[Public-List] Weather helm

[Bill Wallace via Public-List]

Moving the mast is a standard way of adjusting the center of effort of the main sail - my own boat, Chewan #626 has an adjustable plate that allows, perhaps 4 cm of movement, and I've moved the mast about 2 cm forward, and even with new sails last year it makes a difference in behaviour that is worthwhile.   I agree that adjusting to a complete new position, eg 10 cm forward or something isn't something I would do, but small adjustments DO make a difference and are not what I would consider "reengineering" but really just adjusting for small differences in how the boat was constructed, small differences in sail design, typical conditions you sail under etc.
Note that some boats actually have a ram that moves the base of the mast forward or backwards, then you can adjust it dynamically, although I think they use it more to control mast bend.
You can potentially make the same sort of adjustment by adjusting the fore/back stays, but the two should actually both be done so you move the entire mast forward, not just the lower or upper half.
You can also play adding a down-haul on the main to get the luff tighter, which is useful with older sails in moderate wind to keep the luff less baggy, and with new sails in higher winds to improve the luff shape, especially under gusts. 

    On Tuesday, February 23, 2016 11:28 AM, Gordon Laco via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
 

 You're bang on correct, George.

Altering the structure of the boat to cope with worn out sails is not the
way to deal with weather helm.

I used to sit on the Board of Directors of a sail training organization...
One of my fellow directors was an engineer of Hungarian origins.  I used to
see him sometimes catching my eye across the table, then he'd slowly reach
over his head with his right arm and scratch his left ear.  I asked him
what that meant.

He said (imagine a Hungarian accent...)  "Gordon.  The correct, direct and
efficient way to scratch your left ear is with your left hand.  They are
trying to do it with their right.  It's possible, but not correct, direct
and efficient".

Brilliant.

Gord #426 Surprise


On 2016-02-23, 11:19 AM, "George Dinwiddie via Public-List"
<public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> I keep hearing people talking about reengineering the rigging of the
> boat to reduce weather helm, and it makes me think about when we first
> bought Calypso and it had significant weather helm. I used to sail with
> a large "bubble" in the luff of the main to keep her under control.
> 
> Then we got a new main, and the problem went away. The old main had a
> delightfully smooth shape, but was stretched out of shape for all but
> light air days. When the wind was normal, the lift over the belly of the
> sail was more than the jib could counteract.
> 
> Something to consider.
> 
>  - George


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