New DS1 Questions

[Kevin F]

Alright I started to work on my DS1 April of 06 and finally got it in the water last weekend. It was the most unnerving experience in my 15 years of sailing. Up to this point I have exclusively sailed keel boats, my last being 30ft. My questions are around moving under power. Center board up or down? and Rudder on or off. Choices I have never had to make and from last weekends experience I did not choose well. I am pushing the DS 1 with a Honda 2 hp which seems like it has plenty of power. Any suggests / recomendations as to stability under power will be gladly accepted.


P.S. If I had a film crew, last weekend, I would be able to sell the film to TV.

[sunapeesailor]

Hi Kevin -
My DS1 is powered by a 4hp Johnson and it is more than enough for most situations. Board at least 1/2 way down (usually all the way down) and rudder all the way down. I leave the engine in a fixed position and use the tiller for most steering (only exception is at the pier...I might turn the engine 180 degrees while docking and find that the centerboard all the way down allows more immediate response.)
Just my experience.
Bob

[Kevin F]

Bob,


What a difference! I took your advise about using the tiller to steer and it was the fix. Comfortable and controlled under power.

Kevin