Ahoy, Zif001. Regarding your weather helm in
wind speeds of 10 to 15 knots, may I comment?
It is very common for sailors to underestimate the power winds in this range. On the Beaufort scale, this is force 4 (ll to l6) knots. On one-designs, the crew will be fully extended, the boat will plane on most points of sail, and in the upper reaches of this range, beginning
dinghy sailors will be advised to make for shore. It is often called a "learner''s gale". Remember, the force of the wind quadruples when the wind speed doubles. Most cruising boats will be just coming into their own, but some will have one reef in the main. You have described the classic symptom of being overpowered. You didn''t mention the sail area or displacement of your boat, but 15 knots of wind may be more for your boat than you suspect. You are probably over powered, and the weather helm is coming from the increased heeling tendencies of your boat in these winds. Take a reef or drop to a smaller head sail and see if that doesn''t help. I refer you to my comments to sehopkins
under "Heeling Paranoia". If the location of your mast were the problem, it would be with you at all wind speeds. It wouldn''t just suddenly show up when the pipes up. Just a thought. Don''t underestimate these winds.
dhd