Hi Joe, I just adjusted mine from about 13.5" to about 10.5 - 11" and it made a world of difference in 12 - 15 + Knots winds. The helm was balanced in calm winds but I was getting more than my share of weather helm in the heavier stuff, sometimes that was forcing me to have a less aggressive traveler setup than I wanted. (The adjustment range on my boat is about 9 - 12")
Here's the Tunining blurb from the CNCPhotoAlbum ( http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/masttuning/tuning.htm) "C&C yachts are designed to carry from 6" of rake on the 24 foot up to about 10" on the 38 foot. Some sailmakers prefer no rake at all; that is a perfectly plumb spar, but from an appearance point of view, as well as helm balance point of view, begin using the measurements mentioned above. " I would say that 9-10" inches on your boat is a good place to start. If you're out of turnbuckle adjustment and sitting at 15 inches I'd say consider having your rigger rectify the situation. I light winds it will show much in anything 15-18 knots and above winds the helm will most likely get tiresome, especially if it's gusty. Good Luck, Francois Rivard 1990 34+ "Take Five" Lake Lanier, GA Howdy listers, > > > > Last year I had my forestay replaced (for a new roller furler) and it > ended up being longer than the original by maybe about 4 or 5 inches . I > have adjusted the forestay all the way down but I still need plenty of > backstay to keep it all tight. So now my mast rake is about 15 inches at > the boom. I don?t have a ton of weather helm but it?s hard to be sure > because I replaced the old main at the same time that I redid the forestay > and the new sail is much more efficient. The extra rake also lowers the > boom so I need to use topping lift to keep it off the dodger. > > > > So?..how many inches of rake do you have? And what would you consider > optimal? I will have to redo the forestay to fix this but it may be worth > it. > > > > As always, I appreciate all the opinions and advice! > > > > Cheers, > > > > Joe Boyle
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