Rudder shape and Size?

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by soulofasailor, Dec 19, 2012.

  1. soulofasailor
    Joined: Nov 2011
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    Location: Pittsburgh

    soulofasailor Junior Member

    Well as NOT a Professorial! I do claim that I DO know what I am doing, maybe not the BEST Trimmer , or skipper , or even sailor! I do know that i ask questions and i take everything with a grain of salt, i grew up around sailing my whole life and as a kid i wasn't really into it until i got older! Now i have my own boat and sometimes, i need input and sometimes some people do throw me off my thinking! I was told by the guy who i bought his from that has sailed it in the ocean and raced against Stilettos and Fboats! He said for my first time out and sailing in heavy air put both boards down until i get use to the BOAT! so that is what i am doing, i would never say or tell anyone False information about any TOPIC. As a Catamaran sailor and New to this type of speed I am learning to respect what i get myself into! Now getting new sails i might have to re learn how to sail this boat i am not sure what to expect!

    But as of now i just wanted some ideas on how to fix my LEE helm problem, I will see what the new sails do to the boat and i might have to rake the mast back a little more.
    I am NOT Touching my Original Rudders, if i do anything i would either buy a set or play with some WOOD.

    But i will continue playing with things and With less drag i do feel a difference in speed with Windward Dagger UP! They normally don't stay up anyways once i get moving fast.
     
  2. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    I looked at your videos (partially). Pity you didn't upload them earlier

    I agree with everyone else. You need much more luff tension on both sails (and by implication probably also on your new ones, especially that square top main). Maybe a luff downhaul on the jib? I'd say 6:1 minimum. And at least 8:1 on the mainsail, preferably more. Check your main halyard sheave that it turns freely and is metal, not plastic. Really you should use spectra halyards or other low stretch line. Looks like you need to re-lead the mainsail tack to get enough purchase. Being boomless doesn't help either

    Maybe too much weight aft? its a very small boat and on a Hobie 21, same length hull, one crew would probably be in front of the main shroud and the helm tight up to the crew

    I didn't see the hard to steer problem on your videos, nor did I see you doing 16 knots (but to be honest I didn't watch all through all of them, just the ones you gave links to)

    Its tricky using a jib clew rack like you have. But for sure you have a very baggy jib with too much fullness aft, coupled with a hooked leech. Try sailing with the mainsail down with your new jib and experiment with different hole settings, that way you can see the jib leech from the helm

    the lee shroud should stay tight up to 15 knots apparent

    Daggerboards can be up or down, it shouldn't make any difference to balance. I usually have both down to windward, both up running and fully lift the lee board reaching. Rubber door stops work as wedges to hold the boards up. Or pin through the board

    I have the boards both half down if sailing off wind in a big sea (not that you'd ever have that on a lake). That way some of the hull corkscrewing loads are taken off the rudders thus making it easier to steer

    who is making your sails? What did they say about your videos?

    Maybe also adjust your mainsheet so it releases easily. Not a good idea to wrap the sheet round your hand, you won't release it in time. (Last Saturday I spent a long time playing the mainsheet on a F27 trying to keep the daggerboard in the water, it's hard work to sail fast safely)

    maybe you don't have rudder problems after all?

    Richard Woods of Woods Designs

    www.sailingcatamarans.com
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. soulofasailor
    Joined: Nov 2011
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    Location: Pittsburgh

    soulofasailor Junior Member

    I am getting new sails thru http://www.ullmansails.com/onedesign.aspx

    i have 3:1 Main sheet, that is what came with the boat, what would that change by going with a 8:1?

    Well in those vids the we had light air but the one with the guys Video glasses we near 20 for a short time, and i had to hold the tiller and not wiggle or squirm or we would have been tossed!
     
  4. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    Sorry for the confusion, I said 8:1 luff downhaul. Mainsheet should be OK at 4:1, 5or 6:1 would be easier 3:1 is not enough. Can you post the link to the "guys video glasses". Was that gps speed?

    Richard Woods
     
  5. soulofasailor
    Joined: Nov 2011
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    Location: Pittsburgh

    soulofasailor Junior Member

    Well this run where you see him behind me he is in the Yellow Hobie, my phone died this day i use a droid for GPS but his was working! Later that day when we got back to beach he said you know i couldn't catch you! He said he was doing 18knts, so he thinks i was doing 21, but i am not sure. At the end the wind dies he catches up to me and blows by me! But when you are not handling your own video it sucks sometimes to not get a good shot at times. This year i am going to try to setup a pole somehow out the stern or Bow.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG6sO4gp-rY
     
  6. Fanie
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Colonial "Sick Africa"

    Fanie Fanie

    18 kn is about 33km/hr... !
    21kn is about 39km/hr !
     

  7. soulofasailor
    Joined: Nov 2011
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    Location: Pittsburgh

    soulofasailor Junior Member

    well hmm , i use knots so that i:ps all i care about, 18 knots is like 20mph in a car!
     
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