Surfski Knowledge Base

* Temporary Fix When Broken Cable Occurs While Paddling - Whatcom Paddlers Discussion

1. Bungee w/ Hook - hooked to one side (the side of the broken cable) of the rear rudder mount steering arm. Paddlers who employ one of these bungee techniques typically leave the rudder arm cover off for easy access when a cable breaks. Make sure that the hook you attach to your bungee can easily be hooked to your rudder arm on either side. To deploy bungee - typically paddler will have to get in water or have a fellow paddler attach the hook to the rudder mount steering arm.
   1. Deck mounted bungee - you can use a bungee on the broken cable side to restore steering that can be all be done with your other side pedal (* if you have installed this all before you launch *):
      1. One version of this technique used by adding a deck mount using well nuts
      2. Well Nuts for Adding Mounts to Surfskis - or you can look for marine grade well nuts on the Internet or at your local hardware store - properly installed these are quite strong
   2. Bungee attached to stern handle -
   3. Bungee looped around boat rear - (for boats without a well nut mount or a stern handle) another option is to carry a bungee cord with a hook on one end and looped on the other end that can be looped/anchored around the boat rear (instead of attached to a mount installed on the boat deck). Such a loop should be sized such that it cannot slip enough to lose tension.
2. Jammed Pad - between the rudder and boat, aligning the rudder parallel with your boat so the rudder acts like a skeg or keel and at least contributes to going straight and reducing side slip and/or unwanted turning. Steering will then be primarily accomplished with your paddle (practice is not a bad idea). Carry such a pad on your boat or person and Test!! your choice/configuration of pad to make sure it will keep your rudder in a fixed position in rough conditions. After the pad is in place - Keep your feet off your rudder controls and steer with your paddle.
   1. rubber, silicon, something with a little flex and not so hard that it will damage your boat but sturdy enough to stand up to extended time in the water.
   2. Or a small piece of rolled up duct tape. The width of the roll should allow it to snugly fit between your rudder and your boat. If you lose steering, jam the tape between your rudder and your boat with your rudder in the neutral position.