Lee helm
There are 2 different meanings to the term 'lee helm' depending on whether one is discussing sailboats or motorized ships. Sailboats Lee helm is the tendency of a sailboat to turn away from the wind while under sail. It is the opposite of weather helm (the tendency of a sailboat to "round up" into the wind). A boat with lee helm will be difficult to sail close hauled, and tacking may be difficult. Description Lee helm is considered dangerous in a sailboat. While sailing, an undirected boat with lee helm will bear (turn) away from the wind, accelerate, and perform an accidental or uncontrolled gybe, perhaps repeatedly. In an uncontrolled gybe, the force of the wind moves the sails and boom from one side of the boat to the other. In a strong wind, this movement will be very fast and forceful... and can damage the boat, the sails, injure the crew, or cause the boat to broach (lay over on its side). The cause of lee helm is that the center of pressure exerted by the wind on the sails falls too far forward of the center of resistance of the hull — the natural point at which the