Typhoon lee helm

[Kemah]

I'm considering buying a Typhoon Weekender, and have been told that the Ty can have a lee helm. Does this occur just on certain points of sail? How "strong" is it? Does wind speed or angle of heeling affect it? Etc. I'd be very interested in any comments on this and any ways of dealing with it.

[Gary M]

Hey Chris,

I owned a Typhoon 20 or so years ago and mine had just slight weather helm. What I would call perfect because if you fell over board it would slowly round up and drift right back to you. I've got to believe this is pretty normal for Typhoons.

In all the boats I've owned, I've never experienced lee helm but I assume sail balance and all the things you mentioned would affect it, even the tension on the stays.

Gary

[GLutzow]

I have owned a Typhoon Weekender for 26 years and have also found the ship to have a slight weather helm.

[Dick Villamil]

Lee helm is caused by the mast position - adjust your turnbuckles so that there is a slight aft rake to the mast and the lee helm should disappear.