"CANDChelp" wrote in message

| Donal, I've sailed a LOT of boats, mostly cruisers in the 27-40 foot
range. I
| never felt a 2 second delay in helm response.

Sorry Bob but I'll have to call "Bull****" again..... there is a noticeable
lag from helm to course change which increases with the size of the vessel.
If you are unaware of this ... your claim to have never noticed this is no
doubt due to the fact you where never at the helm.

You will definitly notice a delay on my full keeler. I have seen a friend
who upon leaving dock his first time at the helm on a 52 ft Gulf Star looked
at me quizzically due to no immediate response to the wheel... I simply
smiled and then the vessel began to obey the helm. There was a delay he was
not familiar with since his experience was limited to fin keeled 27 footers
and smaller craft.

CM