Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:05 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: kicking up the rudder
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:36 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:23 pm
Posts: 2
do you guys usually kick up the windward rudder when sailing. i have seen a few people do this in pictures but i am not sure.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:14 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 7:21 pm
Posts: 904
Location: Thunder Bay,On
Pretty much everyone that races sails downwind with the windward rudder up.The good guys go upwind with one rudder.Downwind one rudder up helps reduce drag,especialy if you sail with your rudders toed in.Upwind it reduces drag and gives the helm a little better feel.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:34 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 7:21 pm
Posts: 904
Location: Thunder Bay,On
Hope this works.picture of Gavin Colby(World Champ) going upwind


Image

(Image link edited by admin)


Last edited by mmadge on Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:46 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2003 4:39 am
Posts: 92
That image doesn't work...edit it and make it a link instead. The best sailors are ALWAYS looking to get rid of drag/reduce weight/make thing more efficient/get more sail area and GO FASTER! On a Hobie, getting rid of wetted surface area in the form of a rudder blade can make a .25 kt difference in speed, which can be the difference b/n the front and back of a very, very competive fleet. My local Hobie sailors, whom I race against in slower monohulls and beat across the line, are definatly not what I would call the "Lets pull up that rudder blade for an extra .25 kts on this 30 second reaching leg" kind of sailors. I'm the kind of sailor that is thinking about going as fast as possible every time I go sailing, whether I'm racing or not (and H14's aren't active in my area, so I don't race them). I spend time fairing the boats I race blades and hulls with 1500 grit sandpaper, sand and fill in any scratchs etc.

If you are going out and having a good time, pulling up a rudder blade isn't a big deal; if you are racing, it can be (I have pictures of 25 H14's going downwind, everyone with only one blade in the water; this is in a 75-100 baot fleet).


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:40 am 
Offline
Hobie Approved Guru

Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2003 7:11 pm
Posts: 5197
Location: Detroit, MI
Mmadge is right about downwind - not only is there less drag, the boat acutally handles better with one rudder up.

The technique of sailing upwind with a rudder up has been perfected by our Puerto Rican and Mexican friends. It is definitely an acquired skill that requires exquisite timing and coordination in tacks. I'm still not entirely convinced that it's worth the trouble when you're racing around the buoys.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group