Hi all, I got out today with a friend on my 170. The wind was fairly unpredictable blowing between about 14-18 Knots. I had the main fully up and the jib was furled, the center board and rudder were fully down. This is only my third time out on the boat. I found that when on a beam reach or close hauled that the tiller was very difficult to turn with the tiller extension. After the tiller extension bent I clipped it in and just used the tiller to steer. I still found that the tiller was difficult to turn and it looked like there were a lot of force on the rudder/tiller assembly. I was half expecting something to snap. Has anyone else noticed this? Am I doing something wrong? I was considering raising the rudder half way, but was concerned about loosing steering ability. My impression was that the tiller and extension are too flimsy for these conditions. I also considered reefing the main, but I have never done it and did not want to try in these conditions after reading some of the capsize stories. I wound up just heading back in after about an hour. Any comments on this experience? Shouldn't the tiller assembly be able to handle these conditions? After this experience I will definitely prepare the main for easier/safer reefing and will practice it!
Bent tiller extension today!
- Thread starter sean33
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Re: Bent tiller extension
Hi Sean There are a number of things to consider. Some boats, including Hunters can have the rudder extended out just a bit for helm balance under some conditions. The Hunter 170 is not one of these. The rudder must be all the way down. Making the assumption that the rudder was all the way down, let's look at other things. Sailing on a reach or close-hauled, with a full main, furled jib, and centerboard down full, WILL ALWAYS create much weather helm. When the wind starts to pick up a bit, be sure reduce the draft of the lower 1/3rd. of the main by pulling on the outhaul, and vang off to induce twist in the upper 1/3rd. Note: Boomkicker is recommended. As the wind builds more, then, reef the main. This will reduce weather helm, and will even create lee helm. To combat lee helm, role up just a bit of jib. This will allow you flatten the jib’s foot and give you the ability to add twist to the top 1/3. As the wind builds even more, role up more jib, and raise the centerboard a bit. I have sailed a few miles off the coast of Long Beach, CA in an unexpected force 6 (strong breeze) using the above recommendations. I checked the weather from three separate sources that morning, however, the unexpected can still happen. It is always good to be prepared with a plan ahead of time. Danny
Hi Sean There are a number of things to consider. Some boats, including Hunters can have the rudder extended out just a bit for helm balance under some conditions. The Hunter 170 is not one of these. The rudder must be all the way down. Making the assumption that the rudder was all the way down, let's look at other things. Sailing on a reach or close-hauled, with a full main, furled jib, and centerboard down full, WILL ALWAYS create much weather helm. When the wind starts to pick up a bit, be sure reduce the draft of the lower 1/3rd. of the main by pulling on the outhaul, and vang off to induce twist in the upper 1/3rd. Note: Boomkicker is recommended. As the wind builds more, then, reef the main. This will reduce weather helm, and will even create lee helm. To combat lee helm, role up just a bit of jib. This will allow you flatten the jib’s foot and give you the ability to add twist to the top 1/3. As the wind builds even more, role up more jib, and raise the centerboard a bit. I have sailed a few miles off the coast of Long Beach, CA in an unexpected force 6 (strong breeze) using the above recommendations. I checked the weather from three separate sources that morning, however, the unexpected can still happen. It is always good to be prepared with a plan ahead of time. Danny
Reefing Procedure
Danny, Could you go over your reefing procedure in building winds? Assume you're solo. I manage to get it done but can be a little sloppy and would appreciate some experienced pointers. Of course, it's best to reef early but as you mentioned, can & have been get caught off guard. Thx, Joe
Danny, Could you go over your reefing procedure in building winds? Assume you're solo. I manage to get it done but can be a little sloppy and would appreciate some experienced pointers. Of course, it's best to reef early but as you mentioned, can & have been get caught off guard. Thx, Joe
Reefing a Hunter 170
Hi Joe Well, it all depends on how you are set up. Here is how I am set up for reefing: First, I like to do everything at the mast. And, the h-170 will not stay head to wind for very long, so I like having some sort of tiller tamer. You can rig one up for yourself. It is simply a device to hold your tiller in place. Next, mark a point on you main halyard so that it is marked after you reef is in place and the halyard is tight. (Always keep your halyard loosely coiled and hanging between the horn cleat and mast, so that you can drop your main easily.) Some people like a two line reefing system. I prefer a single line reefing system cleated at the mast. Now, here is what I do: Furl the jib. (This will hep you stay head to wind a little better.) Head to wind, release your main halyard and tie it off at your mark. Pull on your reef line and cleat it off. Get back to the tiller. If you have time, you can tie off your mid sail reef ties, but it is not that necessary. If you are well set up, and practiced, you can do it in about 30-40 seconds, minus the mid sail ties. Danny
