Beginner questions: Holding the tiller extension

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Holding the tiller extension

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9714
Printed Date: 10 May 25 at 8:05pm
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Topic: Holding the tiller extension

Posted By: Borusa
Subject: Holding the tiller extension
Date 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.

Replies:

Posted By: SoggyBadger
Date 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.

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Best wishes from deep in the woods

SB

Posted By: JimC
Date 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.

Posted By: Borusa
Date 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.

Posted By: Ruscoe
Date 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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Posted By: r2d2
Date 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

Posted By: Mister Nick
Date 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.

Posted By: Borusa
Date 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.

Posted By: Mister Nick
Date 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