Awesome day sailing yesterday, rode in on some heavy surf and felt like everything went fine. Rudders kicked up and didn't hit ground particularly hard. When I went to check the drain plugs I notice the bottom gudgeon of one my hulls had been pushed through the transom, breaking the surrounding fiberglass. I don't mind damaging the boat, I just wish I could learn from the mistake and I have no idea what happened. To make matters more complicated it is on a stretch of beach miles from anywhere I can get a trailer. I guess I am going to hike out there and do a field repair and try to sail her back in moderate conditions, or maybe beg the county to let me drive all the way out there, but that is doubtful. I had been bragging about the toughness of Gcat for so long I guess she had to tone me down a little. Glad it was on the mainland, if it had happened a few hours early I would have been on a barrier Island trying to flag down a shrimp boat for a lift.

Be safe out there

Not sure about the GCat setup, but as a general rule, I don't rely on the rudder kickup except in case of emergency. When I come in or go out through shallow water or surf, I make sure my rudders are in the floating mode and I mostly steer with the sails.

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Jeff R
'88 H18 "Jolly Mon"
'10 C2 USA1193
NE IN / SE MI
cramsailing.com
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Drive down there and get it, then ask for forgiveness.

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Jeff
Houston TX
1986 Hobie 18 Sail# 13031
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if it were me i would remove the rudder, use some 2 part pool epoxy or other fast drying epoxy that will cure in water - and sail home with 1 rudder (a chase boat would be a good idea here too)

best of luck

if it were me i would remove the rudder, use some 2 part pool epoxy or other fast drying epoxy that will cure in water - and sail home with 1 rudder (a chase boat would be a good idea here too)

best of luck

Take the rudder off, duck tape the inside and outside. Sail home with one rudder. Beach and drain as needed. Been there done that

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Nacra 5.2
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Better go get it fast no matter how you do it.
Some people would think your boat was abandoned and ripe for salvage...

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Rob Jones
1976 Yellow p-16 - parts is parts - hulls cut up
1978 Yellow p-16 - in good working order
1979 White p-15 - parts is parts - hulls cut up
1985 White p-15 - good working order
1982 White NACRA 5.8 - project boat.
1986 White p-16 - in good working order
1975 White Hobie 3.5 - PM me if you want it
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Thanks for the encouragement. I think the sail back on one rudder will be the way to go. If I can get wind out of the south the good hull will be on the leeward side the whole way. Just want to do it blowing 10 or less.

Plus two on rudder removal and the duct tape, get her home. Jibe instead of tack back home.

without knowing where you or the boat is... and it sounds remote:

extra caution and planning is recommended

bring a paddle, vhf, flair, phone, have a friend around to help? have a friend with a power boat? maybe tell the local coast guard / police ahead of time, back up plan in-case duck tape doesn't do it, etc

SeaTow or boatUSA is not that expensive

Quote

Thanks for the encouragement. I think the sail back on one rudder will be the way to go.

Is the boat still out there?

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Rob Jones
1976 Yellow p-16 - parts is parts - hulls cut up
1978 Yellow p-16 - in good working order
1979 White p-15 - parts is parts - hulls cut up
1985 White p-15 - good working order
1982 White NACRA 5.8 - project boat.
1986 White p-16 - in good working order
1975 White Hobie 3.5 - PM me if you want it
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Do not call sea tow

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Nacra 5.2
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One part of the equation I have left out is I do have a cheetah mount and a honda 2hp 4 stroke. Never used it, maybe now is the time. From a sail perspective If I can get wind out of the southeast I can sail a beam reach the whole way with the good hull on the leeward side and the bad hull slightly out of the water.

Thanks for the encouragement guys, really all I needed