Hi Joe Well, it all depends on how you are set up. Here is how I am set up for reefing: First, I like to do everything at the mast. And, the h-170 will not stay head to wind for very long, so I like having some sort of tiller tamer. You can rig one up for yourself. It is simply a device to hold your tiller in place. Next, mark a point on you main halyard so that it is marked after you reef is in place and the halyard is tight. (Always keep your halyard loosely coiled and hanging between the horn cleat and mast, so that you can drop your main easily.) Some people like a two line reefing system. I prefer a single line reefing system cleated at the mast. Now, here is what I do: Furl the jib. (This will hep you stay head to wind a little better.) Head to wind, release your main halyard and tie it off at your mark. Pull on your reef line and cleat it off. Get back to the tiller. If you have time, you can tie off your mid sail reef ties, but it is not that necessary. If you are well set up, and practiced, you can do it in about 30-40 seconds, minus the mid sail ties. Danny
Single Line Reef
Danny, I have a 2 line system which takes much longer. Could you describe the details of your single line system? PS...Your part in the Trailer Sailer mag helped with my decision to purchase. Thanks! Joe
Danny, I have a 2 line system which takes much longer. Could you describe the details of your single line system? PS...Your part in the Trailer Sailer mag helped with my decision to purchase. Thanks! Joe
Single Line Reefing
Hi Joe Thank you for the nice comments.
For single line reefing, I think that a picture is worth a thousand words. Danny
Hi Joe Thank you for the nice comments.
For single line reefing, I think that a picture is worth a thousand words. DannyNice S-L Reefing image, Danny, now...
Hi guys, Danny's post of the 'big boat' single-line reefing system, which apparently shows the line being run inside the boom is intriguing. And it begs the question, has anyone, or is anyone, thinking of attempting this sort of setup in the 170 (in-boom, that is)? I think Harken makes a single line kit for dinghys that runs outside the boom, but would be interesting to hear the feasibility of an in-boom reef line from the engineering types on the forum-- Rusty, Danny?! Mike G.
Hi guys, Danny's post of the 'big boat' single-line reefing system, which apparently shows the line being run inside the boom is intriguing. And it begs the question, has anyone, or is anyone, thinking of attempting this sort of setup in the 170 (in-boom, that is)? I think Harken makes a single line kit for dinghys that runs outside the boom, but would be interesting to hear the feasibility of an in-boom reef line from the engineering types on the forum-- Rusty, Danny?! Mike G.
Single Line Image
Danny, hope you don't mind but regarding gball's ?, I assumed the pic was for concept illustration only. My sail came with reef grommets & points, a number of padeyes & pulleys on the boom etc. If I remember from last year (been nothin but trout fishing this year), should be able to rig a single line with little or no additional hardware although lines will run outside the boom. Fine with me. Anyone who's reefed in a breeze with the two line sys I bet doesn't enjoy it. Single looks like the Rx. Will post a pic here showing the setup with existing hardware rigged, line length etc...unless someone beats me to it Joe
Danny, hope you don't mind but regarding gball's ?, I assumed the pic was for concept illustration only. My sail came with reef grommets & points, a number of padeyes & pulleys on the boom etc. If I remember from last year (been nothin but trout fishing this year), should be able to rig a single line with little or no additional hardware although lines will run outside the boom. Fine with me. Anyone who's reefed in a breeze with the two line sys I bet doesn't enjoy it. Single looks like the Rx. Will post a pic here showing the setup with existing hardware rigged, line length etc...unless someone beats me to it
JoeThanks, Joe
Joe, Thanks for your comments. Do you know if the Harken single-line system is a good one to consider/install? It's the only one I've seen (in Anapolis Performance Sail's ---APS, catalog) My boom is currently crowded with double-line cheek blocks, etc., but hearing you all talk about a single is tempting. When I'm feeling ambitious, I might go for that upgrade! Mike (aka gball)
Joe, Thanks for your comments. Do you know if the Harken single-line system is a good one to consider/install? It's the only one I've seen (in Anapolis Performance Sail's ---APS, catalog) My boom is currently crowded with double-line cheek blocks, etc., but hearing you all talk about a single is tempting. When I'm feeling ambitious, I might go for that upgrade! Mike (aka gball)
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