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Date Posted: - Tuesday - 01/13/04 - 7:27pm
Author: Ed Podany
Author Host/IP: sdn-ap-036ilchicP0490.dialsprint.net / 158.254.81.236
Subject: Re: Self Steering for M32
In reply to: David Paterson 's message, "Self Steering for M32" on - Thursday - 01/ 8/04 - 6:58pm

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.

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Replies:

[> 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!

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[> [> 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.

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