Excessive weather helm

[Ray Lewis]

I have installed CDI furler on my 1978 Catalina 27 using the existing forestay. The furler works great but since installing it have lost all ability to head up or pinch into the wind in a fresh breeze of 10kts. or above. Weather helm is such that you must litterally fight the tiller to correct and in turn act as a brake in your forward progress. This boat sailed excellent and had just the right amount of helm prior to this. The only thing that changed was the position of the forestay in that the adjustment has changed. Yesterday I started 1st. and ended up 5th. in our club race. At this point I turn to the experts. Thanks again as in the past- Ray Lewis-Tinkertoy, NE River.

 

[Rick]

Weather helm

Catalinas are very sensitive to mast rake. Too much rake and you will experience symptoms like you described. Too little rake leads to lee helm.You can measure rake on a calm day at the slip by letting the main halyard hang loose and measuring the distance between the back of the mast and the halyard at a point just above the boom.If possible tighten headstay (and loosen backstay) until you have less rake than you have now and then try sailing again. If you can get a measurement from another C27 that sails well or from their web page, that will save you some trial and error.If your headstay is already adjusted as short as possible you will need to cut out a couple of inches and replace the stud with a Norseman or staylock stud terminial fitting. Usually putting on a new headstay is a good idea when adding a furler but if yours is good just modify it.

 

[Michael McCann]

Weather Helm

Weather helm is caused by the main sail. It has more drive than the jib, as the jib would cause lee helm. Is the forestay as tight as it should be when sailing upwind. Check for sag in the forestay. If you didn't change the length of the forestay when you added the furler, then look for mast trim as Rick describes, but be careful not to induce lee helm by raking the mast too far forward. I, personally like a little aft rake (points better), and ease the main when weather helm shows up.

 

[Bill]

Gain some - loose some

Having gone with a furler after years I sympathesize - it just ain't the same sail control. I assume you had your sail modified to add luff tape so you are comparing the same sail. But it sure is easier to get underway and to douse!

 

[Michael Maas]

Pointing ability and weather helm with CDI furler

I have a C27 with a CDI furler and I too experience some weather helm, although not as much as you indicate for your C27. My boat seems to go to weather very well. I believe weather helm is normal for this boat, but there are several things you can do to lessen its magnitude. [1] Make sure the weight distribution is balanced evenly fore and aft. Too much weight aft will create weather helm. [2] If you used the original headstay, it may have stretched since it was new, or if it has been replaced it may be slightly longer than standard. This would allow your mast too much rake aft and induce weather helm. Unfortunately, you can't shorten the stay by replacing the swaged stud with a Norseman or Sta Lok stud and use the CDI furler - their specs require a swaged stud at the forestay turnbuckle. [3] If your foresail was converted from hanks to luff tape for use with the furler, its cut may also need to be adjusted - ask a knowledgeable sailmaker about this. Also, look at the documentation that came with the CDI furler, or go to their web site for info. [4] My C27 is quite sensitive to sail trim. Once I get the sail trim balanced it goes like a wet dream. Good luck and sail on! Michael Maas, Osprey, Chetco Cove, Oregon.