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    Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 8:19pm
Strange, actually looks a bit dated in places. why would you go aft sheeting in that hull? aft bridle looks odd, preventing you getting back down wind. hey ho!
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craiggo View Drop Down
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Posts: 1810 		Post Options Post Options   Quote craiggo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 8:40pm
Originally posted by SimonW99

Strange, actually looks a bit dated in places. why would you go aft sheeting in that hull? aft bridle looks odd, preventing you getting back down wind. hey ho!


Simple answer, its American! We tend to forget that we are pretty much the only nation that constantly produces new classes. Development on the other side of the pond tends to be focused on existing classes.
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 9:34pm
A stern bridle gives you better angles than a centre one and is less clutter in the middle of the boat. Its a common setup on Cherubs. Having it a bit forward like that saves hookups on the stern and makes for a shorter boom, which in turn means there's less of a water sheeting effect when the boat heels. Make it off the boom sheeting and it would be a perfectly fine setup for my money.
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Posts: 2041 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chris 249 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 10:39pm
Isn't this yet more evidence that we really, really need a Formula 4 class for hiking cat rigged singlehanders?

The cat guys did it with the F18 eons ago. Just make a set of class rules that are mass-production friendly (unlike most dinghy development classes) and let everyone play together in the Formula class as well as by themselves as a SMOD, like the Nacra infusion and Hobie Tiger/Wildcat do. You could ensure that obsolescence and radical designs are controlled by requiring homologation and by strict dimensional limits, and perhaps allow in one-offs with a weight and sail area penalty.

I supposed the manufacturers fear that creating a Formula 4 (or whatever) class would make it too easy for rivals to achieve critical mass, but history tells us that new dinghy classes are highly unlikely to really catch on outside the UK anyway. If the manufacturers don't get together their new classes may all go down separately.

PS - some of us prefer aft sheeting because the leverage of the mainsheet is so much better.


Edited by Chris 249 - 06 Dec 14 at 10:41pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 11:08pm
Yes! I think it would be vibrant to have several designs similar enough to race scratch and continuously evolve. Win-win as far as I can see.
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Posts: 1635 		Post Options Post Options   Quote blaze720 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 11:47pm
Another one with North Sails - must mean somthing !  And when will Bethwaite reveal their take on this post-laser niche ?

Mike L.



Edited by blaze720 - 06 Dec 14 at 11:48pm
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Posts: 2538 		Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 14 at 11:52pm
Originally posted by Chris 249


Isn't this yet more evidence that we really, really need a Formula 4 class for hiking cat rigged singlehanders?
The cat guys did it with the F18 eons ago. Just make a set of class rules that are mass-production friendly (unlike most dinghy development classes) and let everyone play together in the Formula class as well as by themselves as a SMOD, like the Nacra infusion and Hobie Tiger/Wildcat do. You could ensure that obsolescence and radical designs are controlled by requiring homologation and by strict dimensional limits, and perhaps allow in one-offs with a weight and sail area penalty.
I supposed the manufacturers fear that creating a Formula 4 (or whatever) class would make it too easy for rivals to achieve critical mass, but history tells us that new dinghy classes are highly unlikely to really catch on outside the UK anyway. If the manufacturers don't get together their new classes may all go down separately.
PS - some of us prefer aft sheeting because the leverage of the mainsheet is so much better.



+1 no brainer isn't it?
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Posts: 745 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Null Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 14 at 9:55am
Agree with everything written above. Especially the formula 4 stuff.  Be a unique proposition for dinghy world. I like the aft sheeting, but can understand the thoughts on the aft bridle.  
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 14 at 10:00am
The aft bridle being forwards is a little odd, and not sure it stops the mainsheet catching - it might happen less often, but when it does, it will wrap itself under half the transom. On the Lightning in my experimants with aft main I found the only sure way to stop it catching was to put it right on the transom itself - but then you need a long boom, which can drag in the water etc etc. I love aft main, but it does have its snags - literally.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Posts: 745 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Null Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 14 at 10:09am
Every sheeting option has its own benefits and pitfalls.  Personally I live split tail main sheets on double handers.  I don't like off the hook sheeting on a anything other than trapeze boats, where I found it brilliant (14's). I don't like How it feels sailing on a hiker almost like you are pulling downwards.  Just a personal thing I guess
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