Ketch Accidently Hove To

WanderingStar · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010

Yesterday at the end of a nice sail I decided to remain under sail instead of powering while striking sail. Needing some room from shore, I sheeted the mizzen in tight while furling everything else. When done I noticed the helm was hard over, we were pointed just off the wind, not moving. There was a small drift slick to windward, the sail stayed full, all very neat. Just as it should be.

CaptainForce · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010

When imagining my own ketch's behavior I assume that when you say, "the helm was hard over" the helm was directed to turn you off the wind and not to the reverse as I would expect if you had a small bit of jib out instead of the mizzen. Please confirm....'take care and joy, Aythya crew

St Anna · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010

In some ketches with decent size mizzen and a full long keel, sheeted hard on a close beat, you can lose the helm. It is a type of heaving to, just the effort of the forward sails giving lee helm is countered by the mizzen's weather helm.

I have had this occur beating up a river between beacons and river traffic. Just release the mizzen sheet and the helm magically re-appears.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/v...a/P4100332.jpg

CaptainForce · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Anna

In some ketches with decent size mizzen and a full long keel, sheeted hard on a close beat, you can lose the helm. ......

This sounds like you "lose the helm" and your rudder freely feathers without resistance; however, with a hydraulic helm, you may "lose the helm" and have it remain where you left it. So, I remain with my assumption that with the mizzen remaining sheeted in and not flogging the rudder would be positioned to turn off the wind. It"s unlikely that all our ketches will behave the same, but the sail and rudder in opposition seems normal for "hove to". Take care and joy, Aythya crew

St Anna · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainForce

This sounds like you "lose the helm" and your rudder freely feathers without resistance; however, with a hydraulic helm, you may "lose the helm" and have it remain where you left it. So, I remain with my assumption that with the mizzen remaining sheeted in and not flogging the rudder would be positioned to turn off the wind. It"s unlikely that all our ketches will behave the same, but the sail and rudder in opposition seems normal for "hove to". Take care and joy, Aythya crew

Very much completely in agreement but not hydraulic- cable directly over the quadrant. Every boat is different.

Some yachts can get this when clr is exactly on the ce and rudder is fairly forward (not like a bendy toy aka beneteau)

WanderingStar · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

No, the helm was hard up, into the wind. WS has a high bow, both the mizzen and the rudder were pushing her into the wind, against the tendency of the bow to fall off. The rudder went there by itself, it will kick around with boat motion or seas. It's one of those heavy bronze screw gear systems by Edson.

CaptainForce · #7 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

[quote=WanderingStar;632677]No, the helm was hard up, into the wind. WS has a high bow, both the mizzen and the rudder were pushing her into the wind, against the tendency of the bow to fall off....................quote]

Ah, I understand, I was thinking of my ketch's behavior in lighter winds when I leave the helm to lower the main and put things away while the mizzen remains for my last task. Sure, the bow in higher winds would make it similar to a small jib remaining. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Aythya crew