How old were you when that picture was taken? Judging by your avatar, you haven't aged a day, Gary. Still looking pretty salty.
-Will (Dragonfly)
Steering Backwards
- Thread starter Project_Mayhem
- Start date
-Will (Dragonfly)
As every sailor knows, the best visibility is gained on the windward side from an elevated position. In front or behind, we usually prefer the windward side of the helm. We often still want to duck under the boom for a look to leeward. Sails are a major obstacle to good vision.
-Will (Dragonfly)
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,298
You can see a lot of open water, but not the danger. I enjoy the Lee side often. I’m down low seeing beneath the sail where for some reason boats always seem to use as they approach. If the coamings have a little height I get a good back rest.
With a wheel steering is easy. With a tiller you need to push away to fall off. The crew always seem to jump onto the windward rail so let them be the eyes and rail meat. Take the lee-rail and avoid those sneaking in under your sails.
Yup. You have less obstruction from the sails from the leeward side on a beat since you are looking at a more oblique angle.
With a high cut jib the weather rail gives a better vantage point. Lots of variables, lots of opinions - as with most things related to sailing
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,298
You got that right.Lots of variables, lots of opinions - as with most things related to sailing
Being on a boat I never find I’m resting in one position for to long a time.
Since installing the stern pulpit seats on a nice day I find they are one of the great seats in the boat. Visibility, out of the way, and with a remote for the AP you have decent control of the helm - avoiding those logs that appear “on the bow” after the spring rains.
I prefer the leeward side too. Easier to see both crossing traffic and the telltales. Also easier to make jib sheet adjustments.
Spray was 32' on the water line and a relatively unpowerful rig. I dare you to sail a modern 50+ footer with a tiller through a gale.
Not exactly the
Those aren't exactly what most of us cruisers are sailing. Quite a few European cats have tillers, but those boats are rather light compared to a 50' mono. Still, I wouldn't want to sit out in the weather trying to tiller steer one of those through a gale.
No, they are really not cruising boats. The new breed are much better equipped for riding through a gale than most cruising boats however, mostly because they can outrun them, but also because they are much better protected than your or my cruising boats. Alex Thompson's latest Hugo Boss boat has a fully enclosed cockpit so tiller steering is very protected. Mind you, they rarely hand steer any more since they are flying solo. Literally, they are foiling so spend a lot of time with not much hull in the water.
Of course, Alex's boat did break in the middle of the Vendee Globe so may not be the best example
I'll stick with my sedentary, pedestal mounted wheel steered cruiser for now.
