Gigantic hairy swinging purple article wanted, PBO July 2006

[jerrytug]

Sorry for posting on the wrong forum, the Wanted one is broken again.
I am after an article about Sea Feather self steering in PBO July 2006, postage, RNLI donation, thanks.

 

[doris]

Thought you wanted the last Bish of Cantabury.

 

[jerrytug]

Thought you wanted the last Bish of Cantabury.

I was trying to be clever and attract the IT department to fix the Wanted forum, as well as find my article. I'm sure it will backfire on me now..

 

[JumbleDuck]

Sorry for posting on the wrong forum, the Wanted one is broken again.
I am after an article about Sea Feather self steering in PBO July 2006, postage, RNLI donation, thanks.

I'm afraid that I don't have that handy. However, I do have a Sea Feather wind vane, and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer as best I can.

 

[jerrytug]

I'm afraid that I don't have that handy. However, I do have a Sea Feather wind vane, and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer as best I can.

Hello Jumble small world, I have just bought a used one off this forum, and the courier is coming on Monday, can't wait!
It's almost like getting a new boat or something, the extra use and enjoyment I will be able to wring out of the old Hurley, and of course a massive step on the road to the JAC!
I will definitely ask your advice, when I have formulated some questions.
OK here's one: What happens to the SF if I suddenly do a 'crash' heave-to? Do I have to flip the chain off the tiller first ( I presume yes )?, then what will the SF be doing while I'm hove to, can I just leave it set, or do I have to adjust it to stop it fighting itself or something?
That's my level of ignorance just now anyway, all the best Jerry

 

[JumbleDuck]

OK here's one: What happens to the SF if I suddenly do a 'crash' heave-to? Do I have to flip the chain off the tiller first ( I presume yes )?, then what will the SF be doing while I'm hove to, can I just leave it set, or do I have to adjust it to stop it fighting itself or something?

Oo-er. I've never tried that. In general, though, once you have taken the chain off the tiller peg you can do what you like and worry about the vane afterwards. The watervane isn;t nearly big enough to make itself a nuisance as an extra rudder.

The most important thing I have found with mine is that you have to make sure the boat is well balanced before engaging the vane. If you can't steer with two fingers she probably isn't balanced enough. On my boat this often means reefing the main rather earlier than I normally would. Once it's set up it works beautifully and hypnotically. The next most important thing is to get a good tension in the chain. If there is any slack in that the thing will work badly, if at all.

If you have any detailed technical questions I have found Paul Doulton, who makes them, to be extremely helpful and approachable - even though mine came with my boat, so I am not one of his customers.

 

[jerrytug]

I see thanks, yes Paul has already put three of them on the same model of boat which should help, cheers.