There are few “universals” in the sailing world, however, one thing that comes close is the tendency\u00a0of new sailors to over trim sails.\u00a0 There are a number of results to over trimmed sails.\u00a0 For example, sail shape isn’t as effective, causing the boat to slow down and heal more, which by the way results in an even great loss of speed.\u00a0 In other words, a boat with properly trimmed sails goes faster.\u00a0 Today’s discussion focus’s on another aspect of over trimming, the creation and\/or increase of weather helm.<\/p>\n
Weather helm is the tendency of the boat to turn towards the wind, and is a good thing.\u00a0 Boat builders design in a small amount of weather helm to give the helmsperson some “feel” of what is happening and for safety.\u00a0 If you let go of the wheel the boat should turn to windward and come to a stop.\u00a0 Too much weather helm is not good, making the boat difficult to steer.\u00a0 To more fully understand why this is\u00a0requires a discussion of Center of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance.<\/p>\n
Center of Lateral Resistance (CLR)\u00a0is the “balance point” of the boat.\u00a0 If you push forward of the CLR the bow moves away.\u00a0 If you push aft of the CLR the stern moves away.\u00a0 Visualize a teeter totter.\u00a0 The pivot point in the center is the CLR.\u00a0 More weight (effort) on one end results in that end going down.\u00a0 The Center of Effort (CE) is like the weight pushing.\u00a0 CLR is moved by shifting weight forward or aft, or by healing more or less.\u00a0\u00a0CE is more easily controlled.\u00a0\u00a0 Each sail has it’s own CE, located at the geometric center of the sail.\u00a0 The overall CE for the sail plan moves along a line drawn between the CE of the main and the CE of the jib.<\/p>\n
Here is a real life example of how CLR and CE interact with each other.\u00a0 You are sailing along nicely in 10 knots.\u00a0 The CLR is a bit forward of the CE (by design) allowing you to feel the rudder, but not feeling like the boat wants to turn into the wind.\u00a0 As the wind builds the boat heals more, moving the CLR forward.\u00a0 The result is more “push” from the wind, further aft of that CLR pivot point.\u00a0\u00a0The boat now wants to force itself into the wind.\u00a0 If you have ever wondered what a traveler does … “dropping” it down moves\u00a0the CE forward,\u00a0closer to the CLR allowing you to regain control.\u00a0 If that’s not enough, putting in a reef\u00a0moves the CE forward even more.<\/p>\n
Now comes the fun part!\u00a0 The trim relationship between the main and the jib can actually move the CE whichever direction you want, forward or aft.\u00a0 Properly trimmed, the boat goes pretty much in a straight line.\u00a0 Trim the main and ease the jib and the CE moves aft, causing the boat to head up.\u00a0 Ease the main and trim the jib to move the CE forward.\u00a0 Move the CE far enough forward and the boat will bear away.\u00a0 Give it a try.\u00a0 It is amazing how much steering control you have using just the trim of the sails.<\/p>\n
It seems like we’ve totally skipped the question in the title of this tip.\u00a0 Why can’t I bear away from the wind?\u00a0 That was a question asked of me recently by a club member.\u00a0 By now you may have figured out the answer.\u00a0 The CE is too far back, creating so much weather helm that you can not overcome it with the rudder.\u00a0 The fastest and easiest\u00a0solution … ease the main.\u00a0 The boat will turn downwind easily, and the sails will be better trimmed for the new point of sail.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There are few “universals” in the sailing world, however, one thing that comes close is the tendency\u00a0of new sailors to over trim sails.\u00a0 There are a number of results to over trimmed sails.\u00a0 For example, sail shape isn’t as effective, … Continue reading