I'm new to sailing and in reading books on sailing they often mention adjusting the centerboard position, especially when jibing. I can't say I've read very much here in these forums about centerboard position. Is it common practice to adjust the centerboard similar to working the sheets? If so under what sailing conditions would you make adjustments? Thanks, Pete
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Adjusting centerboard
The books I've read say that the centerboard should be adjusted to fine tune the boat for best performance based on the point of sail. The closer to the wind the more extended the centerboard should be. Close hauled=full down beam reach=1/2 down broad reach ~ 1/4 down running = almost up Adjusting the centerboard also changes the turning/pivot point of the boat. I'm not experienced enough to know the real effect of that. In the beginning when learning it is just as easy to leave the centerboard full down and forget about it with other tasks more critical.
The books I've read say that the centerboard should be adjusted to fine tune the boat for best performance based on the point of sail. The closer to the wind the more extended the centerboard should be. Close hauled=full down beam reach=1/2 down broad reach ~ 1/4 down running = almost up Adjusting the centerboard also changes the turning/pivot point of the boat. I'm not experienced enough to know the real effect of that. In the beginning when learning it is just as easy to leave the centerboard full down and forget about it with other tasks more critical.
Not with a swing keel
I'm no "Joe Pro" racer or anything, but, it's my understanding you only adjust the centerboard if it can be raised straight up. The 22 has a swing keel to make it trailerable and lessen the draft. On boats that have a keel or centerboard that raises vertically, think Melges, you can raise the keel straight up for some performance gain in certain situations. This does not apply to the swing keel of the 22. About the only time I've ever heard someone recommend moving the keel on a 22 while sailing was to lessen the effects of weatherhelm in high winds. Me, I leave the keel all the way down whenever I'm sailing. Fair Winds, Todd
I'm no "Joe Pro" racer or anything, but, it's my understanding you only adjust the centerboard if it can be raised straight up. The 22 has a swing keel to make it trailerable and lessen the draft. On boats that have a keel or centerboard that raises vertically, think Melges, you can raise the keel straight up for some performance gain in certain situations. This does not apply to the swing keel of the 22. About the only time I've ever heard someone recommend moving the keel on a 22 while sailing was to lessen the effects of weatherhelm in high winds. Me, I leave the keel all the way down whenever I'm sailing. Fair Winds, Todd
Pete, I've messed with this on my H22 many times. The best improvement I have ever seen is about .25 knot increase on a beam reach. I guess if you are in a race and in light air < 5 kts. you might want to play with the centerboard. But I'd spend my energy and time on sail trim. It will give you much better results, and a lot less effort.
Why bother?
I cruised my H22. The centerboard was up (at the dock or shallow water) or down (normal sailing conditions). Why mess with it if you aren't worried about speed. As Jimmy Buffet said "Go fast enough to get there but slow enough to see...moderation seems to be the key."
I cruised my H22. The centerboard was up (at the dock or shallow water) or down (normal sailing conditions). Why mess with it if you aren't worried about speed. As Jimmy Buffet said "Go fast enough to get there but slow enough to see...moderation seems to be the key."
My experence
My experence sailing the H22 for 23 years is leave the board 100% down except when running dead down wind. I have raised the board to allow slipage (the boat will heel less but point less too) when getting overpowered in heavy winds but I try to avoid those situations.
My experence sailing the H22 for 23 years is leave the board 100% down except when running dead down wind. I have raised the board to allow slipage (the boat will heel less but point less too) when getting overpowered in heavy winds but I try to avoid those situations.
Raise it some downsind.
Our club had 2 races Thursday evening. The first race I was first to the mark but was passed by a H25 on the way back. (simple course) The second race had the same result on the first leg with the H25 and another boat close behind. I raised the center board about half way up to try and get less drag. Something worked because neither boat got any closer. We were sailing between 2.7 and 4.5 mph. On the downwind leg the wind was about 100 deg on the Starboard side.
Our club had 2 races Thursday evening. The first race I was first to the mark but was passed by a H25 on the way back. (simple course) The second race had the same result on the first leg with the H25 and another boat close behind. I raised the center board about half way up to try and get less drag. Something worked because neither boat got any closer. We were sailing between 2.7 and 4.5 mph. On the downwind leg the wind was about 100 deg on the Starboard side.
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