On a Lake Michigan night Flicka passage south from Muskegon, Michigan to Grand Haven, Michigan, approximately 15 miles, we struck a straight point-to-point course and NEVER TOUCHED THE TILLER NOR TRIMMED THE SAILS THE ENTIRE TRIP ... This without a tiller-tamer, autohelm, self-steering, nothing ... Just a well-balanced heavy aft-hung rudder and a full keel ... I was aboard with two friends, probably a little over 500 lbs of crew weight between the 3 of us, and we moved about as much as we pleased, our shifting weight never altering the boat's course ... It was a remarkable passage ... Gorgeous clear starry skies, warm breeze ... I know a true sailor loves white knuckles on the tiller, spray in the face and his butt over the rail ... I'd have to describe myself as a landlubber who prefers to admire the land from the water ... And given the choice, I'll take that night passage on the Flicka ... It was like a magic carpet ride ...
----- Original Message ----- From: Rik Sandberg To: Craig F. Honshell ; For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2005 10:19 PM Subject: roller reefing Craig, I think you're the first that has ever told me that. Myself, I have never tried it. I will though now that you mentioned it. I do find the Flicka will balance quite well. I don't worry about going off and leaving the tiller to it's own devices for several minutes at a time. Part of this I'm sure, is the weight of the boat. Crew position doesn't affect trim as much as in a lighter boat. Probably also, the very rounded hull shape. I don't think the hull gets as asymetrical as it heels as many boats with flatter shapes. I can't prove it (I'm no engineer) but I think this might be the most important reason why a Flicka sails and handles so well. And, yes, that full keel I'm sure, makes her want to track straight. I can sure tell that when it's time to turn into the slip :-) Rik Craig F. Honshell wrote: Thanks, Rik ... BTW, I used to partner in a Flicka ... She didn't have a furling headsail, but when the wind really piped up, we would sail under jib alone. She sailed wonderfully under jib alone ... When the wind REALLY piped up, we could sail under storm jib alone ... The advantage of a full keel? Or just an exceptionally well-balanced boat? --Craig _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
