Doug wrote:
Peter S/Y Anicula wrote:

Yes, it would depend on the boat. Modern light weight boats with
most
of the stability from the fairly wide beam, fin keel and
spaderudder
are not suited to be sailed without continuos corrections of the
rudder.

That's a common misconception IMHO. I've never sailed a boat that
couldn't
be steadied up with the helm fixed (lashed, locked, pinned, or
something
like that) at the very least with the wind forward of the beam. This
includes a Laser!

This discussion has the header "Ocean sailing" and conditions in
question was 25 knots and "squally".
I am well aware that almost all well balanced boats will sail itself
to windward in maybe 8 -10 knots on a calm see. If we are talking
oceansailing, I consider that more the exception than the rule. Normal
ocean swells and/or seas would make this kind of boat yaw way out of
the interval inside witch it will be able to regain its course.

You do have a point though. When talking about boat design absolutes
are rarely sensible. And we should remember that we all speak out of
different contexts. What is a practical generalisation for one, might
be a misconception seen from another point of view.
So the sentence should probably have been phrased:
"Modern light weight boats with most of the stability from the fairly
wide beam, fin keel and spaderudder are not suited to be sailed
without continuos corrections of the rudder, except in almost flat
water and fairly constant wind" .

Directional stability makes it easier, and makes it workable in a
wider
range of conditions.

Exactly.

In waves, some boats get their nose yanked around by
the nose and others have their hindquarters shoved one way and/or
the
other; which makes it a bit more challenging.

On the ocean in 25 knots with squalls I would think it would be more
of a challenge than a practical possibility.

But if you mean it's up to everyone to explore the abilities and
limits of his boat, and that reality is more important than other
peoples generalisations, then I think you have a very valid point.


Peter S/Y Anicula