Yes I surfed my 6 ton full keel down some fairly large steep waves...
breaking about 15 feet up and 10 feet behind the transom. The last thing I
thought about was wanting to slow the boat down. :-)

When you put it in light of smaller vessels I can see the point. On my boat
though.... you want a steady helm. I generally find the groove and I can
lock it there to fine tune the set. Even on a broad reach where you are
cresting the wave top and she starts that little hesitation before screaming
down the wave... everyone tries to correct for what they misinterpret as a
yaw. I found that if you hold firm she finds her place without losing speed
or bearing. Each vessel is different and a full keeler is a majestic
powerhouse in a full sea and good breeze.

CM




"Bart Senior" bartsenior wrote in message
...
|
| To have a proper discussion we'd have to split this into at least
| three parts. One man dinks, light weight medium sized boats
| an larger heavy displacment boats.
|
| Rudder movement is a very effective tool for slowing down. I
| use dramatic motions with the rudder to kill speed when docking
| under sail. The is no question that it slows you down.
|
| I tend to agree with you on heavier boats. Have you ever had
| your boat surfing in big waves?
|
| I've surfed a 38 ton schooner and the drag caused by the
| dramatic helm movement was more than made up for in the
| added accelleration coming down a monster wave in the
| Pacific.
|
| On lighter boats in waves, working the helm to a certain degree
| --not constantly, is not only a help but a necessity.
|
| Depending on conditions, it is important to position yourself
| correctly on the wave, to surf and get that extra accelleration.
| It is worth the effort. Once in position on the wave, of
| course you want to minimize drag, and keep the helm centered,
| to sustain the surf and keep it there as long as possible.
|
| On dinghies, with onlly one person aboard. Body weight can
| be effectively substituted for tiller movement--I think that was
| the point Doug made. The fastest sailor use the minimum helm
| movement and steer with body weight.
|
| I think it would take an awesome crew on medium sized boats
| to use body weight effectively.
|
| Bart
|
|
| On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 21:44:58 -0400, "Capt. Mooron"
| wrote:
|
| Can't say as I agree with you there Bart. Overworking the rudder....
| especially on a barn door size like mine is a sure way to slow down in a
| hurry. The rudder will want to turn the boat to least resistance.... not
to
| the direction you want to go. I stand firm on not allowing to much
| correction to take place by my helmsman.
|
| CM
|
| "Bart Senior" bartsenior wrote in
message
| .. .
| | Sometimes in waves, it is the rudder that wants to move back
| | and forth, in which case, holding it straight will slow you down.
| |
| | Bart
| |
| | On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 15:33:58 -0500, DSK wrote:
| |
| |
| | Undersized rudder helmsmanship: yanking the boat through a tack or
| digging
| | the bow in trying to surf. I've observed both in folks who have done
lots
| of
| | racing on Lasers and in two cases, on an Olson 30. They seemed totally
| | unconscious of the fact that they could cut firewood with their helm.
| |
| | Actually, I had a hard time correcting some of my own bad habits, and
| when
| | shown a video of myself sailing the Lightning, commented "Who's that
jerk
| | sawing the tiller back and forth like a maniac?" No doubt I could
still
| use
| | some work....
| |
| | Fresh Breezes- Doug King
| |
|
|