Using a Tiller Pilot
 

Well, our new (to us) sailboat had all kinds of stuff on it. One of the nice
perks was a Tiller Pilot. I did not realize how nice it would be. Yesterday
I was sailing with my wife and daughter and I decided to try to single hand
(using the tiller pilot). I motored out of the marina. I engaged the tiller
pilot and had it hold the boat into the wind. I went forward and raised the
sails. Returning to the cockpit, I took the tiller let the boat fall off
until the sails filled then killed the motor. It was so easy, I am spoiled.
I know not to rely on it, because I may not have it when I need it, but it
sure is nice. I must admit, I felt a little guilty using the electronic
technology, but it was still sailing. You don't have that same feeling you
get when you use only the wind and water.....
Like I said, I felt a little guilt :o(
That said, I will be using the tiller pilot again next weekend ;o)
I named the tiller pilot after my wife; I named it "Tammy2"

Happy Sails,
John

Do you feel guilty when you use the motor? I think your feelings of guilt
about using the pilot will change pretty quickly, especially when you take
the boat out by yourself.
John Cairns
"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
I must admit, I felt a little guilty using the electronic
technology, but it was still sailing. You don't have that same feeling you
get when you use only the wind and water.....
Like I said, I felt a little guilt :o(

Happy Sails,
John

I use a "tiller tamer" on my boat. It usually gives me 30 seconds to
a minute of hands off to do stuff in higher winds and longer in
lighter winds. Nothing electronic about it... best investment I ever
made for single handing.

In article , FamilySailor wrote:
Well, our new (to us) sailboat had all kinds of stuff on it. One of the nice
perks was a Tiller Pilot. I did not realize how nice it would be. Yesterday
I was sailing with my wife and daughter and I decided to try to single hand
(using the tiller pilot). I motored out of the marina. I engaged the tiller
pilot and had it hold the boat into the wind. I went forward and raised the
sails. Returning to the cockpit, I took the tiller let the boat fall off
until the sails filled then killed the motor. It was so easy, I am spoiled.
I know not to rely on it, because I may not have it when I need it, but it
sure is nice. I must admit, I felt a little guilty using the electronic
technology, but it was still sailing. You don't have that same feeling you
get when you use only the wind and water.....
Like I said, I felt a little guilt :o(
That said, I will be using the tiller pilot again next weekend ;o)
I named the tiller pilot after my wife; I named it "Tammy2"

I didn't name it thought...

--
Jonathan Ganz (j gan z @ $ail no w.c=o=m)
http://www.sailnow.com
"If there's no wind, row."

Why didn't you have your wife or daughter take the tiller? It's not
singlehanding if someone's there to rescue you....
"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
Well, our new (to us) sailboat had all kinds of stuff on it. One of the
nice
perks was a Tiller Pilot. I did not realize how nice it would be.
Yesterday
I was sailing with my wife and daughter and I decided to try to single
hand
(using the tiller pilot). I motored out of the marina. I engaged the
tiller
pilot and had it hold the boat into the wind. I went forward and raised
the
sails. Returning to the cockpit, I took the tiller let the boat fall off
until the sails filled then killed the motor. It was so easy, I am
spoiled.
I know not to rely on it, because I may not have it when I need it, but it
sure is nice. I must admit, I felt a little guilty using the electronic
technology, but it was still sailing. You don't have that same feeling you
get when you use only the wind and water.....
Like I said, I felt a little guilt :o(
That said, I will be using the tiller pilot again next weekend ;o)
I named the tiller pilot after my wife; I named it "Tammy2"

Happy Sails,
John

"katysails" wrote in message
...
Why didn't you have your wife or daughter take the tiller? It's not
singlehanding if someone's there to rescue you....

It wasn't really single handing.. I guess it was pretending to be single
handing :o)
They always help, I just asked them to stand down and let me try it
unassisted.
Here is a video of my wife on a normal trip
http://24.175.244.109/sailing/tammysailor26again.mpg

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 03:36:52 GMT, "FamilySailor"
wrote:


"katysails" wrote in message
...
Why didn't you have your wife or daughter take the tiller? It's not
singlehanding if someone's there to rescue you....

It wasn't really single handing.. I guess it was pretending to be single
handing :o)
They always help, I just asked them to stand down and let me try it
unassisted.
Here is a video of my wife on a normal trip
http://24.175.244.109/sailing/tammysailor26again.mpg


I would give that an A+:)

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 03:36:52 GMT, "FamilySailor"
wrote:


"katysails" wrote in message
...
Why didn't you have your wife or daughter take the tiller? It's not
singlehanding if someone's there to rescue you....

It wasn't really single handing.. I guess it was pretending to be single
handing :o)
They always help, I just asked them to stand down and let me try it
unassisted.
Here is a video of my wife on a normal trip
http://24.175.244.109/sailing/tammysailor26again.mpg

Oh, by the way...where was that filmed? Obviously somewhere down
along the coast, but I have been trying to learn a bit more about the
Texas coast as I would like to move closer to salt water. From what I
hear, draft is a big issue along the Texas coast and I need 6' of
water if I am going to move my boat. Otherwise I may be lookin at a
Mac 26M/X....NOT!!!!!:)

Ah yes...I know that position well..
"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...

"katysails" wrote in message
...
Why didn't you have your wife or daughter take the tiller? It's not
singlehanding if someone's there to rescue you....

It wasn't really single handing.. I guess it was pretending to be single
handing :o)
They always help, I just asked them to stand down and let me try it
unassisted.
Here is a video of my wife on a normal trip
http://24.175.244.109/sailing/tammysailor26again.mpg

Oh, by the way...where was that filmed? Obviously somewhere down
along the coast, but I have been trying to learn a bit more about the
Texas coast as I would like to move closer to salt water. From what I
hear, draft is a big issue along the Texas coast and I need 6' of
water if I am going to move my boat. Otherwise I may be lookin at a
Mac 26M/X....NOT!!!!!:)

We were sailing on Sabine Lake on the Texas Louisiana border on the coast.
It is a tidal salt water lake. Not sure if it is deep enough. It is in the
Summer, but it might not be in the Winter.
That video was taken on our maiden voyage aboard our new to us South Coast
26'A "26 Again"

Sea Yawl,
John

FamilySailor wrote:
We were sailing on Sabine Lake on the Texas Louisiana border on the coast.
It is a tidal salt water lake. Not sure if it is deep enough. It is in the
Summer, but it might not be in the Winter.
That video was taken on our maiden voyage aboard our new to us South Coast
26'A "26 Again"

Congrats... looks like a lot of fun. BTW you might consider putting on a
halyard winch so your wife doesn't have to hold the boom up with her
knee! Turning a little more into the wind might help too, if you're not
constrained in maneuvering.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King