Yes, I'd have to agree. But, RB sails in a protected sound where flat seas and steady
thermals are common. Its possible in those conditions for a well trimmed boat to hold
course for brief periods. RB would extrapolate a 10 second experience in ideal conditions
to a general claim.


"Capt. Mooron" wrote in message
...
Jeff it is of paramount importance here to stress that Bob's claim
specifically states a rudder that is allowed to swing free, unlashed and not
helmed with no auto pilot engaged. There is no way an Irwin 30 could make
way to windward with a tiller running free. I have sailed on one. It can't
be done unless the rudder is locked.

CM

"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message
...
| RB confuses balancing a boat so it will hold a course 10 seconds in a
protected bay, with
| doing it on a full keel boat for hours at a time in the open ocean.
|
| I sailed an Irwin 30 for a season (not the best boat, but it was free) and
it would track
| for limited periods with the wheel locked. Sometimes a few minutes, other
times 10
| seconds. Even my Nonsuch could do it sometimes.
|
|
| "Capt. Mooron" wrote in message
| ...
| I call Bull****... it can't be done on any fin keeler!
|
|
| CM
|
| "CANDChelp" wrote in message
| ...
| | On my first keel boat, a full keel design, the boat could be trimmed
to
| sail
| | without
| | lashing the tiller at all, if it was on a beam to close reach.
| |
| | Yup. I was taught how to do that in the J30, which could be a finicky
| boat.
| | Donal needs to learn this.
| |
| | RB
|
|
|
|