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