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Twin Poles View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Twin Poles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Rudderless launching
    Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 3:59pm

My personal experience is that when close hauled balancing the sails is more important than boat balance, but the more downwind you go the more improtant boat balance becomes. Whilst on a run just let the sails go and concentrate on balancing the boat, ensuring you've always got a significant amount of windward heel. If its windy you may find luffing up a bit will make getting the rudder on easier, but in light airs you shouldn't have too much trouble.
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AndrewM View Drop Down
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Posts: 14 		Post Options Post Options   Quote AndrewM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 5:01pm

Good grief you lot!  80% of Merlins have fixed rudders.

a) You can't put the rudder on when the boat is moving at any speed

b) You can't put the rudder on when the boat is on a run.

So - set off, crew in boat, helm getting in over transom, 1/3 -1/2 board, on close reach, pull in jib to bear away, pull in main to luff up, heel boat for finer adjustments.  When in deep enough water slowly let off jib, boat heads up a bit & stops.  Lean over back, put on rudder.

Make sure your lower pintle is a little longer than the top one so you can get the rudder on it 1st then wiggle it to fit the top one

Doing this in company of 45 other boats all doing the same (so looking down their transoms not where they are going) is part of what makes Merlin Salcombe week such an enjoyable time for the spectators 
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Garry View Drop Down
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Posts: 536 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Garry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 5:38pm
I think there is plenty of good stuff here and Andrew is right you sail rudderless on a run until you're in deep water then luff up - stop and fix the rudder. Its far harder to get off a beach in heavy waves without the rudder.

Few extra tips - get crew to sit in the middle so there is only one person moving their weight about to steer.

Adjust the centreboard to balance the sails.

Pull the jib in slightly more than you need and adjust the main to steer. If you have speed on just heel the boat to leeward to luff and let both sails flog

There is an interesting article in the latest Wavelength on rudderless sailing - perhaps Y&Y could also do one as they reach a wider audience.

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Stefan Lloyd View Drop Down
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Posts: 1599 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stefan Lloyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 5:57pm

Originally posted by AndrewM

Doing this in company of 45 other boats all doing the same (so looking down their transoms not where they are going) is part of what makes Merlin Salcombe week such an enjoyable time for the spectators 

Oh yes, the view from the SYC terrace is definitely part of the experience. It is so much easier to judge the line from up there!
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