Be sure not to confuse 'weather helm' with 'rudder helm'



To see if you're really balanced wrong in the sails, look at your tiller crossbar when going to windward, with your boards down. If it's centered over your traveler cleat, or even better, slightly (1/4 ") pulled to weather, you have ideal mast rake. If the stick pulls hard in your hands anyway, you've got badly adjusted rudders. Hook 'em under for less pull.



A little "rudder track" where you pull the stick slightly to weather of center is good, 'cause you get lift to windward coming off your rudders. A lot of rudder track makes more drag, canceling out the benefit of the lift.



Ed Norris