The Whitlock steering system, an option on our 1991 35s5 is another
element of these First series boats that sets them apart. Our previous
boat was a Tartan 30 and we've sailed plenty of other boats. Frankly,
the cable based system, accepted industry-wide, can't hold a candle to
the rack and pinion steering system on the 35s5. You have to try it to
truly understand. Even a properly adjust Edson wheel has slop compared
to the whitlock. You may not even be aware of it until you try the
whitlock. Every tiny input on our 35s5 wheel has a rudder response.
Feedback is also excellent, just short of a tiller accept that the
wheel offers great comfort as well. It's a shame that most builders
seek standards that are mediocre at best. True the Whitlock and similar
systems are double the price, but the advantages in performance and
durability are well worth it. When new the Wheel and Whitlock were a
stunning 6K option on the 35s5. Luckily, buying a used 35s5 gets you
into another world of sailing performance and a helm to match-Gary


Hoooh Ahhhhh!


RB
35s5...a better helm for a better boat!
NY

I once looked at an older boat with R&P steering, I think it was an
Allied. The rack which was a quadrant was cracked. Considering that
this is an unusual part, getting a replacement was going to be
problematic so I didnt look at her further. OTOH, cable based systems
are easy to repair. I'll stick with my tiller.

once looked at an older boat with R&P steering, I think it was an
Allied. The rack which was a quadrant was cracked. Considering that
this is an unusual part, getting a replacement was going to be
problematic so I didnt look at her further.


That's too bad. R&P systems are found on better boats because they're
more reliable and very easy to repair with fewer moving parts. Being
the engineer type of person one might think you'd have done some
research and found that the Allied boxed R&P system is an easy fix.
Since you've never piloted a performance boat with a Whitlock R&P
system I'm afraid your comment about a 35 year old blue water Allied
(and again no mention of the boat model) is highly suspect.
An Allied Seabreeze is twice the boat as your S2.

RB
35s5
NY

Which is why I looked at the Allied. I believe she was a "Princess"
ketch. Furthermore, I dont like Ketch rigs.

Which is why I looked at the Allied. I believe she was a "Princess"
ketch. Furthermore, I dont like Ketch rigs.


And yet you looked at a her anyway, stopped by a single steering part
you could have easily found or had made.
Okay.

RB
35s5
NY

On an older boat like that, it is ussually a plethora of things that
bother you. This was just the clincher.

Nutsy,

Your R&P system has a very bad drawback. Location of the Helm; as on
your 35s5. The Helm location is determined by the location of the Rudder
Post. Hence; the lack of space between the Transom and the Helm on your
boat. Now if they had lengthened that cramped cockpit by moving the
transom back and using a cable system to the Rudder Post you'd have a
truly 35 foot boat. However, they elected to save money by the use of
that cheap-O Swim Platform to lengthen the water line and call it a 35.
A French forgery 35 footer is what you got.

A superior helm is necessary because it's tough to control that thing
downwind. Any slop would result in catastrophe.

Amen!


"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ups.com...
The Whitlock steering system, an option on our 1991 35s5 is another
element of these First series boats that sets them apart. Our previous
boat was a Tartan 30 and we've sailed plenty of other boats. Frankly,
the cable based system, accepted industry-wide, can't hold a candle to
the rack and pinion steering system on the 35s5. You have to try it to
truly understand. Even a properly adjust Edson wheel has slop compared
to the whitlock. You may not even be aware of it until you try the
whitlock. Every tiny input on our 35s5 wheel has a rudder response.
Feedback is also excellent, just short of a tiller accept that the
wheel offers great comfort as well. It's a shame that most builders
seek standards that are mediocre at best. True the Whitlock and similar
systems are double the price, but the advantages in performance and
durability are well worth it. When new the Wheel and Whitlock were a
stunning 6K option on the 35s5. Luckily, buying a used 35s5 gets you
into another world of sailing performance and a helm to match-Gary


Hoooh Ahhhhh!


RB
35s5...a better helm for a better boat!
NY

A superior helm is necessary because it's tough to control that thing
downwind.


When I sailed the 35s5 downwind in 20 knots (In St. Pt, FL) I had no
problems at all. In fact she was very easy to handle. I think part of
the problem is that I actually sailed the boat and you haven't. Also,
no one anywhere said that the boat is tough to handle downwind. What
they did say is that she's not a top notch speed demon dead downwind.
Then again, compared to most full keel beasts like yours, which have
zero performance, any light racer will be hard for you to deal with.
Get some sailing lessons and get back to us.
May we say ANY shots of your boat under sail, Joe?

RB
35s5
NY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


When we shorthauled the 35s5 the surveyor and a few of us got into a
long discussion about the IOR influence on the 35s5. Her sucked in
tail
section, how she picked up generous waterline when heeled...a big
debate broke out about downwind sailing.
"They're pigs downwind and it takes a lot of talent to go fast." A few
nods of agreement. The boat's name, Windward First is a joke about how
fast she is on that tack. Dead downwind can be rough. Other discussion
about how it was important to keep her nose up with a modified set of
the chute, sacrificing some shape for downdraft, but I don't have
enough experience with chutes to understand the nitty gritty. Her
owner
says we'll fly the chute the day before we decommission her.
I found the boat fast downwind, but I wasn't racing of course. Racing
is sometihing we'll try with her, but it's far from a top priority. As
a cruiser she'll be faster than most.
Then another discussion started about her wing. The owner said she was
quicker to semi-plane with the wing than his previous deep draft
model.
"But there's more wetted surface and the foil is for lateral
pressures/lift and can be counterproductive downwind", came another
remark. Her owner said this wasn't the case.
Anyway...thoughts on this? I'm no performance hound but I listened
with
interest to all. None of it matters much for our intended usage, but
this will be my first "performance" boat so I want to know more!

Robert B
35s5
NY



"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ups.com...
A superior helm is necessary because it's tough to control that thing
downwind.


When I sailed the 35s5 downwind in 20 knots (In St. Pt, FL) I had no
problems at all. In fact she was very easy to handle. I think part of
the problem is that I actually sailed the boat and you haven't. Also,
no one anywhere said that the boat is tough to handle downwind. What
they did say is that she's not a top notch speed demon dead downwind.
Then again, compared to most full keel beasts like yours, which have
zero performance, any light racer will be hard for you to deal with.
Get some sailing lessons and get back to us.
May we say ANY shots of your boat under sail, Joe?

RB
35s5
NY