Parker 325/335 Emergency Rudder and Tiller
Submitted by Stuart Tucker, Parker 325 'Pegasus'
June 2006
Emergency Rudder
This a straight copy of the existing rudder but, cut down to fit into the starboard locker under the bunk in the aft cabin.
I have used three pieces of 18mm marine ply, bonded together and shaped approximately along the lines of the existing rudder.
It is heavier than I would have liked, but should be good enough to get the boat into harbour. Attaching the lines was possibly
an error as this may have weakened it, and probably are not necessary, but I considered that fitting the rudder in a rough
seaway would be difficult enough, without having an additional crew member lower it from above, using the lines, whilst
someone else fits the bolt, possibly from the swim ladder. Not having tried this for real (and hopefully it will never happen),
I think at best this would be a very difficult procedure to carry out, but for offshore racing we are required to carry
an emergency rudder - and this is it! Depending on conditions, we would probably attempt it with the sea anchor deployed
forward.
Emergency Tiller
This is a simple piece of teak shaped and with a welded stainless steel bracket on the end. I have drilled two holes into
rudder stock so that the tiller would sit above the rudder up haul cleat. The length of the tiller is such that it will
not touch the wheel but sit under the helmsman's seat. Steerage is not affected. The pulleys are for attaching lines, so
the boat can be steered from the cockpit, via the aft spinnaker pulleys or locked off.