When sailing Bneteau 373 in 20 - 30 knots of wind, I am experiencing an abnormal amount of weather helm even with both the main and jib reefed. Any suggestions or comments?
weather helm
- Thread starter mwheeles
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First thing I'd look at is mast rake. I sailed my Catalina for a couple seasons with too much weather helm before I decided to take some of the rake out of the mast. When the dealer rigged the boat, they didn't pay any attention to the rake, or make any attempt to tune the rig.
I don't know the history on your rig, but it can be a good idea to assume everything is wrong unless you know better.
So, check the rake and tune the rig.
I don't know the history on your rig, but it can be a good idea to assume everything is wrong unless you know better.
So, check the rake and tune the rig.
More than likely, too much mast rake. Hopefully you have a turnbuckle in the forestay or a different connection point further forward, otherwise you may have to have a rigger shorten it. Also try to reduce your angle of heel by dropping the traveller. These boats like to be sailed flat. In heavy wind, the main needs to be flattened using outhaul and vang. Jib cars need to be set aft to help flatten the jib.
Thank you. As the wind approaches 30 we have to furl the main completely and use about 35% of the jib.
There is mast bend. I assume because of the swept back spreaders?? The B46 I sail on is rigged the same way but doesn't have the weather helm issue. I've sailed on eight other Beneteaus and never had anything near the problem with the 373. Thank you.
There is mast bend aft. With both sails reefed and flat and the traveler down the weather helm is severe. We end up with just the reefed jib. Will check to see if the forestay can be shortened or moved forward. It's probably a good idea to bring in a rigger. Thank you.
Before you get off onto changing the rig geometry....
How is the sail shape on that main? Really?!
Given that the boat was decently designed, it should sail without excessive helm if you have reduced sail area for the wind pressure. At about 25 kts+ you probably should have the second reef in, for starters.
When the first reef is in, can you get the clew pulled right out tight and onto the boom top? Is the sail fairly flat with the draft center or forward a bit?
Also, when you reef that jib, what size is the whole jib?? For instance, if it's a 135 and you are rolling in a lot to get it down to about a 100, the shape is likely terrible and the luff is fat and slowing you down... and causing you to heal more.
After having issues with our faithful 135 and never getting the boat to balance just right in winds over 18, this year I went with a new 95% with vertical battens. With one reef in the main we go to weather at over 7 kts in 22 kts true. In 17 kts, we go to weather with the full main, flattened, and can maintain over 7 kts.
After decades of believing that large genny's are great to have, I am a convert to smaller ones that maintain a decent leach profile with the right battens.
Something to consider...
(Small world -- there's a Bene 373 just down the dock from me. )
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Just a thought... With my 323, when its really breezy, and contrary to the sail center of effort being further aft, I find myself dousing the jib completely and pulling in the second reef. I have a small amount of weather helm, but the boat will continue to drive. Why this should be I don't know, but the boat seems to sail better on the main only, rather than the jib only. With the main fully up and the jib rolled out, I do experience weather helm in moderate conditions.
Use the Guide
The Neil Pryde sail trim guide for my B46 is spot on. I use the recommendations and have sailed in sustained winds between 25 & 30 kts with gusts well over 30. The helm remains extremely well balanced with just a bit of weather helm.
Here I have a slight amount of weather helm in about 25 kts. of wind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nWqMpxFP2Y
I recommend you try the same for the 373.
http://www.neilprydesails.com/pdfs/373 Tuning Guide.pdf
The Neil Pryde sail trim guide for my B46 is spot on. I use the recommendations and have sailed in sustained winds between 25 & 30 kts with gusts well over 30. The helm remains extremely well balanced with just a bit of weather helm.
Here I have a slight amount of weather helm in about 25 kts. of wind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nWqMpxFP2Y
I recommend you try the same for the 373.
http://www.neilprydesails.com/pdfs/373 Tuning Guide.pdf
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