"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
There are not a lot of simple answers.

Our Endeavor 32 steers itself very well too windward if you roll up the
jib in a strong wind. It will also tack, once. I discovered though that
this is only true when you have been sailing with the jib and roll up the
jib without losing much speed while the boat is moving fast. The main is
sufficient to keep the boat moving enough to stay in balance.

If you let the boat stop, or try to get it going from a stop such as
casting off a mooring, it can't get going fast enough under main alone to
reach the equilibrium where it will sail itself. You will also lose
enough speed in the first tack that you can't tack again or get the boat
sailing itself. Even bearing off and heading up won't get it up to enough
speed.

This is why it's important to really know your boat. You could roll up
the jib, have the boat sailing fine although slowly, tack, and then find
your self in an awkward situation if you were in tight quarters and
counting on being able to tack again or have the boat steer itself.

This is a peculiarity of our boat. You mileage will certainly vary.

--

Roger Long

There is a simple answer for this boat actually. We have lots of experience
with the 16.5s. If the wind pipes up, you need the jib. Your mileage will
certainly vary on other boats, however.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com