450: Lagoon 450s Problem

[ingonzalez2006]

Hello Misters
I have a really uncomfortable problem with the rudder wheel, when im sailing this the wheel is set very hard and it is so difficult to turn. Somebody have had this problem?

[four winds]

Only when sailing? Or difficult when motoring also?

[monte]

Is the nut in the centre of the wheel tightened? (The wheel lock )

[eduadlv]

Hello...

yes i have a 450 and i have the same problem. i just put it outside the water to see if there where any problem at the rudder but it was not. Im guessing is a design problem because the rudder are to forward, just guessing..... what have you discover so far??

[eduadlv]

Its only when sailing...not when motoring.

[monte]

Ok, we need some more information. Is it difficult to turn just one way (trying to turn always to port or starboard) or is it generally stiff and hard to turn any way? Is it on all points or sail?upwind, downwind? Are you sailing with main and jib?

[PaulinOz]

If your yacht steers OK under motor no sails, then you find it difficult to steer when sails are up and no motor, the chances are it is a sail trim issue.

If it only occurs under sail and not under motor it will not be a steering mechanism issue but a balance problem.

Have you tried using the autopilot to adjust your course by 10 or 20 deg when you feel you cannot steer by hand with sails up.

[eduadlv]

Thanks for the response.

It is hard when im in upwind (beam reach and reach). It ocurres on starboard and on port. Im sailing with jib and main, so when that happens and for example there is 25 knots of wind i have to do a doble reef and not just one because with one reef and 25 knots i cannot stop the boat for going high.

I had already trim the front stay and i adjust it into the shorter distance possible.

so that is where i am stuck.

Thanks.

[eduadlv]

my main sail is squared, so i dont know if thats an issue.

[four winds]

So you're constantly having hold the wheel hard or steer off the wind. It's trying to round up into the wind.

That's excessive weather helm. And a tuning or balance issue most likely. Others with experience on your model can help you.

[PaulinOz]

25 knots True wind or 25 knots apparent wind.

[PaulinOz]

The reason I ask in 25 knots apparent wind

From 26 to 30 knots apparent

1st Reef Main Sail: Mainsail traveller 60 cm to windward of centre
75% Genoa Trimmed to form a propeller to dump air in strong gusts

In 25 knots True wind you will be doing 7 - 9 knots and apparent wind will be well over 30 knots

From 30 to 36 knots apparent

2nd Reef Main Sail: Mainsail traveller 30 cm to windward of centre
Boom slackened to fly 50cm to leeward
60% Genoa Trimmed to form a propeller to dump air in strong gusts

These are just the suggested Close hauled reefing points, I tend to do it a bit earlier.

The reason to have the traveler to windward and boom to leeward is to enable boom to rise in gusts and dump wind. Un-like our mono friends the boat will not heel and dump the wind out of the sail.

The easiest way to see if it is sail trim. The next time you have this issue let the traveler off and ease the main sheet and see if it improves.

[rajsach]

Originally Posted by monte

Is the nut in the centre of the wheel tightened? (The wheel lock )

This response reminds me of when you call tech-support for computer a problem and the first question they ask you is "is the computer turned on?"
Thanks for the chuckle Monte


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[TreyWarriner]

So,

I'm helping deliver a Lagoon 450 and the starboard side auto pilot main pin continues to break and we don't know what is causing this to happen. The port side seems to be fine.

Save us,
Trey

[PaulinOz]

"starboard side auto pilot main pin"

Can you post a picture not sure of what you are talking about.

Is it the connection from the Auto pilot hydraulic ram to steering gear.