18ft Skiffs

   I've been watching the footage of this year's JJ every day and as usual was more than impressed with the racing, but I'm confused.

There is loads of talk about 7s hydraulic rig tension, and I'm wondering how it's allowed. I thought that the 18s outlawed hydraulics when they went one-design with the Murray hull?

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craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Topic: 18ft Skiffs Posted: 23 Feb 15 at 11:26pm
	I've been watching the footage of this year's JJ every day and as usual was more than impressed with the racing, but I'm confused. There is loads of talk about 7s hydraulic rig tension, and I'm wondering how it's allowed. I thought that the 18s outlawed hydraulics when they went one-design with the Murray hull?

jaydub Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaydub Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Feb 15 at 9:16am
	It looks as though there was a loophole, which is just about to get slapped shut in the faces of Seven. Totally dominant performance yet again. With the exception of one race they had the pace to rescue themselves from some fairly average starts. Just love the 18footersTV footage. Commentary for sailors from good sailors. And when it blows, the boot handling is just awesome. Don't you just have to 'Got to love it'? ;)

MattK Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 02 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 221	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattK Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Feb 15 at 9:47am
	It was banned some time ago no one is quite sure when In a rule re write it was dropped by accident, just forgotten about, so now its a bit grey if they are banned or not As masts have become stiffer and stiffer traditional sail controls cannot depower enough anymore so it becomes necessary to bend the mast with the rigging, currently using turnbuckles, mainly these in the Aus fleet http://www.brolgaturnbuckles.com.au Hydro makes this easier and everyone who has sailed an 18 with hyrdo says they improve the boats hugely At the international AGM it was decided to ban rake adjustment by no on water adjustment of the forestay Debate is ongoing as to whether allowing hydro will lead to even stiffer masts, other clever tricks and added expense, currently a kit costs $3000AUD which is around £1500

catmandoo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 545	Post Options Post Reply Quote catmandoo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Feb 15 at 2:20pm
	rules are rules , black and white , there is no grey :) edit in isaf classes , having had a quick squint at 18' skiff rules theres grey there Edited by catmandoo - 24 Feb 15 at 2:26pm


craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Feb 15 at 9:55pm
	Thanks for the info Matt. It will be interesting to see how things pan out over the next year then!