International 14 Mailing List
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From: Andy Loukes (aloukes@argogroup.com)
Date: Thu 29 Jul 1999 - 09:50:34 BST
On Wed, 28 Jul 1999, Rainer Leuschke wrote:
>
> On Wed, 28 Jul 1999, Andy Loukes wrote:
>
> > I think the first thing we should look at is the rig. Rotating masts,
> > camber inducers, self tacking jibs (these are on their way). That sort of
>
> I've seen self tackers on 14s and they didn't seem to give a competitive
> advantage. In the critical moments the crew has to handle the jib anyhow
> and in the uncritical ones it's not much extra work.
I think they might help a bit downwind, how often is the jib left
not sheeted in a hairy gybe. I'm sure it would mean a few boat lengths on
a leg, it all adds up.
> Neither self tackers nor camber inducers are prohibited by current rules
> so go and just do it.
The jib would have to be too small until we have convex leeches.
> Rotating masts. The 5o5s are allowed to do it and nobody has 'em. I had an
> email discussion with Julian Bethwaite once on this topic (wrt 18 footers)
> and he said (if I remember right) that the technical difficulties far
> outweigh the small advantages. With the enourmous loads on skiff rigs you
Frank Bethwaite shows the disturbed airflow over a conventional mast in
his book. It means the first few inches of the main aren't doing anything
except causing drag.
Not doing it because it is tricky is not excuse!
A recent sportsboat from Group Finot (famous for Open 60s) has a near
masthead assymetric and rotating mast. The technology must be getting
closer...
> base and can thus have lower rig tension. I think they should be allowed.
> If somebody can get them to work to an advantage I'd like to see it. It
> will certainly take some time.
I guess that is the point. We need to remove unnecessary rules. Many are
either self regulating or simply pointless!
> > Dave Alexander was the first person I have ever seen
> > measure rig tension on a 14!!
>
> I would if I only had one tension to sail with all day. As soon as you
> change rake on a conventional 14 rig you'd have to remeasure. Anbody ahve
> a gauge installed on the boat yet?
You can get repeatable settings by marking the forestay and shroud
postions.
> Seems like at Worlds everybody is way gung ho about making the rules
> better and then everybody goes back home and nothing happens.
It's always the same. Getting rules right is time consuming. I am finding
it easy to sit here and provoke discussion but wording new rules correctly
is a different thing altogether!
-- Andy LoukesInternet Business Development http://www.argogroup.com Argo Interactive tel:+44 (0)1243 815 815 7 Dukes Court, Chichester, PO19 2FX fax:+44 (0)1243 815 805
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