How to Steer a Sail Boat or Power Boat Using A Drogue or Fabric Sea Anchor In Case of Steering Loss

Рет қаралды 41,993

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Friends,
This is a video where I explain the system I used to sail my 30 sailboat 1000 miles / 18 days to Hawaii using a rigid sea drogue for steering after my rudder was disabled due to striking a submerged object.
I have made a "Manual" that is available for free download and can be saved as a PDF or printed out and placed on your boat for future reference in case you every find yourself with no steering. You can view and download the manual here: drive.google.com/file/d/1-Fhl...
In this video I break down he basics and explain what you need for setting up a system before hand and give you suggestions for improvising a system on the fly. I also talk about the process of learning how to tune the system and what worked for me. Different types of boats will have slightly different set ups and needs but with this information you should be able to work something out that fits your vessel.
A long format episode documenting my ocean passage that resulted in my steering loss can be seen here: • Sailing Alone Across a...
If you enjoy the channel please "Like" the videos and Subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes.
If you find the videos helpful or entertaining and would like to contribute become a Patron at: / sailorjames
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Fair Winds,
James
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Пікірлер: 226

@dustinlittle1765 2 жыл бұрын

Your last video was your Mona Lisa. And this one is exactly what I was hoping for after. Enjoy paradise, heal your heart, and revel in your self accomplishment. Thank you for the videos, a true inspiration.

@kirenireves 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU!! Such good info! Your "adventure" losing your rudder means the rest of us are more prepared!

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@xenu-dark-tony 2 жыл бұрын

This is a life-saver. Somebody is going to continue living because of your video. That is massive.

@tonyhill5418 2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure he is sitting there telling you how to potentially save your boat and more importantly your life, and not one but two dummies hit the thumbs down. It's impressive that you sailed that far without a rudder, you are a true sailor.

@christip20 2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing, the “willfully blind”!🍄

@jamaya500 2 жыл бұрын

hardcore sailing is not for the weak, a true sailor indeed.

@smokingun397 2 жыл бұрын

I just hit the thumbs down on your comment just to annoy you :-)

@Kevin-xs6oj 2 жыл бұрын

You are the man! What an amazing and epic battle you had. Your team was incredible. Thank you for this very important lesson. I am going to engineer and build a system to be deployed based on your design. No reason to wait for a event to occur. As you know, being prepared is what it’s all about! Thank you so much! Happy trails

@layrathompson2869 2 жыл бұрын

I no longer sail, but watching with fascination.. and to be alone at sea.. wow.. I'm going to rewatch that sail

@TristanRush-oy2yy Жыл бұрын

Cheers to you and your team! Downloading the PDF now. Setting the headsail in the backwind to stabilize while using the motor and drogue is brilliant!

@phuzzo1 2 жыл бұрын

It's hard to imagine how stressful that whole situation would have been. The psychological aspect is at least as important as the technical here and getting the drogue system working to any degree must have lifted your spirits tremendously.

@SteveeCee 2 жыл бұрын

James, you are an inspiration - well done for sharing your experience!!

@melee401 2 жыл бұрын

Good dissertation James. You did VERY well with what all you had to work with. Thankfully you had the Sea Squid aboard. I have some doubts as to a fabric drone running for that amount of time.

@mandostudent 2 жыл бұрын

Dude! I've watched you from the beginning of your vids. From a newbie, making all the mistakes we all do, to a Coast Guard Captain. Now you are becoming a damn legend! Really good comprehensive vid on emergency steering! Look forward to more adventures. Maybe Cape Horn? Cheers!

@doneddy2204 Жыл бұрын

Truly appreciate your sharing real life experience. Who knows how many ways you just paid it forward 👍

@stewarthenderson8027 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for putting together the Manual James. Much appreciated. Now to make sure my boat is equipped with suitable emergency items.

@xenu-dark-tony 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, how many of us could have dreamed up this system without help? I honestly wouldn't have stood a chance. I may have found the drogue had an effect, but frankly I'd have been so ham-fisted it would have been laughable. This system is incredible.

@AndreanoCelentano Ай бұрын

A treasure trove of practical info, thank you!

@stevev5510 2 жыл бұрын

Bloody champion James. You are one hell of a Mariner.

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help

@peterives8931 2 жыл бұрын

That's 432 hours in the Pacific single handed without a rudder and hitting a 1/4 mile wide target from 1,000 miles away. Quite incredible!

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏🏻 it was a wild ride

@yarpenzigrin1893 2 жыл бұрын

Yup. Bullseye using a piece of rope.

@benkanobe7500 Жыл бұрын

Thank You for passing this forward. I am very happy you did.

@chrismitchum452 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I watched the last vid and couldn't believe how calm you stayed in that situation. Killer sailing brother. and great info!!

@00708046 2 жыл бұрын

This is something people should try to do outside emergency conditions . He was lucky to have 2 captains on standby that had knowledge and experience with drogues and drogue steering.

@timshull59 2 жыл бұрын

I don't shit about sailing, but find your videos extremely interesting!

@user-hv5kv5rg9r 2 ай бұрын

Mahalo, good info. I watched one of your videos leaving Hawaii, I guess this was on the return. I live on the big island and have a trailer sailor. It’s six year waiting list for a slip. I couldn’t wait.

@SailorJames 2 ай бұрын

This was when I arrived to Hawaii

@edwardfinn4141 2 жыл бұрын

James, BRAVO, BRAVO. What an accomplishment! Drogues in general, sea anchors, Jordan series drogues, etc are very controversial issue in the world of cruising in a small boat, and there is a lot of BS on line about the topic. Your perseverance and ingenuity through this ordeal is incredible. You deserve an award , in recognition of your determination and seamanship, and in addition your video recording the whole ordeal, is unique. I think you deserve an award, such as Rolex sailor of the year, world cruising club recognition, or some other notable recognition… You’re the man! And having survived this ordeal is gonna make you famous!

@wiserman100 2 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial on a lifesaving topic. Thanks for explaining this so well. It would behoove all sailors to practice this before they actually need it.

@colinwinters6140 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks James. You are truly an inspiration to me. Stay safe.

@weedknoll 2 жыл бұрын

This is awesome info! Thanks James. So happy you're safe.

@herberteidt6039 2 жыл бұрын

Great description. Having options like this are the key to getting home safely. Well done!

@AXISMEDIATV 2 жыл бұрын

Holy Hell- amazing- really appreciate all the hard work you've put into this series and all the advice- especially the Book!

@scott09900 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I wish more sailing channels had a break down like this to really educate sailors. Thanks for going into detail. You made another fan and judging from the other comments many other fans.

@tiaramisu 2 жыл бұрын

Great Video James! So happy for you. Going through something like that changes a man for better every time! Enjoy the islands!

@donnakawana 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this information. I so appreciate how in detail this is. James your brilliant an I really enjoyed this episode an learned so very much!

@dougkolz3332 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the excellent explanation! Glad it worked out for you. Keeping your head through all of that was a job well done. Go enjoy Hawaii ‘cause you certainly earned it!

@Andreas.Akerstrom 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this, sharing your experiences of what worked for you and some insight into why it worked for you and why it might not work the same for others. I'm seriously impressed with how you handled this trip, and how you managed to get productive. Very easy to dispair and give up when facing so much. Take care, man!

@peterashworth1264 2 жыл бұрын

McGyver rocks. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing. I will remember when its its my turn!

@cseguin 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to share this and for making the manual. It might come in handy over the next months when I will probably be towing a 42' gutted ferro sailboat without a rudder with my trawler . . . should be interesting. If you have any tips about such things that would be great . . . or if anyone does - the more I know the safer it will be. Thanks again.

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

This will totally work for that purpose 👍🏻

@cseguin 2 жыл бұрын

@@SailorJames I'm just about done watching - and, yes, I do believe this will work just fine. It's a pretty straight course running up the inside coast of Vancouver Island . . . we'll see what happens - the _deal_ hasn't been made yet. The boat is free, and I just can't pass it up. I have to make arrangements to go have a look next week. Hopefully it's a diamond in the rough that's just needs a little time, money and patience to finish.

