Weather Helm & Tenderness

[Mal Trotter]

We are in the process of buying a 340. I have noticed in previous threads that there are repeated comments relating to weather helm on the 340 and a number of comments indicating is a fairly tender boat.Are either of these issues a problem? We have sailed the Whitsunday Islands on both a Beneteau 39 and a Jeaneau 34 - neither boat suffered from either problem.Should we be concerned?

 

[Alex]

Unlike Beneteau and Jeaneau..

..new Hunters have very diferent sail plan , meaning a very large mainsail and a modest smal flat genoa , more of a size of work jib , not unlike big racing sailboats , but with a detuned conservative displacement/sail ratio.If rig not correctly tuned , or sails not precisely trimed , one might get sooner weather helm than on a more 'conventional' sail/rig configuration of a large/medium headsail and medium size main. One just need to understand more how to it works.(Unless you get one of the optional in-mast furling main , in which case the main is heavily depowered-some will say to much.._..and as such is eassily 'balanced' by the genoa.)More of a problem as weather helm is concern , is while running with the wind, when angled back spreaders prevent main full relalease, and a tendecy , especially on gusts, to turn winward . But thats a limit with all B

 

[Miles Potter]

Weather Helm

My 340 tends to develop serious weather helm in winds 15-20 knots. Once it was so severe that even with the helm hard over there was no control and the boat kept wanting to pull up in puffs. Now I reef in around 12-15 knots of wind and still make 6-7 knots hullspeed easily even with a reef. The trade off is that the rig is very easy to handle and performs very well in light (say 6-12 knots). Not sure what the winds are like where you are but if a typical day is over 20 knots you'll probably have a reef in all the time... It's a great boat though!

 

[Jay Meyer]

No Problem Mon

My 340 will also show some weather helm in winds of 15-20 knots. The key is to take a reef early, remember it is a large main, you will maintain good boat speed as well as being safe and convertible. Do not let the sail plan effect your decision to purchase a 340. It is a fine boat that handles very well!

 

[Wynn Ferrel]

340 needs to be reefed early

I agree with the other writters. We are VERY please with our H340. Yes, it is tender, but the weather helm is easily addressed by adjusting the traveler and/or reefing. We have now learned to put the first reef in if we expect 15 knots and the second one in for 20 knots. That way we have a smoother ride and less tension for all on board. Myself, included. My wife really appreciates the early reefing. A little excitement is okay, too much and I'll risk her continued enjoyment of sailing --- and I DON'T want that, if you know what I mean. Also, we've found that the first reef can be put in fairly easily even after the main is up and can be shaken out while still sailing without turning into the wind. Kind of a cute trick. I, also, appreciate the fact that the main can be reefed without leaving the safety of the cockpit. A nice feature.Wynn FerrelS/V Tranquility