New H25

[flapjack]

I've recently bought a new H25 and am having difficulty manouvering around the marina. The rudder doesn't seem to turn the boat at all below 1 knot, anybody got any ideas?

Also interested in other owner's ideas about the best cleats for the genoa sheets. The standard cleats are OK when coming about but don't seem to be very good for sheet adjustment.

 

[Benny]

The speed necessary to maintain stearage on a sailboat varies with the direction and strength of wind and current as it relates to the direction of movement of the boat. A boat moving in the same direction as a 1 knot current will need to go faster than 1 knot to maintain stearage, while a boat going against the same current may just need to move at fractions of a knot to have good stearage. Wind also affectes the turning ability of a boat when at low speed. When entering a marina I do a quick check on wind and current to anticipate what speed and approach will be required to manuever and dock. Whenever possible is best to oppose wind and current.

 

[JeffC21331]

I have a 2006 Hunter 25 with a high thrust Yamaha 8hp. The key to getting the boat to go where you want at slow speeds under power is to be very aware of the wind direction. The boat has a lot of freeboard and that tends to blow the front of the boat around. The wind is almost always blowing directly at the side of my boat when I try to enter and exit my slip. I now use the wind to my advantage as I know what it is going to do to the direction of the boat. I'd suggest more practice at slow speed movement under power in windy conditions. After spending a few hours learning how the boat would react in those conditions in open water, I haven't had any more issues.

 

[George H260]

Many small boat sailors have converted to Spinlock clutches for jib sheets. Have never used the winches in the five years I've owned my boat.

More here: http://h260.com/spinlock/spinlock.html