Rudderless steering

[Steve Friedman]

Re: Nature Calls !

I too know the Call Of Nature (Who doesn't ?).Given advance notice, I try to get the feel ofthings, then head (pun intended) below with themainsheet in hand. I've not got this proceduredown perfectly, but seems promising...

 

[Ken Mahren]

Also use Centerboard

I also use my C/B on my Oday 25. If you pull the c/b back a bit it moves the center of resistance aft, which decreases weather helm. Then I can balance my sails and let go the tiller....

 

[Judy]

Jenny, Venture of Newport Site

Jenny, there is an e group dedicated only to Venture of Newports. Come join us athttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/venturenewport

 

[Sean]

CAL36 By Itself

Yes, I've many time setup the boat to steer itself, both with a line and with the autotiller turned off at the appropriate time ie. freezing the rudder. I've found it works best on a close or beam reach where there is a enough weather helm to keep the boat at equilibrium. When on a broad reach, a large swell or wake could upset what was otherwise an extremely constant and smooth course. The net effect (on the more upwind direction), compared to the auto tiller, was a half knot loss of speed, maybe a knot compared to manual steering. But if speed was not the agenda of the day, a very nice experience, especially when you consider the benefits on a long voyage.

 

[Brian]

I just got a Catalina 27. I noticed (under sail) that by standing on either the port or starboard rear quarter the vessel would change course inspite of the autohelm being engaged.Also my son practices sailing with out a rudder on his Lazer and seems to find it fun and he is able to hold a course.With work it must be able to be done!

 

[Richard Toolin]

No rudder sailing

A few years ago, while teaching sailing to groups of Sunfish sailors, we would remove the rudders and teach the students to sail a specific point of sail using trim of sail and body position in the Sunfish. This method teaches the effects of weight forward or aft, and also weight to weather or leeward.

 

[William Hale]

T The rudder broke when we went sailing so my cousins and i had to lean side to side untill we got home. Kate Hale

 

[Fred Potts]

Steering with sails

I have done it in a Pella Peterson Maxi, but I for sure couldn't do it in my 26D! Perhaps my mast is not raked right and I may try adjusting that next season, but even with the larger rudder I made, controlling this boat when the heel gets over 30 degrees is a real problem. I'd sure like to hear how others make out with it.

 

[Roman]

Center board problem

I have Hunter 20 and I can't raise my center board - the rope is broken. Anybody could help or direct me to the right source? I need to repair it ASAP and I don't know how to get to the tip of the board to exchange the line - the boat is in the middle of the lake!Thanks a lot,Roman

 

[SailboatOwners.com]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 9/22/02:The following best describes my 'steering with the sails' experience: 44% Never tried it29% Tried it, but only worked for a short while18% I can do that all day long09% Tried it but couldn't maintain course

 

[Jack]

Look ma! No rudder.

I now sail a Hunter 37.5. But 35 years ago I co-directed a sailing instruction program in Ontario near Georgian Bay. We had a fleet of Albacores, roughly 16ft racing dinghies--sloop rigged, with centerboards.One day off, my co-director and I were reading an article about sailing without a rudder using lee lehlm and weather helm to steer. We figured that if it could be done, we would figure out how to do it with the Albacores. We each took a boat, shipped the rudders entirely, left them on the dock and took off. I rememebr it was blowing about 15 knots that day. We had a roaring time and provided great entertainment for about two hours for anyone watching on shore--mostly our instructors. With some determination and practice we good quite good at sailing without rudders. It got to the point where we could sail away from the dock, around any triangular race course, and land the boat back at the dock--all without any rudder in the water.I have not tried this with my current boat, the Hunter 37.5.