We have a shallow draft, centerboard, light displacement, beam carried aft, boat. Am I right in assuming weight in the bow will increase weather helm and in the stern will decrease weather helm? On a 6000lb-boat do you think 200lbs one way or the other would make a noticeable difference?
Fore aft trim
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Quoddy...
we talkin' 'bout easily moveable ballast as in rail meat, or one of those big coolers filled with suds? :dance:
Weight in the bow will cause it to dig in and not ride up over waves as easlily, possibly leading to weather helm, especially upwind. Its better toward the stern in a wider beam boat, which will have less affect on helm and make down wind sailing easier.
we talkin' 'bout easily moveable ballast as in rail meat, or one of those big coolers filled with suds? :dance:
Weight in the bow will cause it to dig in and not ride up over waves as easlily, possibly leading to weather helm, especially upwind. Its better toward the stern in a wider beam boat, which will have less affect on helm and make down wind sailing easier.
Quoddy,
With the crew in the cockpit the H260 tends to sit low in the stern. I keep the water tank full to help press the bow down.
The weather helm is pronounced (by design) on this boat regardless of any trim state I've managed to impose.
With the crew in the cockpit the H260 tends to sit low in the stern. I keep the water tank full to help press the bow down.
The weather helm is pronounced (by design) on this boat regardless of any trim state I've managed to impose.
Weather helm
You might try getting rid of the weather helm by
1 Raking your mast foreward 2 Ease your main a bit when sailing 3 This is a last resort if the weather helm bothers you that much use a bigger jib and reef you main sail. This will move your center of effort foreward and reduce weather helm
You might try getting rid of the weather helm by
1 Raking your mast foreward 2 Ease your main a bit when sailing 3 This is a last resort if the weather helm bothers you that much use a bigger jib and reef you main sail. This will move your center of effort foreward and reduce weather helm
Theoretically, trimming the bow down should reduce weather helm as it
will move the center of effort of the rig forward. However the effect is likely
to negligible. As far a sailing performance goes, weight in the ends of the boat,
especially the bow, is always a negative.
will move the center of effort of the rig forward. However the effect is likely
to negligible. As far a sailing performance goes, weight in the ends of the boat,
especially the bow, is always a negative.
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