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steering with a tiller.....
The problem with inexperienced boaters being intimidated by tiller steering is that they think the boat turns from the front like a car. A wheel gives them a close relationship to their own driving experience. When they try to steer the boat into a slip they end up having problems anyway because they don't understand how boats turn. Cars turn from the front.... boats turn from the back... we know it, but they don't. When I give my inexperienced guests the helm (and I insist that everyone takes a turn steering) I tell them to visualize the boat's turning from the rear rather than the front. Then I tell them to point the tiller in the direction they want the stern to go rather than the bow. The goal is to separate the concept of steering a boat from that of driving a car. Most will pick it up pretty quick if they they open their mind to the difference. In all of the old sailing men of war that had wheel steering the wheel mimicked the tiller it was connected to below decks. In other words, to turn right you spun the wheel to the left.
The problem with inexperienced boaters being intimidated by tiller steering is that they think the boat turns from the front like a car. A wheel gives them a close relationship to their own driving experience. When they try to steer the boat into a slip they end up having problems anyway because they don't understand how boats turn. Cars turn from the front.... boats turn from the back... we know it, but they don't. When I give my inexperienced guests the helm (and I insist that everyone takes a turn steering) I tell them to visualize the boat's turning from the rear rather than the front. Then I tell them to point the tiller in the direction they want the stern to go rather than the bow. The goal is to separate the concept of steering a boat from that of driving a car. Most will pick it up pretty quick if they they open their mind to the difference. In all of the old sailing men of war that had wheel steering the wheel mimicked the tiller it was connected to below decks. In other words, to turn right you spun the wheel to the left.
Tiller for the Crusty Old Salt
A tiller is for the crusty old salt, too stubborn and ornery to accept progress so they remain stuck in a time warp operating like their ancestors of yester year. Here in the twenty first century modern sailors have advanced to the wheel for steering. It is more intuitive and more closely mimicks a mechanism everyone is more familiar with (a Car). The wheel is less confusing and does not require re-learning how to steer to the extent a tiller does. If a less than seasoned helms person is at the helm a wheel is safer and helps to avoid collision because steering to port turns the boat to port, it is more familiar and therefor safer, that is one of the reasons newer production boats have wheels. The wheel has a more modern look with it's appearance whereas a tiller is quite old fashion looking. Todays' buyers are looking for a more up to date appearance as well as more creature comforts and a tiller just does not cut it. FWIW I started out in my younger years with a tiller, learned on it and sailed a few years with one. In those days I thought the tiller ruled,- fast forward to the present...what was I thinking??? The wheel is much more comfortable, intuitive, safer and easier. Best of all my wife likes it and spends most of her time at the helm relieving me to trim the sails. Put a woman at the helm and it gives her a sense of being in control and reduces the anxiety and uncertainty that they experience when out on the water. Anything that encourages your wife to take the helm is in both your best interests.
A tiller is for the crusty old salt, too stubborn and ornery to accept progress so they remain stuck in a time warp operating like their ancestors of yester year. Here in the twenty first century modern sailors have advanced to the wheel for steering. It is more intuitive and more closely mimicks a mechanism everyone is more familiar with (a Car). The wheel is less confusing and does not require re-learning how to steer to the extent a tiller does. If a less than seasoned helms person is at the helm a wheel is safer and helps to avoid collision because steering to port turns the boat to port, it is more familiar and therefor safer, that is one of the reasons newer production boats have wheels. The wheel has a more modern look with it's appearance whereas a tiller is quite old fashion looking. Todays' buyers are looking for a more up to date appearance as well as more creature comforts and a tiller just does not cut it. FWIW I started out in my younger years with a tiller, learned on it and sailed a few years with one. In those days I thought the tiller ruled,- fast forward to the present...what was I thinking??? The wheel is much more comfortable, intuitive, safer and easier. Best of all my wife likes it and spends most of her time at the helm relieving me to trim the sails. Put a woman at the helm and it gives her a sense of being in control and reduces the anxiety and uncertainty that they experience when out on the water. Anything that encourages your wife to take the helm is in both your best interests.
