The Auto pilot requires more than the price for the unit itself. Power
generation and power storage have to be increased. So if the boat isnt
already set up with good power, you will need to get the check book out
again.

Besides, if youre sailing short handed its useful. But most of the time
there is someone on board to take the helm.

DP
"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 17:29:41 +0000, Mic wrote:

On a sailing craft which purchase would be a priority an AutoPilot or
a furling (head sail)? And why?

"Furler" I donno. Roller reefing, absulutely (on the headsail at least). A
properly-balanced sailboat under sail doesn't really need autohelm anyway:
I've sailed across Georgia Strait and never touched the helm. Having
roller reefing allows you to reef the headsail without having to go
forward.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36

d parker wrote:

The Auto pilot requires more than the price for the unit itself. Power
generation and power storage have to be increased. So if the boat isnt
already set up with good power, you will need to get the check book out
again.

Besides, if youre sailing short handed its useful. But most of the time
there is someone on board to take the helm.


....and, you need a sharp watchman anyway.

Terry K


DP
"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 17:29:41 +0000, Mic wrote:


On a sailing craft which purchase would be a priority an AutoPilot or
a furling (head sail)? And why?


"Furler" I donno. Roller reefing, absulutely (on the headsail at least). A
properly-balanced sailboat under sail doesn't really need autohelm anyway:
I've sailed across Georgia Strait and never touched the helm. Having
roller reefing allows you to reef the headsail without having to go
forward.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36

"Terry Spragg" wrote in message
.. .
d parker wrote:

The Auto pilot requires more than the price for the unit itself. Power
generation and power storage have to be increased. So if the boat isnt
already set up with good power, you will need to get the check book out
again.

Besides, if youre sailing short handed its useful. But most of the time
there is someone on board to take the helm.


...and, you need a sharp watchman anyway.

Terry K

SNip

yep you're right. I reckon he should get the furler



DP

The question is better answered if we know what type of use you are doing
with your sailboat: daysailing, week end, long distance, the length of time
and the frequency of use.
Ideally you should have both the AP and the jib roller Furler
As for me the orders of priority a
1) husky boat fenders, for when you want to dock in against concrete Warf's
and locks.
2) AP when you are just you and your wife, more time to spent on vigil,
charting and cooking. Unless you are going upwind once your sails are up
and trimmed your boat is on course. When the weather get rough you balance
your boat with the proper sail and trim.
When you have to lower your sails, untangled and free your furler the AP is
your third hand.
3) Radar and GPS and back up, depending on your area, in land or on a lake
these are not a priority.
4) Dodger and Bimini, when you spent lots of time on the water it is wise to
protect your skin against sun damages
5) Roller furlers for the jib and main, when you no longer can get in front
to change sails drop the main and bag them, it is safer to have a good
furling system. Conversely if your furler get tangled or jammed and you
are alone your AP will serve you well.

Now days newer sailboats are all coming equipped with furlers and many have
AP, dodger and bimini.

As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.

wrote:
As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.


That's for sure. Even though the Mirage 33 I crewed on for 5 years came
with a Bimini, I didn't see it used once. On the otherhand, the Dodger
was a popular item on cold blustery days when the most forward seats in
the cockpit were highly valued.

Your are probably right a bimini is not need it for when you sail a few hour
per week and racing on Thursday evening.
However, when you are always on your boat and are exposed to the sun 8 to 10
hours every day the situation is not the same. Now I know a little better
and I use sun blocker.
I hate this greasy stuff and I do not have it on my face all the time.
Unless you use white titanium the sun block will only protect you for about
15 to 30 minutes (according to my dermatologist). Many of his patients are
saying how come I end up with skin cancer I have been using sun screen and
blockers all my life.

"Don White" wrote in message
...
wrote:
As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.


That's for sure. Even though the Mirage 33 I crewed on for 5 years came
with a Bimini, I didn't see it used once. On the otherhand, the Dodger
was a popular item on cold blustery days when the most forward seats in
the cockpit were highly valued.

wrote:

As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.


Come to Canada to sail! Spend summer here, go home for winter.

You would qualify as a Canada goose, as we do for snow bird.

Terry K

d parker wrote:

"Terry Spragg" wrote in message
.. .

d parker wrote:


The Auto pilot requires more than the price for the unit itself. Power
generation and power storage have to be increased. So if the boat isnt
already set up with good power, you will need to get the check book out
again.

Besides, if youre sailing short handed its useful. But most of the time
there is someone on board to take the helm.


...and, you need a sharp watchman anyway.

Terry K


SNip

yep you're right. I reckon he should get the furler

DP

I maintain that a pull down line on the jib head, led aft to the
cockpit via a small block at the forepeak, is a better answer overall.

Pull jib down, sieze up downhaul, set main reef, rehoist jib is a
very safe manouver. It should also be easy for any fit sailor. No
boat should be sailing without consideration for crew fitness.

A well designed rig near the extreme of conditions will enable you
to sail well under a main trysail alone. If not, you should be
trailing warps or a drogue under bare poles, and warming up a can of
beans under your armpit, battened down, on deck or below.

A bare forestay is better in a blow than a baggy wrinkled genny
forcing your head downwind.

Terry K

Terry Spragg wrote:
d parker wrote:

"Terry Spragg" wrote in message
.. .

d parker wrote:


The Auto pilot requires more than the price for the unit itself.
Power generation and power storage have to be increased. So if the
boat isnt already set up with good power, you will need to get the
check book out again.

Besides, if youre sailing short handed its useful. But most of the
time there is someone on board to take the helm.


...and, you need a sharp watchman anyway.

Terry K


SNip

yep you're right. I reckon he should get the furler

DP


I maintain that a pull down line on the jib head, led aft to the cockpit
via a small block at the forepeak, is a better answer overall.

Pull jib down, sieze up downhaul, set main reef, rehoist jib is a very
safe manouver. It should also be easy for any fit sailor. No boat
should be sailing without consideration for crew fitness.

A well designed rig near the extreme of conditions will enable you to
sail well under a main trysail alone. If not, you should be trailing
warps or a drogue under bare poles, and warming up a can of beans under
your armpit, battened down, on deck or below.

A bare forestay is better in a blow than a baggy wrinkled genny forcing
your head downwind.

Terry K

I agree.