'Thumbs',

As Jim asked, '. . .what do you want to do?' . If it's a fast turn, it's
actually quicker to 'foot' a little bit for speed, then ease into the turn
and 'meet her' coming out. A *hard* turn to max rudder will actually act as
a 'break' to your forward momentum.

Use some tape and mark 15, 30, and 45 degree locations on your wheel {since
you said 'quadrant' I presume you aren't using a tiller}. Then try tacking
using them, and different entry & exit techniques. Take notes and see which
works best for YOUR boat.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"Jim" wrote in message
.net...
all thumbs wrote:
I'm wondering if I have the quadrant set up right. At full stop on the
quadrant, looking at the rudder shows it's only turned about 45
degrees. Is this correct? Is that some theoretical limit of effective
angle or something? Thanks.

That would depend upon what you want the rudder to do. . .
Turn the boat? 45 degrees is a good number. Stop the boat, (or keep
the boat from moving after a tack) 45 isn't enough.

I see people trying to tack out of the channel holding the tiller "hard
over" all the time. Often these are the guys who never accelerate after
tacking enough to make it to the other side of the channel.