weatherhelm- input needed pse.

[sawmaster]

hi all,--I'm surprised no one has mentioned the effect of tiller loading,regarding the extreme force needed to overcome the tendency to round up.If the rudder is a kick-up style,as most dinghys are,sailing with the rudder less than fully down will result in extreme tiller load --make sure it is pointing straight down,and not aft,like a barn door ---Saw

[Perm Stress]

Originally Posted by sawmaster

hi all,--I'm surprised no one has mentioned the effect of tiller loading,regarding the extreme force needed to overcome the tendency to round up.If the rudder is a kick-up style,as most dinghys are,sailing with the rudder less than fully down will result in extreme tiller load --make sure it is pointing straight down,and not aft,like a barn door ---Saw

A few % of blade area has to be forward of rudder rotation axis...

[idkfa]

Some years ago there was a British speed-sailing outfit that came up with a cat that had centreboards but no rudders. They placed the mast on a track which was moved fore-aft by a grinder.

The idea was to eliminate a foil and the associated drag. All lift creates drag, the more lift, the more drag.

wayne nicol moving/raking your mast forwards is good first step, you may be fast too, less rudder lift needed.