Posted by Nick Marino (blueraven1@…>)
I too use a tiller autopilot (Autohelm 1000+) for steering into the
wind for hoisting the main or when required to go forward. It really
works great even in choppy seas. Although the autopilot 12VDC power
is turned on below, I have a separate switch in the cockpit so that I
do not have to leave the autopilot on STAND-BY (0.5 amp) or go below
to turn it off when not needed.
In calmer seas (when cruising) I use the Tiller Stay
(http://www.bestmarineimports.com/Tillerstay.html) to conserve
battery power. Like John, I use it even while hand steering to put a
bit of friction in the tiller.
— In freedom21@yahoogroups.com, <j32080@…> wrote:
I used a Davis “Tiller Tamer”
(http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/marine_product.asp?
pnum=02205) on mine. I actually mounted it on the bottom of the
tiller as it provided a better lead for the lines to the jam cleats
that I mounted on the transom. Worked quite well this way – nothing
says that it has to be on top.
I’d use it even while hand steering to put a bit of friction in
the tiller. Otherwise you’re concentrating too hard to keep from
moving the tiller. You’d be surprised how much your hand moves
without even knowing it.
Although the boat is very well balanced, any weight shift will
cause it to modify her course. So even with the tiller locked down
and you move forward, the boat will change course due to the weight
change. In essence, you’ve changed the trim (and the balance) so
that it is no longer balanced. Try it. Get the boat balanced and
then move around to see what happens.
So while I soloed the boat an extensive amount and locked the
tiller with the tamer while forward, I’d still have to run back every
now and then and give it a tweak.
Hoisting/dropping the main, etc. while in the cockpit, I could
nudge the tiller with my leg when she started to fall off the wind.
Note that the full battens prevent the main from “luffing”. So
the boat will always be trying to sail.
An autopilot is a nice luxury.
-John
Former owner “Blue Merle” #259
bill weber <billpeggyweber@…> wrote:
Catalinadirect.com has an interesting tiller tamer. I
myself bought a simrad 1000 autopilot. It’s wonderful. Set a course
into the wind and raise the sails… I love it. Even in really windy
conditions. To tack hold the tack button and starboard/port buttons
and you tack leaving you to attend the sails. I had the tiller
tender but it could not hold a course.
Wilfred Bishop <wilf.bishop@…> wrote: I have located
details of a elastic line based tiller control system that seems to
be very simple & robust - this is on the website of the UK Dinghy
Cruising Association. It looks as if it could be equally applicable
to a Freedom 21? I plan to try this arrangement this Summer & I will
report back with photos if it works. Meanwhile take a look on the
following site: http://www.dca.uk.com/articles/himpeder.htm
Wilf Bishop
F21 Daydream
UK sail no: 205
----- Original Message -----
From: vgb804804snrsd@…
To: freedom21@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 1:05 AM
Subject: [freedom21] freedom 21 singlehanding tips corrected
When I need to put the mainsail up or down I hold the tiller
extension between my knees to keep the boat into the wind. My
spinakker rotted so many years ago that I no longer can remember how
that might be different.
When I am sailing along and need to do something on the cabin
roof or foredeck, I take advantage of the fact that the boat is so
well balanced that it sails itself upwind. I let go of the tiller
and the boat keeps tacking itself back and forth on its own. Then I
can go forward and deal with any problem there, taking care to not
let the boom bash me in the head. This works best with light to
medium wind speed. I would not dare try it in a blow unless pressed.
Regarding the issue of a singlehander falling overboard, the very
first thing I had installed on the boat was a stern boarding ladder.
I usually take the dinghy with me too, with the oars wedged under the
seats.
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com