Coddy Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 (edited) Well Bill and I were all set for a good days fishing. The weather had an improving forecast and we were in a friendly two day species comp. First stop was Pool Patch to bag up on the wrasse, pout and bream. Well after getting out of the harbour and going past Sandbanks Hotel is was quickly obvious that the sea state was not smooth, in fact there was a good swell and we saw a number of boats heading back into harbour, not a good sign! We plodded on at about 8kts with spray everywhere but got to my mark and down went the pick. It was not long before Bill was in with the first fish, a pout so he was off the score sheet and I quickly followed with a pout as well. This continued with a mixture pout, ballan, goldsinny, corkwing and a female cuckoo wrasse but no bream! As this was almost the end of the ebb we knew that as the tide turned and increased, the bream should start to come back onto feed, well it was almost lunch time so they must be hungry! I started to hear a noise like the outdrive had not locked down so I looked over the stern and in the swell I could see the leg was infact locked but the drive was swinging from side to side, odd I thought. Into the cabin and try the wheel and this was too easy to turn than normal, lean over the stern again and I found I could turn the leg from side to side by hand very easily, looked under the stern cover and the tiller steering arm was stationary. I knew then that I had no steering at all and that most likely the splines had failed that hold the steering mechanism had failed. What to do, thought the best option was to contact the Coastguard just to advise them of our situation just in case something else happens. This went smoothly and they said they would arrange for the RNLI to come out and tow us back in. So, after 3hrs fishing we were being towed back in by the Inshore lifeboat and back to my moorings, a bit embarrassing that my moorings are with the RNLI but there was nothing I could done to have to got back safely especially with all the boat traffic going on around the harbour and Quay using the auxiliary engine. I would like to publicly thank the guys for the tow back. I could have waited until longer before contacting the Coastguard but it is always safer to err on the safety side, so we came back sooner rather than later. All I would add is that at the FIRST sign of trouble, contact the Coastguard, things always seems to escalate into bigger problems which may not give you time to get things sorted. Coddy PS - Has anyone got a trailer I could borrow to get the boat out so I can remove the leg and get the steering sorted please? Boat is 21ft about 1.5ton Edited May 31, 2009 by Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Bad luck Dave I know how you feel mate, but well done for erring on the side of caution and letting the RNLI know straight away. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Glad you got back in safely Dave and Bill. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Yeah, Glad you're safe Dave. Not a nice feeling when something fails at sea. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Unlucky Dave - glad your VHF was working!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Sorry to hear that Dave, these things can strike from anywhere at anytime. Whilst the theoretical ability to get some basic control by tying a rope off from cleat to leg to cleat in these circumstances exists it's definitely not for that area at that time as you say! hope you get it fixed without too much hassle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaspark Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Dave, had a similar problem on sat, it was my first ever trip out and my engine cut out just into the bay from christchurch. The steering cable broke and unravelled behind the dash shorting out the electrics All a bit scarey in a small boat with quite rough seas Managed to get ourselves back quite quickly on the auxilery but still let the coastguard know. Will stick to mudeford harbour this sun as I fitted a new cable today, will try to sort out a buddie boat before we go out to the bay the weekend after. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Dave Your welcome to borrow my trailer from PYC - charlie has the keys - if you think it will do. I think the orkney is a tonne all up, butI cant remember the rating on the trailer. Its got 6 or 7 keel rollers with a swinging back cradle and side rollers. You could take a look - brakes need adjusting up on the backplate bolt but these are easy to do. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted June 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Thanks Paul, Might just take you up on your offer as I only need to get her up the slip and store in the boat park for a week or two depending what I find wrong and if it will cost the earth to fix. Volvo prices are not like Fords! If you are at the meeting I will try to get to chat. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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