Surfski Knowledge Base

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

* Note that the each steering cable connects the side of the rudder mount arm on the same side as its controlling pedal. If you are attaching bungee from a mount in front (closer to the cockpit) of your rudder post, hook it to the opposite side to the pedal that still has a good cable. If you are attaching from a mount farther to the boat rear than the rudder post (e.g to the stern handle or with a loop around the stern end) then hook the bungie to the rudder post side on the same side as the pedal that still has good cable. A quick test (press on each pedal in turn - if correct one pedal will spring back after being pressed, otherwise change the bungee hook to the other side of the rudder post) after hookup will instantly tell you whether it is working. *

1. Bungee w/ Hook - hooked to one side 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. Using a hook that has been tested beforehand for ease of use will speed your recovery of steering, just as not using a cover over the rudder mount also accelerates deployment of this fix. Every thing you do to speed/ease this process will be that much more important in difficult conditions
   1. Deck mounted bungee - you can use a bungee on the broken cable side to restore steering that can be all be done with the remaining pedal with a good steering cable (* if you have installed this setup 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 - Carry a bungee cord a little shorter than the length from your stern handle to the crossbar on the rudder post. Attach the bungee cord to one side of the rudder post. Attach the other end to your stern handle. You will be able to steer using your foot on the pedal with the remaining good cable.
   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.