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I have a 1987 Mk V with a shoal keel.
In winds over 15 knots I have excess weather helm, which is especially problematic in higher gusts. It becomes more pronounced the higher the reach. Easing the main and early reefing help, but at a loss of performance and pointing. According to what I have read this condition should be somewhat alleviated by decreasing mast rake, but I have (the original) roller furling installed, and shortening the forestay is not a simple task.
I would welcome any advice or commets that anyone could help me with.
Barry
Barry:
There are several issues her. first off how much is too much weather helm? I have an 85 Mark V with a full keel. I have the boat set up with about 14" of mast rake, we normally carry a full main and #1 in 12 - 15 kts (true) of wind and then reef to keep the boat as flat as possible from there. The key word here is FLAT. The more a boat heels the more there is a tendancy to induce weather helm.
You have several things working against you. Shoal Draft, so you don't have the leverage to create righting moment and you have a loss of pointing ability. Roller Furling which probably means you don't have the ability to put enough tension on the Genoa Haylard to keep the draft of the sail far enough forward. A sail with the draft aft and at the top allows too much power (heeling moment) at the top of the sail. Have you tried moving the jib lead further aft to open up the top of the Genoa when you are in these conditions? If we don't have a full crew on the boat in these higher wind ranges we go to a smaller headsail, if we have full crew (5) everyone is on the rail hiking, if you don't keep the boat flat you will not be able to get it to point and you will just make leeway, there is that word again FLAT.
What is you genoa made out of and how old is it? If it's dacron and it's old 10+ years it's probably pretty baggy and that won't help you any at all.
The Mark V with full keel and fully crewed in 15 kts. is a deamon and will go to weather like it's been shot out of a gun, I know, we live for those days.
Steve
Still Knot working MkV #75
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Hi. thanks for the advice. My dacron genoa is between good and very good. I have a racing genoa which is virtually new. I didn't try it because it was my first season with the boat and didn't do any racing this year. I will now try the racing sail next year even just to see what difference it makes. Both are 150's.
I have the genoa halyard pretty well as tight as I can, so there is not a lot to play with there. I did have the jib leads full back in these conditions. I was sailing with one crew or solo, so keeping it flat was a big problem. I think I may be better of to reef even earlier.
And in the right conditions it really does go. I am realy enjoying it. It is way way faster than I ever thought it would be.
Barry
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