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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Bonehead move of the spring

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/04/2011 : 11:36:32

So I'm hanging in the sling over the well and as the boat lowers into the water, the lift operator asks: "Ya got a rudder?"

"Certainly", I said while holding on to the MAST SUPPORT that was still in the gudgeons, "it's in my basement 60 miles away!"

They helped me pull her into a nearby empty slip for a day or two until I get back out there.

Every year I seem to be the guy providing the entertainment to the lift guys.

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - John Russell on 05/04/2011 11:38:59

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 11:42:29

10. I steer with the Sails.

9. She has a killer auto pilot.

8. Just going to the slip.

7. Using a steering Oar.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 11:45:13

6. Two Words: Internal Rudder.

5. The Keel has flaps.

Edited by - redeye on 05/04/2011 11:46:00

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 11:47:06

There was a message thread awhile back about how motoring is impossible without the rudder. Apparently the boat is totally unstable and goes around in circles.

It got me to thinking that the boat might be able to motor in reverse without a rudder, since the motor is pulling the boat, and the keel/centerboard drags behind to provide stability. (Obviously you'd have to pivot the motor to steer.) I've kept this in mind in case I ever have a rudder failure(though I realize the rudder is most likely to break in rough conditions where backing up could be very difficult).

So I ask half-jokingly: Would you have any interest in testing my hypothesis?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 11:57:08

I have motored without the rudder successfully. Not far and not for long.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 12:26:37

Keep a long handle paddle on board?

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 12:38:58

Actually, Ray, I have an internal compass

but alas, it only TELLS me which way to go.

Rick, that's exactly what I did, motored in reverse. The guys helped me along as I got close to the slip.

What's really bad about all this is that I was feeling pretty good about having all my ducks in a row this year. I pre-started the motor before launch so that it would start easily in the well. Battery connnected well in advance. I had my slip well prepared to received the boat with fenders secured to pilings, dock lines in place, etc., etc. Oh, yeah, no rudder.

In my defense, however, I didn't have access to the transom of the boat before today. The trailer was backed with the transom overhanging a puddle on the lot that was 4"-6" deep so I didn't want to walk in it. I still have to polish the transom in the water.

Edited by - on

Captain Bill
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 17:20:51

LOL

That did wonders for my ego. I've done so many stupid things over the years I was beginning to doubt myself. How about driving 1.5 hours, getting on board and then realize you left the key at home?

Now the key is kept hidden on board.

Bill

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 18:30:59

The beauty of having my boat slip about 150' from my door is I can be even more stupid...

I have driven the C-25 without a rudder, and the steering response is "dramatic"--it seems if you even look to one side, the boat does an instant 90-degree turn over there.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 18:54:38

I finally solved the key issue, having cut off and replaced many locks and even did a short stent with combination locks. I have a key on all of my key chains and a spare in every car. and my wife has a couple too. The locksmith was curious as to why I needed so many keys for three locks that were keyed alike, but he was happy to take my money.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2011 : 04:17:05

Our first C25 had a teak toliet seat - which we retired when we converted to a porta-potti. Later that year a sailor on our lake pulled a real bonehead move to which someone shouted "you should get an award for that!" I later turned the toliet seat into an award by attaching an engraved brass plate, displaying the initals DSA which officially stood for "Distinguished Sailing Award," unofficially referred to as - well you get the idea. It is presented only to a well deserved winner at our annual awards meeting.

Edited by - OJ on 05/05/2011 04:20:10

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2011 : 05:27:41

Not to worry John, we've provided so much entertainment that we've joked about selling tickets to make a profit when the boat launches.

Mixed up on uppper and a forestay one year and ripped the tabernacle out of the deck trying to step the mast. Launched in a 40 mph wind with horizontal snow another year and slipped on the dock. Had the outboard fall off the boat - you name it, we've done it.

We had our rudder crack off in 6-8 foot seas on a delivery the day we sold her. You can steer with the outboard - but it isn't easy.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2011 : 05:52:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Our first C25 had a teak toliet seat - which we retired when we converted to a porta-potti. Later that year a sailor on our lake pulled a real bonehead move to which someone shouted "you should get an award for that!" I later turned the toliet seat into an award by attaching an engraved brass plate, displaying the initals DSA which officially stood for "Distinguished Sailing Award," unofficially referred to as - well you get the idea. It is presented only to a well deserved winner at our annual awards meeting.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Back in the early '70s my father replaced our old-style "flush directly out" toilet with a "chemical head" that had a built-in chemical holding tank (but IIRC still eventually dumped the blackwater out into the river). He converted the old toilet into a mailbox that sat in front of our house for a few months until the neighbors (and the mailman) complained too much.

