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Date Posted: - Thursday - 01/ 8/04 - 6:58pm
Author: David Paterson
Author Host/IP: bgp481949bgs.summit01.nj.comcast.net / 68.37.164.192
Subject: Self Steering for M32

Happy New Year Mariner Owners,
I have been looking at an M32 to purchase but was wondering about self steering. I don't see any self steering gear on any of the pictures on the web. Does that mean that the boat dosen't need it or that the boats that I have seen don't do that kind of single handing?

TIA
David

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Replies:

[> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Randall Reeves, - Thursday - 01/ 8/04 - 9:04pm (64-161-221-131.opentable.com/64.161.221.131)

Mostly the latter.

Because of the full keel, Mariners do hold course well on a close reach, but unlike Slocum's Spray, I've yet to get Murre to balance well anything aft of that for any considerable time. It's a fun game, and I may get it after a while.

If you're on the west coast, check out Monitor wind vanes (servo pendulum type). I recently spoke w/them and they say they've installed on several Mariners. I also like Hydrovane (http://www.hydrovane.com/). It's not a servo pendalum type, and would provide an OK second rudder if your stearing gear has problems...which is damned unlikely.

You might read up on Bolero, a Mariner featured on the MOA site. Like many, he stayed away from wind vanes altogether and went with auto pilot. Single handed the Pacific with it, so it must work. You might try to reach him via email for more info.

Let us know what you decide.

RR

[Edit]
[> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Speedy, - Thursday - 01/ 8/04 - 9:05pm (NoHost/211.120.230.239)

David,
Sharon Adams used one on the boat she crossed the Pacific in. [photos on the link in the main page here]

For our boats, we require the rudder type-the kinds that do not have lines in the cockpit that turn the helm. Examples are Scanmar Moniors, Hydrovane, Vecta Vane, etc. This is because we have a four-plus stop to stop turning revolution with the worm steering.

Another reason you don't see too many on these Mariners is that they are balanced so well. It is possible to trim the sails, set the helm and not have to touch the wheel for hours. The only time I feel a real need for some automatic steering is off the wind.

[Edit]
[> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Kevin Larson, - Tuesday - 01/13/04 - 6:31pm (ppp-63-192-124-25.dialup.renocs.nvbell.net/63.192.124.25)

Hey David
Here goes my imput. There is a Mariner 31 here in the SF bay area that has a auto pilot. The owner has passed so I couldn't chat with him but the listing brokerage says it's a Cetec Benmar auto pilot. It's mounted inside the steering box and has a chain to sproket on the wheel shaft. I haven't followed up on the web to see if still in production but this might be an option for you.

Kevin Larson
Gold Dust M31

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[> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Ed Podany, - Tuesday - 01/13/04 - 7:27pm (sdn-ap-036ilchicP0490.dialsprint.net/158.254.81.236)

WE use a Simrad Wheelpilot 30 on Kialua, a 36' Tayana Mariner Ketch. Because she balances so well in anything but running downwind, and will track like a train on rails into the wind, (the mizzen can cure a lot of bad sail trim), the autopilot is used more for motoring. When the boat is balanced well the autopilot has very litle to do. Also a lot cheaper than a windvane. There was a very interesting article in January '04 Cruising World on a comparison of autopilots and windvanes.

[Edit]
[> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Don Edgar, - Friday - 01/16/04 - 9:35am (NoHost/63.119.78.4)

Manfred Klemme, on Invictus, a Mariner 32 in southern CA, has a "homemade" self steering system which, if memory serves, uses a sprocket from a motorcycle secured to the wheel shaft inside the steering gear box. The sprocket is then linked by chain to the drive motor, making it extremely rugged and avoiding the belt stretch so common with belt driven systems. I can't remember the motor and compass system Manfred used but it seemed to serve him well during his cruises. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to share the details.

Fair Winds to all,
Don Edgar
former owner of Invictus, a 31 Mariner, hull number 61
Cortez, Florida
PS Still check the BB regularly as it's hard to get Mariners out of your system. Now sailing an Allied Seawind II, another classic plastic!

[Edit]
[> [> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Manfred Klemme, - Wednesday - 01/21/04 - 12:13pm (adsl-67-116-216-162.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net/67.116.216.162)

The Autopilot on Invictus is a unit built by SHARP many years ago. The drive motor is indeed coupled to the steering shaft by a motorcycle chain and it works very well.

If you look at the picture of Invictus in the owners section you will see the RVG wind vane on the stern. This old system works very well too but you must remember to remove the small sail before a tack... the mizzen will wipe it out.

[Edit]

[> Re: Self Steering for M32 -- Fujijon, - Thursday - 02/12/04 - 7:53am (ca208-ch03-bl04.il-chicago0.sa.earthlink.net/207.69.137.37)

Cetec Benmar Marine website: http://www.benmarmarine.com/
They can overhaul old units.

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