@jonathanwise47 2 жыл бұрын

Just found your channel. Amazing trip to Hawaii. Good information here. Thanks for sharing.

@scamp151964 Жыл бұрын

Great video with excellent simple explanations, thank-you.

@tvonzweck 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you James. Trying to picture that on my canoe stern with a wind vane, Oh my. Your solid advice is always appreciated.

@sjoertebben 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a million for sharing this! I saw your other video with the rudder faillure and wondered how you managed but his vid and the manual explains the lot. I think I would have freaked out completely after a rudder failure, but you kept your cool. Impressive.

@codysp 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this! I've been preparing for my transition from a land lover to the sea where my heart belongs. This was probably one of the most valuable things I've learned. 👍

@jeanniechow4620 2 жыл бұрын

It's a sailor fear to loose steerage but u handled it and stayed on course to Oahu, u have seamanship skills that's for sure. Enjoy ur videos, thank u for sharing.

@shootsscores181 2 жыл бұрын

That was an amazing feat getting that drouge steering going, very cool, and great info!

@WillN2Go1 2 жыл бұрын

Joined your Patreon. Seems a bargain. Support an inspiring sailor, whose videos are a masters class. I've also downloaded and printed out your Emergency Steering PDF. Very educational. Thank you James.

@andresboatshed7018 2 жыл бұрын

I am impressed by your content ! You did great under presure! The Solution for a Problem is what make your content real valuable! Stay on course!

@davidsmart8594 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this, because I didn't quite understand it during the passage video, which was also so good that I didn't want to 'rewind'.

@davidsmart8594 2 жыл бұрын

Really. I salute you!

@richardp1522 2 жыл бұрын

James I followed you on your voyage to Hawaii via Predict Wind what a nail biter thanks for continuing to provide your written updates. The daily posts read as written by a sailor in control of a totally uncontrollable situation. I have to believe the vast majority of sailors in the same situation would have simply given up and waited for assistance from others ultimately leaving their boat to the ocean. No doubt the assistance you received from your shore team was key but who put it in place as part of the voyage plan, you. Don't under estimate your skill as a sailor, ability to remain calm and receive the suggestions provided by others. Additionally the preparedness of Triteia before you left the dock played huge into the voyages success even without a working rudder. Thanks for providing such a detailed explanation of drogues and their use for steering a vessel with a damaged rudder. Some day a very fortunate sailor will benefit from this information possibly even saving lives.

@thestorminmymind 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video, only just stared following you and watch 2 videos, this is unbelievably valuable information, thanks so much for sharing this. I shall be catching up with you previous videos. Top guy... Fair seas dude

@Sailit143 2 жыл бұрын

James, THANK YOU for posting the "Manual"

@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 2 жыл бұрын

Good stuff james i linked your story to some friends who lost their engine and then rudder to Orcas off the coast of Portugal. They had to call for a tow and that cost them a packet.

@youtub1234567891011 Жыл бұрын

Excellent practical advice. Sea Anchors are very useful. .. especially on the smaller sail kayaks I have used. I have not needed to use it for an emergency rudder but this knowledge is super useful if you ever need it. Thank you !

@JG-qz6fq 2 жыл бұрын

Such good info, thank you so much for sharing your experience!

@arismavros 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Super info and well explained Kudos for bringing her in safe Capt

@yes0sir0danish0man 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for an instructive video i will download and put it in my sailboat👍 and again James you are viking🇩🇰

@daveg4963 2 жыл бұрын

Never even been on a sailboat before but this is all fascinating stuff! Good job mate.

@kptbillburkett8735 2 жыл бұрын

VERY GOOD INFO! Very Good! Thank You for your time ⏲ on this. I would love to see more on the damage to the Rutter. And the repairs you are going to have to make to it. Ok untell next week, Aloha from the Big Island 🏝 of Hawaii 🏝

@SailingSeaDreamofClyde 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! I am gearing towards setting off on my first offshore passage next year, likely also to Hawaii. My boat came with a Hydrovane, which steers the boat well as a windvane, or as an emergency rudder. It also came with a beefy drogue, and thanks to your video, I now have the knowledge the if my main rudder and Hydrovane rudder both bit the dust, there is another approach to get the boat to shore!

