In my canoe then sitting on the bank as the sun goes down.

That's the way it always goes, breaks at the worst possible moment with the wind up in the teens. But good on you for keeping your head and jury rigging it to get back in the race. That's seamanship right there. Sounds like that tiller's been telling you it wanted a rebuild. Build it back stronger and you'll be in better shape than before it failed. Fingers crossed for next race