Whats the best angle for a CS17 centerboard?

[Dave Newell]

Well we are back on the water after bending the main mast (first time out!) and discovering out that the original builder of our CS17 didnt bother to profile the centerboard at all! it was a bit like sailing with a vibrating lump of 4x2 stuck in the water! I now know heaps about alloy for masts and whats available in Australia (let me know if anyone wants some info) and had a steep learning curve on profiling, laminating and finishing centerboards. The finished result was not too bad and the boat certainly seems to sail better - and no annoying vibration!

I would like some advice on the optimum angle to have the centerboard at when fully extended (when beating to windward). I dont have the plans so cant really work it out other than the pic on B&B's website.

Check out the attached pic of the new centerboard - beautiful isnt she? (and the model aint too bad herself!)

Happy sailing

DN

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[Designer]

Dave,

I am glad that you now have the right masts and centerboard.

Typically in a good sailing breeze when hard on the wind the board should be most of the way down. You should have the sails trimmed in but not too tight and you should have a little weather helm, about 1- 2 degrees. If you have more helm, then you should rake the board aft or ease the mizzen. In light air you might need to bring the board forward if you feel lee helm.

If the helm feels heavy and the tiller is close to the center line then the rudder blade is not all the way down. If you hold a straight edge along the forward edge of the rudder cheeks it should overlap the leading edge of the rudder blade by 20mm when the blade is all of the way down.

When properly set up you should always have a sweet helm.

Good luck with your new boat.

[Dave Newell]

thanks Graham - will experiment!

D