Need some "How To" Chicken Jibe

[Hogan]

I am still learning the feel of the 260 and adjusting from tiller to wheel steering. This weekend we had some good winds that were gusty at times; it felt like my rudder had broken off at times (I even looked to see) this particularly happening at very low forward speed. Second problem was when I would be drawing close to starboard lee shore trying to stretch a tack into a desired bay and would get to that critical point where I had lost most of my forward speed and decided todo a quick turn to starboard to run from shore. There were several times where I felt like the boat might end up too close to shore before it would make the turn. It just did not feel like the rudder control was enough. I have been sailing a Precision 23 for years and in it I could perform the chicken jibe in short order; move the jib, crank the tiller and spin around. What say you?

 

[Iron141]

Welcome to the "pig"

H260 is notorious for poor resonse to rudder at slow speeds. And wait until you try to back her out! I've had some interesting times docking in crowded marinas....anyway, not sure what you can do under sail, but under power the solution is to connect the outboard to the rudder. There are lots of links and ideas in the archives on your options there.

 

[Alan]

Hogan

A rudder simply doesn't function at very low speeds. A rudder is only effective with water flow over it. Attempting to make a tack(or jibe) at very low speeds is a poor idea at best. It would be far more advantageous to tack while you have a little way on. A certain amount of speed will always be lost during a tack, starting a tack with very low speed leaves little momentum to complete the tack.You should also consider roll tacking your boat in light conditions. A well timed roll tack can greatly help move the boat to its new course with a minimum of speed loss.

 

[Hogan]

Describe the roll tack

I do understand that the rudder loses its effectiveness at low speed; I suppose it seems more pronounced in the H-260 than on the Precision-23. And I definitely had slowed my forward speed due to my trying to stretch my tack into a bay sailing very close to the wind. But the wind was not light, it was 15-18 at the time. That is what surprised me; with that wind, I expected to turn quickly when I fell off the reach. As I recall now, perhaps I was close to being in irons. Okay, how do you perform the roll tack?

 

[George]

H260 Tacking

I pretty much agree with those who say that tacking while in irons is difficult. The H260 backs better than any sailboat I've been on when the rudder is connected to the engine.

 

[Hogan]

Roll Tide and send me some help

I see how the roll tack is done. Hat Tip for the video. One problem is most of the time I am singlehanding and not heavy enough to roll the 260. But all of the suggestions are helpful. My rudder is connected to outboard and I agree; the 260 backs well under power. Can't wait for some more warm days to get back out for practice. Darn homework is killing me. Thanks everyone.

 

[Alan]

Hogan

Even single handing you can roll tack a 26. Move to leeward before you start your tack and them quickly move windward and outboard after the tack to force the mast to pop back up again. We do this on our 35.5 in light air where tacking is critical. It is very effective at reducing speed loss and regaining momentum.