Recent content by Steersman

Has anyone ever used 'Chemical Steel' to repair a hole in a steel hull?

As for keeping a pair of flairs on board. Absolutely vital. You never know when you will get invited to a "Sixties" party.

I tend to agree. While no one should make any compromises with regard to safety, you have to ask, with so much new technology about, have flares become redundant?

Our long keel is difficult in reverse too. The best way to getting in the direction you want seems to be the following: 1. Put the engine in to neutral 2. point the helm in the right direction 3. Put on plenty of power The boat then carries on regardless of any tiller movement. Strange, but it...

Some people might be interested in this. It's the story of an engineer working in the Merchant Navy from 1908 to 1946. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nice-Quiet-Life-Merchant-through-ebook/dp/B00QO3WND4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420658564&sr=1-1&keywords=a+nice+quiet+life :)

Hi Snow Leopard I see your point. My experience is with monohulls so I'm trying to get my head round how a light multihull would perform. I guess a small lightweight trimaran would be tossed around like a cork, but a larger one would have a degree of stability because of the greater weight...

Point taken But what about a Steersman? http://www.steersman.net

Hi Snowleopard While agree with you in a way. The experience you describe is extreme, and I should think most yachties would be in harbour under those conditions. I don't think you can completely rule out windvane systems on the basis of that one experience. Like electric systems, they have...

Thanks for the comments. This is all very helpful. We have been asked to design a Steersman for a catamaran, and I just wondered what other people do. It seems that speed of response and reliability are the main issues.

Just curious to know, what type of self steering do catamaran and trimaran owners use, and how effective are they for cruising? :)

Another option is to buy a cheap boat, sail it for a season or two, use it to find out what you like and don't like, then sell it on. By that time you will be in a better position to buy a boat that suits you best. You should then hopefully have many years of frustration free sailing. :)

I once saw a windvane system attached using an outboard motor bracket. The idea was that could also double up to mount the outboard motor. I don't know if it was successful, but I throw it in as a suggestion. Anyway, good luck with it. I'll stick with my Steersman

Hi Ian Sorry to be critical, but to me that whole set up looks very vulnerable hanging so far off the stern.

That's a new one on me. My only suggestion is to loop a long line round it, with both ends led from the front of the boat; then wriggle it up to about half way up, then put some tension on it. Only do this in harbour of course.

Hi rptb1 Interesting question, and having pondered with this challenge overnight, I think I may have a possible solution. Would you have any pictures of the cockpit of your boat, or any other Junk rigged boat that I could take a look at. If you have something, could you e-mail it to...