85% jib - lee helm
Today I had my M15 out in the mouth of the California Delta checking out the mothball fleet ships, and there were 25 knot gusts so I decided to test out my 85% jib and 2nd reef point in the main (both new Elliott / Pattison sails). The boat was easy to handle with the small sail area, but I couldn't get it balanced properly and it had significant lee helm. This makes me think the 85% jib is perhaps too big to balance out a double reefed main, and a still smaller storm jib should be paired with a 2nd reef. Has anyone else tried this configuration before? Any ideas on how I could tune out the lee helm? My mast is raked rearward and I normally have slight weather helm in all winds with the full main and working jib. Thanks, Tyler Davis, CA M15 #157 "Defiant"
I have experienced the same thing. I think it is just the physics. Bottom line is you need a smaller jib for those conditions. Lee helm is just not safe. Daniel M15 Kestrel
On Jul 12, 2015, at 12:01 AM, Tyler Backman <casioqv@usermail.com> wrote:
Today I had my M15 out in the mouth of the California Delta checking out the mothball fleet ships, and there were 25 knot gusts so I decided to test out my 85% jib and 2nd reef point in the main (both new Elliott / Pattison sails).
The boat was easy to handle with the small sail area, but I couldn't get it balanced properly and it had significant lee helm. This makes me think the 85% jib is perhaps too big to balance out a double reefed main, and a still smaller storm jib should be paired with a 2nd reef.
Has anyone else tried this configuration before? Any ideas on how I could tune out the lee helm? My mast is raked rearward and I normally have slight weather helm in all winds with the full main and working jib.
Thanks, Tyler Davis, CA M15 #157 "Defiant"
Does anyone have a photo or know how the original M15 jib reefing was rigged up? I think what I need is to add a 60% reef point in my 85% heavy weather jib. Then the M15 sail reducing progression would be something like this, to keep the boat balanced the entire time: 1) Full main & nylon drifter (very light air) 2) Full main & 128% jib 3) Single reefed main & 128% jib 4) Single reefed main & 85% jib 5) Double reefed main & 60% jib 6) Heave to under bare poles and parachute anchor (A la Lin & Larry Pardey) 7) Call a helicopter with the SPOT tracker (just joking- kinda) Tyler Davis, CA M15 #157 "Defiant"
On Jul 12, 2015, at 8:05 AM, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
I have experienced the same thing. I think it is just the physics. Bottom line is you need a smaller jib for those conditions. Lee helm is just not safe.
Daniel M15 Kestrel
On Jul 12, 2015, at 12:01 AM, Tyler Backman <casioqv@usermail.com> wrote:
Today I had my M15 out in the mouth of the California Delta checking out the mothball fleet ships, and there were 25 knot gusts so I decided to test out my 85% jib and 2nd reef point in the main (both new Elliott / Pattison sails).
The boat was easy to handle with the small sail area, but I couldn't get it balanced properly and it had significant lee helm. This makes me think the 85% jib is perhaps too big to balance out a double reefed main, and a still smaller storm jib should be paired with a 2nd reef.
Has anyone else tried this configuration before? Any ideas on how I could tune out the lee helm? My mast is raked rearward and I normally have slight weather helm in all winds with the full main and working jib.
Thanks, Tyler Davis, CA M15 #157 "Defiant"
participants (2)
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Daniel Rich -
Tyler Backman