Wouldn't go to starboard

[morgan5152]

I'm still a noobie, keep that in mind. The wife and I are out in our Islander 28, we are sailing closehauled, winds 15-20 from the southwest our starboard, wave train is 4-5ft, just past ebb tide. We go to turn starboard to go back the same way we came and the boat fights me wants to continue to port even with the rudder hard over (wheel steering). We have not experienced that before and I am wondering what factors were at work to cause that?

[NCC320]

Most likely, if you slack off the jib/genoa sheet, you will be able to make your turn without problem. Think of the side forces on the boat. All other things being equal, the boat has a pivot point more or less where the keel or mast is. Side wind forces pushing on the mainsail, and wave and wind forces on the aft of the hull will tend to push/pivot the bow into the wind. Side wind forces pushing on the jib/genoa, and water (hull speed and wave) and wind forces on the forward part of the hull will tend to push the bow downwind. So at being close hauled, those forces on the forward part of the boat that were trying to push the bow downwind were counterbalanced by the effect of your rudder, but when you tried to go more up wind, the rudder became overpowered and couldn't force the bow into the wind because the turn upwind would increase for a while the side forces on the bow. Under certain circumstances, the same thing can happen to prevent you from going downwind. It's all about forces on the boat being balanced or unbalanced.
You could also play with a different size jib or mast rake to effect this effect, but just easing the jib sheet is the easy quick way.

[morgan5152]

Thanks NCC, I think that mostly explains it. I had eased the jib sheet some but probably not enough. When the situation creates itself again I will experiment more to see how the boat behaves.

[Salsipuedes]

also, you dont want to push the rudder all the way over, because then it is acting like a brake. it is a flat blade dragging perpendicular to your boat which slows you down and will not help you turn. a 45 degree angle is the best for making a sharp turn.

[celenoglu]

I f this happens on one side only (starboard or port) the possible reasons are:

1. Your rig is not properly tuned.
2. Due to problems on your bottom paint one side of the boat is weed covered. This can happen if the baot is not properly painted or she sitting on the same slip in the same direction. Sun light plays an important role for growth. One side might be covered the other side might be clean.