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Paul,
you must first get the sails balanced to sea condition, once you do that and can leave you hand off the wheel for 30 seconds or more, run a bungie on both sides of the wheel. This will allow the boat to sail on a semi course depending on wind and wave conditions. Sometimes 30 min. or more in right conditions.
Key is balance the boat with your sails,waves and wind. You will know this when you can fingertip the wheel for movements and not playing the wheel. The rudders and centerboard will cut thru the water like a Bahama Mama on a hot day.
Dave

kitcat wrote:I normally go out on my 26M with my wife, but went for a little bumble around on my own the other day, and whilst, frankly, the wind was a little too gusty to use the main, , I used the standard roller jib, but was left wondering how you single handed guys lash the helm if and when you have to leave it for a bit. I did play around with some rope between the two mooring cleats, either side of the cockpit and around the spoke and rim, which worked OK, but was wondering if there is a better way of doing things?

Oh for a reasonably priced Mac specific autopilot!

Paul.

Having once experienced the delightful sailing conditions in Florida waters, I can easily imagine being able to balance sails to wind and sea conditions as described. I fondly recall sailing on a reach for several incredible hours on one passage. Here on our Northwest waters, both freshwater and salt (Puget Sound and around), sailing like that is just something to dream about. The many steep shored islands and headlands, narrow channels, and strong currents on the Sound, and the mountainous terrain surrounding our freshwater lakes, generally translate into constant attention to sheets and wheel while under sail. However, that same rugged terrain does make for some great scenery.

I have been using the Genoa sheet wrapped twice around the hub of the steering wheel to create a sort of friction clutch. It works great and I just secure it on the throttle and around the Garmin base to hold it. It easy to make a small correction and we sailed hours only touching it occasionally. My biggest worry if falling asleep and ending up 20+ miles up or down the coast!

Technically this is a really cheezy version of the steering brake sold at Kelley-Hansen Marine.

Poor Man's Autopilot
http://www.kellyhansonmarine.com/apps/w ... how/115903

I am going to try a bungie the next time I am out as that might just be the ticket.

Jim

An even poorer man's autopilot!

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1143