I have an '84 H-34 and she is a bit more weather-helmie than I would like. I am considering tilting the mast forward a little from its current position as I have heard and read that this will decrease the weather helm. I understand the principle behind it but my question is: how much to move it and how much of a difference can I expect? Are there any risks/downsides to doing this? I welcome all discussion on the subject.
Mast Rake and Weather Helm
- Thread starter markwbird
- Start date
We have 6 to 8 inches of rake and the helm is neutral until we get close to time to reef. Our water tank is in the bow and the boat sails more comfortably when it's full. I find that if we're fighting the helm, we can go faster with less sail.
Most marine architects know enough to make the mast rake correct. I would suspect that you have a sail (fore sail/mainsail) balance problem. Too much power in the main or too little power in the foresail will also cause weather helm. Since the most common problem with sail trim is over trimming the main I'd start with easing the main sheet so the boom moves to leeward about 2" and see what that does. yes two inches!
Thanks for input. I am aware of the sail trim techniques for reducing weather helm and I use them whenever I need to from easing the main, to flattening the main to reefing and even powering up the headsail to balance the boat, etc. The thing is: I crew on other boats and I have noticed that they do not have to go to such lengths to reduce weather helm as I do. That is why I am looking for a more permanent adjustment to the rigging so that I do not always have to balance the boat by only using half the main. It is windy in SF Bay and there comes a point at which all the tricks are not enough. You feel me?