Rounding up all the time

[Tornadosailing]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Perhaps a very blond idea BUT........if you just installed the feathering props are they functioning correctly? Perhaps one is not feathering applying a break on one side? Is it equal on both tacks?

They're Brunton auto props. The three blades work independently, and have to rotate 180 between fwd and reverse. I think it's equal on both tacks, but it was blowing 25 when we first raised some short sails, and the boat was just about out of control as soon as you go to neutral, so it was a little exciting for a minute. Can't remember for sure it it was both sides.

[PhiSig1071]

Nothing worse than problems with a new (to you) boat. Good luck and I hope you get it sorted.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Tornadosailing

Funny you should mention feathering props, and I should have mentioned it earlier. I had the props changed to a new set of autoprops.

I would certainly hope that one of the rudders didn't fall off between yesterday when we put the pros on and today.

Hi, I assume that you have the shafts locked, I believe that is needed with Bunton autoprop.

[BlueSlue]

It is worth a call to the closest FP authorized dealer. They might know if this is a common problem. I have had good luck doing that even though I bought my boat used through another broker.

[Paul Elliott]

If you put the boat on the other tack, does she still want to round up? Or is this perhaps a constant turn to port (or to starboard, as the case may be)?

[Tornadosailing]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Hi, I assume that you have the shafts locked, I believe that is needed with Bunton autoprop.

I had been putting the motors in neutral prior to shutting them off, then I intended to put them in reverse. The boat started to round up immediately so I never got so far as locking the shafts. The fix turned out to be simply killing the motors while still in gear.

I called the Brunton dealer to see if this was a common problem. He had never heard of it, but is going to call the factory in England tomorrow to see what they say.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Tornadosailing

I had been putting the motors in neutral prior to shutting them off, then I intended to put them in reverse. The boat started to round up immediately so I never got so far as locking the shafts. The fix turned out to be simply killing the motors while still in gear.

I called the Brunton dealer to see if this was a common problem. He had never heard of it, but is going to call the factory in England tomorrow to see what they say.

When I was looking at the auto prop I realised that they needed to be locked otherwise the prop turned enough for the blades to present to the flow like a bucket, presenting huge drag. Glad to hear that you sorted the problem.

[a64pilot]

They should auto feather when drive is removed, they simply go to the pitch that has the least resistance unless a motor is driving them, then centripetal force balanced with induced flow determines pitch.
However as they are new, maybe they are stiff to rotate?

[paxfish]

Full genoa may help in the short term to try and balance better. Sounds pretty severe though.

Is your mast raked significantly?
Main generating too much power aft of CLR?
Do you have running backs to flatten the main and thus reduce it's power?
Outhaul and Cunningham/downhaul on full?
Mainsheet tight and depowering with the traveler?

[belizesailor]

Just to add to the opinions posted already, if you are rounding up under jib alone at 120d AWA then it aint likely a sail plan issue.

I too would guess a steering system issue.

[daletournier]

Have you tried rolling the genoa up and just using the main? I know it sounds counter intuitive but I had a similar problem with when my big genoa was furled in some sea wind conditions (mono) . If it doesn't do it under just main then it's time to look at what's happening in up front.

[smj]

In post #21 he describes what the problem was and how he fixed it.

[paxfish]

ah - interesting

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by smj

In post #21 he describes what the problem was and how he fixed it.

Ooops, missed that one.

[Valmika]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Have you tried rolling the genoa up and just using the main? I know it sounds counter intuitive but I had a similar problem with when my big genoa was furled in some sea wind conditions (mono) . If it doesn't do it under just main then it's time to look at what's happening in up front.

I have had the problem of too much jib on a mono digging the leward side of the bow in and rounding up. Never had it on my FP Tobago though. I guess it would be easy enough to roll it in a little more. Personally I'm thinking the props. see if it always turns the same way.