yep, the Rudder needs to be straight and locked. never had any problems with a partial daggerboard down.
Fighting my boat
- Thread starter mattutley
- Start date
yep, the Rudder needs to be straight and locked. never had any problems with a partial daggerboard down.
Not trying to convince you...
But in addition to the reduction in weather helm, the improved rudders make a world of difference in steering at reduced speeds.
With the original I had very limited steering ability at low speed making manuverability around docks and what not a little more difficult.
The improved rudder improves that low speed steering a ton.
this very well might be the case, but I'm arguing the weather helm here. and yes, at low speed and with cross wind I see how an improved steering would come in handy!
Went out last weekend with the rudder firmly tied down, rigged up a pulley to make it possible to secure. major improvement. Thanks all.
I went out last year in 20plus knots after a SCW the day before. We were in new waters to us off Monomoy. Out for the weekend. I never reefed either but decided to roll up the main and put the smaller jib on. I rolled up about 1/3 of the mail sail. Unbelievable control and power!! I find that if the weather helm is bad my keel is too far forward, down. I trim it as needed and by the conditions. Never locked it down. (PO tested the floatation by hitting a rock and tearing an arc in the locker) We sailed at 6.5 knots pulling the dingy. Waves and all. We were able to enjoy the time on the water not worrying that every wind blast was going to put the rail in the water or blow us over as my kids put it. Made for a trip to the seals enjoyable.
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I am going to have to reef (I have a single point reef about 4' up) and sail it. My problem is mostly the bay I am in is protected and I can't really see the winds beyond until I am out a ways. I had rigged a single line but took it off. Maybe I should return it and as I turn the corner, make the call to reef. Single hand, reefing will be a pain but having never reefed I need to learn.
its always easier to reef at the dock, and shake it out if not needed, then reef on the water.
I prefer 2 line reefing. -YMMV.
I prefer 2 line reefing. -YMMV.
Back when I had a Mac 26, I often sailed with a reef in the main and the full genoa. Boat balanced well in that configuration- I could let go the rudder to adjust lines without it veering off.
Had the wire rope and line rudder hold down but used plastic toilet seat bolts to lock the rudder as the rope configuration would stretch a little and allow the rudder to come up a few degrees.
I practiced heaving-to until I found the right amount of furled jib to hold while I eased the main and put in a reef. As I recall, it was right about 100%. I could never heave-to with just the jib but once I got it turned and set could ease the main, even drop the main and tie it up.
Joe
Had the wire rope and line rudder hold down but used plastic toilet seat bolts to lock the rudder as the rope configuration would stretch a little and allow the rudder to come up a few degrees.
I practiced heaving-to until I found the right amount of furled jib to hold while I eased the main and put in a reef. As I recall, it was right about 100%. I could never heave-to with just the jib but once I got it turned and set could ease the main, even drop the main and tie it up.
Joe
Heaving to is classic. I can't seem to shake the heading for disaster feeling as the boat starts to head away from the wind. Then it stops. It just stops and everything seems to slow down. Did it on fathers day weekend in some heavy wind to show my mates. The rough water seemed to stand still.
I know I sound like a novice and by this groups standards I am for sure but I really want to try this maneuver.