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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/ |
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