Seeking Advice on Self-Steering Devices

okawbow · Jan 9, 2011

M25 steering aids

I had a tiller tamer on my macgregor 25. At best, it only allowed a few seconds before the boat started to turn. The M 25 does not balance easily in anything but light winds. Just walking from the cockpit to the bow will cause the boat to turn.

A properly set up tiller pilot would handle the boat better.

Joe · Jan 9, 2011

If all you want to do is lock the tiller in one position, then the products you mention will do fine... although you can easily make something similar with a couple lengths of line looped around the tiller and tied off to each side of the cockpit. You must balance your sails perfectly so the boat litterally sails itself if you want to leave the cockpit long enough to take care of any tasks. Those products will not steer the boat.

So...... your choices are to "heave to" when nature calls, balance the sails and tie off the tiller or.......... purchase an electronic tiller pilot and change your life.

Believe me when I say this... if you want to enjoy singlehanding, invest in a tillerpilot... Simrad and Raymarine make models under 500 bucks.... it will change your singlehanding life. I guarantee after a few weeks you will rave that it was the best boat investment you ever made.

If you are interested in an inexpensive, non-electronic self-steering method for longer passages, here is a link you may find intersting. http://www.jsward.com/steering/index.shtml

Barnacle Bill · Jan 10, 2011

Yep, an autotiller pilot is a good thing if you want to leave the helm. The installation is very easy and they are very good products (all that were mentioned above).

higgs · Jan 10, 2011

On my 25 I used to use a shock cord from the tiller to the windward combing at a 90 degree angle. On the leeward side I attached a line from the tiller to the active jib sheet (I am a little un clear on this as it was 25 years ago.) As I recall the line attached to the jib sheet would counteract the shock cord. If the boat started to head up, the tension on the jib sheet would lessen allowing the shock cord to pull the tiller to windward causing the boat to fall off. I had a cam cleat mounted on my tiller so I could make small adjustments to the tension on the line running to the jib sheet. This did leave me enough time to go to the bathroom, grab a beer out of the cooler etc. Having the boat well balanced is crucial.

JIM B · Jan 10, 2011

DITTO TO WHAT okawbow SAID

M25 steering aids
I had a tiller tamer on my macgregor 25. At best, it only allowed a few seconds before the boat started to turn. The M 25 does not balance easily in anything but light winds. Just walking from the cockpit to the bow will cause the boat to turn.

A properly set up tiller pilot would handle the boat better.

I would add that I found the raymarine 2000 most useful. The 1000 did just fine, until the wind got very strong and I needed the autohelm most. The 1000 was just too slow and weak.

Good Luck

Stu Jackson · Jan 10, 2011

I agree with the "get a tillerpilot" recommendations. On our C25 I did the sheet-to-tiller for almost five years very successfully (mainsheet, worked great going upwind, would need jib sheet arrangement for anything else). Eventually got the Navico pilot and thought, like ATMs and microwaves: "Why'd I wait so long?"

Good news is that sheet to tiller REALLY teaches you very, very good sail trim.

Ariel · Jan 11, 2011

If you want to make your own self steerer, or just want to understand the mechanics of making your boat sail with any self steering device, I suggest you get a copy of:

"Self-Steering for Sailing Craft" by John S. Letcher, Jr.

I just checked Amazon and there are used books avaliable. Also look at their recommendations to see if it would be interesting to you.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

RichH · Jan 11, 2011

Im in agreement with the others who have posted - get a Tiller Pilot.
It will hold a magnetic course and make major helm corrections as you walk back and forth which can radically change the 'helm balance' on a small boat.

For safety considerations for a small boat with a tiller pilot for when 'single-handing' .... tie a small knotted 'rope' attached to the tiller or pilot arm and let drag in the water behind the boat. If you happen to fall overboard just grab the end of the rope to 'release' the pilot arm from the tilller - just be sure that the 'rope' pulls 'up' to disconnect the pilot.

caguy · Jan 11, 2011

I had the tiller tamer and I think I would prefer that to the tiller clutch. The clutch is more like a brake unless partially released. The tamer acts like an adjustable clutch where you can control the drag on the rope. When adjusted you can move the tiller without having to release the tamer and the tiller will stay where you leave it. I also had an inexpensive Tillermaster tillerpilot that worked well even in strong winds. They are out of business but a used one can be had for about $65 to $100. I've bought a broken one for as little as $10 for spare parts (mainly motor). It also came with a 25' remote control switch that would momentarily change course to avoid buoys. I installed a wireless car remote switch internally that did the same thing.
Here are two of the for $175 each. I'm sure its negotiable.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/2150831129.html

Stu Jackson · Jan 11, 2011

Ariel said:
"Self-Steering for Sailing Craft" by John S. Letcher, Jr.

I just checked Amazon and there are used books avaliable. Also look at their recommendations to see if it would be interesting to you.

Dave, you're right, one of the very best books about not only self steering, but how sails and sail trim work together (plus Don's great sail trim guide and chart).

Although this book has been out of print for many years, it's good to know that some are available. I treasure my copy.