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Medway Maniac View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 May 05
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Favourite Photos
    Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 10:11pm

The thing I dislike most about the 4k is the height you sit/trap above the water. It feels so ponderously top-heavy. That's a matter of taste, I guess, and racks are a necessary evil if you want huge righting moments.

But looking at your boat, Redback, with its narrow setting, I doubt you'd notice much difference in power if you removed the racks altogether, and I bet the boat would feel nicer to sail, inter alia with its lower c. of g. You'd save the weight and clutter of the racks too. Ever tried it.... for a laugh?
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redback View Drop Down
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Posts: 1502 		Post Options Post Options   Quote redback Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jul 06 at 9:00am

You're right.  I'm sure a lighter or lower CofG would make the boat much nicer.  Both could be achieved with a carbon rig and one day that'll happen.  Not yet though, let's wait 'til carbon really come down in price. 

At the moment CofG is significant.  If I come into a leeward mark fast I have to radius the turn so as not to put too much heel in the boat.  So you'll often see me rounding up with no pressure in the mainsail at all - this was quite a revelation after sailing a 800 for a couple of seasons.  Still these are fast boats and require techniques which the ordinary sailor would not anticipate.  That's why I love 'em.

Talking of ordinary sailors.  Many get a chance to sail 4000s on holiday and they are easy for straightforward blasting.  But racing is a different matter and I have seen lots of people not get to grips with manouvering close to other boats, gybing when you don't want to and all the other pressures and hence do a lot of capsising and eventually sell their boats.  The exclusivity this brings I also enjoy.
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tgruitt View Drop Down
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Posts: 2479 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tgruitt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jul 06 at 11:54am
Originally posted by Medway Maniac

The thing I dislike most about the 4k is the height you sit/trap above the water. It feels so ponderously top-heavy. That's a matter of taste, I guess, and racks are a necessary evil if you want huge righting moments.

But looking at your boat, Redback, with its narrow setting, I doubt you'd notice much difference in power if you removed the racks altogether, and I bet the boat would feel nicer to sail, inter alia with its lower c. of g. You'd save the weight and clutter of the racks too. Ever tried it.... for a laugh?



when you trap you can always lower yourself down on the trapeze adjuster....
Needs to sail more...
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Medway Maniac View Drop Down
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jul 06 at 8:35pm

Originally posted by tgruitt


when you trap you can always lower yourself down on the trapeze adjuster....

and the helm?

I recall that our local Hornet crews used to use very long trap wires/adjustment so that they appeared to have their feet above their heads - not very comfortable or practical for getting in and out quickly in puffy conditions, though.



Edited by Medway Maniac
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Alan F View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Alan F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jul 06 at 8:56pm

My favorite picture of me. My helm is under there some where.
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feva_sailor View Drop Down
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Posts: 767 		Post Options Post Options   Quote feva_sailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 06 at 6:50am
Originally posted by Alan F

My favorite picture of me. My helm is under there some where.




how did that happen?
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Alan F View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Alan F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 06 at 7:56am
Dead run. Big big gust, flexible carbon mast, top of main gets blown to windward, drives the boat over and down. Helm could save it by sheeting in, but being a 17 year old girl (under water) didn't have the strength.
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Tornado_ALIVE View Drop Down
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Posts: 611 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Tornado_ALIVE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 06 at 7:56am
The old death role

www.formula18alive.com
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 06 at 9:05am
Originally posted by Black no sugar

Naaaaahh... THIS is a baby Contender


Sorry, got to pull you up there. I'm sure (and I have beTter reason to be sure than most here) that the 3.7 is an excellent boat, but its not a baby contender. The hull shape and so on are from quite a different line of development.

It is in fact, I'm afraid, pretty much a single handed Cherub. I have a vintaGe Cherub which is a Bruce Farr design from very much the era of the 3.7, its very similar in hull shape etc, and its a delight to sail singlehanded. But like a Contender its not! Which is in no way to put down the Contender - ornge juice is in no way like toast, but I just enjoyed both for my breakfast...
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CT249 View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 Jul 06
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Posts: 399 		Post Options Post Options   Quote CT249 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 06 at 9:24am
Yes, at least one of the guys who worked with Ben Lexcen on the Contender and sailed it in the IYRU trials regards the Laser as a baby Contender. When you look at them side-by-side or at the lines plans, they are very similar.

Edited by CT249
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