Byte heavy helm
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12480
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 11:08am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Byte heavy helm
Posted By: PaulB
Subject: Byte heavy helm
Date Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 7:08pm
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Can anyone help ? My daughters original Byte has a very heavy helm. Sailing to windward it has massive weather helm and going downwind it is just heavy. I have checked the angle and seems okay, the blade is fully down. compared it to a laser blade and stock and is very similar angle. But stuck now on how to cure it. I sailed if for 30min on Sunday in about 15-18mph wind and my arms hurt afterwards, I also had major issues with getting out of irons. Tia. ------------- Phantom 949 |
Replies:
Posted By: zippyRN
Date Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 9:07pm
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you aren't keeping the boat flat enough the byte like the laser is 'under ruddered' by some standards meaning trim and balance is a significant part of keepingthe boat working and the relative lack of rudder authority unless the boat is flat single sailed boats tend to be prone to weather helm especially though with set back masts like the topper / laser / byte vs. the mast forward boats like the OK and Finn |
Posted By: iiiiticki
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 10:21am
| The C2's never stay in irons...the tight battens sort that out! This question was asked on the Byte Facebook page and no one had an answer. I don't know very much about old type rigs but Zippys answer is probably a good one. They are a narrow tippy boat and it takes practice to sail flat (this is why I no longer sail one). Even so, making your arm ache? |
Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 11:12am
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Hi
Can you not adjust the rudder angle so it is more vertical or is that fixed on a byte? ------------- Gordon Lossc |
Posted By: iiiiticki
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 11:47am
| Just like a laser....down is down. |
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 2:24pm
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Not a C2 then? In addition to the boat not flat enough, perhaps an old and baggy sail is letting the centre of effort back. Anecdotally, I noticed a massive in a Laser difference when moving from a very old sail to a brand spanker. edit. typing dyslexia. massive difference in a Laser.
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Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 4:19pm
Sorry Tick but Laser down is not down its a a fecking stupid angle 
If it was down it would be vertical like sensible boats. ------------- Gordon Lossc |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 5:10pm
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More Cunningham is worth trying. When you put the kicker on, it both hardens the leech and moves the centre of effort aft. Whacking loads of Cunningham on drags cloth forwards and opens the leech. Plenty of outhaul, too will help. Then, keep flat. Don't be afraid to dump loads of main just as the gust hits, then sit out hard and pull back in what you can whilst staying flat. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 5:13pm
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Should have said, this is for upwind. Downwind, dump the Cunningham or the twist in the sail will send you for a swim. Downwind, ie reaching, not running, ensure the sail is actually let out far enough. If in even a little too much, it will take over. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: iiiiticki
Date Posted: 12 Aug 16 at 11:53am
I meant as far down as the design permits! |
Posted By: iiiiticki
Date Posted: 12 Aug 16 at 12:07pm
| Spill, hike, sheet is it not? I sail very safe and fairly flat because of old age and fear. On Wednesday night we had one of those gusts from nowhere which caught me out. Almost an oops moment but as struggled to get the Lightning flat again the helm was awfully. Perhaps that is it with this gentleman? Is he fighting the boat rather than spilling for speed? By the way old rig Bytes have rather crude sail controlls unless they had a race pack fitted. |