general safety Questions

Just had a few questions about safely returning to shore on a broken boat, after the purchase of my boat (H14T) I replaced all rigging. It didn't need it but I wanted to be safe rather then sorry, and now I have spares in a jam, everything on the boat is like new, when I bought it the tramp even had the chaulk marks on it as it was installed and never used.

here is what I have run into one day while out (luckily I was just back winding off of the shore when it happened) the tiller crossbar adjuster broke inside the tiller crossbar leaving me with 2 seperate rudders and not an easy way to steer, I replaced both and also did new crossbar connectors (again just to be safe)

a few sails later I was out and the bolt holding the hiking stick to the crossbar broke and I was able to get back by steering just holding the crossbar (and yes I was sore the next day)

I know this is the nature of boats especially when used in salt water but I go out in an inlet and have taken it out to the ocean but after the first incident with losing all steering I haven't felt comfortable sailing out of the inlet

so I guess what I am looking for on this post is info in those situations if I were out in the ocean what would I do?

And if anyone can post different things that they have gone through and how they overcame it to sail another day and not end up drifting into to unknown

and finally what extra parts or safety equipment should I carry and where and how do I carry it?

the best remedy is prevention. key components to replace if not already are: rudder pins, rudder gudgeons if showing cracks, shroud adjuster pins and anchors, shroud shackles.
once you're confident critical boat components are up to date, then the other items are good life jackets (worn!), a hand held VHF, and someone onshore who knows your float plan. protection from exposure and of course, an eye on the weather.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

Strap a paddle to the boat! My motto is " If you ain't break'n (censored) you ain't sail'n" But that's me. I have had to paddle in on several occasions. and Yes I agree with OlderBowman those are the parts to replace.

P.S. I always carry small otter box with spare pins, rings, ect. comes in handy all the time

I one time went out in the ocean on a rough day. I was rather new to sailing a hobie at the time too. My 18 had some really old alum rudder pins, well as soon as i left the channel and started to scream across some 5 -8 foot swells I had 1 rudder pin break. I oddly did not notice for about 20 seconds, I thought the waves were just pulling on the rudder hard. I looked back and the leeward rudder was kicking up a lot of water, the pin had broken but the upper part of pin in the upper gudgeon was holding on by a C*** hair. I proceeded to turn back with a gibe but as soon as i got up some speed a wave broke the other pin, which was the weaker of the two pins. I think because I only had one rudder and the extra force needed to turn and rough weather and a worn pin made it break without hesitation.

I went into irons and pulled out my thinking grenades. A few explosions later I got out my paddle and stuck it in the tramp lacing from the underside up. I left the jib up to help keep the bow down wind. The beach was down wind. There I was able to steer a very small amount. With the main almost windvaning i made it to the beach barely through the waves and got to my truck for my spare carbon fiber pins, which I know aren't that much better in rough weather. I now have SS pins. I need more grenades.

When crap hits the fan, you got to do what you got to do. You just got to look around and think of Macgyver episodes. Don't take your life jacket off either.

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

I always take my boat apart in the winter and inspect everything (replace or mend). When sailing I take a small bag of parts (small and large shackels, pins, retainer rings, drain plug and spare port lid) and a few tools (screwdriver (both types), plyer, knife, waterproof flashlight, matches (in waterproof case)). I also keep a small and large shakle in my PFD pocket to have something ready at hand, for the unexpected. (e.g., the day I saw my leeward shroud separate from the chain plate. Some how the retainer ring either broke or worked out and the pin was held in by shroud tension (it was on the windward side). When I tacked and the tension was relaxed the pin fell out a few seconds after I completed the tack and the shroud was just hanging there. Fortunately, I was able to repin the shroud with the small shackle I kept in my PFD and continued sailing without dropping the mast). I string a full sized paddle through the center laces of the tramp (from the beneath the back of the tramp). As an added benefit the paddle helps keep the main and jib sheets from falling through the laces.

Thanks for all the tips, Definately ordering a paddle this weekend.

Also wanted to ask what everyone uses for Life jackets, I currently use a Wakeboarding vest That has floatation in it but if I were to accidently tack and get wacked with the boom it wouldn't do me much good. I just havent seen anything else that I can wear with my Harness, so suggestions would be appreciated, I was actually suprised when I bought my harness it wasnt also a life jacket

Again thanks to all for your help

A Hobie 14 I purchased had fiberglass rudder pins...figured I'd just sail it 'til they got "sloppy"
one broke before that happened & I was left with trying to keep the loose rudder onboard
(still attached to crossbar) and steer home with one rudder.
A 14 doesn't tack well to begin with...imagine trying with one rudder what a nightmare

Preventive maintenance is best you can do, and carry spare shackles, pins, a good length of line, etc.

Unfortunately, life jackets worn by most cat sailors err towards comfort, not safety.
The situation you described...being knocked overboard by the boom could just as easily result in being knocked unconscious.
The only Type pfd that comes close to keeping your head above water (in this case) is a Type I.
If sailing solo, and off shore, I'd strongly recommend erring towards safety over comfort.

Ploux79, thank you for posting great questions.
Too often we're so anxious to get our season started we cut corners to get on the water.
Best to take our time and insure everything on the boat, and our personal gear, is thoroughly checked.

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com