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Introducing the NS14 to the UK |
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Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
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Topic: Introducing the NS14 to the UK Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 3:05pm |
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I think the point Mr Aardvark is trying to make is the N12's have quashed development when there was quite a bit of change in thier sector of the dinghy market, and as such lacked the draw over recent years. A development class needs enough freedom to keep people thinking (in and outside the class) whilst creating worthwhile and faster boats not just odd creations that don't move the class forward significantly. The class has IMHO developed it's self into a corner which is difficult to get out off. Each serious N12 designers development has made small improvements but can't deal with the Big Issue (in joke) LOL. Having said that it is still a great boat. It's the outside factors that have made life difficult for it over the last 10 years. But i think for a lot of EX-12 sailor's the frustration of being in a development class that won't let you develop is to much to bare. May be N12's should go One Design? Reduce the cost associated with bespoke boat building. And drive the expense 'v' speed equation down and focus on the sailing quality rather than having rules that almost promote the idiosyncratic. Oooo... that feels better off my chest. :-) As for the Tasar it isn't an attractive boat in my opinion, but it is a nice boat to sail. |
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Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 3:13pm | |
That's a fair enough point. And you are dead right, perception is the key to the on going success of a class.
Edited by Jack Sparrow |
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mike ellis
Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 3:39pm | |
Okay, but how does an "over-rotating" mast give a performance boost? |
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600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it.
Also International 14, 1318 |
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JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 3:53pm | |
Have you got access to Bethwaite? Lots in there. Basically it gives you better aerodynamis and better twist control. |
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tickler
Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jun 07 Location: Tunstead Milton Online Status: Offline Posts: 895 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 4:21pm | |
If you look up at a Tasar rig when it is powered up the shape (camber?) of the sail starts at the front of the wing mast. There is no dead area behind the mast. The NS14 mast looks, at least, to be much stiffer all the way up which may be needed to keep controll of the high aspect main.
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Chew my RS
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 790 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 7:29pm | |
There isn't more than 2 or 3 of any two man class at Chew, so handicap racing is the only option. And if you are handicap racing, you may as well pick your boat for reasons other than large fleets nationwide. I would guess that the majority of sailors do not attend open meetings and do not do fleet facing. Therefore the argument for sailing what others do is not so relevant. This boat would appeal to couples and families who enjoy sailing but do not have enough time to attend opens every week, and in fact may only sail between May-September, when time allows. They do not necessarily have enough time to get to grips with thousands of control lines, or spinnakers, or trapezes and just want a boat that is simple, fast and more refined than many typical offerings. That may not be the sexy end of the market, but it is real. I'm sorry if my pictures and descriptions don't make the difference beteen a NS14 and a N12 clear. To my mind they are about as different as a Miracle and a Merlin Rocket. The NS mast is 100mm * 44mm, and substantially stiffer than a Tasar mast. It does bend though, and the square head does let the leech open. |
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http://www.sailns14.org - The ultimate family raceboat now available in the UK
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Guest
Newbie Joined: 21 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 0 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 07 at 11:16pm | |
I think a Merlin would be allowed an over rotating mast ... these seem to be the 2 rules that apply ... 8 SPARS (a) Masts may rotate through 90° on each side of the centreline of the boat. (b) Permanently bent masts are prohibited. (c) The bare mast and with their tracks, if any, shall each be capable of passing through a circle of 130mm diameter. Seems a tasar style mast would not infringe the above .... thoughts?
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tickler
Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jun 07 Location: Tunstead Milton Online Status: Offline Posts: 895 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Sep 07 at 12:59am | |
Come on Merlin sailors, try a tasar mast ! Mind you it may perhaps, not be worth bothering. At abersoch Dinghy Week there were lots of Merlins sailing in the fast handicap fleet.......and one Tasar. Some of those Merlins were lovely and very expensive no doubt. The Tasar was 30 years old brush painted but it did have Mylars. Only one Merlin beat the Tasar which of course only had two sails. So, lets not think of Tasars or indeed this "new" NS14 as Mums and Dads boats. Just because boats were efficiently designed in the first place and are not awkward and uncomfortable to sail they are not boring. How many times have people wished for a Tasar with a kite? Putting up that big floppy un aerodynamic thing seems to be a crude solution to a problem, much akin to freewheeling down hill. Naval Architecht eh, posh in'it. I wish I could afford to go down the NS14 development route. |
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Chris 249
Really should get out more Joined: 10 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2041 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Sep 07 at 4:37am | |
Ouch! All that stuff is in the eye of the beholder, and it's very susceptible to fashion and image. The classic clipper bow was once thought to be ugly. The classic metre yacht/Dragon spoon bow attracted a storm of outrage when they came out. We rave about them both, now. The Tasar does look pretty square in the stern, but I can remember the days when we thought that spelled speed and was a beautiful thing. I think it's outweighed in the Tasar's case by a rather nice bow. I have to say, I was looking at the N12 test in Y & Y yesterday and I thought again "what a strange looking boat in profile" with that massive freeboard on a short length. Same with the NS.....sometimes I think it's beautiful, sometimes I think the chine is a bit too prominent. Personally, I find the fetish for looking modern reminds me of 11 year olds dissing last week's song or shoes as being "oh so old fashioned". Edited by Chris 249 |
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tickler
Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jun 07 Location: Tunstead Milton Online Status: Offline Posts: 895 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Sep 07 at 8:09am | |
The most buitifull things are those which are designed by function. A pre war Bugatti racing car, shows you, in every line and component, what it is for. The same is true for a modern formula 1 car. Technology, ever moving forward, dictates design. The trouble is that redundant technology can produce design that looks redundant. There are "classics" of course, like the Bugatti and 505 which will always look good. When the Mini came out in 1958 it seemed so modern and efficient. It kept that image (for me) until the BMW mini was released when suddenly it became an old banger with redundant technology. The new mini however is a cynical exercise in marketing and will lose its appeal very quickly. Taser looks a little odd these days because of the high bow and square low transom. These days technology dictates low bows and open transoms. Perhaps a new inner moulding might do the trick, but I suppose that is the NS14.? I am not an expert in any of these subjects (or any other subject). If anyone ever meets me in a pub, avoid me! |
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