Doug's remote steering system is one of the best improvements that I've made to my boat and it was very simple. Before the Maine cruise I made a tiller extension that allows me to sit in the forward most seat of the cockpit. It works very well, but is completely unnecessary once I rigged Doug's remote steering system. Picture this, you a line around the entire boat and by pulling or pushing it you can steer from any spot on the boat. Have you ever tied off the tiller to go down below and had your weight shift cause the boat to steer off. With this system there's no problem, when you get your weight forward you adjust the steering for the new trim. One day I changed head sails while full main up sailing 3+ knots through a mooring area of big expensive boats ie. Hinckleys and the like, doing all the steering from the line at the bow. Doug even strapped himself to the mast, sitting just forward of it, and steered hard to the wind claiming he increased his speed a half a knot. I particularly like sitting in the companion way or standing in the well while having all the sheets right there and the steering line on both sides of the cabin roof. In this position my weight is forward, everything down below is accessible, it's very comfortable (no tired neck, I sit forward while looking forward) and I'm very protected from the elements as well as being in a more secure part of the boat. Although a small point I like being able to grab the jib and move it to see what's behind that blind spot as oppose to having to steer to leeward to see what's there. If you try this remote steering you'll like it and if everyone tries it we will probably never have a discussion of tiller extenders again. Rick Langer M15 "Bluebird"
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 18:00:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Doug Kelch <doug_kelch@yahoo.com> Subject: RE: M_Boats: Auto Pilot mounting To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <20050912010033.18605.qmail@web30205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Steve,
I use a simple remote steering approach which lets you steer with one hand from anywhere on the boat. If the there is enough friction in the "system" the boat can be balanced to steer herself in mild condtions.
It is cheap and extemely effective. Rick used it for the first time on our Maine cruise and thinks it is great.
All you need is a long line (perferably soft, with minimal stretch - an old mainsheet?), 3 blocks with tails and 3 places to tie them.
The line is fastened to the tiller with the adjustable rolling hitch, then the line runs through a block at the side of the boat (could attach to the Genoa car if you have one)up to the bow where the second block is attached, then though the block at the opposist side of the tiller as the first block an the line is again tied of at the tiller with the adjustable rolling hitch.
snug up the lines and steer from whereever you want.
I first did this to allow me to easily put up a wisker pole while single handing - it works great. I now steer downwind while standing in the cabin of my M15 - it is is quite relaxing.
Thanks
Doug Kelch