That is a scary tale. When I disconnected my rudder, I thought for sure
that the key was redundant, as the quadrant clamped onto that shaft so hard
when you tightened it that I couldn't imagine it's ever slipping. I have
to ask, was that the original barn door rudder? Because, I can't imagine
that happening with one of the newer, balanced Spade rudders that came
after. My 39 would sail itself without even touching it for miles. And then
you only needed fingertips.
Bill Coleman
Erie PA, Entrada
On Sat, Jan 2, 2021, 4:45 PM Martin DeYoung via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
> John,
>
>
>
> I have an emergency tiller that came with Calypso but does not fit the
> rudder post. IIRC it has a cast fitting that has a rectangular cut out to
> fit over a machined rudder post head. I suspect it was original from
> Bruckmann’s to fit the original rudder. Calypso’s rudder was replaced back
> in 1974 with no provision for using this tiller.
>
>
>
> If you send me a picture and/or measurements I will dig the tiller out of
> storage and check if it would work on your 36-1. (BTW I owned a 1980 C
> 36 for 7 years. I do not recall what the top of the rudder post looked
> like. My wife still misses that boat, she is spooked by Calypso’s racing
> sail plan and heavier displacement.)
>
>
>
> I am a firm believer in having a emergency tiller or alternate method of
> steering. During a delivery of a C 39 south to LA for the start of the
> 1977 Transpac we experienced steering failure. It was 3 or 4 AM and we
> were in the middle of the “squash zone” an area of enhanced Northwesterly
> winds between the WA/OR border and Point Reyes (just north of San
> Francisco). The winds were gusting to the high 30’s and the seas were big
> and steep.
>
>
>
> When the woodruff key between the SS rudder post and the steering quadrant
> sheared the boat rounded up on the face of a steep breaking wave. I was
> below in on one of the saloon bunks and was tossed over the lee cloth onto
> the owner that was sleeping to leeward. We both raced onto deck to see WTF
> happened. We rigged the short emergency tiller (very similar to the one I
> have in storage). It took two of us sitting on the cockpit floor to exert
> enough force on the short tiller to bring the boat back to course. We
> reduced sail to a double reefed main.
>
>
>
> Once it was determined what failed and that a spare woodruff key was
> onboard we waited for daylight to effect repairs. The guy that drew the
> short straw had to climb under the cockpit and disconnect the steering
> cables and un-bolt the quadrant. With the replacement woodruff key in
> place and the quadrant re-mounted the cables needed slack to be
> re-attached. This meant holding the rudder full over on each side long
> enough for the poor guy under the cockpit to attach the cable and make a
> rough adjustment.
>
>
>
> Everything loose onboard was secured and the main sheet was manned. Once
> we pulled the tiller hard over the boat began spinning circles in the big
> seas. Of course this was entertaining for those of us up on deck but
> miserable for the guy hooking up the cables below. Of note, if the tiller
> slipped the guy hooking up cables could lose a finger or two.
>
>
>
> In all it worked out OK. Once full steering function was reestablished,
> sails hoisted and the mess cleaned up it was time for breakfast. IIRC it
> was egg-foo-young.
>
>
>
> Martin DeYoung
>
> Calypso
>
> 1971 C 43
>
> Seattle/Port Ludlow
>
>
>
> >>
>
> *John McCrea*
>
> *Thu, Dec 31, 2020 4:06 PM*
>
> Hello all. I need an emergency tiller for my 1979 36-1. My bot did not come
> with one. I have access to one from a club members 36-1 that I can get
> replicated but it will be pricey. Does anyone have an extra or know of a
> source that has the casting for the rudder fitting? Thanks!
>
> John McCrea
>
> Talisman
>
> 1979 36-1 Hull 113
>
> Mystic, CT
>
>
>
>
> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with
> the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use
> PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks
> - Stu
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the
costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to
send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
