E-Rudder Race?

[Lightspeed]

So while talking rudder failures in a 2014 Trans Pac thread, and after some wine (maybe too much), I had a crazy idea. In the goal of rudder safety, what if we had a short E-Rudder race? We could use two short points i.e. in the Berkeley circle with only E-Rudders? Singlehanded, double handed, and full crew divisions.

We already do the show and tell on E-Rudders at SSS and Pac Cup seminars, but how many of us have actually sailed any distance with one? Just a fun race idea like sailing El Toro’s backwards. This could also be a joint race with the Pac Cup guys. Lightspeed is willing to give it a go, any takers?

 

[Harrier]

Would you remove the "normal" rudder? Otherwise, you'd not really get a true picture of the e-rudder's performance.
Just teasing, of course....

 

[Philpott]

Call it the "Right Turn Rick" challenge? I'll create some posters to advertise it, similar to this one.

 

[BobJ]

LS, I'd be down w/that.

We sailed around with Rags' e-rudder before Pacific Cup (we tied the tiller/main rudder off on the centerline). It worked fine through the two tacks and two gybes required for the Pacific Cup inspection. Breeze was 10-12 knots.

 

[Lightspeed]

Thanks Bob. I also got a couple of emails on the idea. So what if we start under normal rudder (Berkeley Circle) and at or before rounding a mark the E-Rudder is deployed and back to start or other mark with at least one tack or jibe? Then maybe a E-Rudder sail-in into the RYC for show and tell.

 

[Critter]

I like that wrinkle! Include deployment as part of the race.

 

[peter00]

It's a great idea and I'm really thankful I don't have to take part with my e-rudder.

 

[Philpott]

So while talking rudder failures in a 2014 Trans Pac thread, and after some wine (maybe too much), I had a crazy idea. In the goal of rudder safety, what if we had a short E-Rudder race? We could use two short points i.e. in the Berkeley circle with only E-Rudders? Singlehanded, double handed, and full crew divisions.

We already do the show and tell on E-Rudders at SSS and Pac Cup seminars, but how many of us have actually sailed any distance with one? Just a fun race idea like sailing El Toro’s backwards. This could also be a joint race with the Pac Cup guys. Lightspeed is willing to give it a go, any takers?

Great idea! Our new Commodore, he of the Bandicoot, was seen discussing this subject with Paul Kamen yesterday after the shorthanded Midwins at the Berkeley Yacht Club. Apparently Max Ebb has submitted an article that addresses ERs in the next Latitude. Paul, an avid dumpster-diver on behalf of his Merit 25 Twilight Zone, has created a prototype from free materials. It sits on top of Twilight Zone just inside the entrance to O Dock in Berkeley, for those who are interested.

Anticipating the updated Long Pac Rules, who is interested in serious discussion of and assistance with the fabrication of emergency rudders? From my casual poll of potential Transpac participants, fabrication of the ER is a main obstacle. After fabrication, we can all race against each other as Rick suggests. Yippee! Another unconventional race.

 

[pogen]

I like that wrinkle! Include deployment as part of the race.

Good idea, a Le Mans start. Automatic DSQ if you fall overboard while trying to get it done.

 

[BobJ]

I think you should have to deploy it away from the dock but don't make deployment speed a factor in who wins. Some boats have cassette rudders (fast/easy) and some boats have large, heavy e-rudders that require attaching a halyard, etc. to steady them while installing. Others may have control lines to be run (etc!)

What about a 15-minute (or ?) deployment period, then begin the start sequence?

 

[sleddog]

I think an e-rudder "race" is an excellent idea. I would remind that having a nearly stationary boat makes deploying an e-rudder infinitely easier..in this regard, temporarily towing a drogue or sea anchor makes sense while fiddling on the back of the boat. Otherwise, in 20 knots of wind, even under bare poles, your boat is gonna be drifting downwind at 3-4 knots.

Good practice for e-rudder sailing is to pick a day when your area of the Bay is empty of boats, pick a course that includes windward, reaching, and running. Tie off the tiller or wheel, then sail the course steering with sails only. Half of any e-rudder equation is initially getting the boat balanced to steer straight with the sail(s.)

 

[Lightspeed]

Half of any e-rudder equation is initially getting the boat balanced to steer straight with the sail(s.)

Thanks Skip, your point is well taken. Balance is little talked about and yet so important. From e-rudder to racing "balance" keeps the stress off of a rig and rudder and speed up. Paul Kamen "Lightspeeds" navigator in the 2012 PacCup always thought the real key was to learn to sail "without" a rudder.