I own a 74 25ft Hunter sailboat. My forestay came off and was demasted in a storm. I have since replaced the forestay and re-bolted the mast to the roof. Since then my boat will sail downwind, but won't sail in a crosswind. It immediately steers upwind and stops. The rudder is still fine, and I didn't run it aground either. It steers fine when the motor is running, but won't steer at all under sail. It used to sail beautifully and steer without hesitation at the slightest movement of the tiller. Is there a place I can get this fixed at in British Columbia Canada?
rigging, steering, demasting
- Thread starter shawnatmann21394
- Start date
- Status
Mast position
I feel for you buddy. Sounds like the mast has been put back on wrong. I assume you just reinstalled it at its' previous location and if that is so then the only thing I can think of is that the mast has a rake (tilt) that is not what it was prior to the demasting. Is the mast tilted differently than before the demasting? If you move the mast base position then that is what is causing the problem. Moving the mast forward would give a lot of lee helm and moving it aft would give lots of weather helm. Good luck
I feel for you buddy. Sounds like the mast has been put back on wrong. I assume you just reinstalled it at its' previous location and if that is so then the only thing I can think of is that the mast has a rake (tilt) that is not what it was prior to the demasting. Is the mast tilted differently than before the demasting? If you move the mast base position then that is what is causing the problem. Moving the mast forward would give a lot of lee helm and moving it aft would give lots of weather helm. Good luck
Another thought.
If your mast is OK and the base is back where it started, then I would look to the length of the new headstay. A longer headstay would mean you have added mast rake which (among other things) induces weather helm. A severe case would make the boat 'round up' very easily. My suggestion, check the 'in column' of the mast, then measure the amount of mast rake. Both of these measurements are very easy to do. If you need further explanation on how to, just ask.
If your mast is OK and the base is back where it started, then I would look to the length of the new headstay. A longer headstay would mean you have added mast rake which (among other things) induces weather helm. A severe case would make the boat 'round up' very easily. My suggestion, check the 'in column' of the mast, then measure the amount of mast rake. Both of these measurements are very easy to do. If you need further explanation on how to, just ask.
- Status