RE: STEERING SYSTEM

From: hlg@pacbell.net
Date: Thu Jan 13 2000 - 11:26:07 PST


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        West Wight Potter Mailing List maintainer
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I find the Tiller Tamer useful and better than nothing when singlehanded
but agree it is not for sustained "hands off" sailing. The line should turn
exactly 90 degrees at the Tiller Tamer (45 deg to each side). Otherwise the
tension will vary as the tiller swings.

If you want to experiment with a simple self-steering arrangement on a P15,
you might try the method shown in the "Many Ways to Potter," an old booklet
that members of the Potter Yachters receive when they join. It's derived
from a method used on model sailboats that were not radio controlled. It
needs just a small investment in materials and works on a Potter with the
original mainsheet arrangement, i.e., with the sheet running forward along
the boom to a block over the forward cockpit. It might be adaptable to
other sheeting arrangements.

It requires a piece of surgical rubber tubing, about 1/4 inch diameter,
connected from one rail to the tiller. A light line is run from the tiller
to a block on the opposite rail and up to the boom, where it is terminated
in a snaphook that is clipped to the mainsheet between the forward block
and the aft block. I used a pair of cheap jamcleats on the tiller, one for
the tubing and one for the line, so I can adjust them easily. I mounted
small eyestraps on each rail. When you have the boat sailing on the heading
you want to hold, you adjust the tension on the line and stretchy tubing
until the boat is self-steering. The adjustment is not difficult. The boat
will then self-steer a constant heading relative to the wind.

I never had the nerve to try it in a strong wind, but in a lighter wind, I
could leave the helm and walk all over the boat, even stood on the bow,
holding onto the mast, and Manatee steered herself much better than I
could. De Marsh was the first to try out the arrangement, and he used it
even in stronger winds.

It worked well with the standard 2-1/2:1 purchase on the mainsheet, but it
was more responsive with 3-1/2:1. As I recall it worked well on a reach or
beat but was less effective on a run. It could be practical on open water,
but much of my sailing requires tacking up a channel, which requires
rearranging the setup for each tack. You should have a way to release it
quickly when you need to take over steering in an emergency.

It's been years since I used the self-steering, and the surgical tubing
eventually rotted. I'm ready to try it again now, as soon as I can find
some new surgical tubing. It is no longer available at my local hobby shop,
so I will probably have to find a medical supply store. (I think a bungee
cord would have too much initial resistance to work in anything less than a
gale.)

Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA

>Kris, group:
>
>It may be different on a P19, but If I got 20 seconds I be thrilled. Of
>course it makes a difference if your beating vs a run. The closer I point
>to the wind, the less effective the tiller tamer is for me. On a run I have
>had it hold a course with little deviation for up to a minute, plenty of
>time to visit the loo. On the other hand, while beating, I can hardly get
>it to hold a course long enough to scratch or adjust the down haul or boom
>vang or , i.e. a few seconds, before it falls off.
>
>I don't like the way it is installed and if I were to reinstall I would put
>the jam cleats on the coaming vs back on the transom. The angle of the line
>forms to severe of a "V" and allows to much slop.
>
>Doug Tiffany
>WWP-19 #1067, BONILEA
>Fargo, ND



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