Hi, For a V21 plying the waters of Penobscot Bay in Maine is a windex necessary? If so, any recommendations for the windex 10 ("small boats and dinghies") or the windex 15 for this craft? Likewise, a device called a "Tiller Tamer." Is this of any use besides securing the tiller while moored? Thanks, larry
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Tamer then Windex
Hi Larry, I'll jump in here but you'll hear from the crew. Lots of knowledge here to share. The "windex" is great for new and old sailors alike. the smaller one should be fine, it will help you determine wind direction and apparent wind. The "tiller tamer" is a poor man's autopilot. It's very useful to take break, run forward, into the cabin etc. Or, to just finish that sandwhich that's burning a hole in your cooler. If one over the other guess I'd go for the tiller tamer first, windex second. I assume you have telltales on your sails and or on your side stays. These will let you know when your sails are trimmed correctly for max effect. Steve
Hi Larry, I'll jump in here but you'll hear from the crew. Lots of knowledge here to share. The "windex" is great for new and old sailors alike. the smaller one should be fine, it will help you determine wind direction and apparent wind. The "tiller tamer" is a poor man's autopilot. It's very useful to take break, run forward, into the cabin etc. Or, to just finish that sandwhich that's burning a hole in your cooler. If one over the other guess I'd go for the tiller tamer first, windex second. I assume you have telltales on your sails and or on your side stays. These will let you know when your sails are trimmed correctly for max effect. Steve
Make your own tiller tamer
A windex is not necessary on any boat, but they are useful and habit forming. We have the small boat Windex Sport on our Mac 26S and it works great. It tells you apparent wind direction, which you can also get by tying some thin yarn or strips of cassette tape to the shrouds. For sail trim, I agree that you need telltales on the sails. Inexpensive stick-on ones are available. I also agree with Steve that a tiller tamer is a great labor saving device and should be a priority over a wind indicator. But you don't need to spend money on a commercial unit. We use a big bungee cord secured to the stern rail/cleats to lash the tiller and it is adequate for most of the sailing we do. You just gotta be careful while rigging and unhooking it or you'll fling the bungee over the side (yes, I did that once). There are several other make-your-own designs around, which you can find on the web. Good luck!
A windex is not necessary on any boat, but they are useful and habit forming. We have the small boat Windex Sport on our Mac 26S and it works great. It tells you apparent wind direction, which you can also get by tying some thin yarn or strips of cassette tape to the shrouds. For sail trim, I agree that you need telltales on the sails. Inexpensive stick-on ones are available. I also agree with Steve that a tiller tamer is a great labor saving device and should be a priority over a wind indicator. But you don't need to spend money on a commercial unit. We use a big bungee cord secured to the stern rail/cleats to lash the tiller and it is adequate for most of the sailing we do. You just gotta be careful while rigging and unhooking it or you'll fling the bungee over the side (yes, I did that once). There are several other make-your-own designs around, which you can find on the web. Good luck!
buy one, but not the other
I've got a Windex10, works grat on my V17. My buddy has one on his V21 as well. I also have a Tiller Tamer, and I curse it several times a day. I had mine mounted on the upper side of the tiller and kept scraping my forearm on an inadequately radiused edge. I cleverly moved it to the underside of the tiller and then discovered that it scrapes my knee. Grinding off the offending plastic didn't help, so now it's in my garage...
I've got a Windex10, works grat on my V17. My buddy has one on his V21 as well. I also have a Tiller Tamer, and I curse it several times a day. I had mine mounted on the upper side of the tiller and kept scraping my forearm on an inadequately radiused edge. I cleverly moved it to the underside of the tiller and then discovered that it scrapes my knee. Grinding off the offending plastic didn't help, so now it's in my garage...
Bungie Tiller Tamer
I love your bungie solution on the tiller! I had a tamer on my old tiller, but haven't had the heart to drill into my new one (it's just TOO pretty!), plus I didn't use the tamer THAT often. The bungie solution is so simple and looks to me as if it would do just about as good a job. Neither solution is an autopilot, so really all you can do is buy yourself a few seconds of free-hand time either way. But sometimes that's enough. Thx
I love your bungie solution on the tiller! I had a tamer on my old tiller, but haven't had the heart to drill into my new one (it's just TOO pretty!), plus I didn't use the tamer THAT often. The bungie solution is so simple and looks to me as if it would do just about as good a job. Neither solution is an autopilot, so really all you can do is buy yourself a few seconds of free-hand time either way. But sometimes that's enough. Thx
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