Wheel steering

[vientoman]

Is there an ideal number of turns of the ships wheel (stop to stop) for a typical performance cruising catamaran? In my instance, if it matters, the design max rudder angle for my cat is 30 deg.

If there is a convention, how and why would this differ between the various typed of boats. i.e. square rigger ship, americas cup racing cat.

This may be like asking "what is the ideal length of a piece of string?" but it would be interesting to hear opinions about the subject.



thanks in advance to all who wish to comment.

[GordMay]

Racing skippers often prefer the faster/twitchier response of fewer turns; whereas cruisers often prefer the stronger/slower response of more turns (lock to lock).

[Jim Cate]

Among other things, it depends on the steering characteristics of the boat in question. Boats that track well (require little movement of the rudder(s) to keep on course) can get by with slower steering (more turns lock to lock). Boats that do require a lot if steering input may well do better with quicker steering, for it makes it easier to meet yaw diversions before they get too large.

FWIW, our fin keel lightweight boat has ~1.75 turns lock to lock, and I find that pretty good.

Cheers,
Jim

[ElGatoGordo]

On my self built 32' cat I ended up with 1 1/4 turn lock to lock and it seems to be perfect

[Blue Stocking]

Blue is 2 1/2 turns full travel for 70degerees lock. straight keel sloop.
I would think that a cat requires consideration if you are raising a hull, yes?

[ElGatoGordo]

There will be no flying a hull on MY boat! :-)

[Pyrate]

How big is your wheel? A 6 inch wheel could go with many more turns hard to hard if there's the proper mechanical advantage than a 6 foot wheel.

[vientoman]

44ft. performance cruising cat with twin 32 inch wheels controlling the rudders with dyneema "cables".