H26 poor steering

[mschoap@msn.com]

My H26 is difficult to steer when beating. The tiller becomes very heavy. Part of the problem is the rudder, which tends to work its way up. I have not figured out a good way of keeping it fully down. I would appreciate input from anyone who has dealt successfully with this. Has anyone installed a traveler on an H26? Where did you put it, and did it help?
Thanks!
Mike,
Portland, Or.

 

[Deleted member 78819]

If the rudder isn't down all the way it will indeed be heavier. Another factor that may be at play is mast rake. Mast rake is the angle of the mast fore and aft. If the mast is raked aft you will have increased weather helm, or the tendency for the boat to round up into the wind. Excessive mast rake will make the helm heavy. Raking the mast too far forward will create a dangerous state called lee helm, where the boat will tend to turn away from the wind, you don't want that. You want balance, more or less, with a little weather helm so that she will round up in an unexpected blow.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Mike,
There's been a number of posts, with solutions, to slipping rudders in the Hunter Smaller Boat section. You might want to search there.

 

[Alan]

Mast rake can certainly be one possibility. A 1 to 2% rake should work best. If you have no traveler then you certainly need a good vang and go to vang sheeting when you ease the mainsheet to de-power the main. Easing the mainsheet without a full vang will increase twist (power), weather helm and heeling. Maintaining a flat main while dropping the angle of attack will go a long way to controlling helm and maintaining a good heel angle.
A vang is an essential sail control but is not a true substitute for a mainsheet/traveler system. Installing a traveler will be a significant upgrade for you and good for you for recognizing it.

 

[awoody]

I had the exact problem until I saw the solution on the small boat forum. I make sure the rudder is far forward and clamped down tight. The minute I start getting weather helm I check it out and it has moved. Simple solution, but you need to get at least your feet wet to get down far enough to push it forward. So poor of a design that I assume the design engineers did not sail it.