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Hello I like to sail more often this year. But I need to learn to do it alone.
I see a problem because my 26 M does not keep course when I let the steering wheel go.
No matter while motoring at low speed or sailing.
How do you fix the steering wheel to keep course?
Straight forward and while turns?

Thanks for your opinions.
Rainer

My solution. Not as nice as some but it works. I used leather on the inside friction pad.

Pretty much everyone who has one will tell you the best modification they ever made to their Macgregor was an autopilot.

Bobglas wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 12:12 pm My solution. Not as nice as some but it works. I used leather on the inside friction pad.

I have this. First thing I put on the boat.

The M will mind herself very nicely while you adjust whatever you need to. You just need to learn her quirks. I singlehanded exclusively and I probably sail more than the average. Install the wheel lock. Install the mainsail slides if you haven’t already.

Ix

I bought one of these. I haven't installed it yet.

http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5723-1v0.htm

If you are sailing you should be able to balance your sails so that the boat will stay on course without having to keep your hands on the wheel. I've sailed many continuous miles without ever touching the wheel. This assumes minimal wave action and relatively steady winds. It also assumes you are not going to be moving around much (I'm usually dozing across the stern seats ) Our boats are very sensitive to shifting weight and will change course if a couple of hundred or so pounds starts walking around.

An alternative for use with the engine as well as sailing is a bungie cord on the steering wheel.

In all cases, including autopilots, be absolutely sure you can't fall overboard if you are using something other than human hands to steer the boat.

Shoeni said:

Hello I like to sail more often this year. But I need to learn to do it alone.

Shoeni,

All of the above responses are directed at your question, but you also said you intend to solo sail.

To cut down on the amount of time you leave the helm, you should run all of your lines to the cockpit. When all lines are accessible from the cockpit, you don't go on deck to concern yourself about raising/lowering the main. Raising/lowering the halyard. If you have some version of Easycleats, the roller furling genoa lines are along side you.

If you have already installed those mods.........................................Never Mind

Have you checked to make sure your rudders and engine are all in line with each other? My rudders are not quite lined up. I notice it when I pull one rudder up the boat changes course.

Jeff

C Buchs wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 9:12 am Have you checked to make sure your rudders and engine are all in line with each other? My rudders are not quite lined up. I notice it when I pull one rudder up the boat changes course.

Jeff

When both rudders are down the forces steering the boat are effectively on the center line. If you raise one rudder all of the forces move from the center line to a line going through the remaining rudder. I'd be surprised if the boat did not change course

The old-timey solution is a loop of line that catches a wheel spoke.

Chip V.

Left knee or bungee cord

schoeni wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 9:59 am Hello I like to sail more often this year. But I need to learn to do it alone.
I see a problem because my 26 M does not keep course when I let the steering wheel go.
No matter while motoring at low speed or sailing.
How do you fix the steering wheel to keep course?
Straight forward and while turns?

Thanks for your opinions.
Rainer

dlandersson wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 3:39 pm Left knee or bungee cord

schoeni wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 9:59 am Hello I like to sail more often this year. But I need to learn to do it alone.
I see a problem because my 26 M does not keep course when I let the steering wheel go.
No matter while motoring at low speed or sailing.
How do you fix the steering wheel to keep course?
Straight forward and while turns?

Thanks for your opinions.
Rainer

DL,

You should have posted a shot from your other post. “Wish I had know about this last Fall.”

Yeah, I’m old skool... I just use a bungee.

Agree with all above.

1. Run all lines aft.
2. Buy EZ cleats.
3. Bungie cord on wheel.

Be Free wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 9:25 am

C Buchs wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 9:12 am Have you checked to make sure your rudders and engine are all in line with each other? My rudders are not quite lined up. I notice it when I pull one rudder up the boat changes course.

Jeff

When both rudders are down the forces steering the boat are effectively on the center line. If you raise one rudder all of the forces move from the center line to a line going through the remaining rudder. I'd be surprised if the boat did not change course

My boat changes course a lot! On the trailer, if I point both rudders straight back, you can see that they are out of alignment. I need to bend my connecting rod to get them into alignment.

Jeff