General Category - Pearson Owners and Enthusiasts > Boat Handling

Weather Helm P323

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Adnaan:
Hey all, I bought a 323 in San Francisco recently, and have been sailing her 3-4 times a week, all over the bay. Her rigging was in good condition when I purchased her, so I haven't really touched much, other than to replace a sail slide and tack attachment that broke when I gybed too fast.

The boat has quite a bit of weather helm, and I'm constantly fighting her whenever the wind picks up above 15kts or so, and by 25kts I have the helm hard-over to lee. It's hard on the helmsmen and the boat alike. She carries a 110% jib, I believe, and I usually keep the foot of the main pretty tight. I've read that tensioning the mast more for'ard may help... What steps should I take, and in what order? Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

Dolce_Vita:
The 323 likes to sail "on her feet" rather than heeled till the rail's in the water. My answer is to reef the main much sooner than usual. First reef at 15 kts,  second reef at 20 kts. You'll still make hull speed (~7 kts) and be much more comfortable.

Adnaan:
Right. I'll test that out this weekend and report back. I have a 140% Genoa stowed belowdecks. Would you think that putting that up would help move the Center of Effort forward?

Alma:
It would but only if it is not blown out and the wind is light.

selene:
Having sailed in the SF Bay for around 10 years now, I cannot imagine a 140% would help with the winds we normally see (although they have been light this year). I find when the wind hit 15kn, with a 100% jib, I am overpowered.  If I am alone, I reef; if I am racing, I depower the main just shy of luffing. 

As the winds nears 20kn, I move to my 90% jib. Makes things easier to handle. The P323 is a very headsail driven boat; in fact, in heavier wind I have had pleasant sailing under jib alone! DOn't knock it until you have tried it :-)

As Ed (Dolce) said, the 323 like to "stand up" - with such a shallow keel, if you heel to much you tend to end up with a lot of leeway.

Is it possible you are overtrimmed? I tend to find my boat sails better with the sails a bit "fat". People from racing boats often overtrim, slowing the boat down and creating more heel and weatherhelm than necessary.When Selene was new (to me), I often had weatherhelm, and most of it was caused by - and resolved through - the sail trim.

Hopefully some of these ideas help. Good luck!

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