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Self Steering

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saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/11/2006 : 17:04:29

Here is a link to the video that I had made utilizing a forespar
telescoping tiller & lock boxes on Lake Michigan. Works well on a
close to beam reach, not so well on a broad reach or running unless in 10knot plus winds. I know there are alot of self steering systems out there, but in my opinion the Capri's tiller rides a little low
(notwithstanding a higher rise tiller) to be viable for somehting like the Tiller-Tamer; which I think is not a stable design. I have sailed +- 5 deg on course for hours using this system in light to medium air. You be the judge. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdyjAOkzkik

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dontluff
Deckhand

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Canada
22 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2006 : 16:25:13

I used an Autohelm 2000 which was great. I added the Autohelm wind vane option too which kept the boat sailing to an apprent wind angle instead of a heading---- fantastic add-on. It stood on a hollow aluminum post (supplied by Autohelm) attached to the stern pulpit (see the other topic showing "Coquette")

The 2000 had enough grunt to handle reaching and running, however in bigger waves downwind where it needed to make bigger adjustments, it drew 4 amps/hr !! 2 solar panels on the decks sometimes gave back at least 3 amps/hr but a wind generator easily gave back 6 amps/hr during windier days when the helm was taking 4 amps.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2006 : 16:34:06

I was not aware of the apparent wind option, here on the plains it blows hard and tends to be reasonably steady but often clocks and backs over the course of a leg, this option sounds great. I am a single handed racer when I race and have simply tied the tiller and moved quickly to set a whisker pole or try to deal with other "events". This makes an Autohelm more valuable, thanks for the tip.

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dontluff
Deckhand

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Canada
22 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2006 : 18:06:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 I was not aware of the apparent wind option, here on the plains it blows hard and tends to be reasonably steady but often clocks and backs over the course of a leg, this option sounds great. I am a single handed racer when I race and have simply tied the tiller and moved quickly to set a whisker pole or try to deal with other "events". This makes an Autohelm more valuable, thanks for the tip.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Some events don't allow the autopilots so I also used to tie off, but I added some strong bungies in the tiller control lines so that if I needed to quickly override the tiller lines, I could simply move the tiller hard and the bungies would give me the slack without having to urgently undo the tiller control lines. Works a treat for those quick dashes to the foredeck and back again !!

It also works nicely for tacking because there is enough give in the tiller control lines to initiate the tack, and then focus on the genoa/jib. If you need to turn around from the jib sheeting task and make a quick helm adjustment, you can, and then let the bungies take over again.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2006 : 20:24:22

I like the bungie idea for tacking a lot, being able to initiate the tack and let the bungie recenter when you are grabbing that second arm's worth of sheet getting the sail across it would help a lot. I once tried to film a single handed tack in 20 knots with only one free arm... I never showed it to anyone.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.