[Rhodes22-list] Curved Rudder | 84 Rhodes 22

[jpd9668 at gmail.com]

Chris,
Yours is much different than my experience. Until Stan instructed me how to use the downhaul on the rudder, I had severe lee helm. Once I pulled the downhaul tight my helm has been balanced ever since. If you're getting 95 deg. or less on point, that's pretty good. Do you have roller furling jib?

Joe Dempsey
S/V Respite
Deltaville, VA

-----Original Message-----
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of Chris on LBI
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2022 11:37 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Curved Rudder | 84 Rhodes 22

It is so interesting that to me that this topic just came up. I've been thinking about posting some late-season observations about my Rhodes that are closely related to this thread.

After years of being frustrated with what I consider to be excessive lee helm, toward the end of this past season I noticed that the forward edge of my rudder was not vertical. It is much like the white rudder shown in Bob's photo. It kicks forward a little. In an attempt to rectify this, I changed how I was using the rudder down-haul. Rather than pull it tight, I eased off a bit allowing me to use the up-haul to make the leading edge of the rudder close to vertical.

I only had the opportunity to try this twice before we had to take the boat out for the season, but in both outings, I was able to much more easily balance the helm and was able to tack very close to 90 degrees (something that eluded me on this boat since we purchased her). Attached is a diagram showing my track as I tested my ability to tack while sailing as close to the wind as I could. As you can see, the tacks were about 95 degrees. In the past I was generally closer to 110 degrees, so I consider this a great improvement.

Also, prior to trying this adjustment with the rudder, we frequently had difficulty bringing the bow through the wind; we had to be very precise with our timing of releasing sheets. I did not have the opportunity to test the change in high wind conditions, but she seemed to be much more responsive to a turn to windward.

I'll continue to experiment next year and spend more time working on a way to be sure that the leading edge of the rudder is truly vertical.

Chris

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