How much centerboard do you use when pointing (close hauled) in light wind; in 5-10 knt wind; and in 10-15 knt wind? The same question for a beam reach. What works best for you? I have tried 1/3 down; 2/3 down; and full down at these various wind speeds and don't see a noticable difference. I know there are variables but is there a general rule of thumb?
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all the way down!
you didn't tell us your boat type, but generally you want the board all the way down unless you're broad reaching (part way down) or running (maybe up or just a little down). some planing hulls will perform better beam reaching with partial board if there's enough wind to plane
you didn't tell us your boat type, but generally you want the board all the way down unless you're broad reaching (part way down) or running (maybe up or just a little down). some planing hulls will perform better beam reaching with partial board if there's enough wind to plane
Works for us
We generally keep the board down all the way unless we're running downwind, then the board might come up if we think of it. Shortly after we got our boat, also a '93 23.5, we tried various board positions, and found that this seems to work best. We might get a better speed through the water on a reach with the board up, but the increase in leeway made our speed to a mark quite a bit slower. In theory, the board is a foil form, thus creating "lift" as it moves through the water. In addition to decreasing heal, it will actually pull the boat to windward, and can actually increase speed. Rob S/V Kinship
We generally keep the board down all the way unless we're running downwind, then the board might come up if we think of it. Shortly after we got our boat, also a '93 23.5, we tried various board positions, and found that this seems to work best. We might get a better speed through the water on a reach with the board up, but the increase in leeway made our speed to a mark quite a bit slower. In theory, the board is a foil form, thus creating "lift" as it moves through the water. In addition to decreasing heal, it will actually pull the boat to windward, and can actually increase speed. Rob S/V Kinship
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