[C38] The loss of Hull #280

Sat Dec 14 03:54:48 EST 2013

We did the same fix to Peregrine, we used ¼ inch stainless steel plate and screwed and epoxied it in place over the wood stop. 

From: Listserve [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Tom T.
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2013 12:45 PM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: Re: [C38] The loss of Hull #280

Hello Greg and group,

I don't know what happened to Craig's steering but one of  the most common problems on the Catalina 38's is when the steering quadrant hits the wood stop below the cockpit and the wood fails from age and/or rot causing the quadrant to travel too far allowing the cable to come off the pulley groove resulting in total loss of steerage.

This happened to #95 late one night fighting rough, rainy weather with 50 mph gusts and breaking seas in the usually calm Tampa Bay.  Weather in Florida can go from calm to survival conditions in a matter of minutes. The natives are used to it but on boats it can get really exciting.  

I was able to get to the quadrant via the stern compartment to free the loose cable so we could then steer with the  emergency steering tiller to get us back to our port several miles away.  Even though it was in protected Tampa Bay, it was still a very scary situation until we got things under control.  If anyone needs to use their emergency tiller, you may want to reef down or you will exhaust yourself trying to muscle that #$%^ little stick.

After this event, I replaced the wood tiller stop with one made from aluminum so it won't ever fail again causing steering failure. The stop goes abeam where the quadrant will strike it to limit the steering travel.  It has been many years ago that I made the modification so I can't remember the details other than #95 is safe from this inevitable event because the wood was replaced with aluminum.  I don't think the original wood was even pressure treated so it was a disaster waiting for a time to happen and on boats that usually means at the worst possible time

I'm still anxious to hear what happened to Craig's steering but I wanted you to know about this modification to #95. Craig is an accomplished sailor and he is also an airplane pilot.  I'm glad his event was in a boat instead of an airplane or it could have been much worse.  Losing steering over the Atlantic in a small plane doesn't sound like fun.

Craig has been a great contributor here for many years and we are glad he made it back.
. 
Tom Troncalli
Recovering ex-38 owner

On 12/13/2013 7:44 AM, William Knowles wrote:

	Craig when you feel up to it, could you give some details on the steering problems. Anything we should be looking at? 

	Very sorry for your loose.

	On Fri, Dec 13, 2013 at 7:32 AM, Greg S. Hart <ghart at follysbestrentals.com> wrote:

	Craig,

	Sorry to hear about the loss of your boat, but glad to hear everything precious made it off.

	Greg Hart

	Folly's Best #95

	From: Craig Sailor6147 [mailto:sailor6147 at hotmail.com] 
	Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 10:57 PM
	To: Catalina 38 Listserve
	Subject: [C38] The loss of Hull #280

	I'm sorry to report that we lost "Wings" in weather 400 km west of Bermuda on our way to the BVI's. We lost steerage and after bouncing in 20-30ft seas for 3 days, the Coast Guard picked us up and flew us back to Hampton Va. The boat was abandoned and if it didn't sink, it will either be salvaged or destroyed by the navy. It was a great boat and I'll miss her after 15 years of sailing her through The Great Lakes, East Coast, The Keys and The Bahamas.

	Craig Steinkraus

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	W H Knowles 

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