Sailing w/out the rudder

   I've found myself launching out of Lawson's Landing a lot lately.    Mostly diving the bar with piss poor visibility for the elusive halibut , but also peddling/sailing down to Mclures Beach a few times.  Always hoping for a nice breeze to get me back.  Last trip I just dove for maybe 10 drifts.  Mostly incoming tide but the last couple were outgoing until it was so fast I couldn't see in the 2 foot vis.  I was a little North of the channel and the current was taking me over to Dillon's beach.  I was sloppy pulling in my float line and it wrapped up in the rudder and when I lifted it the pin broke.  The wind was maybe 10 knots so I sailed it in using the paddle for a rudder.  Very interesting.  The kayak really wants to turn into the wind.  I wouldn't want to try it in the November winds, or beat upwind too far.  I was able to tie the rudder up on top.  I didn't want to try getting the extra pin out in the chop and cold fingers.  I'm going to mount a spare pin on top of the boat and try it without the locking ring.  Another option would be to wind the sail up and peddle close to shore to stay out of the worst current.  Iv'e learned not to cut the corner coming into Lawson's.  My first pin breakage doing that.  Diffidently unlock the rudder in shallow water from now on.

Unlock the rudder - good tip in shallows

I was hoping to hear about some other accounts of operating the AI without a rudder.  Being towed in doesn't count. 

I haven't broke a rudder pin yet, but I have 2 spares stashed inside the little holder under the hatch cover (mid hatch and rear hatch). Have heard a Bic pen can work in a jiffy too.

I too haven't broken a pin ... yet.  I have at least 2 spares on-board & a good assortment of extra bolts, nuts, keepers, etc...  Just incase.  I DID learn a lesson about the rudder during my first outing, however.  I neglected to lock the rudder in the down position in the cleat and I had one HELL of a time trying to steer it while sailing.  It took both hands on the rudder control just to jeep it going straight.  The next trip out I decided to lock it in the cleat & that was all it took.  2-finger control ever in 15+ winds.  I want to add one of the knobs to the rudder control arm now & maybe a hiking stick.  Anyone have a like to one before I start the journey to look myself?  Or know what the thread size is in the rudder control (2011-current)? 

Thanks!

Bill

Update:  Online I see others posted that it is 1/4"-20 .... concur?

Sailing without a rudder.. Interesting challenge. Let me preface what I am about to offer with my credentials 1) I've never sailed an AI. 2) this is entirely theoretical, 3) I've taught sailing for more that 20 years.

Normal sailboats are designed to tend to turn into the wind.. a little bit.  This is called weather helm and in strong wind, the position and shape of the sail and heel of the boat (tilt) has much more to do with direction then the rudder.   So to make the boat go more to leeward (away from the wind), ease the sail out (half luffing is okay), and heel the boat to leeward a little to drag the leeward ama. If you can control the position of the mast, leaning it forward or getting your boat weight forward will help. If you can control the shape of the sail, a flatter sail will reduce weather helm.

In really difficult cases you can drag a line or a bucket from the lee side of the boat to keep it going straight.  I'm thinking a loop of rope, bait bucket, salmon net, an anchor (if so equipped) would do it.

Losing your rudder should not be a reason to require a tow in an AI or a "normal" sailboat.

I'd be interested to hear if any of those work for you.

I would image having the daggerboard & Mirage Drive in the water would help "act" as a midship rudder (keel).  I like the idea of towing a bucket or driftsock to keep the stern in position.

I replaced a pin on the water in tahoe, wasn't as bad as i thought, but i didn't bother with the clevis at all and it held in place pretty good...i also took sailfish's example and replaced those maddening rings with clevis pins

there's a post in the hobie forums about making a little guide out of PVC to put in the rod holder, then run your paddle through it...i'm thinking of making one and just stashing it in the hull.

Steve,
I couldn't find the thread your were refering to about the PVC paddle rudder device. Can you post the tittle or link to it? Thanx, I'm curious to see this contraption.

I broke my first pin a few months ago just while unloading the boat, I "slightly" bumped something with the rudder and it snapped in two pretty easily.  Never had a pin break on my OB's before, not even sure I have a spare for them.  But I found it interesting how easily the pin snapped, so I snapped part of it in half again with my hands.  Kinda flimsy if you ask me and was sort of porous on the inside.  Glad to hear you made it back by using your paddle!  I keep a spare in the hatch, but also in my drybag.  Would rather not have to open the rear hatch to replace it myself, but good to have it back there just in case.

    Very interesting.  The kayak really wants to turn into the wind.  I wouldn't want to try it in the November winds, or beat upwind too far. 

Dave -

The AI in high wind has a lot of weather helm, the tendency to turn into the wind when sailing up wind. It has to do with the mast being too far forward. The solution is to reef the sail by 50% or more.

Scott

Steve,
I couldn't find the thread your were refering to about the PVC paddle rudder device. Can you post the tittle or link to it? Thanx, I'm curious to see this contraption.

Here is is, page 1 post by vetgam: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=47343

I know this is a another site...

I too haven't broken a pin ... yet.  I have at least 2 spares on-board & a good assortment of extra bolts, nuts, keepers, etc...  Just incase.  I DID learn a lesson about the rudder during my first outing, however.  I neglected to lock the rudder in the down position in the cleat and I had one HELL of a time trying to steer it while sailing.  It took both hands on the rudder control just to jeep it going straight.  The next trip out I decided to lock it in the cleat & that was all it took.  2-finger control ever in 15+ winds.  I want to add one of the knobs to the rudder control arm now & maybe a hiking stick.  Anyone have a like to one before I start the journey to look myself?  Or know what the thread size is in the rudder control (2011-current)? 

Thanks!

Bill

Sorry for the slow post. I have the Hobie control knob...so so much better. Occasionally, I flop down on it and end up with a bruse, but other than that it is the bomb.
I keep thinking of a hiking stick, but don't want to give up the knob.

Update:  Online I see others posted that it is 1/4"-20 .... concur?

I like it! I'm going to make one and give it a go. Thanx for the link Steve. Hope your healing well.

1/4 by 20 confirmed.

Healing fast,, but not fast enough