I've sailed many dozens of centerboard boats - I can't imagine one that would sail with a
free tiller without some active control of weight and sails. In fact, many centerboard
boats can be sailed without a rudder. But this is not the same as tracking a straight
line unattended for and extended distance.


"DSK" wrote in message
...
Jeff Morris wrote:


There are some boats, yes. As I reported my old full keel boat would hold a close
reach
all afternoon with a "floating" tiller. The real issue was whether a more modern fin
keeler, in particular a C&C 32, would do it.

Well, I only have experience with a few fin keelers that would do it, and it might be
partially due to stiff steering. But I have sailed a lot of centerboard boats that
would.
There's a problem translating this to big-boat sailing though, usually one cannot shift
crew
weight to heel the boat 15 degrees to windward when desired for steering. Maybe this is
how
Bubbles does it?

DSK