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We are planning a cruise to Hawaii this summer and would lke to know what other Hans owners feel is important as a standard for an emergency rudder. We have the emergency tiller that is standard with the boat, but some have recommended either addition of eyebolts on the rudder for steerage or addition of another rudder for emergencies. What do you recommend?

I sailed PEGASUS from Mazatlan to Hawaii in 2000. My secondary steering system was a Monitor wind vane. It's a GREAT trip!\
Sam

Hi Panache,

i got curious about the topic and went exploring. Seems there are the DIY supporters and the buy one in crew. Both have merit. The most important thing about the emergency rudder is trying it out before you go!

As you will see in the article below it's imperative to go on the water and install the emergency rudder. Then try it out. Have a read of this article

http://www.bluemoment.com/emergencyrudders.html

On the other hand you could buy in a reliable addition to your hardware selection. To this end Scanmar is custom building emergency rudders at a reasonable price.

http://www.selfsteer.com/products/sos/index.php

Let us know how you get on.

Chris

http://www.boatpride.com
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The emergency tiller on a HC33T (late model with the cap outside the caprail) is very difficult to fit. You need to try it on the slip first... (basically you get the main sheet out of the way on the traveler, then slip the post in as far as you can get it and then grabe the back stay and heave it side to side as hard as you can until it drops in.

"You would pretty much have to lose your rudder for the emergency tiller to be insufficient. "
The only failure that an emergency tiller cannot fix (besides losing the rudder) is to have it spin on the rudder post. I have known at least one case of this occurring... No, it was not a HC33T...

BTW, on the Hansa built HC33Ts the rudder is solid glass, no core.

~Cars