Winter Sailing in California

[Aweigh329]

The weather out here in Cali is tough in January but we had a nice day anyway. Have a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_vVwwx5s98

[Ganges #363]

Very cool. What kind of autopilot do you have?

East coasters should note, however, that California is entering its third year of drought. Cold and wet January days would be better, overall.

Bill
Ganges #363

[Aweigh329]

The "auto pilot" is a ForeSpar telescoping tiller extention. About $89 at West Marine. Works great for dropping sail when short handed or getting video shots from the bow. (or a quick dash below for a cold one).
Cheers

[Ganges #363]

I've never seen one of those, thanks. I'm going to be looking into one.

Perfect music on the video by the way. One of my all time favorites.

Bill
Ganges #363

[Aweigh329]

Bill, I find the "stick" is really great for those long downwind cruises when you want to sit up on the stern deck. You can still steer without being at the tiller. I started using one of these in my old Hobie cat days.

[Quetzalsailor]

I used a wood tiller extension on the Morgan 27. It allowed me to sit up on the coaming, leaning back against the padded lifelines whose stanchions were made to hinge outwards for comfort.

One day, I snagged the extension during a tack with oncoming powerboat-dummy making the maneuver very important. The extension bowed almost double before exploding in a shower of wood splinters.

I made the replacement using a trash-picked Ash hockey stick and a lump of Walnut for the handle. Lighter, and longer than the usual Forespar...and prettier.

[Figment]

A golf club shaft mates nicely to those little forespar knuckle fittings.