Hi all

I often go sailing with a mate of mine on my boat and as a rule he steers (he is as good as me on the tiller) and i prefer to look after the head sail sheets, keep a eye on the sails and generally just wander round the boat fiddling with stuff

Just wondering if this is what others do or do you normally steer your own

Regards Don

Hi Don,
I prefer trimming and foredeck. I'll helm for the start of a race though, it's my fault then if we bump into someone

I usually have three onboard, namely I, me & myself.

Haven't figured out who does what yet

My favorite spot to sit on the boat when someone else is steering is on top the pushpit on port side where i can hang on to the back stay with my right hand and see everything that is happening on the boat

In this photo i am on the tiller but normally i try not to be

Regards Don

I mostly sail solo, and then the tiller-pilot steers about 99% of the time. When I have guests or crew, it is pretty much up to them to steer as much or as little as they like.

Cheers, Graeme

if it's family, then the boss steers out through the moorings and I raise the sails.
After that, everyone usually has a go on the helm, usually trying to beat the previous persons boatspeed.
If anyone feels seedy, then I usually suggest they steer.

With visitors, once we are underway and the boats settled, then they can steer, '"just like driving a car except there's no lanes, and there's still idiots to watch for"'.
Once they have a go on the helm, the sailing bug bites.

Coming back in, again its my better half on the helm and I pick up the mooring.

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Donk107 said..
My favorite spot to sit on the boat when someone else is steering is on top the pushpit on port side where i can hang on to the back stay with my right hand and see everything that is happening on the boat

In this photo i am on the tiller but normally i try not to be

Regards Don

Gorgeous photo.

Hi Phoenix

We are lucky down here because we have a race starter who is keen photographer and she takes great photo's with her long lens

This is my favorite one she has taken of my boat

Regards Don

Do I steer with others on board??

I avoid it as much as possible. Being on the helm is like being in prison or in hand cuffs. When you are stuck on the helm you have to ask somebody to get what you need like a drink of water or a bite to eat. You have to ask somebody to do what needs doing like trim the sheets, make the coffee, start or stop the engine, check the head sea cocks are closed or check on your position on the chart.

With competent crew aboard I take my tricks on the tiller. With incompetent crew aboard I put one of them on the helm and issue steering commands and take overall command of the vessel.

I have never seen the Commander of a war ship on the helm, however if the day is fine, the winds are fair and the yacht is sailing sweet, I own the tiller and am happy to be on it all day.

I get Ray to steer as much as possible and use the remote to make small corrections from anywhere I happen to be. If I'm down below I leave it on but get someone to keep watch and show them how to take over manually if needs be.

Much the same as Crusty for us. If we are racing and are short handed, I will do the foredeck stuff and the Admiral will take the helm. Passages or cruising, we swap every couple of hours. The Admiral does not like handling mooring lines, so that is my job.

When I am my mates boat I steer, when he is on mine he steers. I think it's because I know where every thing is kept and how I rig it up so it's easier to put the kettle on start the engine and head out while I set it up.

I like the auto pilot once we clear the harbour in Mackay and a few reefs off the channel then sometimes I steer for a long time when it gets light and the wind shifts a lot. I like teaching others how to steer as they get more out of sailing This was my sister steering into a 40knot blow leaving Scawfell Island she loved the experience.

I steer when the helm is critical. I navigate when nav is critical. I work the Fleming or SIMRAD when they are critical. I manage the sails when that is critical. In short, my view is the owner places him or her self at the critical position.
I let others do all these and many more things when the circumstances warrant it.
I only go forard of the mast to pay the tradesman. Not that big an issue because nobody needs to go forard of MB's mast at sea.

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MorningBird said..
I only go forard of the mast to pay the tradesman. Not that big an issue because nobody needs to go forard of MB's mast at sea.

Well when you want to make a nice vid like this some one has to go forward. Did the CD arrive??

I always steer. ...I just feel more in control.

Boats not so big and we are never in a hurry so I am conformable to swear and yell at the deck rats from the tiller

Are we talking about racing or cruising?

If racing, one would understand the importance of being in control. This is Captain Bligh territory .

If cruising, helming is going to become a pain in the rectum in a day or so. I share Cisco's view on the subject. Getting stuck at the helm is not a nice thing, so any help will do. Unsuspecting members of the crew if available or one can set up a self steering rig, use a wind vane or the autopilot. With remote control.

i agree with sir gallivant
when racing i always steer at the start on short courses i steer upwind and often downwind longer courses and ocean racing most peopel on board get to hang onto the stick
when cruising if the engine is on andy the auto steers when sailing whoever feels like it if its long passages auto is used a fair bit but once it gets over 25 we tend to hand steer

I steer till we are out there, then I always offer those on board to have a steer if they want