Bob, The stuff I'm using happens to be 5/16" outside diameter. There are probably a billion and one ways to hook it; I've been using a couple of black plastic shock-cord hooks that West Marine and others sell. Since the tubing wants to collapse instead of being gripped firmly in the base of the hook, I took a 1/2" long piece of electrical wire with the plastic covering (12 or 14 ga, I expect) and put that in the end of the elastic before clamping it in the hook. Works fine and the hook is re-useable (using a knive blade to pop the clamp off). Tod -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com ] On Behalf Of ROBERT L. SMITH Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 12:44 PM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: RE: M_Boats: Busca's Self Steering Just a quick suggestion for self steering scholars. So called "surgical" tubing is available in all sized through lab supply companies. Van Waters Rogers (VWR) would be one of many. Their toll free number is 1 800 932 5000, and they probably have the tubing in their web based catalogue. Perhaps Tod could tell us the approx. outside and inside diameter of the tubing (amber latex) he used. Curious that I am so interested in self steering, I don't even have a sailboat, but I do have a handsome sailboat coffee mug. Cheer, bob s. -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+bobsmith=ag.arizona.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+bobsmith=ag.arizona.edu@mailman.xmissio n.com] On Behalf Of Rick Langer Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 9:02 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Busca's Self Steering Tod, Your video re-inspired me. I studied Letcher's self steering book last year, but had trouble getting surgical tubing, so the project got put on the bottom of my list. I know you were using your self steering on the Maine trip, but I never got a close look at it. I looked at the video a number of times trying to pick up details of your setup. I couldn't help but notice, after several viewings, that the boat seemed to be ghosting along with no one aboard, self steering, like when the skipper fell overboard, very eerie on Erie, very Blair Witch like. I guess self steering should include harnessing in. I look forward to seeing your rig and you first hand on one of the east coast cruises. Are you planning to attend any? Thanks for sharing, Rick Langer M15 #337 Bluebird (equipped with Doug's remote steering system)
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 13:11:31 -0500 From: "Howard Mills" <htmills@bright.net> Subject: M_Boats: video clip To: "M-list" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <000001c65037$94755a60$5f88db42@ACER> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I've been offline for the past week, thanks to computer troubles. Hope I didn't miss too much.
A short video clip of Busca beating out into Lake Erie last summer:
http://www.todspages.net/images/WaywardSon.WMV
Tod Mills M17 #408 BuscaBrisas
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