Reply #22 Ferry/sailboat accident
I always wondered why the sailboat in that accident suddenly changed course tolet the ferry run her over. Here is the link. I read the story on that one not too long ago. The owner had just finished restoring the boat and had two professional captains aboard and his daughter. They had grounded just outside the channel and had been working to get the boat free for a while. The owner didn't think the ferry was going to clear them and goosed it one last time. The boat came loose and turned under the bow of the ferry. Both captains jumped, one onto the ferry at the time of the collision. The owner and his daughter went into the water. All survived except the boat which was later recovered and rebuilt. It is now for sale for 195K. The rebuild was outstanding.
I always wondered why the sailboat in that accident suddenly changed course tolet the ferry run her over. Here is the link. I read the story on that one not too long ago. The owner had just finished restoring the boat and had two professional captains aboard and his daughter. They had grounded just outside the channel and had been working to get the boat free for a while. The owner didn't think the ferry was going to clear them and goosed it one last time. The boat came loose and turned under the bow of the ferry. Both captains jumped, one onto the ferry at the time of the collision. The owner and his daughter went into the water. All survived except the boat which was later recovered and rebuilt. It is now for sale for 195K. The rebuild was outstanding.
CharlieCobra- I Think you are talking about a different incident
The link submitted by Higgs in post # shows the sailboat in deep water, well away from any shoals, with no speed increase, and just turning. Take another look at it.
The link submitted by Higgs in post # shows the sailboat in deep water, well away from any shoals, with no speed increase, and just turning. Take another look at it.
Nope, that's the boat. There was shoaling there where she was sitting.
The original post I got this from was on the Woodenboat forum from a long time member who personally knows the owner and I believe helped him rebuild her. I put a link in to the original thread.
The original post I got this from was on the Woodenboat forum from a long time member who personally knows the owner and I believe helped him rebuild her. I put a link in to the original thread.
I call BS for that story
That boat is clearly under way and in control. Are you saying that the ferry is also about to hit the same shoal. Someone is pulling your leg Charlie ;-) And yes Kermie, with my 30+ years of sailing/boating, some others also consider me an old salt. My wife on the other hand is not(not even close in fact) and prefers a tiller.
That boat is clearly under way and in control. Are you saying that the ferry is also about to hit the same shoal. Someone is pulling your leg Charlie ;-) And yes Kermie, with my 30+ years of sailing/boating, some others also consider me an old salt. My wife on the other hand is not(not even close in fact) and prefers a tiller.
If ya look at the boat's wake, you can see where it starts.
The channel is narrow and the boat should've just sat where he was and let the ferry wake lift him off. I wasn't there, just going by someone who knows the owner.
The channel is narrow and the boat should've just sat where he was and let the ferry wake lift him off. I wasn't there, just going by someone who knows the owner.
The ferry
I don't buy the stuck on the shoal story - sounds like someone not wanting to admit the real story. Look at the video and you can see by the wake, the boat had been going straight for at least 2 lenghts before she turns in front of the ferry. If freeing herself from the shoal caused her to spin, one would think that the wake would pretty much lead straight from where the supposed shoal is directly in front of the ferry. Also, as stated, it is quite unlikely the ferry would be heading towards a shoal. Usually ferrys run the same track, and a shoal shallow enough to catch that sailboat would surely be marked that close to the ferry's run.
I don't buy the stuck on the shoal story - sounds like someone not wanting to admit the real story. Look at the video and you can see by the wake, the boat had been going straight for at least 2 lenghts before she turns in front of the ferry. If freeing herself from the shoal caused her to spin, one would think that the wake would pretty much lead straight from where the supposed shoal is directly in front of the ferry. Also, as stated, it is quite unlikely the ferry would be heading towards a shoal. Usually ferrys run the same track, and a shoal shallow enough to catch that sailboat would surely be marked that close to the ferry's run.
Joe form Mission Bay, San Diego said...
"In all of the old sailing men of war that had wheel steering the wheel mimicked the tiller it was connected to below decks. In other words, to turn right you spun the wheel to the left." Interesting you should say this. I noticed in the movie Titanic, I think, the helmsman turned the wheel in the opposite direction than the command given. I thought it was a boo boo in the movie, but now your statement makes sense. Hmmm...
"In all of the old sailing men of war that had wheel steering the wheel mimicked the tiller it was connected to below decks. In other words, to turn right you spun the wheel to the left." Interesting you should say this. I noticed in the movie Titanic, I think, the helmsman turned the wheel in the opposite direction than the command given. I thought it was a boo boo in the movie, but now your statement makes sense. Hmmm...
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