Sheet to Tiller/Wheel

[Franklin]

I know how sheet to tiller works and also how sheet to wheel works and have even seen videos of sheet to tiller on YouTube which showed it working quite well into the wind. My two questions are:

1) Has anybody tried sheet to wheel personally? If so, what were your results? Did it track straight or was it all over the place? How big of a drum did you attach to the wheel?

2) Has anybody tried sheet to wheel or tiller with AWA of 180 - 110? I am under the impression that a dead down wind (near 180) works very well with either a douple headsail (both sails same size) or a special downwind sail with two sheets that can be ran to the tiller/wheel. However, I don't know about any other way or more of a broad reach.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Not yet

Franklin, I haven't done it yet, but have been seriously considering it. I used the sheet to tiller on our C25 very successfully. I have been thinking about how to rig the mainsheet to wheel on our C34. Since the mainsheet was from the aft end of the boom on the C25 it was easy. Not so easy with the mid-cabin mainsheet on the bigger boat. I've also been thinking about jib sheet control. I've been thinking about either crossing the lines for the wheel (vs. the tiller) or even using the emergency tiller for this. I didn't need extra blocks on the C25 other than the one for turning the line from the mainsheet to the tiller. Bigger boat may need extra blocks to fairlead the line to the steering device.

Because of my leg situation this was not the season to do anything.

AWA over 90 is squirrelly with any kind of steering, primarily because of sea state (quartering waves makes boat corkscrew) rather than steering, which is why 180 makes a more comfortable ride. DDW requires jib sheet, as you mention. A single foresail can be used downwind. I can scan in some of John Letcher's sketches from his book that I have. Lemme know by pm.

I've always wanted to use sheet to wheel steering on our boat and it's great that you brought it up.

What are your ideas?