26S weather helm - replace Genoa with jib?

[MaCS70]

Hello Everyone!

The old story: a 26S with a strong tendency of weather helm.
I have a 150% Genoa. Do you think that cropping it to 100-120% would help reduce the weather helm?

Thanks: MaCS

 

[Phil V25]

Bigger is not always better

Hello Everyone!

The old story: a 26S with a strong tendency of weather helm.
I have a 150% Genoa. Do you think that cropping it to 100-120% would help reduce the weather helm?

Thanks: MaCS

It took me sometime to figure out that each sail has a function. A genoa is not for beating into the wind. I have a 100% jib and love the way it improves handling on the boat. I will only use my 135 when I'm reaching and my lake doesn't allow that very often.

 

[Robspan]

Usually a big jenny is sheeted halfway or even farther back, so when it's sheeted in, the sheeted end pulls the stern down, causing weather helm.

But having said that, it's my experience that of the two primary sails, the main is the worse culprit. If you don't have a traveler, try attaching the main sheet lower, or reefing sooner.

There are others on this forum who have had very good experience with the Idasailor rudder's effect on reducing weather helm.

Finally, if all you have is a 150 that doesn't have roller furling, you should consider either roller furling or a small jib for safety reasons - in high winds, you don't want to have that much sail up.

 

[MaCS70]

dislike reefing

Thanks for your answers!

To tell the truth I dislike reefing. I have roller furling but using it or feefing the mainsail ruins the sail's geometry and I loce much more drive than what the reducement of the surface causes.
I however experienced that reefing hardly lowers the speed even in light winds. That's why I am considering cropping the Genoa. Having a jib and a Genoa is
1. Two expensive for me now
2. Exchanging them is a pain in the neck. My profile forstay is not too user friendly...

Sincerely: MaCS

Finally, if all you have is a 150 that doesn't have roller furling, you should consider either roller furling or a small jib for safety reasons - in high winds, you don't want to have that much sail up.

 

[Mike B1026]

Maybe that weather helm has nothing to do with your sails.

From what I have seen it is caused by two main factors. The easiest one to check, is to be sure your rudder is all the way down and properly cleated with a low stretch line. I use a quick release cleat in case I hit something. If the rudder is even a few inches from vertical you will stat seeing excessive weather helm.

The second issue is the alignment of the mast. The Mac's were designed to have perhaps a bit more of weather helm than some boats because of the likelihood of novice sailors buying this entry level boat. Be sure the mast is at least to specs. You can also further adjust it to decrease your weather helm.

 

[timebandit]

maybe just an adjustment in mast rake?

Rake will help increase or decrease Weather helm. Aft Rake increases weather helm, improving pointing, forward rake does the opposite.

Rick

 

[MaCS70]

The mast is in its most forward position and its top is also pulled forward.

Sincerely: MaCS

 

[Mike B1026]

?

The mast is in its most forward position and its top is also pulled forward.

Sincerely: MaCS

Most forward position? Not sure I understand. You mean the backstay is in it's last hole of adjustment?

Did you measure the rake of the mast?

 

[timebandit]

???

The mast is in its most forward position and its top is also pulled forward.

Sincerely: MaCS

 

[Retcoastie]

You can also decrease weather helm by bringing up some keel. You will get more sideslip, but will not lose as much time as rounding up, loosing headway, and restarting on the proper course. Try to balance the bottom and the top of your boat.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

2 words: idasailor rudder.

 

[Sumner]

2 words: idasailor rudder.

That must be the answer.

We have one and still don't know how to really balance the sails as well as I'm sure others do, but have never had a problem with weather helm.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

 

[MrBill_FLL]

Right!

I played with rake, and shroud tension, for about 3 months.. not sure I ever got it right, or was doing it right, But once I put the new rudder on, no more weather helm.

and never looked back... (on weather helm anyway)

some have added 2" to the leading edge of the rudder to similar effects...

*YMMV

 

[MaCS70]

Thanks for all your advice!

I've decided not to crop the Genoa right now. I'll try to get a suitable jib and someone to fix my rudder.
By the way my boat is not a factory made one. She was made here in Hungary and her rig and equipment is quite different than the original set and therefore she may behave otherwise.

Sincerely: MaCS

 

[Sumner]

...By the way my boat is not a factory made one. She was made here in Hungary and her rig and equipment is quite different than the original set and therefore she may behave otherwise.

Sincerely: MaCS

Was the whole boat made over there or just the rudder and rigging?

Good luck,

Sum

 

[MaCS70]

The hull, all plastic and steel parts were made here, winches, cleats etc are Barton.

Sincerely: MaCS

 

[Sumner]

The hull, all plastic and steel parts were made here, winches, cleats etc are Barton.

Sincerely: MaCS

Thanks. Was this a MacGregor approved manufacturer or did someone make molds off of a U.S. Mac? Just curious.

Also in my links or somewhere I think I've seen pictures and a description of how to extend the front edge of the factory rudder to make it similar to an IdaSailor rudder.

Sum

 

[MrBill_FLL]

pics?
that would be the 1st I've heard of something like this. lancer was sold as a kit, but all macgregors I know of were build in California.


Your boat?
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/1185115991.jpg

 

[MaCS70]

There was definitely some business with MacGregor but I dont't know the details. In 1994 I was considering buying a Mac26 but then I finally became owner of a funny boat from the ex USSR. But the old guy who were selling Macs here told me he was planning to get a mold to carry on his business. He was not a pirate kind who would make illegal deals.
He died and my boat does not really seem to be coming off a factory mold. It's apparently a copy.
A very few such boats are running here -- although Mac26 is ideal for Lake Balaton which is a 3 meter deep lake.

Sincerely: MaCS

Thanks. Was this a MacGregor approved manufacturer or did someone make molds off of a U.S. Mac? Just curious.

Sum

 

[Ed13944]

My 26x had a serious rounding up problem too. After I got rid of the Genoa and put on the jib, it hasn't done it even once.