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Old 27-05-2017, 23:38   #1
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Grumpy old men and boats.

A light hearted look at boats and the issues that get under the skin.

1/. Equally applies to monos and Catamarans.

Why do manufacturers find the most exposed part of the vessel to put the helm? It requires extra expense to go and purchase wet gear, a lot of time stood their in brass monkey weather and hours of cold wet misery during a watch..


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Old 27-05-2017, 23:54   #2
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

On our boat, that fellow's name is Auto. Mr. Pilot does an excellent job and never complains.

Dropping a stainless nut or screw into the bilge is more of a PITA, or dropping the tool being used on the nut or screw. Or having that tool, nut or screw slide under the inner liner if your boat is equipped with an inner liner like so many of the newer production designs.
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Old 28-05-2017, 00:34   #3
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

This seems so much more civilised..and equally good for placement of the helm.. keeps the weather off. Warm in winter, cool in summer...

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Old 28-05-2017, 00:43   #4
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

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This seems so much more civilised..and equally good for placement of the helm.. keeps the weather off. Warm in winter, cool in summer...

Gary,

People don't steer their boat like that anymore, Mr. Auto Pilot takes care of it. That chair (drivers seat), wheel and stuff is just in the way taking up valuable cockpit real estate.

People these days only "steer" their boat when inside marinas or docking.
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Old 28-05-2017, 00:55   #5
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

That all may be true where you sail.

However, where we sail, often the winds are flukey, and light, and hand steering is much preferred. It must be said, though, when it is nasty out, most of us seek the security that the dodger grants, and so do our sisters, cousins, and aunts. (apologies to those who understand the reference)

"And when the breezes blow, I generally go below, and seek the seclusion that the cabin grants."

But, truly, we generally hang out there and keep watch, maybe we're paranoid?

Ann
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:01   #6
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

Quote:
Originally Posted by weavis View Post
A light hearted look at boats and the issues that get under the skin.

1/. Equally applies to monos and Catamarans.

Why do manufacturers find the most exposed part of the vessel to put the helm? It requires extra expense to go and purchase wet gear, a lot of time stood their in brass monkey weather and hours of cold wet misery during a watch..


Makes for great photo op's. Be it for magazines, or video... to sell foulies, boats, & an image/lifestyle.
Besides, 90-something % of the decisions about helm locations, & other such things get made by the marketing guys, not by/for trans-oceanic sailors... who know the realities of hand steering all too well. Plus, on a racer like this one, you want max visibility from the helm. Even though it means taking it on the chin from Neptune 24/7.

It's also why a "Jason" style hockey mask goes into my delivery gear seabag... to protect me from unseen flying fish from dusk till dawn. Gotta' look pretty when we pull into port, so black eyes are out. Besides, it's fun to use to scare the crap out of the new guy who hasn't seen it & my machete as yet


PS: That brass monkey weather, & hand steering is what keeps pro's & delivery guys gettin paid We're immune, it's in the DNA.
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:02   #7
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

LOL
Your videos show different... Mr and mrs Kenomac in full wetties in a storm... battling to get somewhere.. At some point, the cockpit enclosure seems a great idea...

This is great for "those moments" Also, keeping space, for the nice weather, this is the transom tiller.
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:08   #8
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

My second grump, especially on some catamarans, is that they put the helm behind a bulkhead window that then looks into the cabin and your view has to go through the cabin windows!!



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Old 28-05-2017, 01:09   #9
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JPA Cate View Post
That all may be true where you sail.

However, where we sail, often the winds are flukey, and light, and hand steering is much preferred. It must be said, though, when it is nasty out, most of us seek the security that the dodger grants, and so do our sisters, cousins, and aunts. (apologies to those who understand the reference)

"And when the breezes blow, I generally go below, and seek the seclusion that the cabin grants."

But, truly, we generally hang out there and keep watch, maybe we're paranoid?

Ann
Ann,

Honestly, you're telling me you "hand steer" your boat most of the time?

Here's a short video clip showing how Auto takes care of the steering needs on our boat 99% of the time, which then frees us up to do other things, like keep a good 360 degree watch, or walk around the boat with an iPad to record this moment for you to enjoy.

Even when the "winds are fluky" he continues to do a great job and frees us up to make sail adjustments.

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Old 28-05-2017, 01:11   #10
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

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My second grump, especially on some catamarans, is that they put the helm behind a bulkhead window that then looks into the cabin and your view has to go through the cabin windows!!

Yes, that's an utter design FAIL. As are those tiny wheels. Or worse, the yet smaller ones with extending spokes to steer with straight out of Gilligan's Island.
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:14   #11
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

Remember, this is grumpy old men rants... this may or may not be the same rant for other grumpy old men...

Its mainly concerned with boat design compromises that need to go!!

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Old 28-05-2017, 01:20   #12
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

Quote:
Originally Posted by weavis View Post
LOL
Your videos show different... Mr and mrs Kenomac in full wetties in a storm... battling to get somewhere.. At some point, the cockpit enclosure seems a great idea...

This is great for "those moments" Also, keeping space, for the nice weather, this is the transom tiller.
We sail in excellent sunny weather 90 percent of the time, and if it gets cold or rainy, we have a full cockpit surround enclosure which we've only used once or twice over the past 5 years.

More often than not, getting good ventilation/air flow flow through the cockpit is more of a priority to cool things down. Many times we drop the sprayhood forward to open up the cockpit, something you wouldn't be able to do if it was fixed or of pilothouse design. We get to choose.
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:35   #13
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenomac View Post
More often than not, getting good ventilation/air flow flow through the cockpit is more of a priority to cool things down. Many times we drop the sprayhood forward to open up the cockpit, something you wouldn't be able to do if it was fixed or of pilothouse design. We get to choose.
eh? With the air scooped through the boat front to back, and the windows open on an enclosure above the open cockpit door, the air flow is pretty constant and central. I would still have a cover is the sun is strong... Usually single fan in the saloon sucks from the front and blows up the open door..

Anyways, its my G.O.M. rant... I dont like helms as situated in the open... Autopilot fails or some other issue... your on yer own...

I think Noelex and Seaworthy opted for an enclosed helm and they sail in the Greek Islands...
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Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:41   #14
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

Try autopiloting here



This is what our home waters are like, and here I much prefer steering with a tiller extension so I can sit under the sprayhood. But as soon as we're out of the archipelago the autopilot takes over.
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Old 28-05-2017, 01:51   #15
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Re: Grumpy old men and boats.

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I would still have a cover is the sun is strong... Usually single fan in the saloon sucks from the front and blows up the open door.
Please show me this phenomenon in action on your boat during a hot summer day.
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