Why do you guys like monohulls so much?

[JPA Cate]

We've done many miles under windvane steering. Once you have taught yourself how to
use one, they're wonderful. Silent. No power draw. And you learn to make them sail the course you want to your destination. You interact with it a lot more than an electronic autopilot, which you expect to do everything perfectly without regard for wind direction. With the wind vane, you keep checking your direction, because it follows the wind, and the wind wanders around as it wills. One needs to correct the course. And it all averages out satisfactorily as long as one pays attention.

Ann

[newhaul]

Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering

One advantage of sheet to tiller steering works well on all hull types and uses 0 power.
Yes it can be adapted to wheel steer as well .

[sailmed52]

Here’s another reason a mono beats a cat - The 1980 Harley has its own berth - in the aft stateroom - during passages. Not happening on a cat.
LOL

[Wilyum]

Another advantage of AP over WV steering is the ability to use davits, I agree with some of the other posters that with advances in solar and Lithium, the advantages of WV steering are lessening. I would rather spend the extra $5k-$8k installed on an upgraded Lithium bank and upgraded solar both of which, when you include the davits would add significantly to resale value, much more than a WV.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Wilyum

Another advantage of AP over WV steering is the ability to use davits, I agree with some of the other posters that with advances in solar and Lithium, the advantages of WV steering are lessening. I would rather spend the extra $5k-$8k installed on an upgraded Lithium bank and upgraded solar both of which, when you include the davits would add significantly to resale value, much more than a WV.

IMHO davits are not "blue water" safe solution on monohull boats under 70', points for catamarans on that as not so exposed position on them and more room for solar too..

[smj]

Can’t one use a simple tillerpilot on some of the windvanes rather than buying the more expensive below decks autopilot?

[sailmed52]

Properly designed you don’t need a 70’ boat - I use mine to load a Harley - and carry a 13’ whaler with 40hp. Electric winches all below decks. My dumb arse - untie the Harley - found I can lift me on the Harley tied to the whaler at the same time. They are designed for the force and weight of the water actually coming over the whaler - yet in thousands of miles, some purdy nasty seas, the worst that has happened is a flying fish sat for a few days - yuck! Only problem I have with the set up is it isn’t conducive to easy fishing.

[smj]

Originally Posted by sailmed52

Properly designed you don’t need a 70’ boat - I use mine to load a Harley - and carry a 13’ whaler with 40hp. Electric winches all below decks. My dumb arse - untie the Harley - found I can lift me on the Harley tied to the whaler at the same time. They are designed for the force and weight of the water actually coming over the whaler - yet in thousands of miles, some purdy nasty seas, the worst that has happened is a flying fish sat for a few days - yuck! Only problem I have with the set up is it isn’t conducive to easy fishing.

That’s the beauty of it, we all own our boats with different purposes in mind.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

IMHO davits are not "blue water" safe solution on monohull boats under 70', points for catamarans on that as not so exposed position on them and more room for solar too..

I’m pretty confident mine are good to hold the dinghy offshore.

They are capable of lifting the dinghy’s waterline 10ft from the water surface.

Catamaran too. I’ve always been nervous about that big bucket just waiting to catch some water. So I designed that risk out.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by sailmed52

Properly designed you don’t need a 70’ boat - I use mine to load a Harley - and carry a 13’ whaler with 40hp. Electric winches all below decks. My dumb arse - untie the Harley - found I can lift me on the Harley tied to the whaler at the same time. They are designed for the force and weight of the water actually coming over the whaler - yet in thousands of miles, some purdy nasty seas, the worst that has happened is a flying fish sat for a few days - yuck! Only problem I have with the set up is it isn’t conducive to easy fishing.

Question. Could I have a motorcycle discussion with you over a private message? Or even in a different thread?

I was thinking about bringing one along. Much lighter and smaller than yours I’m sure. And it seems like you are able to do it. I didn’t find a good way to do it. Can we talk about this elsewhere?

[sailmed52]

Sure !

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Wilyum

Another advantage of AP over WV steering is the ability to use davits, I agree with some of the other posters that with advances in solar and Lithium, the advantages of WV steering are lessening. I would rather spend the extra $5k-$8k installed on an upgraded Lithium bank and upgraded solar both of which, when you include the davits would add significantly to resale value, much more than a WV.

Davits only add to the resale value for those people who care and know little about actually sailing or about safe seamanship at sea.

Of course that includes most of today's cruisers, so I guess you're OK.

WV does not add value. It makes your sailing more efficient and safer.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by wingssail

Davits only add to the resale value for those people who care and know little about actually sailing or about safe seamanship at sea.

Of course that includes most of today's cruisers, so I guess you're OK.

WV does not add value. It makes your sailing more efficient and safer.

You don't use davits at sea - that's a basic - they're a coastal tool and great when island hopping in protected waters. Just because a boat has davits doesn't mean they don't put the dingy up on the foredeck/below when on passage.

Matt

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

You don't use davits at sea - that's a basic - they're a coastal tool and great when island hopping in protected waters. Just because a boat has davits doesn't mean they don't put the dingy up on the foredeck/below when on passage.

Matt

In the first place Matt, when you leave the dock you have no idea what sea conditions you'll actually encounter. The "sea" starts whenever you are on the coast.

In the second place, the problems with davits affect you whenever you are sailing, even in protected waters. Anyone with davits on a boat of less than about 50ft really does not understand or care about the negative affect they have on the boat and they add nothing of value even on boats of that size and up. They add weight aloft, windage, and weight in the ends of the boat. All negatives.

But if one prefers a boat to motor around on (and even then the davits are a negative) instead of actually sailing it, that's fine. Enjoy. Everyone has their own idea of what they want. We're all boaters and entitled to our preferences.

But designers do not design sailboats for davits. Your boat was not designed for davits. They damage your performance but probably you don't care or you would not be defending them.

And for some of us, they certainly do not enhance the resale value (nor do wind vanes, for that matter)

Edit: Catamarans with dingys hung several feet ahead of the transoms are excepted from these comments.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

You don't use davits at sea - that's a basic - they're a coastal tool and great when island hopping in protected waters. Just because a boat has davits doesn't mean they don't put the dingy up on the foredeck/below when on passage.



Matt

Whenever someone makes a seamanship statement in "absolutes", I often wonder what their level of experience is?

Structurally engineered with gripes for breaking seas from astern, they are better protected than those exposed on the bow to the far more frequent breaking head seas.

The weakness of most stern davit systems is that they have not thought out the clamping system or overbuilt for offshore