LM30 traveller / weather helm

[baldrick1]

Hello I own an lm30 with fixed kicker. It has been suggested that the overall performance would be improved by fitting the traveller to the top of the coat roof as I've seen on one other LM . There is quite a lot of weather helm when steering from the tiller in strong winds. It's also been suggested this would not really be of any benefit . I would appreciate any and all use on this to help me make a decision .
Paul . Dorset

[Brian & Glenda]

If you use the Search feature in the upper left corner of the screen, and search for the word 'traveller' you'll find quite a few comments there. Chris Munson also had a few photos of his traveller on his LM32, which is a bit different than the one on my LM32... but overall, I do think that you will find a traveller on the pilothouse roof advantageous.

On the weather helm front: If the jib or genoa is appropriately trimmed: Perhaps your mainsail is older and baggy like mine, so tends to catch more wind in the bag pushing the stern downwind and pointing the boat further up wind. In strong winds, I try to flatten my main as much as I can by positioning the traveller appropriately and keeping the mainsheets taut, but when the boom needs to be further outboard, I loosen the sheets which introduces twist into the top of the sail, thus depowering the main. I really do need to buy a new main one day, but this works well enough for now.

Hope that help,
Cheers, Brian

[chrismunson]

If you do not have a Cunningham on your mainsail, they are easy to install and really help shape the sail, especially in higher winds. And if sail is baggy, it is finished. Check out Resen Sails online. Meanwhile reef the main and enjoy the genoa!

resensails.eu/