Quote:
Originally Posted by Brob2
That was a great post Gramps u4ea32; good info, well reasoned. I also can remember IMP's arrival on the scene quite well (I'm that old too). It seemed to me after Imp nobody built a pretty racer.
One question- I have always thought the flatter shapes of the newer boats led to more pounding upwind, eg a short, abruptly decelerating pitch while the older V- shapes suffered greater pitching (a larger range of motion) but with a much softer, more comfortable landing. Am I misinterpreting something here, or am I just plain wrong (both have happened with disturbing regularity)?
Blair
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No misinterpretation. You are right but it isn't just a S & S thing but more of a new v old thing. Two reasons :
1. Older
boats are heavier and slower so when they reach the crest of a wave they just flop over to the other side. New boats keep sailing until the
water passes aft of the center of mass and then they start thinking about a fall. In theory a yacht could sail 100% out of the
water before falling. Dinghies do it all the time. If an older
boat could manage the same speed it would fall just as far. It's probably a good thing they can't go that fast - think of all the spilled
beer.
2. Older designs have a deeper V in the forward half of the
hull. When that section lands the part that the water impacts is closer to vertical so it is easy for the water to slide up and out. The forward half of a newer
hull has sections closer to horizontal so the water hits with a bigger slap. Boinnngggg !
Most boats pre 1975 or so will be smoother through rough water than most newer boats. The
trade off is that they are much slower down
wind.
Stay away from the Swan 39 and 391 unless you want to
race. They are just Imp with a nice
cabin.