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Eric,

I don't think you need to get into all that stuff. I have sailed for nearly 3 years in big winds on the Mac and haven't had a hint of rudder failure until this incident. I would attack the problem in the following order:

1. Tight rig tune with as little mast rake as possible
2. Sail upgrade (I know you have new sails, but may want to consider installing a real outhaul, flattening reef, & cunningham.
3. IDA rudders (not my jumbo rudders) I doubt the stock brackets on the X or M would fail with stock or IDA rudders.
4. Ballasted keel (not worth it if your prevelant winds are mild)

As for the tiller, I guess it's a presonal choice. Sounds like a lot of trouble but sure would be ncie to have a backup system.

Leon

My suspicion is that we don't hear about more rudder failures on this board because very few people actually sail their MAcs in 25+ knots of wind.

Maybe I'm not representative of most mac sailors but I don't consider 25 knots by itself that big a deal. We can sail in a steady 25 knots wind and not consider it a big deal. We'll have a fully reefed main and partially furled jib. Now if is gusting between say 10 knots and 25+ knots that's tough. I also don't sail in big seas. I suspect a lot of the strain on Leon's rudders was due to the seas in combination with the wind.

..

I'll wait until my sail gets old before upgrading though.

Still, installing a cunningham cringle and flattening reef on your existing sail would be nice improvements and installing a strong outhaul.

Some control on Mast Rotation for the 26M… something like the BW Todd Boat photo below

Note blocks and control lines for mast control.

Not much chance of me getting out on Port Phillip the Admiral gets nervous on Lake Mulwala.
Mind you I think I will spend a bit more time in calmer waters for a while too.

I was out yesterday with Highlander in moderate winds. We found on many occasions the stock rudders would stall and become ineffective. ie rudders hard to starboard and boat going to port etc.

Leon,

I sailed for the first time with the Merc 75 on the back 2 days ago. Crap. That's all I can say. Last year with the 7.5 Honda tilted up and not obviously connected to the steering linkage was waaaaay better. I tried several combinations of motor up down etc and nothing helped. When John and I went out I insisted I take the time to disconnect the motor and was very happy with the difference. Motor up and disconnected from now on.

Now about that quick disconnect from BWY see ya.....


G

Hmmm...broaching. I am a newby sailor, but I believe I experienced this a few times in the Chesapaeake with moderate winds (12-15 knots) and a choppy sea. I did not have the Jib unfurled and as a result I broached twiced. As a new sailor I did not know what happened. However, after returning home and analyzing things, I beleive it was because Iwas sailing with main only. If the jib were up this would apply another force neaer the stern and the resultant force from the main and the jib would move forward. I tried this this past weekend and had no problems broaching. My dagger board was fully down.

Now about that quick disconnect from BWY see ya.....

One of the better mods for the Mac. You'll love it.