[Rhodes22-list] Story: Forward Weight?

[Bob Keller]

Here's a short story that I have been meaning to share, and there is 
actually a question at the end.  Several weeks ago Rummy, Roger R and I were 
out doing some tandem sailing on Hartwell.  It was a beautiful winter 
day-temps in the high 50's maybe 60, and the wind was blowing 15-20 with 
gusts higher.  Great day of sailing.  After we parted company at the end of 
the day to head back toward our opposite ends of the lake, I was 
singlehanding back to my dock, but the long way.  The wind was strong, the 
boat was hauling a--.  Had the full main, half the genoa and the boom in the 
lower position.  It was almost dark at this point, but it was too great to 
rush back to the dock.  Still, I was sailing pretty hard and was heeling 
nicely as I sat in the stern seat.  Then a strong gust of wind hit and the 
boat healed over so far that water came pouring into the cockpit.  The water 
actually filled up the compartment in the coaming and floated the cushion 
off the seat before I released the mainsheet.  I was surprised that the boat 
never rounded up, but I think the gust hit so quickly that it just heeled 
over instead.  I was puzzled by the water coming into the cockpit and wonder 
if more weight forward would prevent that?  I remember this happening one 
other time and it was when I had one crewmember with me on the high side 
near the cabin.  Of course, the first time it happened I immediately 
released the sheet and there was not much water in the cockpit.  But this 
time, I was in no hurry to release the sheet and wanted to see how much 
water would come in.  The answer:  a lot!  Would have continued if I did not 
release the sheet.

Anyone have any experience with this?  Is it a normal part of the design, or 
is it because of the weight at the stern (motor, battery, me, etc...)?
Bob K


>From: "Glen & Dorene Barrera" <dbarrera at comcast.net>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: <paul at grandpower.com>,"The Rhodes 22 mail list" 
><rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Forward Weight
>Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:38:14 -0600
>
>Ah-hem, Paul.... If Carol monitors the list.... "her weight forward offsets
>the big honkin' four stroke Mercury?"  ...... you're gonna be in big
>trouble... ;^)
>
>Dorene
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Paul Grandholm" <paul at grandpower.com>
>To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 12:41 PM
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Forward Weight
>
>
>My wife likes to sit on the bow while we're sailing and the boat still
>sails just fine.  I think her weight forward offsets the big honkin' four
>stroke Mercury I bought last year hanging off the stern.
>
>Paul
> >
> >MJM is so smart that I never disagree with him but do on this one - I 
>think
> >more weight up front results in a more balanced helm, lets you point 
>higher
> >and increases speed as a result of a longer water line and less transom
> >turbulence.  But I hardly ever get to sail so this would be an 
>interesting
> >thread to open to all you active, brilliant Rhodies.
> >
> >stan/gbi
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Michael Meltzer" <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com>
> >To: <bestpestcontrol at earthlink.net>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
> ><rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 11:07 PM
> >Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] I really appreciate you guys
> >
> >
> >> they was one thing not mentioned, the boat does NOT like weight 
>forward,
>I
> >seens as little at 20 pounds effect the trim and dig the
> >> noose into chop, this is not a good idea for the boat.
> >>
> >> MJM
> >>>
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>
>
>========================
>Paul Grandholm
>GrandPower Components Div.
>C&H Technology
>ISO 9001:2000 Certified
>========================
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list

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