his spirit… all of which he has in spades.  And although steering by
> sail trim might have been a lot easier and probably more effective in an
> Alberg 30, his rigging of the drogue system showed great resourcefulness.
>
>
> As part of my own instruction when I was a kid, I was taught to steer
>
> the boat by sail balance… the intention was to teach us not to sail with
> unbalanced rigs and particularly with bad sail trim with an eye toward
> racing, but for the cruising sailor being able to sail ones boat without
> dragging the rudder at a needless angle is just good seamanship.  And I am
> of the opinion that being able to sail the boat well is MORE important to
> cruising sailors than racers.  Perhaps that video is an example of the
> consequences.
>
>
> With regard to the damage… my thought is that perhaps the impact
>
> happened at some time before the voyage.
>
>
> I thought of writing all this right after watching the video a few days
>
> ago, but hesitated because I do not wish to be misunderstood as ‘dissing’
> the sailor.  I am not.  But your question Wade made me decide to write for
> the benefit of all of us.
>
>
>
> Gordon Laco
> 426 Surprise
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 23, 2021, at 8:27 AM, Wade Wall via Public-List <
>
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> A few weeks ago I posted a link to an Alberg 30 sailor who was sailing
>
> to
>
> Hawaii and broke his rudder. He made it to Hawaii by sailing with a
>
> drogue
>
> to steer. Video is here:
>
> https://youtu.be/1AZXXKj0p0s
>
> He discusses how he thinks the rudder broke toward the end. Basically,
>
> he
>
> thinks something hit it on the aft edge, but I just don't see how that
> could happen without the tiller being lashed to starboard or port.  I
> haven't asked him if his tiller was lashed, but just curious if anyone
>
> had
>
> any thoughts.
>
> Wade Wall
> Sophie #421
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