Arco ) writes:

Can anyone recommend a good windvane and/or self-steering solution
that could be used on a 17' open boat?

The crew weight issue is interesting. I sail a couple of small boats which
do not have rudders. There is some resolution of forces based on body
weight, boat displacement, sail area, and wind strength which determines
whether a boat can be sailed with or without a rudder or wind vane. It
should be possible to work it out mathematically. I find it easy (and
comfortable) to sit on the bottom of the boat facing forward and steer by
leaning from side to side while working the main sheet. When close hauled
with the sail pulled in tight I sit still. On a boat the size of a
Wayfarer or Albacore (15 ft, 250 lb) I'm sure I'd find that difficut to
do. I've done "wet assed" sailing in Albacores. It isn't enough to sit in
the middle of the boat, you have to get your weight out over the side. The
alternative to "sitting out" is to let out the sails to reduce power. A
wind vane will not let out the sails. However if you can depower
the sails by reefing, and accept lower speed, it should be possible.
Performance would depend on the variability of the wind. Might not work on
gusty days. Some cruising sailors simply tie off the tiller with shock
cord in steady winds. On a small boat you'd have to tie off the tiller and sit
still, like I do in my rudderless boats.



--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William R Watt National Capital FreeNet Ottawa's free community network
homepage: www.ncf.ca/~ag384/top.htm
warning: non-freenet email must have "notspam" in subject or it's returned