MacGregorSailors.com

Our reaction to emergency avoidance is to spin the wheel lie a car. On an under rudders boat like the Mac, you can easily stall the rudders, leaving you with no control. Re center helm, let speed return, and ease those rudders into the turn slowly.....

I've got to say a big thanks to all of you who have discussed this issue, especially Judy who makes complicated things so understandable.

Like others on here, I am part of the silent majority, reading and learning and have no need to post very often, but there is just so much good, and more to the point, relevant stuff in this thread, dealiing with just the problems I was having last weekend when I took my out, on my own, in Plymouth Sound for a few hours, in what seemed like a gentle force 3 gusting to a 4. I did not reef and was sailing at 30 degrees a lot of the time, fun, but hard work and a little hairy. I can see where I was going wrong now, and next time out I will reef sooner and sail the boat flatter and play with the shape of the sails with more knowledge.

Paul.

Catigale wrote:Hey Judy...bringing the kids out Tues Wed to the Bay......how about we fire up that WWP for a sail

I would love to take you and the girls out, but alas, I have to work and chauffeur my kid to school and activities.

OK, I'm confused. I thought I had this down.

Weather helm is the tendency of the boat to turn into the wind. You counteract that by turning the rudder to lee?
So, on a normal sail outing, if I'm in a fresh wind, and my boat is correctly configured and trimmed, I should have my wheel turned slightly to lee?

DaveC426913 wrote:Weather helm is the tendency of the boat to turn into the wind. You counteract that by turning the rudder to lee?

If you had a tiller, you'd be pulling it to weather, which is also the side of the boat you'd be sitting on.

Tomfoolery wrote:

DaveC426913 wrote:Weather helm is the tendency of the boat to turn into the wind. You counteract that by turning the rudder to lee?

If you had a tiller, you'd be pulling it to weather, which is also the side of the boat you'd be sitting on.

:facepalm: Of course. Thanks.