SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

I don't have weather helm

1K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  RichH 
#1 ·
I'm not sure what's going on. Previous boat alway pointed to the wind when I let go o the tiller. In heavy wind I was fighting the tiller.

I haven't sailenin anything but light winds and the boat is reasonably well balanced. But when inlet the tiller go it seems to want to head downwind. I have tried with a 150 and 130 jib to same effect going different directions on different days.

I do single hand and when I let the tiller go to go to the mast the boat just does whatever it wants. This has not happened to me on other boats. I'm not sure if maybe it is the currents swinging me? I've been in a pretty protected bay but at time the current can be about a knot.

When j went to anchor j lowered the jib with the main stil up and the jib got stuck so j went to the bow and the boat did a 360. Lucky the wind was extremely light.
 
#5 ·
Basic 'brochure data' for the R23, shows considerable mast rake and with the combined CE of the sail plan 'in front' of the mast. RANGER 23 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

Most other Ranger boats Ive sailed seem to have quite neutral helm balance, so mast rake is going be important because of the CE being forward (slightly) of the mast.
Also if you single hand a lot you probably wont have a lot of body weight aft ... also affecting the amount of mast rake as a heavier crew weight will help with the relative amount of rake.

The R23 had a large race/class following: Ranger 23 Owners & Class Association. So a websearch for the R23 class info, etc. might still be available. If you cant find much on the internet, also search the ArvelGentry.com website specifically looking for the Ranger 23 class info and boat 'set-ups', etc.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top