P-18 weather helm port vs. starboard

bbeach1

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 08, 2009

Last visit: Mar 29, 2010

Posts: 18
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 - 02:53 PM

I have been doing some tuning on my P-18 to get the correct weather helm. I have leaned the mast back and adjusted the rudders out a few turns. Now I have what feels like the correct helm on a Starboard tack but on the Port tack I can turn loose of the tiller and drink half a beer before heading up. Any ideas why this might be? I can't see anything different port vs. starboard.

Bill Beach
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 - 03:01 PM

maybe you drank to many beers first? *kiddin)

shroud tension the same (even) on each side?
spreader tension the same?
spreaders bent upward on one side?
rudder pinching in (toe)?
one rudder raked under more than the other?

edited by: andrewscott, Oct 19, 2009 - 03:02 PM
bbeach1

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 08, 2009

Last visit: Mar 29, 2010

Posts: 18
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 - 04:55 PM

Shroud and spreader tension are the same on each side. I will take a look at the spreaders. The rudders are not pinching and the rake looks the same on each side.

Bill
nesdog

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Registered: Mar 25, 2002

Last visit: Nov 19, 2009

Posts: 3
Posted: Oct 20, 2009 - 02:14 PM

Make sure the rudder blades are angled correctly. also it's VERY easy to mount the tiller assembly/blades wrong...ie; the left blade on the right side. The casting has a "L" on it.

I ran into this a couple of times with my P-18. I would remove the entire assembly/blades while trailoring. I would end up with weird handling problems and discovered that I had swung the blades around when re-mounting everything.
bbeach1

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 08, 2009

Last visit: Mar 29, 2010

Posts: 18
Posted: Oct 21, 2009 - 05:59 PM

nesdogMake sure the rudder blades are angled correctly. also it's VERY easy to mount the tiller assembly/blades wrong...ie; the left blade on the right side. The casting has a "L" on it.

I ran into this a couple of times with my P-18. I would remove the entire assembly/blades while trailoring. I would end up with weird handling problems and discovered that I had swung the blades around when re-mounting everything.

I will check it out this weekend. Thanks
skarr1

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 25, 2007

Last visit: Jul 13, 2012

Posts: 414
Posted: Oct 21, 2009 - 08:09 PM

Make sure both shrouds are the same length, not just in the same hole in the adjuster. One side might have been replaced.