Last Sunday I finally got to take out my 22 for the first time since refurbishing since last year. Winds were 10-20 mph (white knuckled for me)! Needless to say I chose to use the jib sail only (probably a smart move) and the boat handled beautifully. Wow, what a great thing to see the sails furling in the wind for the first time. There was a small humming coming from underneath which I'm sure is related to the keel. I loved it! One thing I noticed wrong about the entire event was this. I extended the rudder blade straight down which hindered the boat's maneuvering in strong gusts. I assume the blade should have been more at an angle which after adjustment, did improve handling tremendously. Needless to say, the first time out was a blast. I only went out 2 miles and starting noticing breakers on the waves so I decided to turn back to port since I was a little unfamiliar with the boat's capabilities. Next time out, it's full sail baby! Shiver me timbers! Hardy har har matie!
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R
Rod
Rudder Blade
Congratulations on your voyage. I'm sure you'll enjoy the boat on many more adventures. I hadn't thought of adjusting the rudder blade as described in the original post. Do any of the vetran C22 sailers have any thoughts about this?
Congratulations on your voyage. I'm sure you'll enjoy the boat on many more adventures. I hadn't thought of adjusting the rudder blade as described in the original post. Do any of the vetran C22 sailers have any thoughts about this?
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Dan
Leave it straight down.
I suspect the strange handling was the result of having no main sail up. Leave that rudder down.
I suspect the strange handling was the result of having no main sail up. Leave that rudder down.
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Dick of Sylvan
I Agree with Dan
At 10-20 mph winds, the C22 sails rather nicely with reefed mainsail plus small/medium jib. With too much sail, it tends to heel excessively, which makes the rudder kind of go up and down about as much as left and right as you move the tiller; this tends to spoil one's control. I think the physics are the same with the rudder vertical or bent back in that respect, except when not vertical I suppose it could break water occasionally which wouldn't be good, so I agree with Dan, keep it vertical. Dick
At 10-20 mph winds, the C22 sails rather nicely with reefed mainsail plus small/medium jib. With too much sail, it tends to heel excessively, which makes the rudder kind of go up and down about as much as left and right as you move the tiller; this tends to spoil one's control. I think the physics are the same with the rudder vertical or bent back in that respect, except when not vertical I suppose it could break water occasionally which wouldn't be good, so I agree with Dan, keep it vertical. Dick
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gil
leave the rudder down
i too have and enjoy a c-22, congrats..your in for lots of fun. leave the rudder down, if you angle it two things will happen..very hard to steer at 4 knots or more and you need the rudder when going to windward to lessen leeway...helps you point into the wind better. c-22 with swing keel doesnt point well anyway and will be worse with rudder up. the humm you hear is the keel cable. if you crank it down a little more the humm will go away. I always crank it down all the way and then put just a little tension on it so it will humm.....the loader the humm the faster you are going...good judge of sail trim when you dont have a knot meter..consider it you speedometer..
i too have and enjoy a c-22, congrats..your in for lots of fun. leave the rudder down, if you angle it two things will happen..very hard to steer at 4 knots or more and you need the rudder when going to windward to lessen leeway...helps you point into the wind better. c-22 with swing keel doesnt point well anyway and will be worse with rudder up. the humm you hear is the keel cable. if you crank it down a little more the humm will go away. I always crank it down all the way and then put just a little tension on it so it will humm.....the loader the humm the faster you are going...good judge of sail trim when you dont have a knot meter..consider it you speedometer..
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Alan
Thanks for you info
I see your point about the rudder blade/handling. Mainsail up probably would have helped handling better but I'm curious. With jib sail extended, no main sail, rudder blade down completely, why was I not able to turn a full 180 into head wind and catch the draft at an angle back to port? I hope I don't sound like an idiot, but the boat would not turn completely...only drift sideways into the wind. It must be me, I'm sure and my lack of experience compared to everyone else.
I see your point about the rudder blade/handling. Mainsail up probably would have helped handling better but I'm curious. With jib sail extended, no main sail, rudder blade down completely, why was I not able to turn a full 180 into head wind and catch the draft at an angle back to port? I hope I don't sound like an idiot, but the boat would not turn completely...only drift sideways into the wind. It must be me, I'm sure and my lack of experience compared to everyone else.
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Dan
How large was jib?
I have difficulty coming about when I am sailing under jib alone if I don't have at least 125% up, unless it's blowing like hell. I sailed one day recently in 20-25, gusts over 30, with just the reefed main. Couldn't point real well, but she came through the wind on a tack easily, and I was making good speed (the keel cable was humming away, at least). Don't forget to have enough speed when you go into a tack.
I have difficulty coming about when I am sailing under jib alone if I don't have at least 125% up, unless it's blowing like hell. I sailed one day recently in 20-25, gusts over 30, with just the reefed main. Couldn't point real well, but she came through the wind on a tack easily, and I was making good speed (the keel cable was humming away, at least). Don't forget to have enough speed when you go into a tack.
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Alan
Jib size, uncertain
I'm not really sure of the jibs size but it was raised completely. Hey, it was my 1st time out so maybe I'm a little bit of a novice but it sure was fun! I was wondering about the rudder being straight down, whether is should be at a slight angle for better maneuvering. With a reefed main I'd probably do better but I haven't finished putting the reefing gear on yet, that's this week. Thanks for you info, it always helps a novice old fart like me...hehehe.
I'm not really sure of the jibs size but it was raised completely. Hey, it was my 1st time out so maybe I'm a little bit of a novice but it sure was fun! I was wondering about the rudder being straight down, whether is should be at a slight angle for better maneuvering. With a reefed main I'd probably do better but I haven't finished putting the reefing gear on yet, that's this week. Thanks for you info, it always helps a novice old fart like me...hehehe.
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David
Sail Plan
I never sail my C-22 on the jib alone; it just doesn't handle very well. When I sail in high winds, I will reef my main and sail on a storm jib. If the winds are too strong, I will sail on a reefed main alone; my boat handles well on the main alone; she is a bit slow though. David
I never sail my C-22 on the jib alone; it just doesn't handle very well. When I sail in high winds, I will reef my main and sail on a storm jib. If the winds are too strong, I will sail on a reefed main alone; my boat handles well on the main alone; she is a bit slow though. David
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