Lee helm

[HAL]

I read that lee helm is dangerous. In what situations is this so and why?
I assume if your helm starts at lee with flat sailing and then goes to neutral, and then to weather as the wind and heel builds, there would be no problem with this lee helm effect?

 

[TC22454]

Weather helm turns your boat into the wind and stalls it. Lee helm turns you stern on.

 

[sailingdog]

If you fall off the boat, a boat with weather helm will generally head up and stop moving... with lee helm, it will turn down and run away from you....

Also, a slight bit of weather helm helps the rudder generate lift when you're heading upwind and helps prevent leeway. Lee helm just generates drag....and does nothing to prevent leeway.

 

[newly anonymous]

it's not just about falling overboard

weather helm leads to rounding up when overpowered while lee helm leads to rounding down. The nice thing about rounding up is that at some point your heading dead upwind and you'll be able to get the boat back under control. This is not the case when you round down, and if excessive lee helm keeps you there, you're stuck. The only thing you can do is blow the jib sheet, hoping that enough weather helm will result to round you back up.

note that some boats have slight lee helm in light air, but that this transitions to weather helm in a blow.

 

[Seattle Scott]

I read that lee helm is dangerous. In what situations is this so and why?
I assume if your helm starts at lee with flat sailing and then goes to neutral, and then to weather as the wind and heel builds, there would be no problem with this lee helm effect?

Hal, your assumption is correct

 

[Alan]

Not to mention....

...that lee helm is a performance killer for all points of sail. Having lee helm means your rig has not been set up properly which will kill sailing performance.

Have your mast rake checked. It probably needs to be increased by lengthening the headstay. A general rule of thumb is 1% to 2% mast rake.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Re: Not to mention....

Mast rakes are different for all boats. See your manufacturer for appropriate rake. I have a 1984 Pearson 303... I think the mast rake is 4 1/2" at goose neck. Hang a weight on your main halyard... and measure distance between halyard and goose neck.

 

[HAL]

Helm thanks

Thanks. I don’t want lee helm, which I’m working on, but as long as it doesn’t get worse with increasing wind its not dangerous

 

[Alan]

Rich

Mast rake is a variable from the manufacturers specs. These specs are just an average number for the average sailing conditions. Your Pearson 303 mast rake spec of 4 1/2" is exactly 1% rake. If you were living in a high wind area that number could be reduced. Likewise if you sailed in a light wind area that number would be increased for best performance.
In general, carrying as much rake as is comfortable for the helm to maintain a small amount of weather helm (5 to 10 degrees) is the optimal condition.