Breeeze

The block and tackle under the cabin deck give a 1:4 purchase, so it takes 4 times the force to move the rudder from outside the boat (as a wave would do when hitting the rudder) than moving the rudder using the steering rope. The rope is tightest when the rudder is straight, and somewhat slack when pulled/pushed over, so there is a feel for the rudder angle (marking the rope helps, in addition). The advantage is that the rudder won't move from where you set it. The rope steering is very nice, one can steer from anywhere in the boat, very handy when picking up a mooring line or an anchor. It takes a bit getting used to, but then it becomes second nature. The boat steers itself, once set on a course, and adjusts to windshifts without much steering (has nothing to do with the rope steering but with the great design job of N.G. Herreshoff. This is a great boat! Best,

I finished my Coquina in September and had a great shakedown sail. This is an amazing boat! I can highly recommend the design. I had no boatbuilding experience other than stitch and glue kayaks and some small furniture and found the building very manageable. I built to Doug Hylan's plans (http://www.dhylanboats.com/), and loved building as much as I do love sailing the boat. She handles very so well and is an ideal day sailer for single handing, but also for several persons. Please check my website and spread the word. I hope my experience will encourage others to build a boat to the same design - they won't regret. Check my site for pictures and more... Breeze http://web.me.com/w123.153