CATANA Question

[gbanker]

How do you stay out of the sun on the Catanas when steering from the outside steering stations? thanks

[fastcat435]

Catana can make a small bimini that fits over your head on each side or you can wear a good size sun hat.

[2Hulls]

Or use Otto the helmsman.

Yep, another one of those compromises.

Some folks really don't like the Catana outboard helms. We really love 'em. I won't go into the pros here, but for us they far outweigh the cons. Your mileage may vary.

I think the sun exposure aspect is the biggest downside. I've seen pictures of mini-biminis, but I would probably not adopt that "solution." It would only really be effective if the sun was very high. I have a 24" stool that sits on the cockpit bench right behind the saloon window under the bimini. I can sit there in the shade and see 360 degrees very nicely - and have a big area on the coach roof to sit my lunch. Nice breeze, too, if I have the windshield out.

Keep in mind that these boats are intended to be blue water passage makers. Once you're out there straightlining, there's not much need to hand steer.

Dave

[Mark424]

Originally Posted by gbanker

How do you stay out of the sun on the Catanas when steering from the outside steering stations? thanks

Also not trying start the debate - but I think it was Dave from MaxingOut
that said after many many years circling the globe on his Privilege 39 (without outboard helm), he had spent less than an dozen hours at the helm. The helm is for docking, otherwise the auto is on as the captain is navigating, keeping an eye on weather, radar, trimming/reefing sails, keeping watch, etc etc.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Mark424

Also not trying start the debate - but I think it was Dave from MaxingOut
that said after many many years circling the globe on his Privilege 39 (without outboard helm), he had spent less than an dozen hours at the helm. The helm is for docking, otherwise the auto is on as the captain is navigating, keeping an eye on weather, radar, trimming/reefing sails, keeping watch, etc etc.

Thats how it works on commercial vessels as well....nobody stands there for 4 hours (typical length of a watch) hand steering.

[Jeannius]

Originally Posted by gbanker

How do you stay out of the sun on the Catanas when steering from the outside steering stations? thanks

The aun is only a minor issue with outboard helms as you'll probably be on autohelm most of the time. The problem comes, in my opinion, when the going gets tough. You'll probably still be on autohelm most of the time but you'll want to be sat at the wheel ready to take control quickly if things go wrong. Then an outboard helm - or a flybridge helm - doesn't seem quite so attractive

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by Jeannius

The aun is only a minor issue with outboard helms as you'll probably be on autohelm most of the time. The problem comes, in my opinion, when the going gets tough. You'll probably still be on autohelm most of the time but you'll want to be sat at the wheel ready to take control quickly if things go wrong. Then an outboard helm - or a flybridge helm - doesn't seem quite so attractive

au contraire

That's what the lee side helm is for.

On a November passage up the Ches. Bay (just S of Annapolis to Sass River), we experienced steady 35 kts NW with gusts to 45 (forecast was for 25 with gusts to 35). We were at about 60 degrees apparent, double reef main, just enough jib to balance the helm. Over 36 nm we averaged a little over 9 kts, counting the time motoring out of the anchorage, etc. In the long fetch down from B'more the short chop got to ~ 6 feet where we were making 11 - 12 kts. We took chop water over the lee bow and spray over everything - except at the lee side helm were we sat, monitoring the auto pilot and accepting way points, harnessed in bundled up warm and dry. The windward side helm would have been miserable - as would a bulkhead mounted helm on the windward side.

Had I not already been sold on the dual outboard helm set up - this would have sealed the deal.

Dave