Has anybody got a solution to the weather helm tendencies on the Hunter 22? Will a new main sail make a big difference? I was out sailing last weekend with a reef in the main and still had bad weather helm unless the main was completely luffing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dan
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Scott Davis
Weather Helm Dan
Dan, I had the same problems with my H-23 last year. Here was my problem and how I got it worked out. First the mast rake (fore/aft)was set with to much aft rake.(14"--18") Stand your mast back up to maybe 2"-8" aft. Measure this by hanging a small weight from your mainsail halyard, lower the weight down to your cabin top and measure how far aft it lands from the base of the mast. This is rake. You will find it very easy to adjust your rigging to bring the mast back up straight. Next: Check your flip/up rudder to make sure it is all the way forward in its mount. I put a Bunge around mine to hold it forward. If you have one of the rope type arrangements to hold the rudder down, it slips allowing the rudder to sag back and really puts a load on the ole arms. If you still have problems, check into making up an adjustable backstay. I might be able to send you some pic's of mine. I still have to luff the main in a big gust just to keep the boat on its feet, but it no longer wants to round up every time now. The rest is just sail trip. Sure hope this helps you some, please let me know if I can help you more. Scott Davis H-23 "No Alibi" wsdavis@fmtc.net
Dan, I had the same problems with my H-23 last year. Here was my problem and how I got it worked out. First the mast rake (fore/aft)was set with to much aft rake.(14"--18") Stand your mast back up to maybe 2"-8" aft. Measure this by hanging a small weight from your mainsail halyard, lower the weight down to your cabin top and measure how far aft it lands from the base of the mast. This is rake. You will find it very easy to adjust your rigging to bring the mast back up straight. Next: Check your flip/up rudder to make sure it is all the way forward in its mount. I put a Bunge around mine to hold it forward. If you have one of the rope type arrangements to hold the rudder down, it slips allowing the rudder to sag back and really puts a load on the ole arms. If you still have problems, check into making up an adjustable backstay. I might be able to send you some pic's of mine. I still have to luff the main in a big gust just to keep the boat on its feet, but it no longer wants to round up every time now. The rest is just sail trip. Sure hope this helps you some, please let me know if I can help you more. Scott Davis H-23 "No Alibi" wsdavis@fmtc.net
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Dan
Hadn't thought of that
I had not considered mast rake. That could be why I am noticing weather helm more now than I did in the past since I just replaced all of my standing rigging and have not finished tweaking it yet. I will check the mast rake. I have the rope arrangement and I replaced all of the hardware including a new cam cleat last summer so it definitely doesn't fall back any. If anything I had trouble raising it when I needed to so I added another line to the back edge of the rudder with a small v-cleat to help me raise the rudder and hold it if I am in shallow water. Yes I actually have to pass through 3ft deep water occasionally due to the shallow waters around Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, TX Thanks, Dan
I had not considered mast rake. That could be why I am noticing weather helm more now than I did in the past since I just replaced all of my standing rigging and have not finished tweaking it yet. I will check the mast rake. I have the rope arrangement and I replaced all of the hardware including a new cam cleat last summer so it definitely doesn't fall back any. If anything I had trouble raising it when I needed to so I added another line to the back edge of the rudder with a small v-cleat to help me raise the rudder and hold it if I am in shallow water. Yes I actually have to pass through 3ft deep water occasionally due to the shallow waters around Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, TX Thanks, Dan
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Jim Kolstoe
Other thoughts
Scott's comment on mast rake is a good start, but also consider that it is, at least theoretically, possible to steer by playing off the balance between your headsail and your main sail. The interaction between the two sails could be part of your problem. After you have checked your rake, fiddle around with your trim and sail shape. I know because I used to have a lot of weather helm, until a friend taught me more about trimming sails to balance the helm. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Scott's comment on mast rake is a good start, but also consider that it is, at least theoretically, possible to steer by playing off the balance between your headsail and your main sail. The interaction between the two sails could be part of your problem. After you have checked your rake, fiddle around with your trim and sail shape. I know because I used to have a lot of weather helm, until a friend taught me more about trimming sails to balance the helm. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
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Dan
Sail trim
I have tried trimming several ways but the only trim that seems to almost eliminate the weather helm is to leave the main almost completely luffing and flogging which is not good for the sail. I have a vang on backorder from sailnet. When I get that in I will give it a try. That should help quite a bit but I don't think it will eliminate all of the problem. I was wondering if anybody had recently bought new sails for their 22 and can tell if they have helped the weather helm problems. Thanks, Dan
I have tried trimming several ways but the only trim that seems to almost eliminate the weather helm is to leave the main almost completely luffing and flogging which is not good for the sail. I have a vang on backorder from sailnet. When I get that in I will give it a try. That should help quite a bit but I don't think it will eliminate all of the problem. I was wondering if anybody had recently bought new sails for their 22 and can tell if they have helped the weather helm problems. Thanks, Dan
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Gregg Brock
h22 weather helm
My h22 did have some issues with weather helm and rounding up. I did make some adjustments with the rigging and the mast but it still didn't fix the problem. I've bought new sails and added a vang and a cunningham. Between all this, the weather helm is greatly reduced. The method that works best for me is, 1. 1-10 MPH winds full main 110% Jib 2. 10-13 MPH winds reefed main 110% Jib 3. 14-17 MPH winds reefed main 80% jib 4. 18-21 MPH winds full main No Jib 5. 22-30 MPH winds reefed main No jib I've been on the water with the winds at 40 mph twice and we've made 5 knots under bare poles. It was alot of work and no fun in those conditions. The h22 is powered up and driven by the main sail. If you can get a sail cutter to add an additional reef to the main sail, I'm sure it will help when the winds are up. It may also be the easiest and least expensive solution for the conditions you're sailing in. Good sail trim, vang and cunningham adjustments, and powering up or down depending on the winds works best for me. It's a great light air boat but it takes alot of work in heavy air. Having some friends aboard for rail duty also makes a difference. Hope this helps.
My h22 did have some issues with weather helm and rounding up. I did make some adjustments with the rigging and the mast but it still didn't fix the problem. I've bought new sails and added a vang and a cunningham. Between all this, the weather helm is greatly reduced. The method that works best for me is, 1. 1-10 MPH winds full main 110% Jib 2. 10-13 MPH winds reefed main 110% Jib 3. 14-17 MPH winds reefed main 80% jib 4. 18-21 MPH winds full main No Jib 5. 22-30 MPH winds reefed main No jib I've been on the water with the winds at 40 mph twice and we've made 5 knots under bare poles. It was alot of work and no fun in those conditions. The h22 is powered up and driven by the main sail. If you can get a sail cutter to add an additional reef to the main sail, I'm sure it will help when the winds are up. It may also be the easiest and least expensive solution for the conditions you're sailing in. Good sail trim, vang and cunningham adjustments, and powering up or down depending on the winds works best for me. It's a great light air boat but it takes alot of work in heavy air. Having some friends aboard for rail duty also makes a difference. Hope this helps.
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