DIY Self Steering

c2518

c2518

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As I am currently esconced in Saudi earning the necessary readies to pay for all the great things in life I've been looking at designing and building a self steering system for my Corribee as an evening project! I have been in touch with Roger Taylor and he has kindly agreed to offer any advice he may be able to and I have dropped Jonny Moore a line asking about his DIY system. Has anyone else designed and built their own? I would be interested in hearing about people's experiences or seeing examples. I know the simple answer would be to go out and buy a ready made system but where's the fun in that. Plus as entertainment is a tad lacking here in the sandpit I am quite happy to occupy my mind and hands with something productive for my boat Osprey.
 
self steering

Good idea if your out in Saudi. Keep your mind off home. I built Shedgum in 78 (with the help of 30,000 others)
Remember its got to work and be strong, also be capable of being swiped by waves. I would go for s/s frame. Also as, like me, you have a Corribee you ideally need to be able to adjust it from the hatch, like Rogers. I have a pacific windpilot for mine, the next size up from Rogers. Are you going to "Roger" your Corribee ? i.e make it unsinkable and watertight.
regards Malcome

p.s definition: To "Roger" your boat: To make it unsinkable and watertight.
 
Malcolme
Yes, the intention is to make her as "unsinkable" as possible and more user friendly for single handing. I have been doing quite a bit of research on various diy projects related to self- steering and am primarily interested in making something as strong but as light as possible. Just read a very interesting article on a budget system dreamt up and constructed by a guy called Ian Rogers where he used old bicycle parts! I like the Windpilots but they do charge like a wounded Rhino! Although I picked up Osprey cheap (EBay is my friend :)) I might find it difficult to explain to the Boss why I need a a brand new self steering system. She has been very understanding so far; it's amazing what I've managed to buy online and have delivered only to then get a call what have you bought now!
 
I also looking into selsteering. I tried the "bicycle" build. but not find it realible, purhapse I'm not skillfull enough?! wInd pilot is the least expencive of the "tested" windvanes. But -And I'm not 100% sure of this- haveing some kind of damping diseffects?! And this worries me. Purhapse Peter can explain this better?
I have also spoken to Aries manufactorer in Denmark. Yes it weights 35 kg. But this is not a very big consern of mine, as "P" explain for me. ANd I think he's absolutley right. But expensive!
For my comming longdistance sailing, there's no shortcut in Selfsteering. A well proven, strong and realible is what I will go for. Aries, Hydrovane or Monitor!
But sadly poor and full of dreams... but someday!
 
Evantica, unfortunately, weight is a consideration and as I have access to CAD and the ability to fabricate something I thought it would interesting as a project and the end result could meet my needs if done in the correct manner. I've nothing against buying a tried and tested ready made system but would simply prefer to build something myself. It isn't the cost that is the issue, it is what I get out of doing things for myself. I like tinkering about with small personal projects and fancy building a self steering system. Ideally I want something that will work efficiently and not weigh too much but it isn't so much the end result but the journey I intend enjoying.;)
 
I agree. It is the project I like too, the journey. And I think is a money issue as well, for me. I have some pic's on my pc. if your interested on selfsteering gear I found on the web. Purhapse it may help you? and good luck with the project.
 
Thank you any information will be gratefully received. Yet another project I am looking at is a wind generator. There is a huge amount of information of the internet so alot of fun looking things up>
 
In my humble opinion, your windvane steering is the most important item on your boat for single handing across oceans. In my experience the two things most likely to let you down are your steering and your rigging. I solve my rigging issues by replacing it before every challenge but that is not a foolproof solution either. Most people who fail to complete an ocean voyage seem to have a steering issue however.

I don't like the idea of a windvane steering system built out of bicycle parts. The rust is the first issue - no matter how well you protect your system salt water will get to it and start chewing away at the metal. I am also concerned about load strengths I looked at the PBO article on making one out of bicycle parts and have to say I didn't like the long boom out to the stern - I don't believe that would survive a big wave and certainly not a knockdown.

