Sheet to Tiller self steering

[Oldrig]

Thanks Newt.

No, I won't drill any holes in the boat yet.

But I did already mount two clam cleats on the tiller. I did that a couple of years ago. They do raise the level of the tiller a bit, but I should probably have waited.

The rest of my setup is very moveable: The eyestraps on the pushpit are wired on.

Anyway, I'll post pictures when the system is running (and the boat is in the water).

--Joe

[newt]

Just thought you guys would like to know...
Moved a 23k disp boat over the weekend with another sailfarer.
I think i can develop a sheet to wheel also- looks like it will even be simplier- just a rope and elastic (no pulleys!)
Let you know in a couple of months...
PS- Thanks Wayne!

[Amgine]

And a wonderful ride it was!

I have to admit I never got the hang of Newt's ingenious rig. In part because I was either screwing up the navigation or getting the 180° wind shifts as we navigated the channels between the islands. He'd set it and go about the deck working on projects. I'd set it and the boat would charge off toward shore.

But it's given me food for thought during a few days of enforced non-activity... when I'm back on my feet I'll be testing a new idea I'm sketching out, a variation on Oldrig's setup.

[Oldrig]

Amgine:

My boat is still on the hard, so I can't take pictures of my setup. But I do think the key to sheet-to-tiller steering with a CD25D with a genoa jib is to use the jibsheet for steering input.

I'm not sure that any system other than twin headsails would work for downwind sailing, however.

Keep us posted and good luck.

--Joe

[keelbolts]

There's a great book on the subject that was put out by the Seven Seas Cruising Club titled Self-steering Without a Windvane.  It's a wealth of info if you can find a copy.

[s/v Copacetic]

Excellent explanation and pictures. You made something I've always had trouble understanding seem simple. I can't wait to try it out.

[newt]

Glad I could help Copacetic. Your Ranger should be a natural for it.

[newt]

Sorry the pictures were gone for a while, they are back.

[Shipscarver]

I guess I am dense, I still don't see how the downwind run works.

[newt]

I have  the tiller with one side on the bungee, and the other tensioned by the line that goes across the cockpit and is attached to the jibsheet. It is tight enough on the jibsheet that it causes a little bow in it. The main can be on the same side or the other side (as in a dead run) The key is when the jib gets more wind it corrects back to its original position. If it gets less wind because of the main's windshadow, then the bungee tightens and the boat corrects back to the original course.
You are not dense, it is hard to visualize without doing it on your boat.  The key points to remember are: You are trying to make the boat self correcting, so use the forces on the sheet to turn the boat back on course. For some reason, it works the best using the sail that is most leeward in the boat. Finally, you must reef early and be willing to experiment with different forces. When it comes together it is magical,  so don't give up!

[Captain Smollett]

Just found this old picture gathering dust over in the gallery.  I forgot all about it.



Sheet-to-tiller in action on the little trailer boat.

[newt]

There's another bungie cord. For as lousy job as they do, we sure use them alot.

[Captain Smollett]

The bungee actually worked pretty good on that boat, and it allowed me to experiment before I got tubing.  I have made surgical tubing setups for both boats since that picture was made.

The first time I tried the sheet to tiller gear, I was absolutely amazed at how well it worked - especially for my first try.  I figured I'd have to tinker and climb a learning curve to get it right, but it "just worked."

[CharlieJ]

Amazing isn't it? First time we really tried it we did 24 hours offshore with it, in conditions that eventually had us with a reefed  main and reefed Jib. Worked beautifully.

[newt]

Its nice to have you guys around. I don't feel so weird every time I mention this anymore....

[jmwoodring]

Don't feel wierd, Newt.  As esoteric as it might seem to some, I think this system of self-steering holds the most promise for the likes of us.

It took me a while to get my hands on a copy of John Letcher's book (it's out of print, but he designed my boat so I figured it was worth the effort) and reading it cover to cover, I would recommend it to anyone. It's thoroughly developed, but plainly written and surprisingly decipherable (the illustrations helped).

Anyway, Rachel and I went cruising this week and I finally got the chance to test out some different SS arrangements. To make a long story short, I had the boat sailing itself on every long tack, reach, or run that we made. It's been a while since I've felt so satisfied and...ahem...proud of myself.



Beating to windward: bungee offsetting a control line hitched to the mainsheet via cheekblocks and opposing cams on the tiller



Poled out twins with sheets led back to the tiller balance themselves!

Simple and effective. Nuff Said.

[Captain Smollett]

Excellent; grog to you, sir!

[newt]

Looking sharp James. I need to sew some twins for my Valiant! They look so cool. I am currently working on a system that would be self tacking. I will post pictures when I get things together. (Will involve a reverse tiller and bilateral elastics)

[jmwoodring]

A reverse tiller? Care to elaborate?

[newt]

To make a long story short, when you tack, you have to reverse the side your sheet is on, reverse the pulleys etc... If you make the tiller arm go behind the tiller towards the stern, then you have a sheet that goes directly to the boom. (with no pulleys)It is a simple matter to make elastics on both sides of the tiller. Then come about and see what happens If you are running twins, the sheets will need to be adjusted to their new course...This system would probably only be self tacking upwind....but you never know where invention will lead you.