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Do not expect your gear to steer a straight course if the sails constantly pull the
boat to one side, and the self-steerer has to correct this tendency before it can do its
job of keeping the yacht on course.
The mast should be tuned to render the
helm as neutral as possible
in medium
air. When a boat is steered by hand, it is recommended, for safety reasons, to tune
the rig with some weather helm so that if the rudder is left free, the boat heads up into
the wind and stops. Now that the boat is destined to make passages under self-
steerer, this safety feature is no longer desirable: if the helm is left free, the boat
should keep sailing in the same direction (as much as possible).
When under way, watch the course for a while: if the gear always corrects on the
same side, it might be that the sails are not set properly. Trim the sheets until the
oscillations are about equal on each side.
In selecting sail combinations, consider balance under sail. If the wind is aft of the
beam, favor sail area forward. On a broad reach, pole out a jib or a genoa as soon as
possible (keeping a second jib to leeward if necessary). This improves sail balance
and the boat sails a much truer course.
Reef when needed
As the wind builds up, a yacht acquires weather helm. This is normal and
desirable, up to a point. In fact, increasing weather helm is the first symptom of an
over-canvassed boat. Often, the wind freshens gradually and as there is no one at the
tiller or wheel, this added weather helm goes unnoticed. Whether it is steered by hand
or by a self-steerer, a yacht sails better with a moderate heel and the right amount of
sail. A self-steering system does not alleviate the necessity of reefing when
necessary.
Connection to electric autopilot
It is possible to connect an electric autopilot
to the servo-pendulum of the
Jean-du-Sud
and
Spray
models. Thus, the energy to turn the
rudder comes from the water flowing along the
hull, instead of coming from the batteries, and the smallest autopilot
can control a large yacht. Located just in front of the quadrant,
inside the lazarette, the autopilot will be protected from spray and
since it has a very light duty to perform, its life will be much longer.
A quick look at the photo suggests that the autopilot is connected
to the quadrant. Not true : it is connected to the forward end of the
co-axial rod that steers the servo-pendulum .
Connection on the Varuna and Joshua :
