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 Wearher Helm		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts
Initially Posted - 04/09/2014 :  04:18:32  Show Profile
I took an avid old time sailor out a couple of weeks ago and he commented about the lack of weather helm on my boat and suggested that I rake the mast back a little. I took an inch out of the back stay to move the mast head back. (There is no more available adjustment in the turnbuckle) Took the boat out again and there did not seem to be a change. I have a balanced rudder. I am thinking that may contribute to the lack of weather as well as the mid boom sheeting I have. I have a new main (sailed three times) and a reconditioned jib (150 on furler). Any thoughts?
1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth



Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts
Response Posted - 04/09/2014 :  04:28:11  Show Profile
Could be that the old timer was use to sailing with a lot more weather helm and your boat is a little more balanced. Bottom line is if your happy with the way your boat feels/preforms then why knock your self out to change it.
Edited by - islander on 04/09/2014 04:31:03
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts
Response Posted - 04/09/2014 :  07:56:13  Show Profile
What was the windspeed when your friend sailed with you? In light air, if the rig is well tuned, you really can't feel weather helm, because the tiller pressure is so light, especially with a balanced rudder. The best time to judge whether the rig is tuned correctly is in moderate or stronger winds. If it has a comfortable weather helm in moderate or stronger winds, then it should be fine. If you let the tiller go in moderate or stronger winds, and if the boat gradually heads up to windward, then the adjustment is probably pretty close to what it should be. If the boat bears away from the wind when you let the tiller go, then you need to get more serious about finding a remedy.

If you can't adjust the backstay turnbuckle enough to give it reasonable weather helm, then the backstay almost has to be too long. That might mean that the backstay was manufactured too long, or it might mean that a previous owner added or changed something in the turnbuckle hardware that had the effect of lengthening the backstay. In short, if you find that the boat really doesn't have adequate weather helm, you should examine and measure the backstay and the turnbuckle to see if they meet factory specs. In theory at least, if the backstay and turnbuckle meet factory specs, then you should have adequate adjustability to tune the rig correctly.
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 04/09/2014 :  13:36:19  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Concur with Steve. I would go further and measure all of the shrouds and stays! Could be a PO modified the rig slightly.

Paul
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts
Response Posted - 04/09/2014 :  18:31:48  Show Profile
Did you ease the forestay by the same amount? If not, the mast rake might not change much. And for changing rake without bending, the lower shrouds might need some slight tuning, too. But agreed--judge it in moderate winds (10+). And your balanced rudder may have faked out the old-timer. Lee helm (what Steve describes) is not recommended, and a completely neutral helm, in my opinion, feels weird. (I'm an old-timer.) Incidentally, serious racers tell me a little weather helm is fastest.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.