[Rhodes22-list] Some theories on sailing problem wanted

[The Rhodes 22 Email List]

Well, I'm at a complete loss and don't have a clue as to cause of the problem
I'm experiencing.

I raised mast, launched and sailed with IMF main only yesterday after
adjusting forestay length as close as I could to the tuning guide
recommended 333", which for me ended up 335".

When I raised mast, 335" forestay was a couple of inches short of reaching
bow tang with back stay totally un-tensioned.  Note that the backstay tangs
are set in the holes giving minimum length - that is, I could make them a
couple of inches longer. Instead, I added a couple of small shackles to
forestay to make forestay a couple of inches longer and hooked it up. So
now, forestay is at least 337" in length.

It was quite windy so I sailed with IMF main only - fully extended. I sailed
with centerboard all the way down, rudder also all the way down and against
stops.

Nice light weather helm on starboard. A definite lee helm on port,  fairly
light. Again, this was with no jib. Boat otherwise behaved very well, coming
about nicely, etc. It even pointed quite well based on the track on my chart
plotter as I went between starboard and port tacks.

Winds were strong and variable causing considerable variation in heel angle
and helm behavior didn't change - so helm behavior is not due to the bow
steering effect due to boat heel.

I see this same helm behavior when using jib. 

I've measured to make sure the mast is vertical, tightened shrouds evenly,
etc.

Other than having a crooked centerboard or keel, I have no idea what could
be causing this weird behavior. I've owned many sail boats, mostly smaller,
two bigger, and none has behaved like this.

Any ideas, similar experiences, thoughts are welcome.

Brooks Bridges
1986/2006 Rhodes 22 "Changes"
Cambridge, MD





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