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 --- Steve Shenkel <steve@appliedphotonics.com> wrote:
Many years ago a close sailing friend purchased a Tillermaster for his M15. With accessories he spent upwards to $600. That was a lot of sailing bucks and I thought it was the most ridiculous acquisition for 15' boat. What was the point?
However, many years later, I found a used autopilot at a marine exchange store for $100 and thought I would give it a try. I was amazed at the freedom it gave me. As I single hand most of the time, it made leaving the helm a more manageable task and took a lot of the monotony out of staying with the tiller on long motoring passages or long stints at the helm in light air sailing.
I agree with everyone that simplicity is the best first choice. When the sailing is good, I want to have the tiller. The response and control at the tiller are reasons for which I wanted the M17.
I am on my second (used) autopilot and I probably still could not justify the sailing bucks for a new one. But the space it takes up is minimal and my only new costs will be running wires to a power outlet and fabricating a bracket on which to mount the autopilot.
My boat came with what looks like a pretty good wind steering vane. Talk about complication-it was the first thing I took off the boat! Don't be alarmed. I have safely stored it in the attic in the event I get a wild hair and take off for......
Steve Shenkel M17 263 Arizona
-----Original Message----- From:
montgomery_boats-bounces+steve=appliedphotonics.com@mailman.xmission.com
[mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+steve=appliedphotonics.com@mailman.xmission
.com] On Behalf Of William B. Riker Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 7:31 PM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: RE: M_Boats: Auto Pilot mounting
Steve,
I don't know about real men, or real sailor-persons. But I know I don't get enough time to sail. When I'm out, I like to actually sail the boat - not just crew. If I just wanted to crew, I could save a lot of hassle and cash.
Sure, there are times when it's nice to have someone/something do the steering for a few minutes. But I also try to remember the first commandment of sailing: The smaller and more simple it is, the more you will use it! :-)
Bill Riker M15 - #184 Storm Petrel
-----Original Message----- From:
montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com
[mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com]
On Behalf Of Steve Shenkel Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 1:14 PM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: M_Boats: Auto Pilot mounting
I am curious about how others have mounted their auto pilots on M17's. I have an older Navico Tiller-pilot and at first glance the coaming is too far away, and the cockpit seat in too far below the tiller for any convenient mounting arrangement? How have others accomplished this?
Or do real men (M17 sailor-persons) not require stinking autopilots?
Steve Shenkel
Steve Shenkel
Director of Manufacturing
7432 E.Tierra Buena Lane, Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: 480 998-2333
Fax: 480 998-2201
www.appliedphotonics.com
The Cutting Edge in Laser Technology
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