International 14 Mailing List
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From: Craig (craig@oceangraphics.com.au)
Date: Wed 27 Feb 2002 - 16:04:17 GMT
Paul Beiker Wrote: As a case example, for over two years I have been sitting
on a design for a production single element hydrofoil but holding off on
investing in tooling.
This has meant that all of the foils built to date have been custom jobs and
necessarily expensive. With proper tooling, a rudder with hydrofoil and
actuation system will be about the cost of a new main. However, it will
give a lot more speed and last a lot longer than a new main. Because of the
way it is built, one can sail with or without the hydrofoil on the rudder
(the foils disconnect from the rudder). The argument has been made that
there will be a development treadmill as the foils slowly evolve over time,
however they can be swapped out without changing the rudder or actuation
system at about the cost of a jib.
as well as: Pretty soon the fleet will vote on whether to ban all
hydrofoils, allow single element (non-flying) hydrofoils, or to continue
allowing all
hydrofoils. It will also take a vote on the US proposal to increase beam.
My opinion is that we should vote to allow single element hydrofoils and
vote for the wider beam. Both changes will improve the boat at a moderate
cost. Let's just make an informed decision, put the uncertainty to rest,
and go sailing.
<p>The cost of a main in Australia is about $1900.00 (Aud) and a jib is about
$600.00 (Aud)
Paul I don't call that a moderate cost! and I doubt that any new people
thinking agout getting into the class would either.
He also wrote: Beam is another issue. Surprisingly, I think the Australians
have a much more static view of development than most of the fleet has. In
the past decade, they have not experienced the major changes that the
International 14 has: from symmetrical to asymmetrical, from 200lb to 180lb
boat weight, from 22.5' to 25' mast height, and from 5.5' to 6' beam. From
the point of view of an International 14er, I would say that the only things
that are certain is that our boats will remain 14 feet long, and that change
will come and with it will come faster and more fun boats to sail.
Maybe Australia got most of it right to start with? We have a population of
19,000,000 people and are sailing about 70-80 boats. I beleive America has a
population of over 200,000,000 people. How many are sailing over there?
<p>I think that Mark Cummings hit the nail on the head when he said: (However
the last thing this class needs is an expensive gizmo that makes the boat
slightly faster. For me, and I suspect many other 14 sailors, and potential
sailors, the issues with the class are not speed, but the rapid depreciation
of boats, high initial cost, and high operating costs relative to other high
performance dinghies..).
Craig Padman
AUS400
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