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From: Paul Bieker (pbieker@serv.net)
Date: Fri 04 Dec 1998 - 22:26:50 GMT
From: Paul Bieker [mailto:pbieker@serv.net]
<p>My crew Reiner is right. I'm listening to the Email but haven't been saying
much.
I sent out a description of the B2z and the B3 to the list a couple of
months ago but it was returned to me unsent for unknown reasons. I've seen
a few more queries about the boats lately so I thought I'd try again.
The B2z is an experimental one off that I built for Zach Berkowitz in the
USA when I realized that the rule was going to remain unclear with respect
to big bumps. It is a standard B2 bottom that I trimmed below the chine and
fitted with new, more vertical carbon prepreg/honeycomb sides. At midships
the boat is about 80mm narrower than a B2 at the chine and something like
250mm narrower at the gunnel. The forward 2 feet is the same as a B2 and
the transom is about 60mm narrower at the chine (because I thought the
narrower boat might have a tendency to cartwheel). I fitted the boat with
angled up racks (about 140mm above the sheer line) to get the crew out of
the waves upwind and keep the leeward rack out of the water downwind. The
boat came in at 60.5kg (133#), the lightest I've done.
My thought is that the boat will be a little slower than a B2 in light air
but a little quicker in medium to heavy air, especially in waves. So far the
boat hasn't done anything to make me think that this isn't the case (it won
the US nationals). However the performance differences seem subtle rather
than obvious so the Worlds will be the first chance to really get a feel for
the boat (lots of long courses and skilled sailors). The web site with
sailing photos of the boat is williamsphoto.com but his thumbnail area
doesn't work for me at this time. Maybe it's fixed now.
The Bieker 3 is a new design that I did which meets what I feel is the
intent of the "pan test" in the rise of floor rule, i.e. the bumps are less
than 13mm thick and don't have to be so long. I designed the boat as an
incremental change from the B2 rather than a design departure. Compared to
the B2 the boat is slightly rounder in cross section, narrower at midships,
and slightly wider in the stern. It also has more vertical sides and
slightly less rocker. I fitted the same racks as on the B2z. There have
been two of the boats built in Perth Australia (Grant Geddes and David
Alexander) and I built one of the boats for Fred Eaton in Toronto.
Performance information on the new boats is just starting to come in, but so
far it looks positive.
Anyone who is sincerely interested in seeing what the boats look like can
send me an Email and I'll forward them some scanned images.
P.S. I make nice molded carbon foils out of computer machined molds. They
are $1200/set, $700 cb and $500 rudder. I'll be bringing a few extra sets
to the Worlds if anyone is interested. It's a good way to avoid shipping
expenses.
Felice Navidad!
Paul
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