Modernising old boats

   Just thinking, putting asymmetric kites on old boat designs, feasible?. The 505 is a monster boat. Update the sail shape, twin string asymmetric? A project I'm willing to look into, just for a laugh.

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Ross Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1163	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ross Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Modernising old boats Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 2:02pm
	Just thinking, putting asymmetric kites on old boat designs, feasible?. The 505 is a monster boat. Update the sail shape, twin string asymmetric? A project I'm willing to look into, just for a laugh.
	Ross If you can't carry it, don't sail it!

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 2:53pm
	Now where did you get that idea I wonder? Its already been done. http://www.altoboats.com

Isis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Sep 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Isis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:06pm
	Its 'doable' but unfortunately that doesnt mean it'll be any good... The fireballs talked about switching to assys a while back and even built a test boat but decided to stick with the pole kite. The alto theory is nice but having seen it up close id rather have a 5oh... especialy with the monster kite.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:06pm
	Rarely a good idea. Its kinda like putting a monster engine in a car designed for a small one: good for a laugh, but the end result is never as good as something designed for the job. Imagine a vintage MG with spoilers airscoops and wings added - wouldn't it make you throw up! The 505 was a glorious boat in 1950 something, fifteen or twenty years ahead of its time, but turning it into a half ass 49er would be a mess. There are all sorts of aspects of its hull shape that you just wouldn't do like that now. Far better to enjoy it as it is...

Ross Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1163	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ross Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:06pm
	Interesting. I glanced at the Alto site when you posted it up in another topic. Didn't realise it was for 505's. Looks like it's aimed at club sailing, cruising about. As far as I can see, the 505 was meant to be a high performance skiff of its era. This design takes that element away. Edited by Ross
	Ross If you can't carry it, don't sail it!

Iain C Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iain C Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:07pm
	IMHO a waste of time! I'm all for updating older boats (er, done one!) but leave stuff like 5o5s and Fireballs alone. Subtle development, maybe, but the 5o5 works just fine as it is, and looks fantastic as a single string symmetric dinghy. Even if you did all that work, and you wanted to sail a twin string skiff, sureley you'd still choose an 800/49er over a botched 5o5 anyday? I saw an Alto racing, it just looked all wrong, it seemed slow, and the kite and pole system looked very feeble...
	RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra"

Ross Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1163	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ross Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:14pm
	I see where you guys are coming from. Easy to relate the MG analogy. A pimped out MGB would be...interesting. Why do people upgrade old cherubs from symmetrical to asymmetrical rigs? I suppose its because people aren't upgrading boats with 1950's the hull shapes. Edited by Ross
	Ross If you can't carry it, don't sail it!

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:46pm
	Funny all I saw was a thoroughly efficient hull, that humans could gybe without falling over (like Olympians at Weymouth in 49ers) that was/is as efficient a planing/none planing combo that would March equally well in light weather whilst still delivering in a strong breeze. That could be sailed equally fast to the corners down wind or deep if the weather doesn't deliver and that has all the hull features I'd much prefer over that Bethwaite Barge that ya'll fawn over because there is nothing sensible to compete with it. Pity the top equipment on the Alto hasn't been presented in as modern a light as could be, pity also they dont respond to emails or they might have had an order.. The other boat that needs an assym makeover with wing-wang option is the 470, then I'de be really tempted. Particularly if it came with cup holders and somewhere to put my pipe slippers and rolled up copy of the yachting times when its breezy.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:47pm
	I'd be (rightly) shot if I upgraded this Cherub to a asymmettric etc... There's a point at which it becomes a) pointless and b) spoils the boat for gain. This is a 1971 built boat. (Photo (c) CVDRA) Edited by JimC

SUGmeister Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Sailwave Moderators Joined: 08 Jun 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 265	Post Options Post Reply Quote SUGmeister Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 07 at 3:58pm
	Been tried on a 505... http://tinyurl.com/2q2aj3
	Simon SUGmeister I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.