mast rotation

I noticed this summer that when the mast rotated it usually stayed at either extreme end. If I had the mainsail half way out, the mast still rotated all the way to the side. its hard to explain. I noticed it more in light winds, and more often when i really tightened the rig. Does anyone else notice this? what am I doing wrong? I really dont like leaving the rig loose, especially when its wavy, because it pounds and bounces around really hard.

Thanks

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Sail.fast

470, 08 Getaway

I have been considering adding a mast rotator to the front of the mast and using leeward sheeting. I would add some more pivoting camcleats with fairlead outside the current headsail cleats. I will leave the control line as a loop just like the headsail sheets, that should allow me to trim the leeward control line to rotate the mast... and hopefully improve the pointing of the boat.

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Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

If im thinking of what your talking about thats a really good idea. use a lever attached to the front of the mast and use cam cleats to fine tune it. Has any one ever done this? Does anyone else even have this issue, to require something like this?

When you say "mast rotater" is that a specific item to purchase, or is this something that i could buy a kit for?

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Sail.fast

470, 08 Getaway

ROTATOR ARM 61210001
page 58 of the 2008 Ecatalog

SWIVEL CLEAT 50007

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Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

I'm new to sailing our Getaway, enjoying it immensely, and have wondered what is the purpose for the mast rotation. Certainly sloop rigged monohulls do not have rotating masts, perhaps some of the cat rigs I'm not sure.
What's the reason, and how do I optimize the reasons for sailing benefits?
Thanks!

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Experienced monohull sailer, new to Hobies. I chose a Getaway to get started. Sailing in Northern Calif.

The rotating mast serves two purposes-

1- it allows the angle of the mast to be adjusted so that it aligns with the apparent wind. This reduces the drag presented by the mast.

2- since the mast shape is not uniform all around (i.e., not a circle) the mast will bend a different amount on it's minor axis vs. its major axis. This allows variation in the amount of mast bend based on the amount of rotation (more rotation = more mast bend = flatter sail = less power).

Of course this all assumes you have some type of mast rotation control installed on your boat. For a Getaway, it's not going to make a huge performance difference (probably on the verge of being un-noticable). Which is most likely the reason it is not included as a stock item - more complication with minimal performance benefit. On more advanced, high performance cats, it's an important adjustment.

sm

Thanks, SM, that's helpful. Since the Getaway is not as performance oriented, I won't concern myself with rotational adjustments for the time.
Next puzzle for your insight. When beating into the wind on a close reach, the tiller requires a lot of muscle power to keep the Getaway pointing. How would you recommend addressing that? Is there a rudder upgrade that would be perhaps deeper or somehow more effective?

As I approach the racing season, where can I find ratings to handicap a Getaway versus a Tiger, the 16's etc?

Bill

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Experienced monohull sailer, new to Hobies. I chose a Getaway to get started. Sailing in Northern Calif.

Bill,

You're experiencing weather helm, or the want of the boat to turn upwind if you let go of the tiller. On the "performance" model Hobies, there's an adjustment (on the rudder castings) to allow rake of the rudder tips under the boat farther (forward). The rudder and skegs are taking the place of a centerboard/daggerboard/keel. Maybe try moving your crew weight aft a bit?

Here's the Portsmouth tables for Multihulls http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tab ... es08mh.asp

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

I agree, it's an issue of weather helm.

First thing is to make sure your rudders are completly locked down when you're sailing. If the rudders are even slightly kicked up, you will get a lot of weather helm.

Next would be to make sure both of your sails are trimmed properly. If the jib is undersheeted or furled up, the center of effort of the sail plan will shift back and give the boat more weather helm.

I'm not too familiar with the Getaway- I don't know what rudder housing system it's using now. But assuming your rudders are locked down and your sails are trimmed pretty well, there are basically two adjustments for correcting weather helm - mast rake and rudder rake.

If you rake the mast farther forward, it should reduce weather helm (although raking too far forward will reduce the boat's pointing ability and increase it's tendency to want to pitchpole).

The other option is to rake the tips of the rudders farther under the boat (move the bottom tip forward). Depending on the style of rudder housings that you have, this may be as simple as loosening and re-positioning a few bolts. If your rudder housings don't have this adjustment, you would have to re-drill the pivot bolt holes in the rudder so the rudder kicks under farther. I would check the FAQs and the owner's manual on this site.

Ideally, when sailing upwind, you should have a very light weather helm.

sm