KREW2
Well-Known Member
This makes good sense, when I go out single handed I sometimes don't put the main up.
I can still make 6.5 Knts on a beat with 12/14knts of wind, and still have a little weather helm.
Lee helm?
- Thread starter elton
- Start date
This makes good sense, when I go out single handed I sometimes don't put the main up.
I can still make 6.5 Knts on a beat with 12/14knts of wind, and still have a little weather helm.
Seajet
...
Elton,
just to clear things up, if you are - as is usual - sitting on the uphill windward side when steering, lee helm is when you have to keep pushing the tiller away from you to keep the boat into the wind.
Weather helm is when you have to keep the tiller pulled towards you, excessive weather helm can mean having the tiller under your ear !
just to clear things up, if you are - as is usual - sitting on the uphill windward side when steering, lee helm is when you have to keep pushing the tiller away from you to keep the boat into the wind.
Weather helm is when you have to keep the tiller pulled towards you, excessive weather helm can mean having the tiller under your ear !
elton
Well-Known Member
Now I've thought about it too much, and tried to digest all this good advice, and I can't remember whether I was having to turn it into the wind or off the windElton,
just to clear things up, if you are - as is usual - sitting on the uphill windward side when steering, lee helm is when you have to keep pushing the tiller away from you to keep the boat into the wind.
Weather helm is when you have to keep the tiller pulled towards you, excessive weather helm can mean having the tiller under your ear !
I'm beginning to think perhaps there was just too much sail for the conditions, and a reef or two in the main would have done the trick.
If it was my own boat and I was single handed (as usual), and given the conditions, I'd have probably put two reefs in the main before leaving the marina and given it no further thought.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Did you have to keep hauling the tiller with both hands up towards you?
If so that's weather helm!
If so that's weather helm!
William_H
Well-Known Member
Weather helm
hello Elton
It seems like you suffered weather helm If as said it were lee helm you would have been pushing the tiller which is very difficult for a long time. Lee helm is very unusual in heavy winds but can sometimes appear in light conditions and is a result of sail/keel in balance.
Weather helm is usually a result of overpowering the boat. A smaller jib is the best answer especially if he has furling. It is caused by the drive of the sail being further to leeward ie not over the drag of the hull and also by assymetry of the hull in the water. Yes the wheel type back stay adjust is fairly common but never forestay. Tightening the backstay can allow the top of the main to twist away to leeward and bend the mast so flattening the mainsail while also tightening the forestay so removing some camber from the jib. all helpful. good luck olewill
hello Elton
It seems like you suffered weather helm If as said it were lee helm you would have been pushing the tiller which is very difficult for a long time. Lee helm is very unusual in heavy winds but can sometimes appear in light conditions and is a result of sail/keel in balance.
Weather helm is usually a result of overpowering the boat. A smaller jib is the best answer especially if he has furling. It is caused by the drive of the sail being further to leeward ie not over the drag of the hull and also by assymetry of the hull in the water. Yes the wheel type back stay adjust is fairly common but never forestay. Tightening the backstay can allow the top of the main to twist away to leeward and bend the mast so flattening the mainsail while also tightening the forestay so removing some camber from the jib. all helpful. good luck olewill
