dom
Well-Known Member
Quite possibly, Neptune calculates and displays a neat projected curved tidal track, once one has entered the expected boat-speed. The company also gives free trials.
Unknown unknowns: Longer trips
- Thread starter PhillM
- Start date
Quite possibly, Neptune calculates and displays a neat projected curved tidal track, once one has entered the expected boat-speed. The company also gives free trials.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
Then I’m afraid there is something wrong with your setup or sail balance - tillerpilot and full autohelms have worked well for me on different boats including twitchy ones and including cross Atlantic.
Yellow Ballad
Well-Known Member
I put it down to mainly sailing sideways in the Bristol Channel, plus a bit of short steep chop in the mix to confuse the compass. It doesn't help it's an older tillerpilot and doesn't seem as "fast" as modern tillerpilots but I'm going to try rewiring the feed with 6mm2 wire this year just in case of voltage drop. I'm not sure it's an issue with balance, I'm pretty happy at setting the boat up with the vane and she'll pretty well behaved if you're not being silly.
With the windvane I'm totally at ease once it's connected, with the TP I'm just waiting for it to throw the ram out one way of the other to try to keep a course if there's any sea, as mentioned flat calm, when the vane won't work it works a dream. It's worth mentioning it if the OP is planning on sailing in big tidal stuff like N France IMO.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
It might be worth adjusting the response if it’s waves throwing it off - a tillerpilot won’t cope well with a boat set with sails that make it round up in a gust, but should be fine with waves provided the response isn’t too rapid.
I’m not trying to knock windvanes, just think their expense and positioning puts me off compared to autohelm. But I will readily admit that for my next Atlantic crossing I looked at the price of having spares for all autohelm parts (linear drive etc.) compared to Windvane and ended up settling on 2 extra crew instead for Cap Verde to Barbados leg as the cheapest most flexible option.
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
Hmmm. A windvane doesn't talk back, but may not be as pretty.....
RupertW
Well-Known Member
Alas neither of my mates are pretty but I’ve carefully chosen people I get on with but have no idea how to sail as I would hate to have a know-it-all to compete with my know-a-bit
Resolution
Well-Known Member
PhillM
Can I just butt in to say how much I appreciate your contributions here? I used to see your yacht at Swanwick years ago and admire your enthusiasm in getting to grips with her. It is a continuing pleasure to read of your plans and I wish you the very best of luck and massive enjoyment.
i'm sure lots of other forumites would feel the same. Good on yer!
Can I just butt in to say how much I appreciate your contributions here? I used to see your yacht at Swanwick years ago and admire your enthusiasm in getting to grips with her. It is a continuing pleasure to read of your plans and I wish you the very best of luck and massive enjoyment.
i'm sure lots of other forumites would feel the same. Good on yer!
PhillM
Well-Known Member
Thank you. Paean is back at Swanwick from the 9th for some more tlc and prep. If you are around lets have a beer?
PhillM
Well-Known Member
You know that is an excellent idea. I have registered interest today and will have to see how preparations go.
I hold a several spares kits and and all necessary tools on-board. I work on the basis that I need to be able to repair anything, anywhere.
So far on top of the annual maintenance, this list now includes:
Insurance - checked and fine - European waters up to 200NM from coast, not S of La Rochelle or N of Bergen. No restrictions on single handed or night hours
Power - check battery charger and if it can take another in the bank then add a second leisure.
Solar - find somewhere to put one or more panels
Power consumption - put individual switches on each instrument (they are all on one atm) so I can select what I want so as to keep power usage low.
Upgrade the TRI to LED
Water - I have a tiny 10L tank and also use bottles. I may upgrade that as well as having the bottles.
Lee cloths
Yer to be decided:
Convert to roller reefing to minimise time on the foredeck - although I do like that I have the right sail for all conditions.
Collision bulkhead - I have the frame but have not fitted it.
Replace the EPIRB battery or buy a new PLB - about the same costs and I can see arguments either way.
Investigate the Hebridean wind vane - low on the list atm as I am not sure I have the time to build, fit and learn how to use it. Although for the price it appears to be a no-brainer http://www.windvaneselfsteering.co.uk/
Fit a boarding ladder - I like the idea of being able to get back on board IF I decide to go for a swim!
