[Paddlewise] Check Your Rudder Cables

I was about 2 miles off shore alone in my Solstice GTS.  Conditions were
mild.  Maybe 2 or 3 foot swell, 1 foot chop, less than 8 knots wind.  The
rudder was up.  I was paddling slowly, relaxing.  Suddenly one rudder cable
snapped.  Right in the middle.  It must have been badly frayed.

I found to my pleasant surprise that the slide on the foot brace hits a nut
at the end of its travel.  So I reached in and moved the foot peddle a few
notches back and I had a very nice fixed brace.

Moral:  Don't be an idiot like me.  Check your rudder cables.  Also check
what would happen if the cable fails.  If the rudder is deployed, will you
be able to get it up?  Will you be able to convert to fixed braces?

I also have a Mariner Express, no rudder, which I love dearly.  But I also
love my GTS, with rudder; it is so easy to travel in a straight line no
matter what the wind.  No need to sweep, lean turn, use corrective strokes.
The boat goes through anything, straight as an arrow.  These boats could not
be more different.  This experience will make me more circumspect about
using the ruddered boat in rough conditions and I will carry spare cable and
crimping tool for travelling.

Jerry

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