In terms of strength don't underestimate the Windpilot. While I don't like the mix of metals and use lots of lanolin to keep them apart, what Peter Forthmann has achieved is a remarkably strong and light unit. During a below the horizontal knockdown in 2007 the only on deck/mast item to survive unscathed was my Windpilot. I was looking for the cheapest lightest windvane steering to hang off the stern of my light displacement boat - in that purchasing decision the Windpilot was the only contender. Since I have bought my windpilot I have used both the Aries and the Monitor for extended ocean voyages, while each has individual advantages I still prefer the Windpilot for price, weight and robustness.

If you really want to build your own, I would suggest that you read the stuff on the Hasler on the JC site: http://www.jesterinfo.org/haslerselfsteering.html and also download and read Peter Forthmann's free book as a comparison on all windvane steering systems here: http://windpilot.com/

I have NEVER tried to make my boat unsinkable and put my effort instead into the rigging and steering - but I do have a liferaft although I abhor the extra weight. Having survived some particularly nasty weather at sea I would say that most boats when closed up and allowed to bob like a cork in a bath with a diligent person inside getting rid of the water that does make it in will survive without positive buoyancy - IMHO.
 
Barnaclephill, appreciate the offer, visited your pictures yesterday and printed them. some good articles there. i am rather interested in the Holland system though.
 
John, I agree with you about what is most likely to let you down. It is my intention to replace and beef up the rigging on Osprey too. The primary goal for me with regards to the self steering is to have something which works but that I have had a part in creating. For me part of the fun of having a small boat is having to think outside of the box a little and come up with solutions to meet my needs/wants without spending a fortune. I don't really want a boat which has just had money thrown at it, anyone can do that! I do, however, agree with your perspective regarding the use of bicycle parts (although I enjoyed reading about the novel solution). By doing things, upgrades, repairs, etc off my own bat the end results may not be perfect but I will no doubt learn alot more about what it takes to utilise them and keep them working to a reasonable standard. As you have suggested, I have already obtained a copy of Peter Forthmanns book and now am in the process of building up a detailed little data base of bedtime reading on the subject. What this exercise has highlighted is how little I knew about the subject so if nothing else is achieved I will now have a more realistic understanding of the subject.:)
 
C2518,
When you install an "off the shelf" windvane there will be (most likely) a good opprtunity to think outside the box, as you will probably have to do some custom adjustments & custom "thinking" to install on your yacht anyway....this may be enough of DIY to get the self-satisfaction of a DIY project.

I had a windvane (I think it was called a WYLO II) on my Top Hat when I bought her, it was a trim tab type, with a bicycle hub that you attached the vane to(I will dig out the construction & user manual next time I go to the boat). I took it off. there looked like there was way too much friction in the system, I went with a Raymarine ST2000+, but I would definitely look into a windvane if I ever get the opportunity to cross an ocean.

Fleming(aussie) also do a good vane.

cheers
 
Junkrig, I agree with you up to a point but as I explained at the beginning I intend doing this whilst I am in Saudi; giving me something productive to do with my time (other than making hooch;)) and hopefully building something useful for my boat.
 
c2518,While browsing found this web site about a young lad that was going to go round England in a Corribee,If you look under the boat / technical section you'll find what your looking for. He's modified the boat in several ways one was a home made steering system that he made for is school project.Seems to fit the bill made of stainless , cost about a hundred quid and weighs about 12Kg including the mount and control lines.

www.jonnymooresailing.co.uk

Mark.

By the way is Osprey Dave Story's old yacht I see your from Cumbria.I've just started sailing and been out with him a few times to learn the ropes.
 
Yes, Osprey is Dave's old boat. I went out with him earlier in the summer. I have already tried several times to contact Jonny Moore, but with no success so far. I agree his self-steering setup looked pretty good. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating and I would interested in knowing how the system actually performed. I get a lot of info from the Corribee Owners site which has a great technical section.
 
The steersman certainly looks innovative and well built. Don't know if I would like to have to strip it and repair it at sea if it went wrong though.
 
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