Couple questions,
First one is;
This weekend I had three sunny days of sailing. Wind would sometimes die down then come back with a vengeance. Until I built up speed I couldn't turn to save my life. A couple time it literally almost put me into the shore line! Thank God for the motor. Does and would the foiled rudder work well in a situation like this one? I understand how it would improve steering ( and plan on adding it this winter ) but would it work well in a very slow speed, all of a sudden heavy winds and I need to turn NOW situation?
Second one is;
I want to add a roller furler but the ones sold for the "16" size craft only comes with the drum and the upper bearing. What else is needed for the use of this? I see the extruded aluminum forestay on the furlers on the larger boats. Is this what I need or is it something in the Jib I need? I have the original sails for my 1980 CP-16 #1516 and they are in excellent shape.
Thanks for your time in advance...
Easing the jib sheets will help you turn, into the wind to tack. Backwinding the jib will help you complete the turn onto the next tack. I dont have the foil rudder either, yet. Maybe you have the jib pulled in to tight? I have no problems turning, but I do have to make adjustments with the jib, especially when a gust comes up, and we are in close quarters.
I guess I should add more details.
I wasn't running the Jib that day. I was basically drifting and when the wind would come up it seemed like it was pushing the bow away from a turn much like when I am in my canoe by myself and it gets windy. It almost seems like the boat is just so light that it won't let the bow come around until there is speed built up and enough water flowing over the rudder to make a turn in these conditions. I am sure I am probably doing something with the main sail I shouldn't be in this situation. Just wondering if the foiled rudder would help, assist, or eliminate this situation.
Lee...
Lee,
I believe that when you are sailing under the main only you will experience what you describe because the force that is exerted on the sail is to far aft. When you sail with main and jib it will balance the boat better. I find that I would rather keep the jib up and reef the main in gusty conditions. I find the boat better balanced. (I sail a 16/II I am unsure if the I or III are much different)
The foiled rudder will help you complete the turn but the only way you have steerage with any rudder is if you have forward movement. If you find yourself "in irons" (head to wind and no forward movement) just moving the tiller over will not do it, the boat will fall off and if you are close hauled will heel and drift sideways untill the movement once again allows you to steer into the wind.
I have a hank on jib so I don't know much about roller furlers for the CP16. I do know that you need the extrusion on the headstay if you want to be able to reef the jib. The furler without requires a cable in the luff of your jib to function as the headstay and in order to roll the sail needs to be siezed to the sail.
I believe that Gil Weiss installed a CDI FF1 roller furler on his boat. He would be able to answer your questions and there may even be a thread about roller furlers for the CP16
If you're sailing main only and it is pulled in tight and the wind shifts from fore to beam you will get sideways force and almost no forward force. In that situation you would let out the main and as you go forward and start yur turn into the wind you can pull the main in.
Normally sailing the main only will head you up into the wind because the turning force of the main is pushing the back end downwind and the bow upwind. Unless the gust catches you abeam.
No rudder will turn you if you aren't moving. Keep practicing Mainsail only. You'll get good at it. Its a great way to make a day sail calm in heavy winds with passengers aboard.
I find that it is much easier to Jibe with Mainsail only. The mainsail loses its power close to the wind without jib compressing the wind across the front of the main.
If you are going to come about with mainsail only you have to have speed and be bringing in the main as you go from a beam reach to a close reach, then swing the rudder over hard to make it.
Ever watch Catamaran's try to come about. Inexperienced crews are always getting in irons and have to reverse the rudder as they drift backwards.
Thanks for your replies everyone. It has been useful information for me to think about. This weekend I was using just the main because of the gusty winds from time to time. I wanted to have an easy time because of the company I had with me and almost Reefed the sail but decided against it.
Although this is useful information to me since I am so new to this but I still have the question of how effective is the foiled rudder in slow speed situations and making a turn in all of a sudden gusty winds. It is obvious to me that no rudder input will turn me without forward movement. Kinda like turning your steering wheel on your truck at a dead stop and expect it to turn. I understand how a tight Jib in heavy winds will push my bow, this one I have experienced first hand. I have been "in irons" and have improved myself as into not getting into that situation. But from time to time and especially this weekend I have had a hard time turning in a slow speed situation where the wind comes with no warning. I sail on a high mountain lake where the wind will change 720 degrees in 45 minits time and put me in some situations.
So... With better knowledge of my sails and how to use them more effectively , Question is will the foiled rudder IMPROVE my turning in a situation like I have described. I really want to know peoples experiences with it. I would think is would improve with the high pressure/ low pressure current running over the rudder like an airplane wing and make situations like I have described just a little easier to manage.
Thanks again. Lee...
FYI - I sail a lot with the main only in gusty winds . . .works great. Jibing is easy as previously mentioned by
marcus. I also have a roller furling jib which is a wonderful thing. You can sail on just the jib too.
The foiled rudder is a great upgrade. It will help you turn in all situations. Instead of working on drag like the flat blade, the foiled blade pulls you around. Much more effective at slow speeds. It also reduces weather helm. I have also raked my mast a bit forward each of the past three years which has lessened weather helm and improved control.