Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:54 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:14 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
I finally got to take my new AI hull out in 20+ knot winds yesterday. I've had the impression since I got the new hull that it is less prone to weather helm and this was confirmed in the stronger wind. I was able to sail close hauled, with the sail unfurled and pulled in tight and with the rudder dead straight. In fact, if anything I get the feeling that the boat has a slight tendency to lee helm, in lighter winds.

I'm guessing the much larger rudder blade has had the effect of moving the boat's centre of lateral resistance further aft.
Has anyone else noticed this?

Incidentally, I was hiked out on the quarterdeck. I doubt that this was what affected the weather helm, but by keeping the boat flat, I was able to hit 6.2 knots on the GPS, sailing close hauled with the wind around 15 knots and with the drive pulled.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:51 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 3:57 am
Posts: 244
Location: Fairfax, CA USA
We noticed this on our Baja trip. Chuck has the old style, me the new-the difference was definitely noticeable on our crossing to Isla Carmen


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:07 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:58 am
Posts: 2893
Location: Forster, NSW, Australia
Chris, I sail from the front seat, and get plenty of weather helm at the top end of wind for unfurled sail. I suspect your rearward and windward weight position works to reduce weather helm.

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:47 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
tonystott wrote:
Chris, I sail from the front seat, and get plenty of weather helm at the top end of wind for unfurled sail. I suspect your rearward and windward weight position works to reduce weather helm.

Hmm, maybe a little bit from column A and a little bit from column B.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:12 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 2:31 pm
Posts: 3068
Location: Kailua 96734
Hey wait! Are we comparing an AI (bench) with a TI forward seat, and Chris's svelte frame with Tony's linebacker physique? :wink:

I don't know the answer to Chris's question but these are VERY different animals...

I would guess that just sailing the balanced hull with no buried Amas is enough to move the COR back. Plus shifting your weight, as Tony suggested.

When we were trying to plane the TI3 this week, I was looking back at the beautiful new rudder thinking, "right now, this is the only thing keeping us from gaining a couple more knots out of this hull". Until we add foils, of course.

Chris - That 15 knot tack you described is one of the absolute best rides with the Hakas or deck. Especially if you can hold it for miles. (Normally, you would be taking a bath in the cockpit the whole time).


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:32 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
NOHUHU wrote:
Hey wait! Are we comparing an AI (bench) with a TI forward seat, and Chris's svelte frame with Tony's linebacker physique? :wink:

Flattery will get you everywhere NOHUHU :lol:

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:37 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:29 pm
Posts: 2763
Location: High Point, NC
I haven't noticed any weather helm in my 2012 AI, but since I have never sailed any of the older ones with the previous rudder I have nothing to compare to. Nor have I been able to find any winds more than 15 to 17 MPH so again, nothing really to compare to.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:49 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:58 am
Posts: 2893
Location: Forster, NSW, Australia
NOHUHU wrote:
Hey wait! Are we comparing an AI (bench) with a TI forward seat, and Chris's svelte frame with Tony's linebacker physique? :wink: .

Flattery will get you everywhere too NOHUHU :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:57 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
Tom Kirkman wrote:
I haven't noticed any weather helm in my 2012 AI, but since I have never sailed any of the older ones with the previous rudder I have nothing to compare to. Nor have I been able to find any winds more than 15 to 17 MPH so again, nothing really to compare to.

Well weather helm was becoming pretty obvious by the time the wind reached 15-17 mph with the old rudder Tom, so it's significant that you haven't experienced it.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 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