Letting the Boat Steer Itself

[Aldo]

How many of you have rigged your C-22 to steer itself? I had done this off and on in years past, either using the boat hook, or bungie cords. This year, I took a telescopic snow brush and cut off the brush part and made a hiking stick that connects to the tiller and the winch and is easily adjustable. My boys call it the "Techno-stick". I did build some springs into it, so that it just moves back and forth a little when the boat goes through a wave. It is a great feeling to sit back and have the boat steer itself. I have seen it easily hold plus or minus 5 degrees for about 20 minutes. That's way better than I can do. It also seems faster, (probably because it stays on a straighter course). The only time I usually get help at the tiller is when it is really windy, and then I don't really want the help. I must admit that I am still learning how this works with different sails, but I am really enjoying using it and it makes for much more relaxed sails. The only bad thing that I have noticed is that it tends to steer the boat right at crab pots, and there are plenty of them in the Chesapeake Bay. Aldo

 

[Skip Meisch]

Steering from anywhere topsides

I have added a line to the tiller which runs all the way around the boat. The line runs through pulleys which are secured to the stern pulpit, each stanchion and the bow pulpit. I can go forward and still be able to steer the boat. It is a simple system to set up. The pulleys are simply tied to the stanchions and pulpits. I can tension the line from very slack for light wind to very tight for heavy wind. The tiller will stay where I want it if the right amount of tension is applied.Works GREAT!Skip MeischC22 Slow FlightOak Harbor WAmeischa3@peoplepc.comwww.meischa3.net

 

[the Pirate of Sha-lin]

The Easy Way to Steer

Did anyone think of an auto pilot? I had one installed early this year, and have had some of the most relaxing sails! They don't use very much electric-my battery handled it easily.Watch for them at boat shows-you might get them cheaper.

 

[Aldo]

Pirate: Does your Autopilot have a doger?

Pirate: I have a few questions for you. Does your autopilot have a dodger? Using the stick that I built and described in my earlier question, I realized that the boat is very often sailing directly toward crab trap floats. I had justified buying an autopilot, and have saved up the money for one, but one of the responses that I got to a previous question suggested that I try something to stabilize the tiller. I still can't believe how well it works. I certailnly believe you when you say that your sailing got more relaxing since you got your autopilot. It's amazing how much more relaxed you are when you don't have to focus on steering the boat every second. How many days can you sail without drawing the battery down too low? I charge my batteries while the boat is in the slip with a solar panel, but don't carry it while we are cruising.The other issue that concerned me about an autopilot is that I believe that there is a post that sticks into the cockpit about kidney level, that the autopilot mounts on. What do you do about that? Do you remove the post when it's not being used? Can you open the compartment beneath it when the post is in? Which side of the cockpit is the autopilot on? Do you have a choice on which side it is on? What manufacturer and model is your autopilot? Thanks, Aldo