What makes a boat weatherly?
DSK wrote
What makes a boat 'weatherly?' Firstly, an effective rig... most
importantly one that can be shaped and sheeted inboard for maintaining
drive at an angle close to the wind.
One big improvement that can be made in many production
boats is to put on a proper jib/genoa sheet track to bring the sheet
lead inboard. Sheeting to the toerail ain't gonna get it (in most
boats).
Using a second jib sheet to place the jib clue
where you want it is an option--like a barber
hauler only pulling inboard. This only works
if the shrouds don't get in the way! Usually,
the jib tracks are located as far inboard as
the shrouds will allow, and barberhaulers are
used to pull the jib clue outboard when sailing
more off the wind.
So it all depends on what you are using for a
head sail. A small jib with it's clue forward
of the shrouds could be controlled more accurately
using this method, with jib sheet chafing at
the shrouds.
Bart Senior
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