Neil
Well-Known Member
Do note Michaelchapman's comment about not putting the helm over more than 30 degrees as well. It's not just about putting the helm over slowly; on many small boats it's possible to put rudder right over to more 45 degrees or so which is not usually of any benefit in any situation. As said put the helm over steadily but, once you get to about 30 degrees just hold it there.
Another thought - how well-balanced is the boat on a close reach? You should be having to hold the tiller a little bit to stop her luffing up (weather helm).
Edit:
Just had a look at at a Whammel on the web - what a lovely looking boat.
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/AYB236
www.characterboats.co.uk
Looking at the length of that tiller I guess you won't putting the helm too far over unless you've got a tame Orang-utan as your helmThat's a very long and shallow and keel though.
Yes, I think the rudder can go well past 30 deg (I'll check!), and I have the habit of pushing the tiller over as far as it will go............and I'm not too sure how much weather helm there is - it doesn't take much to hold to a close reach.
Incidently, my boat is the Coastal Whammel, but similar to that illustrated on boatsandoutboards: http://www.characterboats.co.uk/ind...id=49:coastal-dayboat&catid=34:demo&Itemid=95
So now I have: bear away a little to build up some speed, slowly and steadily come about, holding the rudder to a max of 30 deg. If necessary allow the jib to back and if all else fails when in irons, put the rudder on the opposite side and allow the wind to blow the boat backwards, bringing it round to the opposite tack (this last is really weird!)
