Recent posts

#21

Precision / Re: Self-steering fix

Last post by Riggerdood - Aug 22, 2026, 04:35 PM

Agreed, there's definitely something to be said for simplicity. I do like the auto tiller, but I still have the tiller clutch for backup. And there are some situations where I'll just pop the clutch on quick if I need two hands free for a few seconds. Also, I use the clutch for going hove to.

#22

Precision / Re: Self-steering fix

Last post by Brian N. - Aug 22, 2026, 11:02 AM

When going out solo, some type of self steering is necessary, even if it is not perfect. With the bungee set up, I have enough time to cut the engine and raise the sails. I try to head for dead upwind, but even if I am close hauled the bungee setup gives me time to leave the tiller. It gives me a break for a two handed lunch, or a minute to relieve the bladder after two cups of coffee. On some days which are "drifters" I can set the tiller and sit on the bow relaxing or hang my legs over the side, or fiddle with the sail trim. Best of all, no battery, cheap, replacement parts always handy.

#23

Tales and Trip Reports / Re: NAB: (Not About Boating) H...

Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 22, 2026, 09:15 AM

Charles, that picture was taken the moment of unboxing and is proof that I speak truly when I say I'm a novice  The  squeaks and squawks are STILL awful and Sonya commented, "OH CRAP! I've been through a couple of trumpets, a piano student, and now THIS?" 
I did shut her up though when she was ranting about me not doing the same old same old routine the book laid out. (Typical woman rant). I think it was frustration from listening to failures. And I was trying to explain that I was still trying to play the SCALES. So I played SOMETHING, spur of the moment; dead simple, and she sez, "Well....I see. Congratulations"
 And I just thought those low notes required technical skill!!! Yes, a long way to go. I'm still learning mechanics and notes. But Oh buddy! When Louise was speaking it was awesome!! Could I repeat it?
 Not reliably...

#24

Tales and Trip Reports / Re: NAB: (Not About Boating) H...

Last post by Doug SC - Aug 22, 2026, 06:51 AM

Playing how you feel...The Native American Flute lends itself to that and it gave me a path to making music. I also enjoy making them. I picked up a plastic soprano ukulele for something new to do in 2020. They have a history of being a shipboard instrument and can also be stowed in my sea kayak. Being blessed with big hands and fat fingers it proved difficult to play some cords, so I bought a nice tenor ukulele. I learned a few songs but mostly enjoy making my own compositions just like I do with the NAF. A sax seems out of my league.

#25

Tales and Trip Reports / Re: NAB: (Not About Boating) H...

Last post by Frank B. - Aug 22, 2026, 06:35 AM

Yep that might help.

I missed this first time around and would have been good to see on Fathers day, bringing back memories of my Dad. He played the alto sax and clarinet as a part time job for sixty years, literally in bands anywhere we lived. When he retired from the Navy and moved to Biloxi he was in a number of bands all genres, rock, country, dixieland jazz, and his favorite, although not often needed, forties big band. Riley you may be familiar with Marion Carpenter, AKA "Prof" Carpenter, long time coast musician, band director at Biloxi high and music store owner.  My dad played in several of his bands including a dixieland band that played the coast hotels on weekend brunches.

My Dad "Huck" Boettcher was inducted into the Mississippi Gulf Coast Jazz hall of fame.  Ironically he couldn't read music, played all those years by memory and ear.

Me? I didn't get the talent pass through, although my sons did.  Struggled to maintain a third chair status at Notre Dame HS band.

#26

Precision / Re: Self-steering fix

Last post by Riggerdood - Aug 21, 2026, 08:41 PM

I've seen a number of self-steering arrangement diagrams like that Brian, that use some form of interaction between sheets and tiller/wheel, but I've never tried it. Another thing I'm curious about are windvane systems, which I've also not seen in person. I've been meaning to do some studying up on how they work.

#27

Tales and Trip Reports / Re: NAB: (Not About Boating) H...

Last post by Charles Brennan - Aug 21, 2026, 06:02 PM

Riley, Ummmm . . . . . Have you tried rotating the mouthpiece 180º, so that the reed is against your lower lip? 
Ya know . . . . like all the other saxophone players do?   

Just wondering . . . . . 
Charles Brennan

#28

Precision / Self-steering fix

Last post by Brian N. - Aug 21, 2026, 05:21 PM

I recently read about a sailing catamaran crossing from Ecuador to Easter Island. Not too far into the passage their autopilot failed beyond repair and they had no backup. The sailors then rigged what I call the "Chepo- Bungee2000 auto pilot". Basically a pair of Bungees rigged to the sheets and wheel. They sailed roughly 1800 miles on this system. On my little Precision 165 I use the single bungee system (Chepo-Bungee1000) tied to the tiller. It works well enough to leave the tiller for several minutes     . Sometimes simple is best.

#29

Tales and Trip Reports / Re: NAB: (Not About Boating) H...

Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 21, 2026, 01:40 PM

And so, Louise can be....ah, difficult. Maybe that's the expression. There are lots of notes and keys and I'm a novice. Almost immediately I could make some sound but that ain't nothing. I couldn't yet make the sound I WANTED to make. Not yet. But she has let me in on a few sounds already. And once, early one morning, without a soul around, I played how I felt. For several notes, high and low and in-between. With TREMELO to boot! Yes, a novice music student. Learning and experimenting and learning some more. One day, if I live long enough, I'll be able to play what I feel at the drop of a hat.

 And that feeling is a very grand thing. Here's to music and imagination and sound that will wrap your soul up in a nice bundle!

#30

TSBB General Talk / Re: Splashed "Seas the Day"!

Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 21, 2026, 01:29 PM

Yay! Let the games begin!!!