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.