sf37
Junior Member
Posts: 13
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Post by sf37 on Oct 24, 2016 15:09:18 GMT
Dear all,
I'm an owner of a Sun Fast 37 since three years and I'm really happy with the sailing performance. However, there is one thing that I'm missing: feedback from the rudder while steering.
In light to moderate winds there is no or only extremly slight force that I can feel on the helm. This is even the case unter motor (forward and even backwards). Only when the wind is strong and the boat is overcanvased I can feel pressure generated from the rudder.
I do not think that accessive wear is the problem, as it is very easy to turn the wheel in the harbour.
My feeling is that the rudder is simple balanced "too well". My idea is to extend the trailing edge of the rudder to move the neutral point of the profile backwards getting more pressure.
Do you have similar experience? And what do you think of this idea?
Best greetings. Jochen
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Post by dralyagmas on Oct 26, 2016 23:11:41 GMT
Very expensive way of getting feedback.
I would rake the mast back about another 2"
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Post by petermc on Oct 27, 2016 4:20:25 GMT
Agree with Dralyagmas, I would not be messing with the centre of effort on the rudder, play with the rig if you want to load the rudder up more. Personally I miss tiller steering and feedback is one of those things that diminishes with a wheel, but it still surprises me that you don't have some much sense of pressure even in mild conditions, its there but it can be subtle. I find that I rely on boat speed indicators as much as rudder in mild to moderate conditions to know whats going on and to make adjustments. Frankly happy to not have a rudder loaded up, that just creates drag and wear
just my thoughts
Peter
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Post by ianpowolny on Oct 27, 2016 13:34:42 GMT
dralyagmas,
My wife and I spend a lot of time trying to sail our boat 'hands off' the wheel. When this is achieved the boat is well balanced and usually sailing as well as we might expect. Once we start to get pressure - feedback - from the rudder it's usually beyond the time we should have reefed. In this condition we've noticed a drop off in SOG. Once we are back to the 'hands off' positon SOG increases and we have a more comfrotable sail. Off course there are times when we need to hold the wheel but that's when we are in the F4 and above situation and even the strive for a 'hads off' sail.
I know I wouldn't change the anything on the rudder even if I knew what I was doing.
Ian
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sf37
Junior Member
Posts: 13
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Post by sf37 on Oct 28, 2016 12:47:23 GMT
Very expensive way of getting feedback.
I would rake the mast back about another 2" Hello dralyagmas,
This is worth a try - and without doubt less expensive.
But what is the best way do give the mast more slope backwards? I would prefere to put the mast step a little bit forward. With my Sun Fast there are three positions for the mast step and the mast is in the middle poition. Is this the same on your Sun Fast 37?
Greetings Jochen
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Post by dralyagmas on Oct 30, 2016 4:48:32 GMT
Yes that would be the first place I would start, then look at lengthening the forestay - but you will need to adjust the sidestays if you do that as well. Try to talk to a rigger and take tension measurements of all of your stays first, then adjust to get the same tension after you have moved the mast and/or lengthened the forestay. The best thing for measure tension is a Loos gauge. Ian - you are spot on that being able to sail balanced is a skill in boat set up as well as sail trim. It is also the fastest as you are not creating drag by moving the rudder. The drop in SOG is probably the fact that you are not flat, once you reef the boat is flat again and you regain your SOG. Very expensive way of getting feedback.
I would rake the mast back about another 2" Hello dralyagmas,
This is worth a try - and without doubt less expensive.
But what is the best way do give the mast more slope backwards? I would prefere to put the mast step a little bit forward. With my Sun Fast there are three positions for the mast step and the mast is in the middle poition. Is this the same on your Sun Fast 37?
Greetings Jochen
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Post by MartyB on Oct 30, 2016 14:20:00 GMT
On my Arcadia, I had a lot of weather helm and feedback to the tiller. I shortened the forestay around 2", which pulled the mast forward some, along with setting ALL the stays and shrounds to a rig tune guide I have. Amazing how much speed was gained, along with how little feed back I get thru the tiller now. Not saying it is zero. BUT, she is way more balanced and generally speaking quicker.
Based on my experience.....not so sure raking the mast is good. As that causes weather helm. Yes you will get feed back.....but I would bet the boat would be slower.
Marty
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