Sheet to tiller self steering

[newhaul]

I use storm sail sheet to tiller steering it is described in detail and diagrams in the book
http://sfbaysss.org/resource/doc/Sin...rdEdition2.pdf lots of great info in it and free download of the third edition

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I use storm sail sheet to tiller steering it is described in detail and diagrams in the book
http://sfbaysss.org/resource/doc/Sin...rdEdition2.pdf lots of great info in it and free download of the third edition

I have it. Haven't finished reading it.

I need to find sources of rubber tubing and some line to build out some tools before I head out.

I just finished John Letcher's chapter on self steering. Of course I need to read it again a few more times. The diagrams are rather basic.

[newhaul]

Google surgical tubeing in whatever town you are in now or look for a home medical supply store use surgical tubeing it streaches linear. Here's another site for ideas
A Pearson Ariel Page

[Jim Cate]

If you can not source surgical tubing, dive shops have tubing for spear guns that will work, and many medical supply places (even some pharmacies) will have "Therabands", which are rubber sheets used in physical therapy. They come in various "stiffness" and would work as well.

Don't be tempted to use bungee cord... it will not work well at all due to its quite non linear resistance to stretch.

Jim

[lockie]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

many medical supply places (even some pharmacies) will have "Therabands", which are rubber sheets used in physical therapy

I believe this is silicone rubber tubing. I haven't used it for S-T steering, but I do know it that has very nice progressive stretch characteristics and is far cheaper than surgical rubber.

Cheers, Graeme

[Delancey]

Okay, here you go! Link to a PDF of Letcher's chapter on sheet-to-tiller -
http://www.jesterinfo.org/John%20Let...20Steering.pdf

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I use storm sail sheet to tiller steering it is described in detail and diagrams in the book
http://sfbaysss.org/resource/doc/Sin...rdEdition2.pdf lots of great info in it and free download of the third edition

Aleutka has staysail purpose built for self steering. This system has been credited for extensive passage making and I think including at least one circumnavigation.

[goingplaces]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Okay, here you go! Link to a PDF of Letcher's chapter on sheet-to-tiller -
http://www.jesterinfo.org/John%20Let...20Steering.pdf

Thanks for that! I'll keep it ''just in case'' together with some surgical tubing. Actually I've got cheap exercise tubes for that, hope it would work just the same, e.g. this one on ebay:
11 Pcs Resistance Bands Set Workout Exercise Pilates Yoga Crossfit Fitness Tubes

[Delancey]

If for no other reason than "just in case" is sort my point behind my advocacy. Autopilots have their place. Wind vanes have there place. Sheet to tiller certainly has it's place.

Maybe not everyone's first choice but depending on the passage perhaps it should be, example DDW in the trades. The fact that twins and staysail rigs have been used for many thousands of miles should be enough to dispel any questions about reliability or the suitability of these techniques for passage making.

At the very least sheet to tiller is good to have in your bag of tricks, just in case.