Dinghy development: Sailor weight and hull volume

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Sailor weight and hull volume

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12544
Printed Date: 07 Jul 25 at 6:27am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Sailor weight and hull volume

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Subject: Sailor weight and hull volume
Date Posted: 06 Oct 16 at 10:17pm

What is it that determines the optimum sailor weight for a particular dinghy hull? I realise that hull volume will play a part, as will sail area and hiking/trapezing power. From first principles, I'd say that a big sailor generally won't do well in a small boat but how much, and why, is a small sailor (I'm 5' 6" and 75 kg) disadvantaged in a larger volume hull

Replies:

Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 07 Oct 16 at 10:16am

Lighter = less drag
Heavier = more power from the rig.

Your bigger boat sailed lighter will have less drag than sailed heavy, but as the beeeze increases, weight will pay.
But on flat water particularly think the % difference is often less than thought, but a small % can be telling in class racing.
Are we talking SMODs or a boat where you can have asail cut for a lighter person....?

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 07 Oct 16 at 5:47pm

Just a general musing really. I was thinking about small boats with bigger sailors (say and adult in a Tera when it's blowing its t!ts off). I do agree that the difference between boats is a smaller percentage than one might imagine.