In article ,
Larry W4CSC wrote:

Jere Lull wrote in news:jerelull-
:

crew get very very tired

There is the real danger. When I'm exhausted, I'm near useless and can't
focus well, even on simple tasks.

The autopilot is useless when the going gets especially rough, when you
need it the worst. I've never found one that can cope with heavy seas at
odd angles in a cruising sailboat pitching and yawing wildly in the swells.

We have a tiller and have adjusted the stroke for speed, which may
change the mix somewhat, but I've been quite impressed by our AutoHelm's
ability to keep us on a reasonable track in some pretty unquiet
conditions. Xan has little directional stability, which makes it tougher.

Otto never likes broad reaches, but close through beam reaches are a
piece of cake if the sails are set properly. In a pinch, the boat can be
set to luff slightly with shortened sail when the seas are up.

Now, if sustained winds are high, we're in port most times, but we've
done days in 20-25 with gusts towards 35 -- when they were on the beam.
(we start reefing at 12.) The autopilot did a better job of steering in
those conditions than I did.

Exhausted crew is just a disaster waiting to happen, and being in a hurry
to get there just compounds the problems and risk-taking.

Obviously, I'm in full agreement. Been there, done that, am very glad
our boat is tough.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/