V Twin

'tie the mainsheet to the harness'

Edited by rogue - 26 Apr 12 at 12:31pm

Sorry to hear all your troubles with righting. I think it is a really difficult problem. I have thought of lots of useless ideas! I do hope you (or someone) can solve them.

I would recommend a sealed mast with external halyards (we have semi sealed - still a hole at the base), though I think this is not enough for a complete solution.

Originally posted by rogue 'tie the mainsheet to the harness' Would I want to go it in a more powerful craft, on the sea... well I guess that depends on circumstances.   If there's local rescue cover then probably not, in the event of serious rescue, sod the boat, they can pull me out without the risks of me being dragged off with the boat or having the b**tard sheet pinned around my ankle without a free end to get hold of and untie myself. If there isn't club rescue cover then I guess in the event of coastguard/RNLI rescue being with the boat would make me easier to spot, especialy given both Graeme's and my aversion to naff, brightly coloured sailing apparel, so the risk is worth it.

Do you mean more powerful than an MPS?

I'm not sure what Graeme wants to achieve speed wise.I assume similar, but without all that capsising stuff and why not at that sort of speed on the sea when relying on local cover. It is exactly the thrill of speed in waves in a up to a force 6 that for me is what dinghy racing on the sea should be about, but again for me certainly not single handed and yes, reasonably safely. I know Graeme would prefer to be out there with his great crew and friend, who we have sadly lost, enjoying the challenge together. Two handed non skiff boats are relatively safe since there is always the other person if one is in trouble, and even if inverted, if of sensible design, it should be recoverable.
 
To try and achieve this experience on the sea, in wind, in a single handed craft, why not, but at 60 kg some compromising will have to be done. Reduce sail area slightly, reduce buoyancy, do away with double bottom, or at least, as already suggested make in semi double bottomed and of course accept  a partially filled cockpit after capsise cleared quickly with bailers. Accept about four capsises a season, perhaps two of which might require assistance in righting from club rescue but all this assumes you take measures to make it 95% proof against inverting.

Achievable without any major changes to concept.

Hi Oldarn, yes I meant more powerful in terms of inverted stability/non-compliance as opposed to raw power from a sailing perspective.

Originally posted by Do Different As GRF has seen the performance he hoped for albeit briefly. I would expect a man of his independent spirit to cock a snoot at those detractors still on the shore, lash half a dozen milk bottle containers to the hounds and take every opportunity to refine the sailing systems and his technique. Had I got as far I would certainly would take that approach for now.

Well said.
Over the nearly ten years or so since I started playing with what became the Alto (wasn't planned), I have been amused rather than put off by the many doubters with their suspect comment. 'Swinging the pole not necessary because asymmetrics only use apparent wind', and so swinging pole unnecessary! Interesting that all boats sold except one into BCYC,are into estuaries or, as Graeme, on the sea where there are these strange things called currents, or do I mean 'apparent currents' Perhaps it is the apparent currents which make the swinging pole so desirable. As for non-doubled bottomed boats, 'apparently' they went out with the Titanic or do I mean  the Ark. They are dangerous since they won't turn turtle.
Two new boats have sold since the Boat Show into an estuary that has as well as apparent wind and apparent currents, a phenomena known as 'apparent waves'. Clearly the new owners realised they needed a non 'Garda Class' that can handle such dangerous conditions. 
Since the Dinghy Show two new AltOs have sold and like all other  AltOs, to be sailed, yes in waves! Oh dear and it only has a single bottom.