I have a H23 and have started a new race season. When coming about, is it better to put the rudder over all the way hard a lee? or is it better to make a more gentle turn? I am talking about winds in the 8 mph range. I am pretty sure that you have to make gentle turns when it is below 3. By better, I mean what method is most effective on the race course. Thanks Bill Leathen
Rudder Hard over - or gentle turn
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Dont 'stuff' your turns ....
Anytime the rudder goes off center the drag will cause the momentum of the boat to slow down quickly. Gradualy enter the turn, using a little bit more and more etc. rudder pressure as you near the 'eye' of the wind and ease up on the rudder pressure as you pass the 'eye' and begin the end of the turn. Next time you are sailing turn the rudder hard over and what happens to your boat speed. The speed goes down rapidly due to the friction and drag induced by the hard over rudder .... same action is happening during a turn. Make your turns as 'smooth as possible' .... to prevent creating excess drag that will slow the boat. If you have a tiller steered boat, be very conscious of the amount of 'finger pressure' that you use to turn the boat ... if it takes a lot of pressure on the tiller, remember that you are creating a LOT of drag and will be slowing the boat. An advanced method that minimizes the effect of drag, etc. during a turn is called a 'roll tack' ... do websearch on learning how.
Anytime the rudder goes off center the drag will cause the momentum of the boat to slow down quickly. Gradualy enter the turn, using a little bit more and more etc. rudder pressure as you near the 'eye' of the wind and ease up on the rudder pressure as you pass the 'eye' and begin the end of the turn. Next time you are sailing turn the rudder hard over and what happens to your boat speed. The speed goes down rapidly due to the friction and drag induced by the hard over rudder .... same action is happening during a turn. Make your turns as 'smooth as possible' .... to prevent creating excess drag that will slow the boat. If you have a tiller steered boat, be very conscious of the amount of 'finger pressure' that you use to turn the boat ... if it takes a lot of pressure on the tiller, remember that you are creating a LOT of drag and will be slowing the boat. An advanced method that minimizes the effect of drag, etc. during a turn is called a 'roll tack' ... do websearch on learning how.
Lift
Good racers say slow going into the turn, faster coming out. When you have the rudder hard over, not only do you create lots of drag, but you also destroy its lift. Although you can't avoid using it, it's good to think of it as an "onboard braking device." Just about any time it is not centered, it is slowing the boat some.
Good racers say slow going into the turn, faster coming out. When you have the rudder hard over, not only do you create lots of drag, but you also destroy its lift. Although you can't avoid using it, it's good to think of it as an "onboard braking device." Just about any time it is not centered, it is slowing the boat some.
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