37# How to steer a small proa without using a rudder.

[@markthomasson5077]

All goes to show what a wonderful thing a rudder and centre board is.

[@cornelisnaturliv658]

Super deutliche Erklärung! Mit wenig Worten simpel auf den Punkt gebracht. Du machst das fabelhaft. Ich schwelge immer noch in tollen Erinnerungen, trotz der schwachwindigen Segelverhältnisse letztens. Danke dafür

[@Mcohni]

Congratulations on a such a beautifully efficient sailing canoe. Very interesting article and spot on in my experience. Once helm is is balanced with little or no weather helm the canoe can be steered with body weight and sail trim . With ama to windward weight back to come up on to the wind and as my canoe is a tacking outrigger it's weigh forward to come up on to the wind and weight back to bear away with ama to leeward . It's the slight change in the centre of lateral resistance that does it . I find the asymmetry of the tacking outrigger really interesting . I may have to build a pacific proa as they look like fun . both canoe types have their advantages and disadvantages . Cheers

[@robertlaird6746]

Sail trim and weight placement will steer a proa.

[@thomaskamp9365]

Es gibt noch eine weitere Möglichkeit zur Steuerung auf Ihrem Boot. Sie können noch die Position des Mastfußes verändern zum Trimmen. Wenn Sie den Mastfuß 10 cm nach vorne oder hinten ziehen und arretieren, dann verändert sich auch der Segel-Druckpunkt zum Lateral-Druckpunkt. Zu beachten ist aber, dass der Lateral-Druckpunkt sich strömungstechnisch bewegt. Er ist also nicht wie bei einem normalen (europäischen) Segelboot durch Kiel und Ruder an einem festen Punkt gehalten, sondern wandert mit Strömungsrichtung und Fahrtrichtung, da die Strömung um den Vaka (also die entstehenden Strömungskräfte) den Lateral-Druckpunkt bilden.

[@baltictramp9451]

👍

[@markthomasson5077]

Nice explanation. But you are incorrect with the centre of pressure in the hull. As soon as you gain way it moves forwards. That’s why in this type craft the sail has to be pulled right to the bow.

[@fjordproa6510]

Hello, interesting point. But isn't it the case that the sail pressure point also moves forward when sailing? Couldn't that level out again?

[@markthomasson5077]

@@fjordproa6510 probably, but not as much. I used a windsurfer rig on my 16’ proa. I guess with the full battens that was very stable. I had hoped to control it with the sheet as you show, but no luck.

[@fjordproa6510]

@@markthomasson5077 I had also started with a surf rig. Didn't work for me either. But with the crab claw sail it worked very well.