Today was our inaugural sail on our new TI. It was the perfect day... sunny, 5-10 knots.
I've read several reports of TI owners experiencing issues with their rudder.
On the trailer, we tested the rudder system by dropping and turning the rudder. All worked perfectly.
We launched the boat and entered deeper water. Then we stopped, dropped the rudder, unfurled the mainsail and then we immediately took off sailing fast on a close reach. But we were unable to turn to starboard. We assumed the rudder wasn't locked properly. So we stopped the boat, recycled the rudder, bringing it up, then back down, and locked the down line into the cam cleat, maintaining sufficient tension on the down line. Bang. Up/down control lines became slack. Lost all rudder control.
We successfully improvised using the paddle to turn. Using the paddle, we were all still able have a blast tacking up and down the lake sailing with my family and friends.
Questions:
What is the proper procedure for reporting a breakage?
Any suggestions how I can improvise a solution to hold the rudder down? We have a family vacation scheduled starting tomorrow using the boat. Would be great to have the rudder functioning.
Any suggestions for a more robust long term solution for keeping the rudder locked down? When these boats sail fast (which it seems it always wants to do), there is considerable pressure on the rudder system. I can’t understand how the rudder can remain locked down. I'm concerned it is not locking properly and will break again.