Sail Discussion

[Kevin Holland]

Some more thoughts from Chris Mitchell ...

 

The sail thing is interesting. Really big sails might mean that we are dumping power a lot more and this would probably mean the rigs become a lot softer at the top (?). I’m cool with getting a bigger sail and some would say that getting a better mast would help too. Hmmmm, hard to know.

Looking for the long term (carbon hull 35kg and big sails and prod’s) there is more scope for the turbo variant of the class to expand.

 

So far there have been no takers for the prod’s in racing. But a programme with big sails could be pretty exciting and give this the impetus it needed.

Given the  12 footers of 1970 versus the 12 footers of today and looking at the 3.7 then and now, I wonder what BKF would have come up with if he was 16yrs today and starting to run the single-hander program(?). I’m guessing he would have done a 35kg carbon boat with a big sail and a prod, things that were not really fully envisaged in 1969. I think if we can REALLY afford it, then sentimentally keeping the 3.7 as a classic class intact is pretty good. Meanwhile in the turbo class, we should permit any size sail, double sided sails, 35kg, prods and if we were ever to allow hydrofoils then this is where we could put those too. So far there has been no need to go for turbo class, but in a light air contest we could in fact let people switch over to the turbo category if they wish, because it is pretty negative to go into a nationals with a light airs forecast such a Bay of Island or the Rotorua one where we had the photographer; if you weigh 85kg or more. Guys like Ben de Fluiter etc.

 

Question in my mind is if you allow this into the regular class or the turbo class and I probably favour the turbo class and would personally commit to the class to spend the $$ on a sail if one other person will too. There are light air days when I would have a ball with it.

But I think you should allow this into one class or other.

Chris Mitchell
APPLIED ENGINEERING

 

Before I read Chris's response, I was all against the idea of the big top sails, even though I have seconded the motion.  But Chris's response got me thinking.  How much do I enjoy a contest under 10 knots?  Not much!  Drifting around in a trapeze boat is not my idea of fun.

 

I see some people worrying about crew weight, talking of 80kg + weights.  I managed to win a heavy contest with my best results when the wind was over 20 knots and I am well under 70kg, and dam short too!  I do not think a little more sail area with a matching mast would shift the weight a lot.  The idea I liked the best was the possibility of using a bigger sail in a contest when the forecast is to stay under 15 knots.  We could look at all sorts of ideas - split the fleet into tow, traditional boats and a big top fleet.  This should not jeopardise our national status, and possibly make a light contest a lot more fun.  I don't really like the idea of having to have two sails, but possibly we could do a one design second sail to keep the cost down.

 

I think that most of the new members of our class join quite young and the small rig supports that.  I would be reluctant to see a single, bigger rig option.  What other ideas are out there in how we could manage the class to support the innovation?  Can someone think up some more race management options that would keep the smaller sailors using the existing rig?

 

The turbo class idea has already been around for about 8 years, and no takers so far.  I don't see it taking off soon - if it was a great idea there would already be a keen following.  Part of what I like about the class is the simplicity.  And foils on a 3.7 - never for me!  Too heavy, too wide, and if you want foils, just sail a moth!  Or an R Class and die.

 

KEEP THE IDEAS COMING

 

Kevin