I often find myself wondering each time I go sailing "What would I have to do if xxxxxx happens?" and often rather than having a solid answer or game plan I think "No idea, let's hope we never have to find out!"
In the interests of good contingency management, I thought it would be a good idea to start this thread, feel free to post any possible scenarios or solutions.
So, first one: What would you do if you (an average weekend sailor with no special equipment or assistance at your disposal) are at a busy boat ramp retrieving your vessel, and the shackle that's embedded into the front of your bow suddenly gives way leaving you with no place to attach the winch cable? What next? Quickly get out of everyone's way first and foremost, tie up around the rear of the pontoon while you figure out what to do next, then what?!?
For a broken tiller carry a piece of wood the right size to fit into the metal fitting. Undo screws remove broken tiller and insert new one. Screw screws back in. Of course it wont be that easy!
You could make a type of splint repair also. Lash some sail batten or something with Dynema.
You could also make/buy 2 metal plates with pre drilled holes. Screw them either side of the break. Keep them with screws somewhere safe.
Lock your outboard in the 'up' position, turn your boat around, wrap your winch cable around the motor and pull the boat on backwards. With the trailer in the water of course.
Motor the boat up the trailer. Make sure you make a 'V' with a rope first, with the bottom of the V up high, so the boat doesn't skew off the trailer or end up in the back of your vehicle.
Actually no please do entertain CrustySailor's scenario! So we have a tandem trailer with dodgy bearings and the spare wheel/hub is not yet welded to the trailer due to theft issues (truth!) So my best guess would be to "borrow" someone elses?! Or skull drag the lot?!
Sadly it actually does sound like a typical day and comedy of errors that sailing sometimes brings. Remember bad luck comes in threes...
Next... winch/cable breaks....