[C38] Tiilers

[david at dlrfilms.com]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22110153@N03/2292845268/in/photostream

> On our 27 and earlier tiller boats we possessed we balanced the helm with
> bungee cords.  We once  took a Contesa 26 from Ft. Lauderdale to the Keys
> and back and without the bungee cords it would have been a very long haul
> without auto steering.
>
> After learning the bungee trick we used bungees on our wheel steered
> Catalina 38 also.  Our 38 had an Autohelm but the bungees keep the strain
> off of the steering motor and save the battery too by allowing the
> steering
> motor to only make slight corrections instead of trying to fight weather
> helm.  When we started using bungees on the 38 to balance the weather helm
> the steering motor stayed cool to the touch.
>
> Tom Troncalli
>
>
>
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Don Strong <drstrong at ucdavis.edu>
>> To: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
>> Date: 6/10/2011 2:15:27 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C38] Tiilers
>>
>> David: How is the weather helm? Don
>>
>> On 6/10/11 7:06 AM, david at dlrfilms.com wrote:
>> > Taking the wheel out of our boat is the best thing we've done to her
>> so
> far.
>> >
>> > 1) Fewer things to break/fix/replace
>> >
>> > 2) 1000% better access to the works
>> >
>> > 3) Much better feel. Getting her balanced to engage the Aries is
>> > faster/easier
>> >
>> > 4) Better connection between helm and windvane.
>> >
>> > 5) Positioned behind the wheel is okay for motoring in flatwater, but
> it's
>> > the last place I'd want to be in a seaway. Much less motion sitting
>> > forward, steering by tiller.
>> >
>> > I took the wheel off ahead of our Bermuda passage. About 10% of the
> boats
>> > that came into Bermuda after us had steering gear problem. I can't
> imagine
>> > a) going under the deck in a seaway to try and work on the thing; b)
>> > trying to steer with an emergency rudder with the wheel in way.
>> >
>> >
>> >> david at dlrfilms.com wrote:
>> >>
>> >> "BTW, had a 4-hour charter with a never been on a sailboat before
> couple.
>> >> Within two hours the Mr was on the tiller holding a steady course."
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> **************************************************
>> >> I think that everyone who sails should learn on a tiller.
>> >>
>> >> We still have a Catalina 27 for our lake boat and when I had it
> offshore,
>> >> before we got our Catalina 38,  I could steer blindfolded once I
> learned
>> >> the groove of the current conditions but I never got that precise
>> feel
>> >> from
>> >> the wheel on our 38 or any other wheeled boat.
>> >>
>> >> When racing the 27 we could make the boat do things never possible
> with a
>> >> wheel.  We got (in)famous racing by charging the start line too
>> early,
>> >> taking a quick 360 in almost our own boat length near the start,
>> >> accelerating again over the line exactly at the gun while we watched
> other
>> >> boats watching us either cross early from our maneuver or causing
>> them
> to
>> >> run off course while we left precisely on time.
>> >>
>> >> You can only get away with that trick every now and then but it sure
> was
>> >> "exciting."
>> >>
>> >> Nothing is as quick or as easy to precisely control a boat as a
>> tiller.
>> >>
>> >> We sold our wheeled 38 last year but we still have four tiller boats
> for
>> >> our kids and grand kids: a Catalina 27, Laser, 8' O'Day dink, and a
> Snark.
>> >>
>> >> Tom Troncalli
>> >> recovering ex-racer
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> [Original Message]
>> >>> From:<david at dlrfilms.com>
>> >>> To:<tdtron at earthlink.net>; Catalina 38 Listserve
>> >> <listserve at catalina38.org>
>> >>> Date: 6/10/2011 7:26:33 AM
>> >>> Subject: Speaking of fuel explosions.
>> >>>
>> >>> Looks like I've got a small fuel leak on the aft-most fuel injector.
> It
>> >>> seems to be coming out just underneath the fuel return.
>> >>>
>> >>> I tried putting a wrench on it. Nothing moved, nothing changed. I
> guess
>> >>> I'm going to soak it in PB blast and try again.
>> >>>
>> >>> My torch is a usual addition to these (mis?) adventures. Safe to do
> when
>> >>> the engine is cold, or is there fuel of there and boom?
>> >>>
>> >>> BTW, had a 4-hour charter with a never been on a sailboat before
> couple.
>> >>> Within two hours the Mr was on the tiller holding a steady course.
>> >>>
>> >>> "There it is, you've got her in the groove," I said.
>> >>>
>> >>> "Yeah, I can feel it!" said he.
>> >>>
>> >>> A sailor is born!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>>
>> --
>> Donald R. Strong
>> Professor
>> Dept. of Evolution and Ecology
>> University of California, Davis 95616
>>
>>
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>
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