My Invention

[sailaway78]

Had not thought to post this on previous posts. I made a nice invention Sat. night when it was really snotty and COLD. Plan of course was to use the auto pilot and get under the dodger, and get warm. Well, the auto pilot which I pirated off my S2 isn't really big enough for this boat. It's one of the Ray ST 3000 units, and works fine on a 28, which is several thousand pounds lighter than this boat. But better than nothing. But the damn thing wouldn't work, as the spray coming into the cockpit had the belt and drum wet, and the belt just slipped too much to control the boat. Seeing as how I have a masters degree in Makedu, from the U. of Usewhatchagot, I put my hard won education to work. Seems like four clothes pins clipping the belt to the drum was enough to stop the slipping. If you ever find yourself in this situation with a belt drive unit give it a try. Worked for me.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Good idea, Phil, here's another one

for the ST3000. It ends up using less power, but that wasn't the reason I stumbled onto this: assuming your boat (or a boat) can pretty well balance itself (ours does going upwind and to a broad reach), find the "groove" and kick in the autopilot, but put it on standby. It'll keep the wheel locked and the bow will bounce around a bit, but even if you're hand steering or using the autopilot, it will anyway. Plus, different than locking the wheel with a wheel brake, assuming you even have one, you can adjust the helm even in standby with the buttons. We've even tried it with quartering waves (albeit small ones) and it actually works better than the autopilot in operational mode, since it doesn't try to search for the right heading. Quartering larger waves are impossible for an autopilot as well as for us humans. Don't know if you can do this with a 4000, but I like our 3000 -- none of the nonsense associated with the ST4000.Given the reduction in movement of the wheel from the belt, this may help you, too.Have a great trip and thanks for keeping us posted.StuPS Given your degree, how about a complete specification for the clothes pins!

 

[John Make it worse]

Classmate

Hi! Nice & Easy. Im "Too tough to handle". I see you are a fellow graduate of Makedu U. Amazing! Im a 1967 grad myself. Since then I have been able to make some major riggin's that turned into disasters. Of course, I missed the one course on fixen Ur neighbors thingamagig, but I did pass the usewhatugot program with honors. Now I have so much stuff, that I can USE that I had to upgrade from a 30 footer to a 55 footer with a bowsprit. Love that bowsprit when im docking...it sticks to the warf with a following wind if my reverse goes out. I modified a Catapilar engine that was 6 cyl to a three cyl. and does it save fuel...however, sometimes it ceases to operate just when Im between a rock and a hard place. Whew! exciting....Well, enough success stories. Hope to see u around the forum and maybe I can get to Slidel,La. someday.Fair winds

 

[Franklin]

Stu...it works with the ST4000 too.

I use it a lot because the noise of the auto bugs me on a quiet calm day.

 

[Franklin]

Gyro

The new autopilots have an option ($800s of an option) of a Gyro that goes into the computer and is supposed to learn and do calculations and be able to anticipate a wave instead of just reacting to a wave. It's on my list of things to get next spring.

 

[Ross]

All of the clothes pin that are

available here are of untreated wood. in order to extend the useful life of these handy items should we plan on 4-5 coats of varnish?

 

[higgs]

Very slick thinking!

Another case for a below decks drive. My new/used boat came with one and it is night and day from above decks. When refitting, spend the extra money for below decks - you will not regret it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks, Franklin, glad that it also works on the

ST4000. Great input.