Rig Tuning

[ginette330]

I have a 1975 Hunter 27, tiller steering. She is a sort of abandoned/adopted boat. I scraped the hull, had some engine work done, and took her sailing a few times. I raced her last weekend and yesterday, and found some significant issues:

Weather helm: on starboard tack, with the 155 genny and in about 10-12 kts, the weather helm was incredible. On port tack, almost neutral.

I've had people suggest this is a rig tuning issue.

Really sloppy rudder. The tiller and rudder post connection has obviously been gouged out just from the years; but it also feels very sloppy under the boat, where the rudder attaches to the hull. I have plans to haul her out in the next month or so and will look, is there something specific I should look for?

Tacking. Holy cow, with that big headsail, her bow swings around like crazy. I did manage to get the over steering contained, but it seems that sometimes if I got too close to the wind, the jib would backwind and whoop there we were, unplanned tack!

I have sailed and raced mostly dinghies, and crewed on other Hunters and also Melges and J boats. This boat is much heavier than any others I have sailed. Any suggestions/pointers?

 

[Ed Schenck]

The sloppy rudder is almost definitely a "bearing" problem. My suggestion would be to check the West System site for advice and their booklet, free I think. There is information about reglassing the bearing. You will also find lots of info in the archives.

To get a start on the rig you need to get it centered, raked, and tight. I subscribe to the idea of sailing the boat and after centering and snugging. Then on a starboard tack take any slack out of the port shrouds. Count the number of turns used to tighten. Then on a port tack tighten the same number on the starboard shrouds.

Finally you need help from other H27 owners who race. They will know how much rake and bend to put into your mast. It would also seem that 155 is too much headsail for 12 knots of wind. Mast trim is also key but I am no help being an H37C owner.

 

[ginette330]

It would also seem that 155 is too much headsail for 12 knots of wind.

Wow, do you really think the 155 is too much headsail for only 12 kts? I am used to sailing performance sailboats and with this heavy boat it seemed perfect for the day. Someone else suggested that, and I am only a relatively new sailor, so I'm open to that idea, it just never occurred to me when I was setting her up that day, nor to my crew (who have many more years racing than I do, for sure).

Thanks for the suggestions, I will take them!