Hello everyone,

First post & happy to be here.

Just had the steering repaired, due to a wild Westerly, & not tying off the wheel.

Is it a safe option to engage the auto pilot, (just clicking down the lever to mechanically hold the wheel. No electrics.)when moored, rather than lashing the wheel down with rope. ?

The reason I'm asking, is that the sailmaker is making up a wheel cover for the boat. If it's best to be tied off, he'll have to modify the cover to suit.

The boat is a Northshore 340.



Thanks in advance.
Cheers Chris

scruzin said..
Welcome to Seabreeze!

I would secure the steering wheel mechanically by means of the tightening the wheel nut. If the wheel nut is sufficiently tight, no additional lashing of the wheel should be necessary.

As for the autopilot, that should always be disengaged at anchor.

Depends on the autopilot. If it's a hydraulic drive it will be disengaged any way, if it's got some guts like a CPT you wont hurt it- but don't you have a wheel brake on the pedestal?