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Asymmetrical helm

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(@sandrimr)
Posts: 2
Newby
Topic starter
 

My old Tornado cat has strong weather helm on a starboard tack and strong lee helm on a port tack. Obvisouly some asymmmerty somewhere. Any suggestions on where to look? Using sail trim I have to stall the main on one tack and luff it on the other just to make the helm managable.

Thnaks, Michael

 
Posted : December 8, 2011 7:28 am
MN3
 MN3
(@MN3)
Posts: 7090
One Star Admiral
 

are your rudders on backwards? kidding

perhaps your mast is not over the CE
perhaps your boards are not tucked under the same
perhaps a board or rudder is warped

MN3

 
Posted : December 8, 2011 9:03 am
Dustin Finlinson
(@Quarath)
Posts: 986
Master Chief
 

I have had something similar when one rudder wasn't quite locking down right,

Dustin
Magna, UT
Prindle 18

 
Posted : December 8, 2011 3:41 pm
Edward Hilliard
(@Edchris177)
Posts: 2531
Captain
 

I sailed my 5.7 that way for a year. I put levels on the mast,thinking one shroud was shorter, checked rudders, diagonals etc. I looked for a bent mast, & made sure rudders were the same geometry. I measured the ends of the hulls & found they were not in alignment. I finally pinned it to a front beam that had a slight kink, right near the connection to the starboard hull. This forced one hull into a lean, & pointing off center. I replaced the front beam.

E C Hilliard

Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation

 
Posted : December 11, 2011 12:59 pm
MN3
 MN3
(@MN3)
Posts: 7090
One Star Admiral
 

+1 Edchris177

i was just thinking this weekend, that your beams are not square

MN3

 
Posted : December 12, 2011 1:36 am
(@sandrimr)
Posts: 2
Newby
Topic starter
 

Some good ideas. I'm off to take some measurements.

Thnaks for you help,

Michael

 
Posted : December 12, 2011 9:09 am
(@klozhald)
Posts: 1461
Master Chief
 

Edchris177 wrote: I finally pinned it to a front beam that had a slight kink, right near the connection to the starboard hull. This forced one hull into a lean, & pointing off center.

Nice find.
It wouldn't take much of a kink to give this effect.

sandrimr check the crossbar beds in the hulls for integrity.
A sloppy mount (fiberglass or hardware) would give the same effeect.

Edited by klozhald on Dec 13, 2011 - 08:50 AM.

 
Posted : December 13, 2011 2:48 am