How much string

Not sure how many of you follow keel boat racing but Alex Thompson has just had to cut away the keel on his latest yacht... and this is a short film describing the process.
But all that aside just look at how much string they have around this area.

We all think designs like the Merlin or 505 are complicated, but its nothing compared to this.

Edited by ifoxwell - 06 Nov 19 at 12:11pm

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ifoxwell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Jan 06 Location: Hoo Online Status: Offline Posts: 669	Post Options Post Reply Quote ifoxwell Report Post Quote Reply Topic: How much string Posted: 06 Nov 19 at 12:10pm
	Not sure how many of you follow keel boat racing but Alex Thompson has just had to cut away the keel on his latest yacht... and this is a short film describing the process. But all that aside just look at how much string they have around this area. We all think designs like the Merlin or 505 are complicated, but its nothing compared to this. Edited by ifoxwell - 06 Nov 19 at 12:11pm
	RS300

ian.r.mcdonald Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440	Post Options Post Reply Quote ian.r.mcdonald Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 19 at 12:54pm
	I think the calm way that he is describing it all, with water ingress and what appears to be bits breaking away is just amazing. Tell me who wouldn't be sat with me in the cockpit with life jacket on ! Superstars!

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3400	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 19 at 1:58pm
	So, with no keel how do they plan to get home? I assume the cut it away to avoid it causing damage while it was flapping around. Do the boats have water ballast? Maybe they can sail back under a reduced rig using that? Edited by Sam.Spoons - 06 Nov 19 at 2:00pm
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

NickM99 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 26 Apr 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 145	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickM99 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 19 at 4:44pm
	Apparently the keel was left attached only by a hydraulic ram which I guess could have moved around and enlarged a hole in the hull. Didn't he lose a foil last time which made him much slower on one tack? With the amount of debris that seems to be around, you have to wonder what the percentage chances are of losing/damaging a foil/keel at Hugo Boss speeds.

john80 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote john80 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 19 at 10:49pm
	The well you are looking into is for the keel mechanism and meant to have water in it. The real danger was the keel ripping the ram through the hull and then he would have a hole in yhr hill beyond this box. With thr water ballast filled the boat does have some stability but probably not enough to get going fast enough for the foils to generate lift. They will be praying for light winds.