I'm new to sailing,

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Mac

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Jun 7, 2006
436
MacGregor 25 KEUKA lake NY
but what does it mean when I'm heeled over at around 25 degrees and I have to pull real hard on the tiller to keep us heeled? When I say pull, I mean to the wind side and I'm sitting on the wind side as well. I know there are terms for this, but I don't know them yet. I'm having a ball sailing, been to the lake 21 times and just got off the lake around 1 hour ago. Thanks, Mac
 
S

Schoolhouse Steve

WeatherHelm

Let your mail sail out. The boat will heel less and go faster and with less pressure on the helm. Adjust your sails so tiller is centered and you will go the fastest. "When in doubt, let it out."
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,498
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
ditto

As Steve says, the tendency to round up into the wind is called weather helm. Sheeting out will relieve this and reduce heeling. If you have a traveler, you can adjust it to the leeward side. If it's real windy, you might consider reefing the main. Some people just like to heel the boat over :)
 

70623

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Jul 14, 2004
215
Bristol 30 Le Roy, Mi.
25 degrees

If you keep the boat between 10 and 15 degrees of heel she will sail faster. A boom vang will help flatten the main sail, reducing its drive and reducing your heel while helping the boat go faster. If you are still over more than 15 degrees take a reef in the main or go to a smaller head sail. Sailing's a blast have a ball.
 
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