Leech flutter, Pointing...some observations

[Scott T-Bird]

The polars that somebody posted in a thread somewhere indicated the highest speed correlated with heel angles in the low 20's. That's been my experience ... much above 25 and control of the tiller or wheel requires too much angle.

When sailboards are sailed as a displacement hull (very slow speed), you stand on the leeward rail to sail into the wind. The rocker of the board causes this action. I would think that the curve of the leeward hull has a similar affect, so that heeling to leeward causes the boat to want to climb to windward.

When a sailboard is planing, the opposite happens ... you stand on the edge in the direction you are turning to induce a carving turn, like a surfboard, water ski or snow skis.

 

[jwandling]

Tab position on Windex

Scott- When I set up my windex, I used the template to set up the tabs. See the instructions here. If I read the directions correctly, the tabs are set to be 60 degrees off the centerline of the boat. Could be mistaken- my 11 year old son routinely corrects me on positioning when we are orienteering for Scouts.

As to your second point, that's exactly what I was wondering. I've assumed my boat would sail better if it were flatter, but it sure didn't seem like it. The boat was practically yelling at me, "See, that's what I'm talking about, ya lubberly grass combing bugger!"

Look at the diagram. Angle is from opposite tab, not the centerline. 60 degrees would be 30 degrees. This is a good reference point on most boats. At 60 degrees from centerline, you are close reaching and should not have main "trimmed in". Main angle of attack should match jib angle of attack.

 

[RobertLangdirect]

Here's the problem with too much heel . . . Boats that are excessively heeled over where you can see 2/3 of the keel and mates hanging on the rail may look trick but they're losing . . .."

Hey, buddy! I resemble your comments!

 

[jrowan]

I am more of a cruiser then a racer, but I agree that heeling over more then 20 degrees will loose efficiency and make the boat slide sideways due to the keel loosing bite and ablity to stop leeward movement. Letting out the main a lil will reduce excessive heel, and as a consequence the boat will actually go faster with better velocity made good. You can play with the jib cars & tell tales but don't drive yourself crazy trying to make these sails perfect. Wind is not static, it constantly shifts. I try to set a good tack, do my intitial trimmig & then relax a lil.
When in doubt let it out. A simple piece of advice I got years ago rings true: Haul in or let out the sail towards the falling tell tale side to equal out the sail pressure & the pocket between the sails to improve performance.