HULL AND RIG BALANCE If a sailboat is balanced, it is easier to steer, tends to track in a straight line, and
achieves good speed. If it is out of balance, the result is windward helm or lee helm and boat speed will suffer.
Balanced
CE and CLR are aligned Boat sails straight Neutral helm
WIND
WIND
WIND
Unbalanced Jib in Main out
Boat turns away from the wind Lee helm
Unbalanced Jib out Main in
Boat turns toward the wind Windward helm
The force generated by the wind acting on the sail has a theoretical focal point, which is called the Center of Effort or CE, and the force generated by the sideways (lateral) resistance of the underwater surfaces to slipping sideways in the water has a theoretical focal point, which is called the Center of Lateral Resistance or CLR.