Sheet-to-Tiller Self-Steering Experiences ?

[Scare_Rab]

I had success half a life time ago - using 'sheet to tiller' means of sailing a Cross 24' Trimaran ... "Close-hauled" only.

Considering embarking on a Cairns / Auckland ... Coral Sea :Tasman crossing. No Windvane

Have seen this web page:... Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering

Any body had personal success experience(s)

(Or other wise)

as ever - questions comments welcomed

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[svrodeorm]

Very little personal experience, 'cause we've got a good windvane. I used to tinker a bit with it on my previous boat, a Folkboat.

The trick is to use some small low-friction blocks, and obviously sail-trim and balancing the boat is imperative.

I know of a swedish Albin Vega that crossed the pond a year or two ago and relied on sheet-to-tiller completely. Also a J-80 did the same thing.

good luck and fair winds on your passage.

[philocat]

Originally Posted by Scare_Rab

I had success half a life time ago - using 'sheet to tiller' means of sailing a Cross 24' Trimaran ... "Close-hauled" only.
..... Any body had personal success experience(s)


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Yes we too had success with this- also half a life time ago in late 80,s

After clearing customs in Cairns we found out that our home made windvane didn't perform in trade wind swells although it did in testing behind the GB reef. We resorted to sheet to tiller but for fine balancing used an oki strap as well. I cant remember whether it pulled against the sheet rope or vice versa but it certainly helped and we did 600 miles this way until we rectified the windvane -by adding more weight to the counter balance as it turned out.

Reminder if wind is too far aft then this system will not work.

[Scare_Rab]

Guess that is the "plus" of a Cairns _ Auckland route; with a good chance most wind will be forward of the beam "sheet to tiller steering" will have more hope of success.

[rtbates]

I've had very good success with sheet to tiller steering on our Cape Dory, which is a modified full keel. I've found that the 'stretch cords' need to be surgical tubing, not bungy cord. The number can be adjusted to allow for more or less reisistance as needed. This, along with stretching the group more or less makes it possible to fine tune the system.

[jjt]

I've succeeded using Sheet-to-Tiller Self-Steering in the past (seventies and eighties) in a 23 feet sailboat on any wind angle.
Learned a lot from the book SELF-STEERING FOR SAILING CRAFT by John Letcher.
As Randy says, I also found that surgical rubber tubing is the better spring material but get plenty of these rubber springs because thay are fast degrading with direct sun light.

My current boat is an old IOR one tonner (39 feet) with tiller helm. She is a dream to sail. I think I'll try Sheet-to-Tiller Self-Steering again and check if it's a doable concept in a 10 ton boat.

[s/v Beth]

Wow, am I the only member of this team that uses sheet to tiller steering? I use it at all points of sail, you just have to use different sails when going downwind. I have a pretty good primer on sailfar.net. Just search for sheet to tiller.