@RomboutVersluijs 2 жыл бұрын

Im no sailor, let me make this clear. If you still have a year left, wouldnt it be smart to test his technique out. You can prepare basically where he could not. I think being be prepared also makes you a lot calmer when it does happen.

@JonathanVanVuren 2 жыл бұрын

Great information, and I appreciate you taking the time to help. Not to sound cheesy, but you’re caring has made the world a bit better of a place. Thank You!

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

I am happy to help 🙏🏻

@jenniferackerman5628 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome information! Thank you!

@dennisgrosen1815 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for let us nowing this can be made with a sea anker ,something i learned 30 years ago reading an very old book about tallships were they called it a china rudder since they used a waterbarrel to rig the stearing with, good job 👍😊

@SamCyanide 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. Thank you so much. This is invaluable information. The PDF is great too

@JoaoRodrigues-mx1ub 2 жыл бұрын

Obrigado pela sua explicação,espectacular. Sempre é bom que alguém nos possa ajudar nesses momentos de aflição. Felicidades. Abraços do seu atento português.

@michaelosmon 2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate you sir. Thank you for sharing your time and experience

@nickcain1508 2 жыл бұрын

A lot to learn from your vlogs James. Thx mate 👍🇦🇺

@pakratunloading 2 жыл бұрын

I'm looking at a 30' Alberg, 70's model as a retirement project. Your refit videos and the such will help me greaty. I'm glad you made it safely to Hawaii, and I really enjoyed your drogue content.

@johnbrooks1188 2 жыл бұрын

I have a 1967 A30. Don't discount the older (pre-1970s) Mark I version like mine and Treitea. Besides not having an interior liner, the older boats have decks cored with pegboard (masonite) instead of end-grain balsa). Plan on reinforcing mast step (beam below deck) and forward lower chainplates,. Replace through hulls, and replace rudder hinge pin and pintle/gudgeon bolts. A boat that has had all of these addressed, is a real plus. They are wonderful boats. Watch Jean-du-Sud Around the World (that one is somewhat modified). Rig size and displacement is very similar to newer Alberg Cape Dory 28, but I think the A30 is prettier (Sorry Sam Holmes, who is cruising Europe on his CD 28!).

@matthewmitchell5617 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this with us!

@svzaftra18 2 жыл бұрын

Super informative. Thanks man!!

@EpoxyAndButylTape 2 жыл бұрын

Well done video James. Another source for a free steering drogue is a decommissioned life raft, they usually have a fabric one with plenty of line. The one I have is about 16.5” diameter.

@iherok 2 жыл бұрын

THANKS for the explanation and the pdf. I really hope i'll never have to use it. But it's good know how to potentially handle a similar situation.

@ianredwood792 Жыл бұрын

Thank you - very useful and informative

@amycuaresma Жыл бұрын

That's cool bro. I think emergency rafts should come equipped with a sail and a really tall flag or kite that pops up for rescue.

@jmburbach 2 жыл бұрын

Great info thanks! Interested to see what's next for you!

@BevMtnGds Жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation.

@janliljeberg3769 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, James for sharing!

@Dozz70 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent Information! Thank You

@daveweston9569 Жыл бұрын

That was so interesting…well done buddy

@demetrisdemetrious8702 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video man, I have been thinking about if this problem occurred Now I have a good idea as to what I can do Excellent directions and well explained Thanks

@sussman00 2 жыл бұрын

Great video James! It was a treat to meet you on Oahu. I’m looking forward to hearing about your next adventure.

@michaelcee8348 2 жыл бұрын

mucho thnx. now i feel much better re a rudder loss. impeccable

@Turf1able 2 жыл бұрын

I watched the video of your venture sailing to Hawaii when your rudder broke. I had to "look up" what a drogue was. It then brought me to this video of you addressing that issue. Fascinating! Thank you. :)

@Turf1able 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely wonderful explanation of the process and SO easy to understand what you are talking about while explaining the challenges and adjustments needed to do this. Just WOW!

