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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

very economical self steering

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/14/2003 : 17:05:42

i guess, i'm old fashioned, it kept me on course for about 5 miles. <img src="C:Documents and SettingssteveDesktopself_steering.jpg" border=0>

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="C:Documents and SettingssteveDesktoplogo.jpg" border=0>

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dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2003 : 09:40:47

was there more tothis than what i'm reading.
what kept you on course?
dave
5722
sk/tr

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svmoxie
Past Commodore

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USA
331 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2003 : 11:07:41

Steve,

Your photo links are pointing to your desktop which doesn't work. You need to have those images on a server so that we can access them.

Clif Thompson
Treasurer C-25/250 National Association.
svMoxie '81 25 sk

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2003 : 18:42:38

sorry, here is the self steering system
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/self_steer_web.jpg" border=0>

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo_web.jpg" border=0>

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2003 : 01:16:03

Your tillerpilot reminds me of the old "Pete the Pirate" TV show for kids in Baltimore in the sixties. Pete would greet the viewers from the quarterdeck of his set, tell us he was going to "lash the helm" as he threw a bight over one of the spokes, and then would grab a line and swing down to the spar deck to show cartoons. My father, who received his apprentice seaman training on the Constellation in Baltimore harbor during WW1, once saw him do that and remarked sarcastically, "he'd better hope the wind doesn't shift."

Brooke

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2003 : 19:31:19

All i need now is a patch over me eye and some rum

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo_web.jpg" border=0>

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CatalinaGuy
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2003 : 20:39:20

What about tacking? I'm not a very experienced sailor, and with my wife 7 months pregnant I'm going to be sailing on my own for a while. How do you single-handed, non autopilot folks handle the tiller while tacking?

Doug Hibberd, 'Shiraz'
C25 SK/SR 1983
Austin, TX

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Shawn
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2003 : 21:16:51

Doug, Congrats on the coming adittion to the family.
As far as tacking while single handed, it can be a challenge, and make you look like a bumbling idiot to any onlookers, especially when the breeze picks up. In my case, I try to prepare as much as possible before the tack. Put at least one wrap around the winch with your lazy jib sheet. If tacking from any kind of reach I like to sheet the main all the way in as you would for a gybe or jibe (sp?). Then, just like your golf swing, picture the whole sequence in your mind just before you begin. I sit on the lee side with the working sheet off the cleat but still wrapped on the winch. Then pull the tiller slowly to start the boat tacking. Once the jib starts to luff, I use my knee or leg to hold the tiller while grabbing the new working sheet with one hand and releasing the other sheet with the other hand. Depending on desired point of sail, I pull the sheet as far in as I cann. By this time I usually have to return one hand to the tiller to start steering my new course. I also release some main when tiller hand has a second and leg can hold the tiller again. Once eveything else is as settled in as it can be, I bounce across the cockpit to start wincing the jib into desired position and give that straining arm that has been holding it some much needed releif. The next few seconds are spent with hand jumping back and forth between tiller and winch handle trying to steer as well as trim to the new course. My knee, leg ,or even foot are used to hold the tiller while winching. It can look like a complete panic situation to anyone looking on, but I am almost always in control of the boat. This is a very long explanation, but the actual tack,after some practice, only takes about 10-20 sec. to be pointing and trimmed to my new course. My tacks while alone are often more efficient than when sailing with crew.

Shawn
1980 C25 tr/fk #1960

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Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2003 : 21:48:01

Steve's system is the one I use--right down to the brand of bungee (that I bought in a pack of varied sizes at WM for a great price).

Regarding tacking, the beauty of bungees for a tiller pilot is that you can push the tiller to turn or tack and let it return to center. Minor adjustments in course are performed by rotating the wraps on the tiller by by hand--just grab the wraps and twist to port or starboard. It isn't a long-range autopilot, but it surely lets you attend to a winch, halyard, or whatever. The $24 Tiller Tamer can't touch it!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2003 : 14:39:43

Shawn accurately described how I do it, as well. Although, I'd add butt to the list of body parts utilized to control the tiller during the tack. Also, I agree with Dave that my Tiller Tamer is of no use whatsoever while tacking, but it sure is great for sitting on deck or hanging from the ladder for a quick cool off (don't forget to float a long line if you do this) while Antares sails herself on broad and beam reaches. Of course, I could have saved the $25 bucks if Steve had just posted his tiller pilot a little earlier. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

J.B. Manley, Antares '86 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 00:05:54

Ah! the joys of the bungee cord tiller tamer. It works fine on most points of sail (but don't try it when 'winging' it!) If the sail is balanced, it keeps "Wood Duck" (2616) on course almost indefinitely. If the wind picks up and she's overpowered, bungee gets weak-kneed, and "Wood Duck" rounds up. Main reefed, full genny, 20 knots of breeze, bungee is an indispensable first mate. But "Wood Duck" quickly signals when it is time to heave to for that longer tiller pause. I make it a point to heave to at least once every time I go out, just so I will know how much jib to show in different winds (roller furler).

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