My O'day 19 suffers from pretty severe weather helm. I know that I can eleviate the weather helm somewhat by angling (raking) the mast forward. Is their an optimul angle I should achieve or is it just trial and error until I find some relief from the weather helm. Thanks
Mast rake for O'Day 19
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There was a discussion of this issue on the Macgregor forum recently. As I said there, I believe that you will see more improvement in helm balance by upgrading or modifying your rudder. Adjusting the position of your centerboard/keel (raising it some) will also help.
it wants to round up hard in a strong wind...why? (
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it wants to round up hard in a strong wind...why? (
might sound too simple but make sure you are not oversheeting the mainsail.Also make sure the rudder is all the way down.When I got my 19 I found the rudder pivot bolt had worn the aluminum around it creating plenty of slop.I installed a bushing to tighten things up.
I find, I too get some pretty heavy weather helm in breezier conditions but just by easing the main some, it improves.Do you have a"Weekender19"?Good luck.
I find, I too get some pretty heavy weather helm in breezier conditions but just by easing the main some, it improves.Do you have a"Weekender19"?Good luck.
The main drives or turns the boat to wind. On my 26, the only option was to reef. ESP with a chop And our light displacements and relatively short fin-ish keels ( the center board is too light to hold her in the water as well as a deep or full keel) you just gotta reef. If you have a main that is getting up in years a new main will help some. How big of a foresail are you running? A smaller foresail would help also in those conditions.
Thanks everyone for the guidance and help. I do know that I can ease the weather helm by reefing the main or furling in the head sail but was unaware of the rudder issue mentioned by SchwarckT. I"ll keep on eye on the rudder but I don't think that is the issue. After the comments and guidance I just think its too much sail (I had a large genny up) and boat design. I think the bottom line is that the boat is telling me "hey stupid reduce your sail area". Thanks everyone.
Too much sail up wouldn't necessarily give you lots of weather helm but the boat will heel more. If the rigging is stock then first try getting the turnbuckles on the forestay and backstay adjusted the same amount and go from there. Too much weatherhelm- rake the mast foreward a little. Too much leehelm then rake the mast aft. You'll see that it won't take a whole lot of adjustment to make a big difference. Not enough tension on the forestay and it will sag more to leeward and put too much draft in the headsail and it won't point worth a sh!t. Too tight and it'll put too much strain on the rig. You're just going to have to play with it all to get it right. There's plenty of info on the web if you want get into it. Personally I enjoy the learning process.
Rich
Rich
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