Rudderless launching
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=671
Printed Date: 16 Aug 25 at 12:13am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Rudderless launching
Posted By: stuarthop
Subject: Rudderless launching
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 11:02am
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we just ordered our new carbon rudder but its fixed not lifting, has any 1 got any tips for launching without the rudder on? ------------- |
Replies:
Posted By: Phil eltringham
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 12:25pm
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not in a big swell, communicate between helm and crew using the relative sheeting of main and jib to steer the boat. Also use the hull shape, heel to windward to bear off, leward to hear up, etc... rudderless sailing is a usefull technique to have anyway, means you use it less in the race, which is faster. ------------- FLAT IS FAST! Shifts Happen |
Posted By: 5420
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 1:18pm
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i dont think haveing a fixed ruder is much of an advantige ------------- |
Posted By: Twin Poles
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 1:25pm
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Make sure both helm and crew know the basics of rudderless sailing using both sails and balance. A stated above use windward, leeward heel to bear away, luff up, and also sheet the main in to luff up and sheet/back the jib to bear away. Getting out and pacticing on a triangle course is really useful, and will give you the confidence that you don't need the rudder at all, and if the crew can do all the work your laughing cus they can steer while the helm puts the rudder on. If not just sail rudderless untill your in clear water, luff up till the boat has almost stopped and then put the rudder on. ------------- |
Posted By: KnightMare
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 3:33pm
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Yeah depending on how hard the rudder is to fix on, ie if it takes a lot of time fitting it on while moving may not be an option. Since as the crew moves the hull in the water to steer the boat it will create turbulence which will then affect the way that the water flows past the rudder, this could end up moving the rudder as its not connected, therefore making it harder to fit. If there are not too many boats bout I tjhink that heading up into the wind to get the boat stopped is a good idea. I think you aught to have a practice with a rescue boat nearby so that if it doesnt work you dont end up back on the shore and damaging more things. ------------- http://theramblingsofmyinnergeek.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: GBR176671
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 4:23pm
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yeah try it on a calm dayand it will give you experiance ------------- swim when your winning |
Posted By: bigwavedave
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 4:32pm
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Helm gets in the boat. Crew pushes the boat out into chest deep. Helm passes the crew the rudder which the crew then fits, taking great care not to damage it. So as the rudder does not ground when the crew climbs over the back of the boat, it is recommended that the boat is pushed out a bit further, to about neck deep. The crew then works their way round to the windward side of the boat and climbs in near the shroud, being very careful not to get the helm wet. ------------- 
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Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 5:06pm
You missed the bit about Helm shouting at crew "for ****s keep the boat head to wind..." |
Posted By: Contender443
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 5:58pm
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p.s He also missed the bit about this technique should only be done in water temperatures less than 10 degrees!!! ------------- Bonnie Lass Contender 1764 |
Posted By: jamesint505
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:06pm
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What do you mean you got a mouth full of sewage!!! ------------- 505 7567 |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:32pm
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lol cheers guys had a bit of a go tonight.. we're fine launching onto a reach and close hauled but we couldn't get the hang of launching onto a run because as soon as the jib pulled the boat round onto the run the main filled and turned us round towards the bank. Has any one got any tips for launching onto a run? ------------- |
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:36pm
have you tried not putting the dagger borad in cos that might help? ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:38pm
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the centre board was half down but its too shallow to put it down any further ------------- |
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:40pm
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what boat do you sail cos you could furl the jib? ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: KnightMare
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:42pm
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I would say heel the boat to counteract the way the boat wants to turn. ------------- http://theramblingsofmyinnergeek.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: jamesint505
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:47pm
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The rudder on my contender broke so I taped it up launching was fine just head to wind .Anyway I wasnt very good at sailing it and got too close to the bank and crunch in the weeds ha ha!!!anyway managed to get out again after much cursing and had a nightmare landing aswell needless to say I have now fixed the rudder!!! ------------- 505 7567 |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 27 Apr 05 at 9:50pm
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i sail a scorpion, furling the jibs not possible ------------- |
Posted By: Blobby
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 1:42am
Reverse... Sail out backwards with no rudder - you can use the jib for drive and the main to steer. Once you are far enough out, put the rudder on and away you go. |
Posted By: sten
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 8:30am
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you can hold the rudder stock and steer with the blade tip(so it does not load up to much) Centre board position is important to have the right hight as to little and the boat slips sideways makeing it difficult to put the rudder on or on a run flip. to much and the boat will tack. You could on a run have no board and slip sideways but its a problem if you have to avoid someone. also you can also stand on the bow keep the boat head to wind and steer by leaning but not if you have a light weight deck.
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Posted By: lemeouttahere
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 2:56pm
| or simply sail out with only the jib up, one in clear water let it fly round up and hoist the main. easy peasy |
Posted By: Twin Poles
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 3:59pm
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: AndrewM
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 5:01pm
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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 |
Posted By: Garry
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 5:38pm
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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. ------------- Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 28 Apr 05 at 5:57pm
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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! |