If you do the silly yacht designer's thing of cutting out the hull
profile and balancing it on a pin you will find that the lead of the
Folkboat isn't much different that vessels with lots of weather helm.
What started this whole sub thread was my not to clearly stated
assertion that it is not fine tuning of the C.E. / C.L.P relationship
that determines helm balance but lots of other factors.

--

Roger Long



"BrianH" wrote in message
...
Wayne.B wrote:

I think we all
agree that reducing heel angle will help to reduce weather helm but
there are various ways of doing that.

I had a lesson once on how much immersed asymmetrical hull form has
to do with it; too much when heeled and there will be a rounding up
force that must be corrected by the rudder. I took the helm of a
cruising folkboat for the first time as we were clearing the Firth
of Forth on the east coast of Scotland. As we cleared the shelter of
the firth a strong NE wind caused her to bury her rail but I was
amazed that the tiller remained light, responsive and only a tad off
central - a beautifully balanced yacht at any angle of heel.
BrianH.

Roger Long wrote:
If you do the silly yacht designer's thing of cutting out the hull
profile and balancing it on a pin you will find that the lead of the
Folkboat isn't much different that vessels with lots of weather helm.
What started this whole sub thread was my not to clearly stated
assertion that it is not fine tuning of the C.E. / C.L.P relationship
that determines helm balance but lots of other factors.

The Folkboat is bordering on legendary for its heavy weather handling.
The spin offs (Contessa 26, Marieholm IF, Virtue, Vancouver 27) all
exhibit great seakindliness. Is it any wonder that they seem to be the
smallest boats consistently completing impressive voyages.