Sailing technique question

Hi Folks, I'm a new Getaway owner and am still figuring it out. I was sailing in a bit stiffer wind than usual yesterday and found that it was fighting hard to round upwind the entire time.

I was leaning back pulling on the tiller extension as hard as I could for the entire sail... and still just barely keeping it on a beam or broad reach. It seemed the more I trimmed the sail the more it fought to go upwind.

In the end I set the traveller way out and backed the main sheet off and that was enough to let me get back to my beach. But it was still fighting. Cant imagine what I would have done in a stronger wind.

I think I'm probably looking for some beginner 101 technique advice here

Any ideas how to manage this?

Thanks!

Likely the rudders are not staying locked down. The housings can get bent outwards from leaving the rudders half down on the beach. There is a cam that fits into a slot in the rudder... You can try adding some tension to the pivot bolts. Be sure the tiller arms are all the way down.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Did you have the sail trimmed in too far? In stronger winds, you'll probably want to ease off. Also, in stronger winds, set the mainsheet hook in a hole closer to the bow, to flatten the sail.
Did you have the jib furled? That moves the center of effort aft, which adds weather helm (which is what you are experiencing).

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

Also... weight too forward can cause the boat to round up.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I know the getaway does not have adjustability in the rudder system. I we have a couple of them rigged in the lot at the lake. I'll get some standard measurements and photos of the rudder rake and post them, at least you'll have an idea of how they should look. I'd also recommend reading about tuning H16 rudders, as a beginner this will give you some insight as to how rudder rake effect the helm.

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Buxton
18' T16 Silent Lightning (16' T2 Hybrid)
11' H16 White Lightning
79' H16 Green Lightning

Hi Crams1111,

Re reading your post, it's not clear the year of your boat or what style rudders you have. Being new to the Getaway doesn't mean you have a NEW Getaway. I took photos of both systems as one is adjustable and the other is not. I know the feeling you're taking about and it was all rudders.

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Buxton
18' T16 Silent Lightning (16' T2 Hybrid)
11' H16 White Lightning
79' H16 Green Lightning

Matt's likely to be right, rudders weren't down all the way. Boat pretty much feels the same steering and weather helm for most breezes, so a sudden change where you're fighting to get where you want to go is likely a rudder issue.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Most likely the rudder wasn't all the way down, usually the #1 cause. Mast raked forward can cause weather helm as well. Mast acts like a lever. Important to pay attention to how the hulls are sitting in the waterline. If your side shrouds are in the last 2 holes and the forestay is all the way into the furler (mast raked as far forward as possible), then you will get a slight pull towards the wind. Hiking stick will feel like its getting pulled out of your hand slightly. If you let go the boat will turn into the wind. I think it might be better to have it raked forward in light wind as it will help with weight distribution.

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- Toyon
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2018 Hobie Getaway

Actually the opposite. A mast raked forward would tend to create more of a lee helm (Boat wants to round down) A mast raked more aft moves the center of effort aft and loads up the rudders which would add weather helm (Boat wants to round up).

This is how a windsurfer works... Rake aft to round up/tack. Move the sail well forward to turn downwind.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)