[Rhodes22-list] Rudder angle, tacking, and racing

Leland LKUHN at cnmc.org
Thu Nov 22 08:24:53 EST 2007 

PT,

Didn't learn as much as I'd hoped.

Wind was about 5 knots.  No chop.  Current with the wind.  Centerboard up. 
Set the genoa at the outside shroud (about 115%?).  Close reach.  Pure luck,
but the sails were in perfect balance.  No hands and no tiller lock.  My
weight was in the center of the boat.  After about 5 minutes I carefully
climbed up on the lazarette facing aft.  With the boat still on a steady
course, I pulled the rudder up and immediately went into a full tack into
the wind.

I tried to repeat the experiment with a slower tug or partial raise of the
rudder, but I couldn't get the sails balanced again.  The speed and
direction of the wind kept changing until there was no wind at all.

Not much of a trial, but my assumption would be that in those conditions the
Rhodes doesn't have enough weight or depth below the surface to stay
balanced without the rudder.  It might work with the centerboard down, but
then the drag from the centerboard would probably slow you down as much as
the drag from the rudder.

With the sails balanced in those conditions, I was traveling at 3.5 knots in
an apparent wind of 5.7 knots.  According to:

http://www.sailingusa.info/true_wind_calculator.htm
http://www.sailingusa.info/true_wind_calculator.htm 

...if my close reach was at about 50 degrees, the true wind was actually
4.37 knots.

The fastest I made it the rest of the day was 1.3 knots on a close reach
with an apparent wind of 3 knots with the 175 genoa all the way out.  At 50
degrees, that would calculate to a 2.38 true wind.  The white sail of the
genoa was inflated but the UV protector was flopped over.  I furled the
genoa in until the UV protector flew straight back with the rest of the
sail, which brought the headsail down to about 90%.  My speed:  still 1.3
knots.  My assumption:  If you haven't enough wind to blow that UV strip
straight back, you've got way too much genoa out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lee





Peter Thorn wrote:
> 
> Lee,
> 
> Sailing without the "rudder brake" is sometimes practiced by racing
> sailing
> sailors to improve boat handling skills.  By adjusting your weight and the
> trim of the sails you can make the boat head up, fall off or steer a
> straight course.  More heel to head up, more hike to fall off.  It isn't
> as
> easy or intuitive as rudder steering, but it can really sharpen your boat
> handling skills.  With furling sails you should be able to get the boat
> balanced well, although I haven't tried this in R22 yet.  Please let us
> know
> what you learn.
> 
> PT
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Leland
> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 7:25 AM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rudder angle, tacking, and racing
> 
> 
> You guys got me thinking.  Sometimes when my sails are balanced and the
> wind
> is steady and there isn't much chop and the moon is in the 7th hour, I
> sail
> hands-free without the tiller being locked into place.  This is typically
> on
> a close reach with the centerboard up, and any slight shift in rail meat
> can
> mess it up.  In those situations, do you think I could pull my rudder
> completely out of the water?  If a little marine growth can slow you down,
> I
> can imagine how much drag a big rudder causes.
> 
> My boat is still in the water--I'll give it a try next time out.
> 
> Lee
> 
> 
> 
> Tropical Man wrote:
>> 
>> I do raise the rudder when in light air or anytime I'm running. I does
>> make a big difference.
>> 
>> Luis
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----
>> From: Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
>> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 8:47:36 PM
>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Rudder angle, tacking, and racing
>> 
>> When you angle the rudder aft, it has the effect 
>> of changing the foil shape to one more efficient 
>> for slower speeds.  This reduces the stall speed 
>> of the rudder just as a flap does on an airplane 
>> wing.  
>> 
>> So, to check this theory while racing, lift the 
>> rudder when tacking, but lower it when running 
>> free or in strong wind.  
>> 
>> When on a beam reach, having the rudder aligned 
>> with the axis of the gudgeons will reduce tiller 
>> effort if the sails are not balanced, or if you
>> get a great gust with a weather helm.
>> 
>> Betcha you will go faster.  Let me know - I'm
>> out of the water 'til spring.
>> 
>> /Robert
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> Leland wrote:
>>> 
>>> Jb,
>>> 
>>> First of all, great pictures.  Your boat is beautiful and your pictures
>>> of
>>> the regatta reminded me that Annapolis isn't the only place to see a
>>> bunch
>>> of sailboats.  Catch that fish off of your Rhodes?
>>> 
>>> I never thought about lifting the rudder to reduce drag on a tack.  
>>> Although
>>> it makes sense, I probably won't do it just out of pure laziness.  Is
>>> this a
>>> common technique with the racing crowd?
>>> 
>>> Lee
>>> 1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
>>> Crab Alley (Kent Island, MD)
>>> 
>>> Just bent wrote:
>>> >
>>> > I did that on purpose so when I throw the tiller over to tack, it
>>> doesn't
>>> > put on the brakes as much, but still turns.
>>> > Jb
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Rob Lowe wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> Just bent,
>>> >> Just finished looking at your photos (thanks).  Noticed the position
>>> of
>>> >> your
>>> >> rudder.  It appears not to be down all the way.  Is there some sort
>>> or
>>> a
>>> >> "down haul" that pulls the rudder down into a vertical position?  
>>> Try
>>> it
>>> >> and
>>> >> see if your maneuvering improves. - rob
>>> >>
>>> >> Rob Lowe
>>> >> S/V Getaway
>>> >>
>>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>>> >> From: "Just bent" <j.bulfer at jbtek.com>
>>> >> To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>> >> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 11:39 PM
>>> >> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] new boat position
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> I moved my boat about 12" forward on the trailer. It towed much
>>> better.
>>> >> I'll
>>> >>> check the weight tomorrow.
>>> >>> Lots of sailors out today. New pics on the ftp site.
>>> >>>
>>> >>> ftp://ftp.jbtek.com/pub/
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Jbulfer
>>> >>> "Just bent"
>>> >>> http://www.nabble.com/file/p13688442/DSC00958.jpeg
>>> >>> http://www.nabble.com/file/p13688442/DSC00928.jpeg
>>> >>> --
>>> >>> View this message in context:
>>> >> http://www.nabble.com/new-boat-position-tf4784775.html#a13688442
>>> >>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>>> >>>
>>> >>> __________________________________________________
>>> >>> 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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>>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>>> 
>>> __________________________________________________
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>> 
>> -- 
>> Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven" 
>> Gorham, Maine        04038-1331
>> s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."
>> __________________________________________________
>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>> 
>> 
>>      
>>
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>> 
> 
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