We sail a '94 Hunter 29.5 and experience a loss of steering ability in moderate winds (approx. 10-12 knots). As we're sailing close-hauled, with the main and jib pulled tight we try to head more into the wind and can't. The steering wheel is turned as far as it can go, and the boat begins to fall off on it's own. When we ease the main (even just a little), we regain full steering ability. This is our third sailboat and have never experienced this on the other boats (both had tillers). Wouldn't you expect that we should be able to head up into the wind even if it means going into irons? One thought we had: After running aground 2 yrs ago, Haven Habour Marina- Rock Hall MD. installed a new rudder. They even re-checked their work last year and everything checked out. Could there still be a problem with the rudder? We never had a full-batten main w/ a small jib before and wonder whether this condition is common for this rig?
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Bill O'Donovan
Irons indeed
Those winds are probably more like 12-15, which compels going to the first reef. The large roach sail is so big that the boat rounds up. Think of that as a safety feature. Keep the first reef line in the sail, ready to deploy. You can skip the second reef line unless you're used to going out in 20-15 winds. Once reefed, you'll find the rudder much more responsive and won't fight you. And you'll get better speed because you won't be rounding up.
Those winds are probably more like 12-15, which compels going to the first reef. The large roach sail is so big that the boat rounds up. Think of that as a safety feature. Keep the first reef line in the sail, ready to deploy. You can skip the second reef line unless you're used to going out in 20-15 winds. Once reefed, you'll find the rudder much more responsive and won't fight you. And you'll get better speed because you won't be rounding up.
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Phillip Coker
Just the opposite for me
In the strong gusty summer winds on San Franciso Bay, my '96 29.5 will round up quickly at 12 knots unless I have put in the first reef. Without the second reef, it is nearly impossible to keep the boat from rounding up in winds over 22 knots. This is just the opposite of your situation. I think that something is not right with your boat but I have no idea what it might be. Phillip
In the strong gusty summer winds on San Franciso Bay, my '96 29.5 will round up quickly at 12 knots unless I have put in the first reef. Without the second reef, it is nearly impossible to keep the boat from rounding up in winds over 22 knots. This is just the opposite of your situation. I think that something is not right with your boat but I have no idea what it might be. Phillip
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Guest
Wind is how strong?
I don't have an ananometer (isn't that a windspeed indicator), but I don't have near the steering problems that you guys are talking about. I usually sail with a 150 genoa and full main up to what seems like 12 to 15. Three questions- 1. Do you have a traveler on the mainsheet? eaasse it! 2. What is the length of your rudder from hull to tip? 3. Do you have a skeg between the prop and the rudder? Hunter removed the skeg in late 1994, and may have extended the rudder at that time. I'll measure mine and let you know.
I don't have an ananometer (isn't that a windspeed indicator), but I don't have near the steering problems that you guys are talking about. I usually sail with a 150 genoa and full main up to what seems like 12 to 15. Three questions- 1. Do you have a traveler on the mainsheet? eaasse it! 2. What is the length of your rudder from hull to tip? 3. Do you have a skeg between the prop and the rudder? Hunter removed the skeg in late 1994, and may have extended the rudder at that time. I'll measure mine and let you know.
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Daniel Jonas
Center of Effort
I think you are all focusing on this as a singular cause effect issue. Balancing sails to the conditions is what really matters. John, I'm not sure what your problem is, but if it really is 10-12 knots I can't imagine why you are full over on the helm in those conditions. Phillip, we sail a 290 on San Francisco Bay and we get much the same reaction as your 29.5. We find that the first reef needs to absolutely be in by 15 knots (that includes gusts in particular) and the second reef by 20 knots. Otherwise the center of effort is way to far aft and there is too much sail out. Once we get above those wind speeds there is way to much weather helm and the boat just rounds up at every gust. This is a new boat for us and we intend to experiment with just a little bit of jib out next time to see if moving the center of effort farther forward will help the steering more (but not as an alternative to reefing). Last time out (a week ago) we saw variations in wind from 13 to 30 knots from minute to minute for most of our sail from Sausalito to Treasure Island. These boats have a lot of sail for their waterline and rudder so it appears to us that balance is more critical then ever. And the last response is carrying a 150 genoa. That will make a significant difference in moving the center of effort forward on the boat. With winds under 15 knots he can probably get away with that and have a balanced situation (therefore control). Most boats I'm familiar with in San Francisco Bay are at 90 - 120 percent genoas with most at 100. That much sail around here (150)and you would be on your side much of the day. So my point is, you can't just compare wind. The sail plan has a bigger effect on the balance from boat to boat. John I would be interested to know what the resolution of your problem is. With a small jib your center of effort is more likely aft and should allow you to turn upwind easily. You are reporting full lee helm and you should actually have a little weather helm if balanced right. Is it the same problem on either tack?
I think you are all focusing on this as a singular cause effect issue. Balancing sails to the conditions is what really matters. John, I'm not sure what your problem is, but if it really is 10-12 knots I can't imagine why you are full over on the helm in those conditions. Phillip, we sail a 290 on San Francisco Bay and we get much the same reaction as your 29.5. We find that the first reef needs to absolutely be in by 15 knots (that includes gusts in particular) and the second reef by 20 knots. Otherwise the center of effort is way to far aft and there is too much sail out. Once we get above those wind speeds there is way to much weather helm and the boat just rounds up at every gust. This is a new boat for us and we intend to experiment with just a little bit of jib out next time to see if moving the center of effort farther forward will help the steering more (but not as an alternative to reefing). Last time out (a week ago) we saw variations in wind from 13 to 30 knots from minute to minute for most of our sail from Sausalito to Treasure Island. These boats have a lot of sail for their waterline and rudder so it appears to us that balance is more critical then ever. And the last response is carrying a 150 genoa. That will make a significant difference in moving the center of effort forward on the boat. With winds under 15 knots he can probably get away with that and have a balanced situation (therefore control). Most boats I'm familiar with in San Francisco Bay are at 90 - 120 percent genoas with most at 100. That much sail around here (150)and you would be on your side much of the day. So my point is, you can't just compare wind. The sail plan has a bigger effect on the balance from boat to boat. John I would be interested to know what the resolution of your problem is. With a small jib your center of effort is more likely aft and should allow you to turn upwind easily. You are reporting full lee helm and you should actually have a little weather helm if balanced right. Is it the same problem on either tack?
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Bob Rutland
When in doubt...let it out!
What's wrong with easing the sheets to re-gain rudder control? You said both sails were pulled in tight. Don't confuse a tightly trimmed sail with a flat(depowered)sail. To flatten a sail should be done with the hayard and outhaul, not with the sheet. If anything, ease the sheets and lower the traveler. Hope this helps, Bob P.S. Reef early. A flat boat is a fast boat.
What's wrong with easing the sheets to re-gain rudder control? You said both sails were pulled in tight. Don't confuse a tightly trimmed sail with a flat(depowered)sail. To flatten a sail should be done with the hayard and outhaul, not with the sheet. If anything, ease the sheets and lower the traveler. Hope this helps, Bob P.S. Reef early. A flat boat is a fast boat.
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