Self steering for Cape Dory

[Norm Penick]

Has anyone used self steering on a CD25 - CD28? Especially wind vane steering? Is the gear mounted on the transom? Suppliers? Any special problems or recommendations? Thanks.



norman@hal-pc.org

[JOHN CHURCHILL]

Has anyone used self steering on a CD25 - CD28? Especially wind vane steering? Is the gear mounted on the transom? Suppliers? Any special problems or recommendations? Thanks.

i have a aries mounted on the transom of my cd26 "SKUA". did great on a singlehanded roundtrip to bermuda from norfolk. the more it blows the better it works. not great in light air, but that is when a autopilot is fine. weight is a consideration, the aries is heavy. a monitor is a good alternative although some have had problems with welds cracking. john letcher's book "self steering for sailing craft" has a great discussion of sheet to tiller steering. my cd will hold a steady course on a close reach with the helm lashed.
one problem with all windvane units is chafe on the tiller lines. carry spares. feel free to call with any further ?.
john churchill
757-547-7714
PS SKUA is available for sale.

[Mike Quinlan]

I have a windpilot on my 28 and love it. It's lighter than the monitor
and it less detrimental to the looks of the boat. Steers the boat like gangbusters too.
Mikie



mikieq@erols.com

[Andrew Blight]

I have a windpilot on my 28 and love it. It's lighter than the monitor
and it less detrimental to the looks of the boat. Steers the boat like gangbusters too.
Mikie

Which model of the Windpilot did you get? I thought from the brochures that a Pacific Light would be adequate for a CD30, but the reps insisted that the more expensive and bulkier model would be required. That, combined with the difficulty of linking to the worm-gear wheel steering put me off.

[Norm Penick]

I have a windpilot on my 28 and love it. It's lighter than the monitor
and it less detrimental to the looks of the boat. Steers the boat like gangbusters too.
Mikie

Andrew,
Does it work well in both light airs as well as heavy? What about performance in a sea way? Is it tough enough to avoid being torn up?
Thanks,
Norm



norman@hal-pc.org

[Mike Quinlan]

Which model of the Windpilot did you get? I thought from the brochures that a Pacific Light would be adequate for a CD30, but the reps insisted that the more expensive and bulkier model would be required. That, combined with the difficulty of linking to the worm-gear wheel steering put me off.

I have the windpilot pacific. I can't answer your question about the wheel steering, I have a tiller. The unit steers very well in light air when on the wind. it takes more wind to do as well when running.
I have sailed other boats with other units and in comparison the windpilot does quite well. There is no problem with corrosion after one and a half seasons and the unit is anvil strong. I am in the process of experimenting with a larger homemade vane for light air but
I sail on the chesapeake bay and wouldn't think that it was needed anywhere else. I also must confess that I am a tinkerer and and can't stand to leave anything well enough alone. Hope I answered your questions.
Mikie



mikieq@erols.com

[Norm Penick]

Which model of the Windpilot did you get? I thought from the brochures that a Pacific Light would be adequate for a CD30, but the reps insisted that the more expensive and bulkier model would be required. That, combined with the difficulty of linking to the worm-gear wheel steering put me off.

I have the windpilot pacific. I can't answer your question about the wheel steering, I have a tiller. The unit steers very well in light air when on the wind. it takes more wind to do as well when running.
I have sailed other boats with other units and in comparison the windpilot does quite well. There is no problem with corrosion after one and a half seasons and the unit is anvil strong. I am in the process of experimenting with a larger homemade vane for light air but
I sail on the chesapeake bay and wouldn't think that it was needed anywhere else. I also must confess that I am a tinkerer and and can't stand to leave anything well enough alone. Hope I answered your questions.
Mikie

Mike,
Light air sailing is what we do on Galveston Bay in summer when the winds fall flat from June until September. Only decent sailing in is at night when the sea breeze kicks up.
Thanks,
Norm



norman@hal-pc.org