The navigator© wrote:

All the discussion about whether a typical modern sloop will sail a
steady course with the rudder free got me wondering about what 'free'
means to different people.

That it came with the boat at no additional cost.


But recently I was invited to sail a
47' boat in the USA with racing ambitions whose helm was so stiff when
it loaded up at ~24knots that you could leave the wheel and it did not
move. It was easy to balance this boat with a free helm -especially as
the bay had only minor chop (about 2-3'). Nevertheless, I'd say it was
unpleasant to helm.

Maybe the owner liked this "feature"? But a performance-oriented boat should
not have a stiff helm.

Many times that I've observed, the problem is not friction but lack of
structure. When a boat is sailed hard, the hull tries to twist & bend every
which way, and the force on the rudder makes it worse. It only takes a very
slight amount of deflection and bearings that were nice & easy suddenly grab
tight.


But in Ella's case, I know a free rudder could not
balance the boat in such chop.

Maybe it's that you don't know how?

Just to remind/tell someone here why a
boat will balance it is becase the force generated by the rudder depends
on speed -which also depends on wind strength and anngle. Thus as the
wind picks up the boat tends to pay off and accelerate until the rudder
rounds her back up again. When the wind dies the boat rounds up until
she loses speed and rudder authority.

Why ignore the effect of varying forces on the rig? You've ignored at least
half the equation here. Good thing you're not an engineer, I'd be afraid to
drive or even walk across any bridge you designed.....




Now the question is, if the hull form itself causes a very strong round
up and the wind was very strong could one achieve balance her by the
hull with no rudder?

How is "the hull form itself" going to cause any torque? Unless the hull is
asymmetrical?

You've got to open your other eye, Navvie, and see the whole picture.

Go and read "100 Small Boat Rigs" by Philip C. Bolger, it is probably at
your local library. It will explain many forces & phenomenon that are
apparently unknown to you. It's also entertaining reading (for those who are
really interested in boats & sailing).

Fresh Breezes- Doug King