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Holding the tiller extension
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Borusa View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Borusa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Holding the tiller extension
    Posted: 11 Aug 12 at 5:33pm
Hi,

Sorry for what's probably the stupidest question ever: I've just taken up sailing, done my RYA level 1 and 2 courses. When I'm practicing, I'm having trouble preventing the tiller extension in my hand from moving, particularly when close-hauled and hiking (well, leaning enthusiastically. I haven't quite managed to get straight-legged yet.) The boat wants to come up into the wind, and  the tiller extension rips at my hand, sometimes requiring me to grab on with the mainsheet-holding hand to prevent it turning. I'm pretty sure I'm doing something wrong, as I'm quite strong generally, but haven't figured out what.
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SoggyBadger View Drop Down
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Posts: 552 		Post Options Post Options   Quote SoggyBadger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Aug 12 at 5:56pm
It sounds like your boat has excessive weather helm. This could either be because you're sailing it at an angle of heel, in which case sail it flatter, or it is set up wrong in which case get an experienced sailor who sails the same class to look at it.



Edited by SoggyBadger - 11 Aug 12 at 5:56pm
Best wishes from deep in the woods

SB

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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6660 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Aug 12 at 6:08pm
What boat?
But yes, sailing it too heeled over seems like the most likely explanation. Real wather helm is very unusual on modern dinghies.
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Borusa View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Borusa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 12 at 7:23am
Oh. Sorry, that would have been a useful piece of information - Laser Pico.

Thank you both! That does sound like it might be the problem - I shall try hiking more and getting the boat flatter.
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Ruscoe View Drop Down
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Posts: 1514 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ruscoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 12 at 7:58am
You dont need to hike harder to sail the boat flatter but obviously this will help. You can trim the mainsail with the mainsheet to control the heel of the boat.

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r2d2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 350 		Post Options Post Options   Quote r2d2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 12 at 8:41am
Also, make sure your rudder is properly all the way down (and weed free), and then like those above have said sail so the boat is flat by constantly easing and adjusting the main sheet. You shouldn't need to be hauling the tiller up to windward all the time. When on a straight course, the tiller should stay close to the centre line of the boat. Have fun


Edited by r2d2 - 12 Aug 12 at 8:44am
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Mister Nick View Drop Down
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Posts: 389 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Mister Nick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 12 at 9:03am
It's probably happening because the rudder isn't quite down. We had to file away some of the plastic in the system that holds the rudder down so that you could steer comfortably when I had a Pico. Might be worth having a look at that. Think about what everyone else has said about sailing it flat too, will make a difference.
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Borusa View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Borusa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 12 at 5:57pm
Thanks everyone! Loads to think about and try next time I go out. I'm pretty convinced that it is the heeling that's causing it, and I even think I understand why (centre of effort!) 

Unfortunately, I think the club might object if I took a file to one of their Picos, but I will check that the rudder is properly down.
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Mister Nick View Drop Down
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Posts: 389 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Mister Nick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 12 at 6:29pm
Originally posted by Borusa

Thanks everyone! Loads to think about and try next time I go out. I'm pretty convinced that it is the heeling that's causing it, and I even think I understand why (centre of effort!) 

Unfortunately, I think the club might object if I took a file to one of their Picos, but I will check that the rudder is properly down.


Ahh yeah, don't file it if it isn't yours. I assumed it was. :S
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