Sailing Skills self steering downwind sheet to tiller on Lake Erie

9/19/2024 sailing on Lake Erie from Geneva Ohio to Lorain Ohio 70 Miles Sailboat is a Watkins 27 the weather was 10 MPH North East winds. Started at 2:30 arrived at 11:30 am the next day (21 hours). Sailed for 55 miles until the wind dropped and my sailing speed was 1 mph. Decided to motor for the last 15 miles at 5 mph. Sailed sheet to tiller for 55 miles,18 hours with an average speed of about 3 MPH, with 2 course adjustments. 1st Course adjustment - Sailed 20 miles near Fairport Harbor then changed course for downtown Cleveland. 2nd Course adjustment - at about the 40 Mile mark I decided to skip Cleveland and continue to Loran. If I waited any longer I would not be able to clear Avon Point with just one course change. Some key points 1. First Balance your sailboat You know the boat is balanced because the tiller should be almost centered. 2. When you are sailing downwind attach the control line to the jib When you are going upwind attach the control line to the main sheet. Both downwind and upwind the control line is pulling the tiller to windward. This video only shows sailing downwind. 3. Make sure the control line does not rub against anything or it will not have a strong a pull on the tiller. On my sailboat I route the control from the jib sheet to a block on the same side as the jib sheet (leeward side) then across the cockpit to another block on the windward side then to the tiller. I use a 3rd block to make it easier to adjust but this is optional. Others run the control across the cabin top first. It does not matter just make sure it does not lose any power by rubbing against anything. 4. Once the control line is attached pull it tight until the jib sheet is a little slack then slaked the jib sheet a little more putting all of the load on the control line. 5. The bungee is always on the leeward side for both downwind or upwind sailing. The bungee should pull the tiller to the center (balance position) when the control line is slack. If the bungee pulls the tiller past the center (balance position) you will be over steering making a large S pattern and risking a uncontrolled gybe. Hope this helps