pegging a wheel

[suse]

I used to tie off (quick release) the tiller in an earlier boat, as a rudimentary autohelm, and for short spells and a steady wind, this was fine. Now with wheel steering and no autohelm, I have resisted the temptation to lock off the wheel while sailing, in case a wind change caused either steering breakage of some sort, or a sailing accident of some sort - neither of which I fancy!

Without buying an autohelm/windvane, etc, is there any way of fixing the wheel for short absences? With a v quick release system? Or do I just continue as usual, making quick dashes? (She holds her way beautifully and keeps well balanced, despite my sail trimming! - long keel - so the 'look no hands' option can be pretty good).

Thanks for advice.

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[andy_wilson]

Tighten the lock nut.

You are unlikely to damage anything on the steering even if she rounds up and sets off in the other direction.

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[suse]

This means my rudder is fixed, as solidly as I can tighten the wheel lock - is it still OK?

signed, nervous

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[romany123]

What about a bungee hooked onto bottom spoke of your wheel around the binnacle mount and hook back onto the same spoke...............just a thought


<hr width=100% size=1>Dave

 

[jzaat]

I use the wheel brake all the time when going to windward as the boat is a much better judge at which course to steer ( incl. windshifts) than the Autohelm.
She will track perfectly for hours and I've never seen anything going wrong with that method

J.

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