Sheet to Tiller Steering

[micheck]

Has anyone employed 'sheet2tiller steering' as primary or backup auto-steering? How did you implement this? Was it as successful as you hoped?

Charles

[GordMay]

It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve attempted Sheet to Tiller Steering; and never found it satisfactory, except for shorter periods of time (minutes as opposed to hours).
Notwithstanding my failures, many others seem to have mastered the art.

Here’s a few descriptions:

Sheet to Tiller Steering:
➥ Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering
➥ A Pearson Ariel Page
➥ Self Steering Without A Windvane

[Hydra]

I tried to build a sheet-to-tiller steering (with the mainsheet) but there was too much friction on the rudder stock for the pull that the mainsheet could provide on that day. I will have to add some grease and try again.

Alain

[delmarrey]

I've seen it work on smaller boats <26' with pintle hung rudders. But nothing bigger.

[barnakiel]

I tried a zillion times and it did not work for us.

b.

[roverhi]

I've never been able to make it work but then I haven't tried very hard. One guy who swore by sheet to tiller steering said he could not make it work using bungee cord. Switched to surgical tubing and his setup worked a charm.

[Adelie]

Try these links for ideas:

http://sfbaysss.org/tipsbook/SinglehandedTips.pdf?id=1

FoolishMuseSelfSteering.wmv - YouTube

If you want to try homebrew windvane:
Walt Murray&#039;s website | Mister Vee wind vane self steering
http://web.archive.org/web/200606151...Self-Steering/

[donradcliffe]

Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering

As I recall, John Letcher also used twin jibs tied to the tiller downwind . He sailed singlehanded back in the 1960's from SoCal to Hawaii and back to SoCal (where he got hit by a freighter). He bought the boat in through an ad in the LA times, and won the contest on "what was the best thing that ever happened to you through a classified ad"--the prize was another trip to Hawaii .

[s/v Beth]

Sheet to tiller steering is a pet project of mine. I have it working on my compac and valiant, up wind and down. Letcher's book is excellent..I have an old out of date copy I refer to often.

[Adelie]

Lee Woas wrote a book in the early 80's on the subject compiling a large list of alternative means and methods. Being long out of print, and apparently somewhat in demand, it goes for $75-125 used. I got my copy for around $80.

[MichaelC]

Your boat needs a long, full keel and a well balanced sail plan, plus a boomed sail forward [fore staysl, e.g.]. My 35' Colvin designed schooner sailed herself with sheet to tiller steering for days at a time without a hand to helm. Inside Puget Sound, I also used it frequently. A line from the fore staysl boom to windward thru a block, thence down the windward side to a block to lead the line to the tiller. Wrap the line a few turns around the tiller. Use surgical tubing on the lee side, experiment with that to get the right strength, and you will need to be able to adjust it for stronger wind. I used a double length with an eye on each one so I could use one or both. the whole setup is dirt cheap, simple, quick to set up or release and is gadget free. I have heard of people doing it with the main boom, but I suspect it is much more difficult to use, due to the enormous power of the main boom. the schooner I am building likewise has a full keel and boomed fore staysl so I do not imagine I will need anything but the simple sheet to tiller rig. If you can find a copy of Letcher's book [try libraries] he gives very clear directions to make it work. I called my system the 'Pilot of the Aleutka', after Slocum's comment and using Letcher's boat name.

[s/v Beth]

Mike I don't often disagree with you but today I will:-) I have used this setup with any boat that I can balance the sails with. In fact I have found the more squirrelly ones tend to be more satisfying, as it releaves you from tiller tourcer. But the racing keel seems to work just fine.

[delmarrey]

Heres a link I used years ago for smaller boats>> Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering