knot top dead center of steering wheel?

[sanibel sailor]

Can someone post a link about proper seamanlike tape application? Mine took about 5 seconds to apply, so I am sure I did it wrong.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

Can someone post a link about proper seamanlike tape application? Mine took about 5 seconds to apply, so I am sure I did it wrong.

If it frayed, tore, or fell off within a couple of weeks then you probably did it the same way I always do it.

[Steve Bean]

There are many versions of the Turk's head. My favorite for the king spoke of a destroyer wheel is a six strand on the wheel with three strands on each side of the spoke. The six strand is made from a four strand. Starting with four, the number of leads can be increased to six, eight, ten, and so on. The most I've done is fourteen. It becomes tedious...

[Trawlerman]

Originally Posted by windlass79

I've seen a small piece of rope (leather?) tied on the TDC of the steering wheel on a number of boats. I'd like to put one on my boat. What type of knot is typically used?

It is worth repeating what one other poster has mentioned. If you steering is hydraulic, even with one helm only, the knot on the top of the wheel is utterly useless. For mechanical, it is fine.

[Fuss]

why is this mark needed, i don’t understand. Sailors with hydraulic do not need it so why do you?
or are the hydraulic sailors risking their lives??

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Fuss

why is this mark needed, i don’t understand. Sailors with hydraulic do not need it so why do you?
or are the hydraulic sailors risking their lives??

It’s not that those with hydraulic steering don’t NEED it, it’s just that it won’t work for them.

It’s just a way of knowing if your steering is in the straight ahead position. Good for manoeuvring in the pen and good for keeping an eye on sail trim, particularly if you have an autopilot.

[Fuss]

but with my hydraulic i know where straight ahead is.... i do it by feel and when leaving the dock, i take it hard over and bring it back to center... i guess all hydraulic sailors do it the same

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Fuss

but with my hydraulic i know where straight ahead is.... i do it by feel and when leaving the dock, i take it hard over and bring it back to center... i guess all hydraulic sailors do it the same

Yep, we all figure out what works best for us. Just an option for us mechanical steering types.

But think how much the tiller steering purists are laughing at us now.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Fuss

but with my hydraulic i know where straight ahead is.... i do it by feel and when leaving the dock, i take it hard over and bring it back to center... i guess all hydraulic sailors do it the same

But... that does make me wonder, what do you do to check sail trim when you have hydraulic steering?

Curious.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by GILow

But... that does make me wonder, what do you do to check sail trim when you have hydraulic steering?

Curious.

All autopilots for wheel steered boats have a way to display rudder position, either on a dedicated autopilot display or on a MFD. It is very useful in manoevering also to check rudder trim.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by GILow

But... that does make me wonder, what do you do to check sail trim when you have hydraulic steering?

Curious.

By holding the wheel by hand, then you can of course feel how much force is needed, cause not everyone has an AP, and not all AP’s have a rudder indicator, mine doesn’t.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

By holding the wheel by hand, then you can of course feel how much force is needed, cause not everyone has an AP, and not all AP’s have a rudder indicator, mine doesn’t.

I had heard that many hydraulic steering systems don't give much in the way of force feedback?

I don't know if this is just one of those "internet facts" as I've never had a go on a boat with hydraulic steering.

Anyway, the top knot (or in the case of my boat, the two French Whippings at 10 and 2) does give a clear visual indicator of trim. If I am bustling about the boat while under AP, I'll often glance at the wheel to see where it is sitting. I know what is normal for the boat so I soon see if trim has gone to pot (usually because of a wind shift, my AP is the older Compass-only type).

My AP has a rudder indicator but it is not in a very useful location unless you are actually standing at the wheel and it's not very intuitive either. If I didn't have the option of the whippings I think I would fit a good rudder position indicator.

[Jim Cate]

I didn't have the option of the whippings

Now Matt, that's a fetish I was not aware of. Explains a lot...

Jim

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Now Matt, that's a fetish I was not aware of. Explains a lot...

Jim

French too!

Now you know all you need to know, and probably more than you wanted to know.

[Amnesia II]

While underway the topknot gives a reasonable indication how the boat is steering. Increasing wind strength or direction may produce weatherhelm, indicated by the topknot sliding to one side, with the boat trying to steer to Windward. Autopilot adjustment or sail trimming can bring the topknot back to vertical or thereabouts, relieves pressure on the rudder too.