Seasters, a 1979 Cal 31' I recently acquired, seems to be able to sail itself with little sail trim under various conditions. Just set the main and genoa (best if both can be at full sail), pick your course, and once your wheel stays within five degrees of your desired course, you are set! No auto pilot needed, no tightening screw at the binnacle needed to keep the wheel in place. So, this Cal 31's apparent minor tug of war with a negligible margin of both lee and weather helm, she sails within five degrees of the course....very sweet, indeed. Just do whatevver, keeping a watch for what's around of course (traffic & weather, i.e.), and the boat does the rest.
Of the four sailboats I've owned (Sunfish, Venture 21', West Wight Potter 19, Cal 31'), AND ALL the sailboats I've chartered (25 or so), this vintage Cal 31' has proven to be by far the easiest to sail. The winches are right there near the helm for the furling genoa. Conveniently, the mainsheet is on a traveler on the bridge deck (instead of the cabin), giving easy control of the mainsheet (rather than a cabin mounted traveler).
We took it out yesterday with a fresh breeze under main alone. Had to turn the wheel 90 degrees to counter weather helm. Boomed out genoa a bit to counter. With a little bit of lighter winds, I unfurled the genoa out completely for speed to catch up with the gray whale watching going on off Dana Point..nice! So easy and intuitive to single-hand I've discovered.
For the first time, the day before today, ran downwind and with ease, ran wing and wing. I just set the main way out, and with my hand on the genny sheet, just tried to keep it full with the steering, avoiding sailing by the lee, and just cruising back to the harbor. The boat handled very well, actually, with ease. Next time, I'll try to let it sail itself on the run...
Of the four sailboats I've owned (Sunfish, Venture 21', West Wight Potter 19, Cal 31'), AND ALL the sailboats I've chartered (25 or so), this vintage Cal 31' has proven to be by far the easiest to sail. The winches are right there near the helm for the furling genoa. Conveniently, the mainsheet is on a traveler on the bridge deck (instead of the cabin), giving easy control of the mainsheet (rather than a cabin mounted traveler).
We took it out yesterday with a fresh breeze under main alone. Had to turn the wheel 90 degrees to counter weather helm. Boomed out genoa a bit to counter. With a little bit of lighter winds, I unfurled the genoa out completely for speed to catch up with the gray whale watching going on off Dana Point..nice! So easy and intuitive to single-hand I've discovered.
For the first time, the day before today, ran downwind and with ease, ran wing and wing. I just set the main way out, and with my hand on the genny sheet, just tried to keep it full with the steering, avoiding sailing by the lee, and just cruising back to the harbor. The boat handled very well, actually, with ease. Next time, I'll try to let it sail itself on the run...