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@Turf1able 2 жыл бұрын

@@SailorJames I basically never actually subscribe .....but I did here! Safe travels!

@samaipata4756 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this highly educational video, job well done! A collision on the rudder while doing 4-5 knots, who would have imagined?! But here we learned it can happen! This video I’m sure will help many of us to sail well prepared for the un expected! What still scares me is, hearing more and more about collisions out in the open sea, with submerged objects, particular lost containers. Perhaps you were even lucky it only struck your rudder. Happy to know you managed the situation so well and you are safe and sound. Best wishes, fair winds and may you be looking forward to a happy new future after the turbulence you had to go through.👍✌️👏👏👏⛵️

@SailorJames 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks ! Yeah I looked up the stats once on land and 3000 containers were lost overboard in 2020 😳

@petterlamas968 2 жыл бұрын

This is gold, thanks!

@bjornlarsson7624 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, very good info!

@andymarshall2201 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, glad it all worked out for you

@claytonalexander9105 2 жыл бұрын

i mean what a good learning experience. i bet now that its over your kind of happy it happened.

@roadboat9216 Жыл бұрын

I just read in Latitude 38 that a Pacific puddle jump. Boat a fully crewed Catalina 47 completely lost its spade rudder. They were 750 mi from landfall in the Pacific. They abandoned ship! The boat otherwise in good shape and fully functioning. No major storm system involved. You have to be resourceful out there as you were. And you were SINGLE HANDING. That is a huge plus in an emergency. I can’t and don’t make judgement as I wasn’t there to know all circumstance. Another boat was only 85 miles behind picked them off the boat.

@SailorJames Жыл бұрын

Yes, it’s a very common occurrence with people abandoning boats that couldn’t easily be sailed and saved, however slow and inconvenient it might be. I will gladly pass judgment and say most people abandoning boats in this way have no business being at sea.

@roadboat9216 Жыл бұрын

@@SailorJames Yes, and agree that Hydrovane is a great way to go (in you can afford it. I had a Monitor that I bought used, (not much to go wrong with them). Their emergency rudder system is not the best solution but beats the crap out of nothing.

@hakeem4802 Жыл бұрын

We appreciate the educational video. Next you'll be known as "Professor" Captain James. 😆 . But seriously, appreciate it and going to read your PDF.

@SailorJames Жыл бұрын

I actually get paid to lecture at several universities in NYC a few times a year just not on the subject of boat 📚

@Jensen_Denmark 2 жыл бұрын

Great info James, thanks. Greetings from Denmark

@NorthPoleTime 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Great info!

@bharris968 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant idea man. I really hope I would have thought of that but I kinda doubt it.

@kevinswinden4882 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Very Informative

@diegodevops4151 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Learned a lot.

@LordPalatine 2 жыл бұрын

When you talk, you remind me of Red Green, in the best way possible.

@davidgiles5030 2 жыл бұрын

Huge RESPECT.

@enigmacode_1 Жыл бұрын

Subscribed! 🔔 Shared, liked, fav-added and downloaded (the 'Manual'). Thank you, Capt.

@SailorJames Жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@ianfirth-clark5975 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you James that may very well save someone's life one day

@gordonramsey8339 2 жыл бұрын

Great info - thank you

@The_Dark_Shark 2 жыл бұрын

Great info!!!

@user-vj4ru3le8o 5 ай бұрын

Necessity is the mother of all invention

@troybehrendt4799 2 жыл бұрын

champion... thanks for the video

@ParaAnchors 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, you can turn your boat faster if you deploy the storm drogue close to the boat. Most, not all storm drogues, require weight placement for emergency steering. The steering drogue that doesn’t require weight for emergency steering is made from heavy-duty fabric and 3/4” hardware. Its design permits you to dump half the water out of the canopy if you feel it’s slowing the boat too much. You can frequently avoid using a spinnaker pole by using blocks or stoppers near the stern. This holds the bridle in place so it’s not bouncing around everywhere. Should reduce tangles around a rudder or vane. Boat design does factor into setup. Still glad to see the pole. It’s a good visual for sailors to keep in the back of their minds. Overall, great insight.