Steering wheel solutions?

There are likely others who, like me, have the need to abandon the helm from time to time but can't justify a full blown auto-pilot. I wonder whether there might not be creative solutions others have come up with to secure the helm for a quick trip below.

I did get responses when I posted this on the Albin site but the issue is really one of general trawlery application.

Put transmission in neutral and engine at idle, when there are no immediate threats.

markpierce said:

Put transmission in neutral and engine at idle, when there are not immediate threats.

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Yup.

That's what I have to do now, but not satisfactory if I want to continue on a longish cruise but get a break from the helm. Even on a motorcycle you can get a throttle lock to relieve the throttle hand. When I sailed back in the day it was very helpful to have the use of the wheel tensioner, so I don't understand why power boaters are content to do without something similar.

That's why it's best to have someone else on-board to take control when one is "distracted/occupied."

With all due respect, look at the "blunder" thread. You might find a way to secure the wheel but then you might be tempted to go below. Then if you fell, tripped, attend another urgency, you will go motoring off into the sunset and we will be reading about you on another thread... But then again, I am impugning your seamanship and don't mean to be offensive; I love an autopilot... Have you tried a bungy cord?

Sunset said:

There are likely others who, like me, have the need to abandon the helm from time to time but can't justify a full blown auto-pilot. I wonder whether there might not be creative solutions others have come up with to secure the helm for a quick trip below.

I did get responses when I posted this on the Albin site but the issue is really one of general trawlery application.

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Even with autopilot..trips below are still a timing thing...at your speed...what will you run into first if the moment you leave the wheel you head straight for that object???...of if possible...another vessel enters the picture and ignores you totally....how long would you have anyway???

If your vessel wanders off course quickly...then only an autopilot is gonna cut it...unless you just have a loose wheel and some sort of fractioning device or rod with a couple clamps on it would fix it quickly.

When I bought my boat an autopilot wasn't on the list of must-haves, but the boat of choice happened to have a 30 year old Autohelm 2000. Now I couldn't live without it.

Idling the boat in neutral in a rough sea, when the boat rolls with the swell on the beam isn't fun, and can be dangerous.

A second hand autopilot such as mine can be picked up on ebay for a couple hundred bucks, and is easy to install. Mine only follows a simple direct heading, and comes with a remote control (on a 20 ft lead) allowing me to laze on the bow making heading adjustments as necessary.

Buy and install a cheap one. You'll never regret it.

Sunset said:

That's what I have to do now, but not satisfactory if I want to continue on a longish cruise but get a break from the helm. Even on a motorcycle you can get a throttle lock to relieve the throttle hand. When I sailed back in the day it was very helpful to have the use of the wheel tensioner, so I don't understand why power boaters are content to do without something similar.

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The difference is that on a motorcycle you can set the throttle control to maintain speed, but there are two differences between that and a boat. The first is that on a motorcycle you're not going to leave the driver's seat to go take a leak or grab a sandwich. Secondly, the autopilot does not control the speed, it controls the direction the boat is pointed.

Also, with your comment on sailing...there's a big difference between having a wheel tensioner to control the wheel while you're sitting there and setting an autopilot to go below.

As was mentioned already, the ONLY safe way to go below for any reason is to have some take over the helm for you. Or put it in neutral until you get back.

Otto (Auto Nav) steers my boat the majority of time.



Allowing the opportunity for checking charts and, not shown, looking out.

Tieing or otherwise securing a wheel in a hydraulic steering system is useless. Unless something is seriously wrong in the system there is no push back from the rudder. You can set the wheel and it and the rudder will stay put. The problem is the currents, wind and the waves are always pushing the vessel one way or another. To boot on my boat, it's small enough, that my own movement from one side to the other is enough to affect the course stability.

In a cable steering system tieing may help but even if the wheel is tied I'll bet you can't trust it for long. The wheel won't move but the boat will be pushed.

Some boats will be better than others of course depending upon hull ,keel and rudder design but the above still stands.

GFC said:

As was mentioned already, the ONLY safe way to go below for any reason is to have some take over the helm for you. Or put it in neutral until you get back.

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I am out single-handed, probably 50% of the time. In deep open water, miles from shore without a boat in sight, going below for a short time the risk when leaving the helm unattended for a short time is very low. Engine checks still need to be done, toilet breaks, making lunch etc, In rough seas, the risk of moving around the boat while idling in neutral, beam on to the swell is probably higher.

There is no 100% rule. Assess the risk, and make an informed decision on how long you can be away from the helm, based on where you are, and the conditions around you.

A sailboat ram rod AP is quite cheap , even new.

The hassle is with a Hyd helm it may or may not go crazy after a while.

For 10-15 min , no sweat , but the lack of a true center , and different leakage going L or R eventually drive it nuts.

I think the factors and limitations concerning "Helm Stray" have been more or less covered here. I have tried the bungee thing with mixed success. AusCan's comments encourage me to explore the used ebay route. After all, I have all winter to find something!

Check the current thread - "part out or scrap" which shows a functioning AP. Better yet, Bob will sell you the whole boat for a really good price!

Save up and install the auto pilot. After a week of cruising , you'll wonder why you waited so long.

