Swift Solo

About "If that were indeed the test,  the Wright Brothers could have better used the time they wasted on the Wright Flyer because "it had been tried before and it didn't work".  Almost nothing I've developed for skiffs worked 100% the first time."

Actually, didn't the Wright Brothers start the project by learning all about the state of the art (by asking the Smithsonian for all the information they had); didn't they then respect the lessons learned by those who had gone before (ie their respect for Lilienthal's lift/drag figures); and didn't they add a fair bit of original thinking?



Edited by Chris 249

 

My name is Bram and I'm the designer of the Swift.  I was just today made aware of this forum on Swifts--sorry for coming in so late. 

Let me start by pointing out that the data on the Musto came to me from article about the single handed trials in France some time ago. The data on the chart was taken directly from that chart originally (not the Rs 700). I apologize if it is wrong and will get it corrected tonite.  To date, this is the first I have heard of it.

It seems that much misinformation is spread on these forums about the Swift.  The boat weighs 170 lbs  including the pole, the rudder cassette, the sock, and all running rigging or 195 lbs ready to race including blades.

We currently have very close to 30 in the water and the class was officially formed in March of this year.  74 Swifts are currently being built in 14 countries although I need to point out that a few of those licenses have been paid  for a long time and have not started construction to my knowlege (the website says 13 but we just added South Africa this week).

We have raced the Musto between 12 and 14 times in Seattle and the US Musto dealer is a friend of mine.  In fact, we have invited the N/A Musto class to join our clinic and North American Championships in Florida (they will have seperate starts).  They have accepted and we expect three to five Mustos and 15 Swifts.

The jib sheeting system on the Swift is the result of a year of non stop development before the boat design was started and can not be adapted to other boats because the boat / rig has to be designed around the system-not the other way around.  Many of the top skiff sailors in the US have sailed the Swift (a couple of medal winners) and commented on this system.  You can find their comments on the system (including Julians) on my website  www.swiftsolo.org .  

I'm a bit surprised whenever I hear the comment that something was tried before by someone else and it doesn't work.  If that were indeed the test,  the Wright Brothers could have better used the time they wasted on the Wright Flyer because "it had been tried before and it didn't work".  Almost nothing I've developed for skiffs worked 100% the first time. 

I think it's best to let the growth that we are experiencing in Seattle do the taliking regarding performance (the only place where Swifts and Mustos are currently raced together).  In the end, a completed Swift will cost you twice what a Musto costs or you can build one yourself for about US $9000.  Each individual has to evaluate the cost difference and make his own vaule decisions.

I hope this helps,

Bram     

Originally posted by Strawberry My argument, possibly expressed poorly, was that a development rig will be far more "personisable" than any SMOD rig could!

That may be the case but all this constant SMOD bashing on this forum is getting a bit dull. I don't think you ever see sweeping statments like the one below about dev classes ...

Originally posted by Strawberry smelly SMOD rigs

 

okay maybe a bit of a sweeping statement but i just can't see it getting off the ground against rivals such as the MPS and 700

In all honesty does anyone actually think that the swiftsolo with all it's building lark and rigging problems is actually going to take off as a competitive class of boat with fleet racing and a regular at clubs?  I just can't see the design ever getting anywhere.    I'm willing to be proved wrong but i guess only time will tell.
Prince Buster