Ketch CD30 windvane vs autopilot

[Michael]

who has experiences with a ketch and a windvane selfsteering or an autopilot? is there enough clearance below the mizzen?
And most importantly isn't the mizzen a better windvane than any of them? In other words do you really need an autopilot on a cd30 ketch?
Please let me know your experiences!

Michael



mfischer@thing.net

[Tom]

who has experiences with a ketch and a windvane selfsteering or an autopilot? is there enough clearance below the mizzen?
And most importantly isn't the mizzen a better windvane than any of them? In other words do you really need an autopilot on a cd30 ketch?
Please let me know your experiences!

Michael

Michael, I don't have a ketch, so can't help you with that, but since no one else has responded let me put my two cents in about auto pilots. You don't really "need" one on any boat, but it sure makes life easier. When you're under power in a dead calm Otto can take over while you read. Otto can handle the helm while you go forward to hoist sails or shorten them up. Wind vanes are great in long passages where the wind will be pretty consistent in direction. In fluky conditions or when it gets chopped up with buildings or other large boats etc. less so. Each has it's place and makes sailing easier but sailors sailed for thousands of years without either of them. If your mizzen boom doesn't reach beyond the stern more than about a foot or so you have room for a windvane. As always these things depend upon the type of sailing one does. If you mainly just sail for a couple of hours in the afternoon I wouldn't think it's worth the investment. If you're doing any serious cruising along shorelines an autopilot is worth the cost -- at least it is to me, and to most sailors who aren't absolute purists. Hope my two cents helps.

TacCambria@thegrid.net

[Michael]

Tom -

thanks for the reply, started to think, nobody had an interest in the subject. Used to have a 47" ketch with a Robertson autopilot (excellent), but since every boat is different I thought maybe I could get some specific info on the CD30 ketch, which I made an offer on.
My 47 sailed itself, but I always used the Robertson; it was so reliable and I would wake up instantly when the motor patterns changed (faster than when motion patterns changed), which in general made me sleep better on longer passages.
Theoretically though one would really need only a very small, inexpensive autopilot to steer under motor, with some sort of mechanical advantage. (some attach it to the vane part of a windsteering device)

Regards

Michael



mfischer@thing.net

[Olli Wendelin]

My 1977 CD30 ketch came with the mounts for a Monitor windvane. Unfortunately the previous owners kept the windvane. I have wormgear steering. The boat tracks well and the wheel dosn't spin. I haven't really felt the need for any self steering. Note that I usually sail with a crew.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil