Weatherhelm

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Aug 9, 2010
1
Pearson 33-2 New Bern
Here's a suggestion that may help someone out there with weatherhelm issues. I have a 1987 k/cb 33-2. My problem was weatherhelm in winds in excess of 12kts. My rudder was turned so far over it acted like I was dragging a bucket! My sails are only 2 yrs old......7oz dacron, full batten main w/bat cars and a 135 genoa. My sailmaker Paul Lockwood at Omar Sails Beaufort, NC, suggested moving the genoa car back to flatten out the gib and sheeting the main in and then dropping it down with the traveler to give it alot of twist at the top.He also said that I should keep the boat from healing more than 12 degrees. I went out yesterday armed with this info in winds in excess of 12kts and tried his suggestions. The boat sailed to weather with hardly any pull on the wheel! It was like sailing a different boat. With a few more tweeks I'll be ready to race. Paul also said that "bending" the mast with the backstay to reduce weatherhelm is a myth. His suggestions certainly helped to correct my problem.
 
Sep 3, 2009
15
Pearson 33 Charleston
I actually race a Pearson 33 (1971) K/CB that I purchased in New Bern. I had the same experience with weatherhelm and found that moving the genoa car all the way back to flatten the sail helped a great deal. Adjusting the main traveler to center the boom also helps to balance the load. I agree that fiddling with the mast doesn't do much to correct.
It also helped to have extra crew on the rail to keep us more vertical. We went from middle of the pack to contending with faster boats. Next step is to get a feathering prop!
 

ddoles

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Aug 25, 2010
13
Pearson 31-2 Jersey City, NJ
One other tweek that can help is to tension the outhaul. This will flatten the bottom of the sail and move the draft forward, reducing weather helm. North Sails publishes a great book on Sail Trim that covers all this and more.
 
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