After that he converted the seat into a gag gift for one of his employees. IIRC the guy did a half-assed job on something, so he cut the seat in half before awarding it to him.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2011 : 08:37:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 . . . After that he converted the seat into a gag gift for one of his employees. IIRC the guy did a half-assed job on something, so he cut the seat in half before awarding it to him . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2011 : 17:52:22

The best sailing embarrassment I've been associated with (but can't take credit for) was when my wife and I (or "me and my wife", using contemporary grammar) went out with some friends on their Bristol 22, which they used rarely--the basis of the excuse... We were departing the harbor amidst a large fleet of J-24s, Sonars, and Ensigns heading out for the Sunday one-design races. Our friend hoisted the main, and then the jib, which he had hanked on upside-down. We got a roar (and even a couple of air-horn toots) from the racing crowd. While I offered the suggestion, we couldn't leave it up--would've had to move the cars back about three boat-lengths.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2011 : 03:56:39

4. She tacks a lot faster that way.

3. I just sail in circles.

2. RUDDER.. WE don't need no Stinkin Rudder!

And the number one reason we don't need a rudder....

1. We drag the first Mate.

Edited by - on

Frank Law
Navigator

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USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2011 : 12:31:45

I hit something underwater and the bottom gudgeon pulled out leaving the rudder hanging on for dear life.. Luckily I was motoring headed for the fall haulout .. Unluckily it was blowing 20mph and I had to get back to my mooring 1 1/2 miles back .. Hanging over the stern trying to steer is no picnic ,, Then trying to catch the mooring was another whole story.. Oh doing this solo did not help ,,Luckily the bottom gudgeon is above waterline...
Frank Law
" ABOUT TIME"
1983 , SWK ,SR

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2011 : 12:43:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 
1. We drag <s>the first Mate</s>. OBL
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - OJ on 05/06/2011 12:44:34

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2011 : 14:17:28

On our C22 we lost the rudder overboard in howling winds, but were able to use the motor to get back to the (floating) rudder and tiller. The rudder popped out because I deserve one of those awards: I'd stuck a cooler under the tiller to keep the tiller up and the moment arm of the tiller resting on the cooler pulled the pintles up and then out. They didn't have the locks like on our C25.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2011 : 05:22:05

OJ.. I had to search...but LOL..

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2011 : 09:50:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 OJ.. I had to search...but LOL..
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2011 : 12:04:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 The best sailing embarrassment I've been associated with (but can't take credit for) was when my wife and I (or "me and my wife", using contemporary grammar) went out with some friends on their Bristol 22, which they used rarely--the basis of the excuse... We were departing the harbor amidst a large fleet of J-24s, Sonars, and Ensigns heading out for the Sunday one-design races. Our friend hoisted the main, and then the jib, which he had hanked on upside-down. We got a roar (and even a couple of air-horn toots) from the racing crowd. While I offered the suggestion, we couldn't leave it up--would've had to move the cars back about three boat-lengths.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've seen many a spinnaker hoisted upside down. A few years back we were doing a peel to a larger kite when ours went up sideways. We immediately doused it - the foredecker, who was responsible for the error (and or packing it incorrectly) said the kite change was probably the wrong move anyway.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2011 : 12:29:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 [quote] . . . we were doing a peel to a larger kite when ours went up sideways . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Eh, that's nothin; we took a brand new C&C 38 out of Lake Side Yacht Club for her maiden voayage. Long story short, we also brought the brand new spinnaker back into the cockpit, from over the transom, from underneath the boat, with brand new bottom paint on it

Edited by - OJ on 05/09/2011 12:31:30

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 05:08:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 [quote] . . . we were doing a peel to a larger kite when ours went up sideways . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Eh, that's nothin; we took a brand new C&C 38 out of Lake Side Yacht Club for her maiden voayage. Long story short, we also brought the brand new spinnaker back into the cockpit, from over the transom, from underneath the boat, with brand new bottom paint on it

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Been there done that. The foredeck at the time was a guy who repeatedly let others pack his kites and never checked them. We areplaced a brand new kite, never been used, with a very badly torn one from a J 24(read more than 3 pieces). We then waited for a race when we were doing poorly and in a scene similar to that in the movie Wind convinced him that the new kite was the only way we'd be able to climb back into the race. He was advised to be very careful because the new kite was in the 4 grand price range. How he missed the J24 measurement patch near the clew is unknown, but at the mark rounding all three pieces came out of the bag. To this day, if a spinnaker isn't packed by him, he repacks it before we leave the dock. He even ties the clews a certain way so he knows he was the last one to touch it.....of course we occasionally retie them for him for good measure.

Edited by - Champipple on 05/11/2011 05:09:48

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 06:09:11

With the keys left at home thing - been there, done that. We now have a set of boat keys on every car's keyring, a spare set in the glovebox, and a set for the boat on a floaty keychain.

Now the only way I can forget my keys is if I get a ride to the boat with a friend.

Which I have done - and left all the keys at home.

Edited by - Prospector on 05/11/2011 06:11:37

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