[C320-list] stiff wheel -Emergency Tiller

[Robert E. Sloat]

John-Agree big time.  Before my hull 894 was christened, I had mentally gone
through the emergency tiller drill.  At first launch, in addition to all the
practice maneuvers in safe water, I did an emergency tiller drill.

For the folks who have not practiced with the emergency tiller, you get a 
very
different perspective when landing using the emergency tiller instead of the
wheel.  Make sure you have a good quality wrench big enough to remove the
large nut holding the 40 inch wheel on.  Adjustable pliers will work, but
you will most likely scratch the elegant nut holding the wheel on.  Also
make sure you tighten it sufficiently on reinstallation and use some Loktite
anti-vibrating thread glue when putting in on so the nut and wheel don't 
come off at a bad
time.

I keep the emergency tiller stowed underneath the aft mattress in aft bunk.
It is easy to access by just lifting up the edge of the mattress and doesn't
rattle around in a compartment waiting to break something or make noise.
Everyone on board is told where it is and the emergency plan near the radio
shows its location and a label on the tiller shows how it is installed.

Now being the XO in the Waukegan Sail and Power Squadron, I have
responsibility for safety programs in general including USPS Vessel Safety
Check.  I am surprised occasionally about how many on the water don't know
their boat very well which can lead to a humbling "What could I have done
better moment?" at the dock, when being towed in, or even worse with crew
aboard a life raft.

Bob Sloat
S/V Savannah 894 (2002)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JJ Morrison" <sail-ability at sympatico.ca>
To: "Catalina List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] stiff wheel



This is excellent advice and we do not do enough of practicing what to do if
something fails; responding in an emergency situation is not the time to
figure out whether something works like we READ it should. I intend to do
this as well as crew overboard drills when the water becomes soft enough.
Cheers
JohnM
1999 #574


> From: goodmanalanlee at hotmail.com
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:06:48 -0500
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] stiff wheel
>
>
>
> While not directly a response to the 'stiff wheel' post, I'd like to share
> with the group some very useful information I learned from the Edson
> representative at Strictly Sail in Chicago. Aside from walking me through
> the minute details (using the pedestal display in the booth) of servicing
> and rebuilding the steering mechanism, we had a conversation about
> steering mechanism failures and use of the emergency tiller. Here is a
> summary of what he suggested: (i) on a calm day, actually use the
> emergency tiller to become familiar with its set up and actual use, (ii)
> always remove the wheel when using the emergency tiller. I was SHOCKED at
> the reduced effort to steer with the emergency tiller when the wheel is
> removed (on big race boats, the
> wheel has a release mechanism for the wheel removing it from the steering
> system with the autopilot benefits of improved responsiveness and reduced
> power consumption), (iii) when practicing, figure out a way to steer the
> boat without kneeling at the emergency tiller, for instance rig lines from
> the emergency tiller to each primary winch and adjust the winches to
> adjust the rudder if you have a long way back to port.
>
>
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 16:52:19 -0500
> > From: Fred LEcuyer <fred.lecuyer at live.com>
> > To: Catalina320list Catalina320list <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] stiff wheel
> > Message-ID: <SNT113-W461976F9459ABDBE392BB0E9770 at phx.gbl>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> >
> > I can only add that the folks at Edson are very helpful. If you call
> > them, I think they'll help you through the steps to diagnose the
> > problem.
> >
> > Fred
> > First Light
> > #926
>
>