Sailing my new 260 singlehanded becomes comical when I need to attend to lines or go below for any period of time, as it definitely needs a second set of hands to keep her on course. Should I not even look at a wheel brake and go straight for an autopilot? If so, any recommendations? Also, is this something to leave to the marina or have any of you successfully installed an autopilot? I sail mostly on Lake Michigan out of Muskegon Lake where I'm berthed. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, opinions, prejudices, insights, and especially warnings.
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My vote; your $$ is....
get the autopilot. Get a good one. Suggest 4000 Autohelm. It's about $1k. I consider it a piece of safety gear as much as a convenience. A wheel brake is about $150. Both require some messing around in the same area in the pedestal. How about both? RD
get the autopilot. Get a good one. Suggest 4000 Autohelm. It's about $1k. I consider it a piece of safety gear as much as a convenience. A wheel brake is about $150. Both require some messing around in the same area in the pedestal. How about both? RD
Am considering both..
I am considering both, but is this redundant repetitive the same overkill? Don't know as this is my first boat (unless you consider a sunfish a boat). I'm thinking a wheel brake could be engaged quickly for simple 1 minute or so respites from the wheel. Does an auto pilot take longer to engage? What would be the benefit(s) of both vs. just an autopilot? Thanks in advance for your help.
I am considering both, but is this redundant repetitive the same overkill? Don't know as this is my first boat (unless you consider a sunfish a boat). I'm thinking a wheel brake could be engaged quickly for simple 1 minute or so respites from the wheel. Does an auto pilot take longer to engage? What would be the benefit(s) of both vs. just an autopilot? Thanks in advance for your help.
Not effective
The wheel break is simply designed to put a bit of friction into the steering, not to actually hold the wheel. They tend to wear out rather quickly. If you want something that will keep the boat on course, even for a minute or so, you will need an autopilot. MC
The wheel break is simply designed to put a bit of friction into the steering, not to actually hold the wheel. They tend to wear out rather quickly. If you want something that will keep the boat on course, even for a minute or so, you will need an autopilot. MC
Not effective
The wheel break is simply designed to put a bit of friction into the steering, not to actually hold the wheel. They tend to wear out rather quickly. If you want something that will keep the boat on course, even for a minute or so, you will need an autopilot. MC
The wheel break is simply designed to put a bit of friction into the steering, not to actually hold the wheel. They tend to wear out rather quickly. If you want something that will keep the boat on course, even for a minute or so, you will need an autopilot. MC
auto helm
The friction lock will only allow you to hold course very temporarily. Wind shift in direction or speed and current or waves will quickly nock you off course. The auto pilot will either lock the helm and allow you to manually change heading with a push button power steering. Or it will maintain a heading and keep you very accurately on track. More expensive models will tap into global positioning and steer you to your destination. They come in tiller and wheel models and has been the best add on "toy" that I've aquired. I dont know how I ever managed without it.
The friction lock will only allow you to hold course very temporarily. Wind shift in direction or speed and current or waves will quickly nock you off course. The auto pilot will either lock the helm and allow you to manually change heading with a push button power steering. Or it will maintain a heading and keep you very accurately on track. More expensive models will tap into global positioning and steer you to your destination. They come in tiller and wheel models and has been the best add on "toy" that I've aquired. I dont know how I ever managed without it.
I went for the Autohelm on my 29.5.
I had the same decision to make after acquiring my 29.5 this summer. Because of the large Hunter pedestal the Edson company said I needed a wheelbrake that was going to run $185+/-. Got the Autohelm Wheelpilot 4000 Plus on sale for $989. Installed it myself - not a bad job if you are reasonably handy. Suggest you try to look at an installation on a similar size boat to understand. You can engage the wheel gearing and leave it on standby. This holds the wheel steady and gives the wheel a lot of friction to turn manually but you can push it, e.g. a small correction - allowing quick changes of sailtrim or even sitting back and resting arms. Of course, then putting it on auto allows lots of sail trim time or chart reading, etc. I find I like it engaged/standby on long straight runs, and hit auto to leave the helm for any reason knowing I'll be headed just about where I want to be when I return. Best feature for singlehanding is the auto-tack function. You push two buttons simultaneously and go man the sails while the wheelpilot tacks the helm!
I had the same decision to make after acquiring my 29.5 this summer. Because of the large Hunter pedestal the Edson company said I needed a wheelbrake that was going to run $185+/-. Got the Autohelm Wheelpilot 4000 Plus on sale for $989. Installed it myself - not a bad job if you are reasonably handy. Suggest you try to look at an installation on a similar size boat to understand. You can engage the wheel gearing and leave it on standby. This holds the wheel steady and gives the wheel a lot of friction to turn manually but you can push it, e.g. a small correction - allowing quick changes of sailtrim or even sitting back and resting arms. Of course, then putting it on auto allows lots of sail trim time or chart reading, etc. I find I like it engaged/standby on long straight runs, and hit auto to leave the helm for any reason knowing I'll be headed just about where I want to be when I return. Best feature for singlehanding is the auto-tack function. You push two buttons simultaneously and go man the sails while the wheelpilot tacks the helm!
Thanks for All the Good Ideas and Info
I've decided to go with the Autohelm autopilot. Your posts saved me $$$ and grief as I misunderstood the function of a wheel brake.
I've decided to go with the Autohelm autopilot. Your posts saved me $$$ and grief as I misunderstood the function of a wheel brake.
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