[Rhodes22-list] Balanced Helm
Toad the Wet Sprocket
rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:47:01 -0400
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<P>Joe,</P>
<P> There several ways to describe the same condition. I have the same problem with understeer and oversteer when setting race car suspensions up. Lee helm and Weather helm are as simple to remember as their names. If you need to hold the tiller to the weather side of the boat (side toards the wind) you have "weather helm".<BR><BR>Todd aka "Sprocket" ....not Toad</P></DIV>
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<DIV>Please respond to <A href="mailto:sprocket80@hotmail.com">sprocket80@hotmail.com</A></DIV>
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<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>From: "Ware, Joseph W." <JOSEPH_WARE@MERCK.COM>
<DIV></DIV>Reply-To: rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
<DIV></DIV>To: "'rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org'" <RHODES22-LIST@RHODES22.ORG>
<DIV></DIV>Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Balanced Helm
<DIV></DIV>Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 08:28:29 -0400
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<DIV></DIV>As long as we are here, help me get it straight. I have a mental block with
<DIV></DIV>lee and weather helm. If the wind is coming over the port side, I am on a
<DIV></DIV>port tack. If the boat is trying to head into the wind, I. E. bow to port,
<DIV></DIV>and I am sitting on the high side, the port side, and I am puling the tiller
<DIV></DIV>toward me, I. E. trying to head the boat away from the wind to starboard,
<DIV></DIV>which is this lee or weather helm? Is the opposite true? If I was pushing
<DIV></DIV>the tiller award me, I. E. trying to head the boat into the wind to port...
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>I be confused.
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<DIV></DIV>Also in light air, I am balanced. I have issues only as the wind picks up,
<DIV></DIV>I'm trying to understand the dynamics. I know I need to roll in some of the
<DIV></DIV>genny to stabilize the boat.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Joe
<DIV></DIV>W/V/ Whisper
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>-----Original Message-----
<DIV></DIV>From: Roger Pihlaja [mailto:cen09402@centurytel.net]
<DIV></DIV>Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2002 8:12 AM
<DIV></DIV>To: rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
<DIV></DIV>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Balanced Helm
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Mary Lou, Joe, Et All,
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>If you are having lee helm with the 175% genoa in light air, then consider
<DIV></DIV>trying the following before you lengthen the forestay:
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Slack off slightly on the mainsail's outhaul on the boom. This will
<DIV></DIV>increase the fullness or maximum draft in the mainsail's shape. In light
<DIV></DIV>air, increasing the draft on the mainsail will power it up relative to the
<DIV></DIV>genoa, which should move the sail plan's center of effort aft & thus
<DIV></DIV>decrease your lee helm. (& make you go faster as well!) The downside is
<DIV></DIV>that the new sail shape will be less forgiving of sail trimming & helmsman
<DIV></DIV>errors. i.e., the "groove" will be narrower.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>+
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Tighten up the mainsail's leech line. This will cause the mainsail's leech
<DIV></DIV>to curve ("hook") to windward. This will cause the mainsail's center of
<DIV></DIV>effort to move aft, which will decrease lee helm.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>+
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Make certain you are using the main sheet & traveller properly. Watch your
<DIV></DIV>mainsail's leech telltales to be certain you are not overtrimming the
<DIV></DIV>mainsail, thus causing the airflow to stall. If you stall the airflow over
<DIV></DIV>the mainsail, the sail plan's center of effort will move forward & increase
<DIV></DIV>lee helm.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>+
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Make certain you are not overtrimming the genoa. The exhaust airflow coming
<DIV></DIV>off an overtrimmed genoa will blanket the mainsail & induce the airflow on
<DIV></DIV>the leeward side of the mainsail to stall. See above bullet point
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>If these techniques solve your light air lee helm issues; then, it will be
<DIV></DIV>better than permanently raking the mast further aft, which will increase
<DIV></DIV>weather helm under all conditions. Remember, these sail shape adjustments
<DIV></DIV>are subtle & a little bit of sail shape or sail trim change can have a
<DIV></DIV>significant effect.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Good luck!
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Roger Pihlaja
<DIV></DIV>S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
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