Weather Helm

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Sep 10, 2012
24
ODay Javelin rangeley, ME
Have a 14 ft Javelin- have a wather helm- tried giving the mast some rake- sit father forward- but still a weather helm- in some windy lake weather, took mcuh water aborad- wife was scared- could not gedt the boat to turn into the wind e3ven when the tiller was hard over

any advice?

Thank you

Tom
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,952
Oday Day Sailer Wareham, MA
Well, first bit of advice, ALWAYS hold the mainsheet in your hand while sailing, use the camcleat to hold the tension, but ALWAYS hold the mainsheet tail in your hand while sailing, that way when a gust hits you can instantly release the sheet ot spill the wind before you tip far enough to take water over the lee rail.
If it is windy, try sailing with out the jib, just raise the CB a bit to reduce the weather helm created by the moving of the sail area aft.

I'm confused by your description of the problem though, you say yo uhave a strong weather helm, but them mention that yo ucan't get the boat to round up into the wind? Did you mean to say that you have a strong LEE HELM? Weather Helm is the tendancy for the boat to turn into the wind if you let go of the tiller and a slight amount of weather helm is desirable for that reason. Lee Helm is the tendency for the boat to turn AWAY from the wind (bow turns away from wind if you let go of tiller). Either tendancy can be adjusted by raking hte mast (lean mast back to increase weather helm, lean mast forward to reduce weather helm. Obviously, reducing weather helm will increae lee helm, so you do not want the mast to rake forward, but instead slightly aft) Balance (lee vs weather helm) can also be adjusted by raising or lowering the centerboard. Raising the board slightly will reduce weather helm, lowering the Cb will increase weather helm. Condition of the sails can effect weather helm, old worn-out sails tend to cause more weather helm and will actually increase the heeling as well. Newer sails will provide more driving power with less heeling, older sails may be able to be flatened a bit by making the outhaul, down haul and main halyard tighter.
 
Oct 2, 2008
1,424
Island Packet 31 Brunswick, Ga
tom flatley said:
Have a 14 ft Javelin- have a wather helm- tried giving the mast some rake- sit father forward- but still a weather helm- in some windy lake weather, took mcuh water aborad- wife was scared- could not gedt the boat to turn into the wind e3ven when the tiller was hard over

any advice?

Thank you

Tom
Maybe you had too much sail up for the conditions, maybe the sails were not properly trimmed. Also much to be said about the rudder ( not tiller, u had your rudder hard over). If rudder is hard over then you are braking, not guiding, the boat. What I am really saying is that there is more problem with skill than boat. That is OK. We have all been there. Don't give up. Keep going out, keep reading, keep learning. It is a complex combination of wind, rigging, and sail trim. No one gets it right all the time. The boat is fine. Learn how to use it. Refine your technique.
 

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Oct 2, 2008
1,424
Island Packet 31 Brunswick, Ga
emergpa1 said:
Maybe you had too much sail up for the conditions, maybe the sails were not properly trimmed. Also much to be said about the rudder ( not tiller, u had your rudder hard over). If rudder is hard over then you are braking, not guiding, the boat. What I am really saying is that there is more problem with skill than boat. That is OK. We have all been there. Don't give up. Keep going out, keep reading, keep learning. It is a complex combination of wind, rigging, and sail trim. No one gets it right all the time. The boat is fine. Learn how to use it. Refine your technique.
Also, never take the wife out in other than near calm conditions until the boat and you are ready. Make the trip about her and you. Not about sailing and the boat. Leave that for your solo days. Best of luck.
 
Oct 18, 2011
95
Watkins 27 Port Charlotte, FL
Have a 14 ft Javelin- have a wather helm- tried giving the mast some rake- sit father forward- but still a weather helm- in some windy lake weather, took mcuh water aborad- wife was scared- could not gedt the boat to turn into the wind e3ven when the tiller was hard over

any advice?

Thank you

Tom
Um, aren't you describing lee helm and not weather helm? And aren't you doing the opposite of what would help? You say you can't get the boat to turn into the wind and that would be lee helm, not weather helm, and on my boat that would mean raking the mast aft, not forward, and/or reducing the headsail so that the main tries to turn you up... In any case, it seems like a pretty high performance boat to have your wife aboard if she isn't comfortable. Good luck with the boat.

EDIT: Sorry - I just read your wording more closely and just realized you were raking the mast aft. I still think I would be reducing the headsail though if it is turning you off the wind.
 
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