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More downhaul to move the draft forward and keep the boat flat. Also - there is a chance you are not using enough vang tension. As you pull on the vang, the sail flattens and the upper leach becomes softer (the boat points less well to the wind). It is a strange effect as normally the vang moves the draft aft and increases 'weather helm (wants to head up) But the effect of the vang also reduces the leach support. Add downhaul to a high vang sail and the upper leach opens and the top battens invert. (very quick in strong winds). I hope that helps. First law - keep the boat flat. Second law of Aero sailing - use lots of vang.
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31/08/2017 20:10:00
steverooster
Posts: 19
Hi all
thanks for the answers but one precision. The problem was not appearing while trying to bear away. The boat was luffing whithout my consent ;) It's a "départ au lof" in french and I can't find the accurate translation for this expression : "go to the windward side"?
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31/08/2017 15:52:00
Gduss
Posts: 3
Id say primarily the sail - if you heel the effort from the sail is outside the boat so makes it turn. Hull effects are quite small. That's why you heel to windward on a run so you bring the centre of effort from the sail back over the hull and the boat is balanced.
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29/08/2017 11:36:00
Gareth
Posts: 170
No doubt that sheeting out is essential to bearing away, and that a heeled boat won't. But I'm not sure of the explanation for why a heeled boat rounds up. I once saw a physicist's analysis of that issue, looking at whether it's caused by the rolled hull, or the sail. His conclusion was that it was primarily the sail. The roll moves the center of effort off-center, which increases weather helm big time. The hull was only a minor contributor. I don't know whether he considered the impact of lift from the rudder, however, which is interesting. Do you know more about that?
P.S. Glad to have your thought-provoking input on the forum, Steve.
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26/08/2017 09:40:00
david
Posts: 64
As Steve says - steer with the sail first - use the rudder to ALLOW the boat to turn not to force it. Gust striking, ease sheet boat come more upright/slight windward heel bear away into the gust.
Similar problem many people have at the windward mark - sail must go out BEFORE you bear away (really to help/make the boat bear away). If you force the boat round with the rudder you just plant you sail straight across the wind and capsize.
One of the secrets to fast downwind sailing in a dinghy is to steer with the sail/balance (Rooster has some good videos of that). Practice in light airs with the rudder held central with elastic and just steer by balance so it becomes a habit.
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24/08/2017 15:09:00
Gareth
Posts: 170
The secret behind bearing away is letting the sail out. Once the boat heels to leeward, the rudder becomes a lifting plane - moving the wetted surface forward -increasing weather helm -- making the boat head up. If the boat is heeled to windward - then the rudder is a sinking plane when you bear away - moving the wetted surface area aft and lifting the bow. The rig is also helping as it is moving the power to the outside of the turn.
Take a look at the pictures from the Worlds - every boat heeled to leeward is fighting the boat to bear away - if the boat was flat or heeled to windward you will not see the boats struggling to bear away.
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24/08/2017 11:17:00
steverooster
Posts: 19
I'm about 72 kg - was out in 30 know gusts last week.
Close reach, beam reach or broad reach?
Close reach is just plain hard work - downhaul helps with kicker eased a bit to keep the top mast bent.
Beam reach almost certainly the issue is not keeping the boat flat. Easing a bit of kicker for sure to let the top twist off a bit but hike out well back and really work the sheet to keep the boat flat. Bear away in gusts and come back up in the lulls. Sometimes I could see the whole top of the sail was spilling as the mast bent and freed the leech.
Broad reach same but sit a bit further back if the bow wants to drive down.
Plate up (about 6-8 inches showing) seems to works for me.
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24/08/2017 10:49:00
Gareth
Posts: 170
Could be too much kicker, preventing the bear away in a blow. Need to get the balance just right so the leech is working nicely and you still have enough power, and for the boat to track nicely with minimum rudder input.
Weight back, and shoulders out - as previously mentioned: as flat as you can!
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23/08/2017 15:17:00
Carlos
Posts: 3
21/08/2016 20:11:30
david
Posts: 64
Hi Gduss,
'Was I too overpowered?'...sounds like it! Try raising the board a little (15cm) and sitting further back. Because the rig is so far forward in the boat and the top of the mast is very flexible, there is a tendency for the bow to try to 'dig in' before the boat accelerates (See 'Aero Endo' on YouTube). This may be what you are experiencing rather than actual 'weather helm'. You can also try less kicker and more downhaul to release power from the top of the leech but don't go too loose on the kicker or the top of the mast will develop a life of its own and the boat will become very unstable.
Hope the above helps as a starting point. No doubt you will get some other hints and tips.
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21/08/2016 10:59:14
Alistair Glen
Posts: 14
Hi all
I recently purchased a RS Aero and I sailed it in 15/20knots of breeze yesterday.
When I'm reaching I had troubles with the boat as she keeps on luffing and I found it difficult to keep it on the track... I eased the mains sheet each time to release power but I think that I have a wrong setting. Was I too overpowered? Should I ease the kicker or other settings?
80kg, 7 sail and the board was down all the way.
Thanks a lot!
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21/08/2016 10:04:40
Gduss
Posts: 3