Every cruising boat I've owned have had a pilot - I rarely steer by hand. Great for doing navigation, making lunch, etc., etc.

Sunshine has a wheel attached to the hydraulic steering. It was used once, in 2008, during initial sea trials prior to the installation of the fly by wire/auto pilot. We manually steer using the follow up steering of the pilot when not in pilot or nav mode.

I'm not suggesting using our type of system. Check out eBay or Craig's list.

Yes, I had AP on the sailboat and it was a delight. Thinking back on it motivates me to go in that direction.

rjtrane said:

Save up and install the auto pilot. After a week of cruising , you'll wonder why you waited so long.

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True. I just installed one last spring and it completely changed the boating experience.

THAT SAID... It also will make parts of the trip a little more boring. You'll need to find things to occupy your brain without taking all eyes off your watch.

Sunset said:

There are likely others who, like me, have the need to abandon the helm from time to time but can't justify a full blown auto-pilot.

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Not creative but I did install a cleat just beside my wheel. With a bungee cord, it's almost satisfactory. The bungee allows me to turn the wheel should I spot a crab pot but Seaweed does not track well.

To compensate for that I turn on OpenCpn and aim the screen toward the galley so I can make adjustments as necessary. Yes, of course I check for other boats but the screen lets me confirm that I'm within the channel.

My method would work well if the boat tracked. Seaweed must be steered for the most part which does cause me more than a little consternation. When I ran our 40' boat as a kidlet, my daddy upon coming up to the bridge would check the wake. He believed that a crooked trail meant I'd not steered properly -- and worse, had wasted fuel. So looking at the meandering pathway I leave behind is a bit disheartening.

I didn't know though that autopilots could be had for $200. That's news, and something I'll explore further one day. Running a compass course would be just about perfect. Mostly that's what I do by hand anyway so I'll look further at AP's. Thanks, and good luck!

Thanks Janice - love Seaweed btw! I might try the cleat idea until locating an appropriate AP. Cheers!

Thanks Sunset for the compliment re my Seaweed. Small boats are fun, aren't they? I can't believe how fortunate I am to have my home and be able to be out here enjoying life on the hook. So few people realize their dreams that just having a boat is a big step. And Albin's are nice. I'd looked at those too for a time.

Years ago I knew a girl who lived on a 25' Chris Craft which was laid out much like your Albin. Her daddy had a sports-fish and mom had a double cabin cruiser. They were quite the show when they moved the boats -- like little ducklings (with crew of course) but the girl had the 25'er all to her self. That was just the height of life to my young eyes. And she had a dog, named Rags. I wanted a dog (and a horse too) but for some reason (sanity?) my folks felt nothing with four feet would work on the boat.

That's not to say I didn't have a series of turtles that would escape their cage and go over the side. I suspect Mother helped them escape -- she wasn't fond of critters.

I'm glad you started the thread though - $200 for an auto pilot is within my budget (after the engine swap that is) and running a compass course is ideal. That's what I do just by habit so to have the thing steer hopefully will make my trail straighter, and burn less fuel.

I had a Simrad AP on our Albin 25 but we haven't felt the need aboard Willy. The hydraulic steering really helps. But I remember the viscous snap roll on the Albin. You don't want to get lined up w 1 to 2' seas abeam on that boat. Very few negatives on the Albin but while solo w/o AP using the head may convert one to going like the girls do ... seated .. or you may pee all over the place.

One of my favourite remarks in a Brit Motorcycle mag in a bike review: "It holds a line like Robert Downey Jr." - couldn't accuse the Albin of that!

Sunset,
I was referring to her roll instability not directional stability.

I put a Raymarine AP on our Albin27. It was one of the smartest things I did with that labor of love.

manyboats said:

Sunset,
I was referring to her roll instability not directional stability.

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Actually I was mainly looking for an opportunity to use that line. Though you can't wander far from the unsecured helm of this boat.

Inexpensive wheel pilot. Find 'em on e-Bay.

BaltimoreLurker said:

Inexpensive wheel pilot. Find 'em on e-Bay.

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What exactly are they?

The wheel pilots have been around for more than 30 years and are simple and dependable. My Autohelm 2000 setup consists of a drive motor and wheel flange which bolts behind your helm wheel (easy installation), and a small control panel with internal compass.
To engage the autopilot, you just pull down a lever, which clamps the flange to your helm wheel, and then push the "AUTO" button. The drive motor then adjusts your helm wheel to keep you on your current heading. It won't follow a plotted course, but holds a straight line perfectly.

You can press +10, -10 to adjust your heading 10 degrees at a time either way, or +1 , -1 for fine adjustments. A remote control for adjusting it is also available. All too easy.

The only time mine occasionally fails, is when I'm going really slow (<3 knots) in rough seas, and then it gives a loud beeping telling me it is confused. If I pick up a little speed for better rudder control it will hold its course under all conditions.

Wheel pilots work best with mechanical steering , rod , cable and chain , whatever.

Some hyd steering will drive them crazy , the question is how quickly.

IF it steers long enough that you can live with the time , the wheel is a really inexpensive good choice.

To make an attempt to decide , simply mark the wheel with a piece of tale , and see how far the tape is from where it started at the end of 30 min or an hour.