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LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
If you have no deck space or A frame, the guard wires are good for hanging the longer oblong panels, with rods to elevate the angle.
Oh! and another item to carry - a fender plank for when you go against wall piers.
PhillM
Well-Known Member
Fender plank - good idea.
Re the solar, one of the problem is that there aren't any. While it helps to keep her pretty looking, not having them means trying to find homes for all sorts of useful things.
dom
Well-Known Member
Do you mean no guard wires? If so, I’d nearly add them to your list!
PhillM
Well-Known Member
Yep no guard wires. But that is her design. She does have a very deep cockpit (which I know could have disadvantages if pooped) but I always clip on.
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
Your #49.....
Sounds like a plan.
You'll need a couple of courtesy ensigns - Irish, of course, and Cornish.
Sounds like a plan.
You'll need a couple of courtesy ensigns - Irish, of course, and Cornish.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Sounds like getting to the foredeck will be a bit hazardous when things get bumpy and the green stuff gives your deck a good washdown.
Do you have a centerline jackstay to clip onto when going forward with sail bag in hand?
This sounds like a recipe for disaster!
Convert to roller reefing ASAP
PhillM
Well-Known Member
I agree. I have just been a little concerned about lack of performance. Last time I had to do a sail change at night in slightly interesting conditions, I went out through the fore-hatch so as not to need to crawl down the side decks. As for moving the sail bag, I simply bundled one into the fore-peak as it came down and pulled the new one up as I hanked it on. It was OK, but yes, as you say, with green water coming over the decks I don't think I would have been that happy up there and its not that clever having an extra large hole open in a big sea.
I can clip on the centre line in normal circumstances. I have the jackstays, but as backup also the halyards run over the coach roof, so these are also usable as both an extra clip on point as well as extra handholds.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I think that guard wires are probably more use in harbour than at sea, so doing without with the right precautions seems reasonable.
I think that you are wrong in worrying about loss of performance with a furling foresail. On a fully-crewed boat in racing conditions, changing jibs will give an advantage, but when cruising a boat with a furling jib will have the advantage, not only by the time saved when changing but also because there is no need to set out under reduced sail 'just in case'. We sailed in company with a larger and faster boat for several years and almost always kept up with or lead her because they hadn't fitted a furling jib at the time. Not having to bounce around on a wet foredeck is just another consideration.
I think that you are wrong in worrying about loss of performance with a furling foresail. On a fully-crewed boat in racing conditions, changing jibs will give an advantage, but when cruising a boat with a furling jib will have the advantage, not only by the time saved when changing but also because there is no need to set out under reduced sail 'just in case'. We sailed in company with a larger and faster boat for several years and almost always kept up with or lead her because they hadn't fitted a furling jib at the time. Not having to bounce around on a wet foredeck is just another consideration.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
I have crossed the channel over 250 times & round UK twice all single handed. Whilst i have not gone as far as you I would not be without my wind vane. Just do not get one too heavy for the stern of the boat
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Get some shore power to bump up the charge in the batteries when in port
get plenty of fuel because you will motor 40% of the time round to La Rochelle
Tides around N Brittany are strong & you boat will not be fast enough to beat them between stops, so you need to use engine to make progress.
I once cruised Bradwell to St Peter Port & back & managed 14 hours of un-assisted sailing ( no engine)on the entire trip due to zero or negative winds
get plenty of fuel because you will motor 40% of the time round to La Rochelle
Tides around N Brittany are strong & you boat will not be fast enough to beat them between stops, so you need to use engine to make progress.
I once cruised Bradwell to St Peter Port & back & managed 14 hours of un-assisted sailing ( no engine)on the entire trip due to zero or negative winds
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
Far be it for me to cavil, but I'm of the persuasion that a wee, well-found sailing boat does not cruise to a timetable, but simply 'works the tides'. There are are plenty of sound anchorages around the Breton coast, and most of them are very well covered/described in the classic pilot books. Much of the pleasure, surely, of coastal cruising a 'furrin' coastline is findinge one's way into charming and secure havens. I reckon the OP will be busy doing just that.
I'm still an advocate of decent windvane gear, a cheap and simple PV panel which is cheaply and simply hung on strings and connected via croc clips, and NOT biting off more chunks of passage than one can decently manage in a gentlemanly day.
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