Equipment used at the 2011 Squib Nationals
by Vincent Delany 6 Jul 2011 15:22 BST
25 June - 1 July 2011
When the boats are packed up after the final race of any national keelboat or dinghy championships it is time to examine how the winner achieved his result.
Chris and Mark Hogan won the 2011 Squib National Championships in ‘Ricoshea’, which is Squib No. 136 which was built about 38 years ago by Oliver Lee (the boat’s designer) in Burnham. She appears to be a standard boat which is on the minimum weight permitted by the Class (780kg.) and has been fitted out to meet the preferences of her crew.
The only distinctive feature of the boat is a short section of mast fixed between the shrouds to give additional structural strength, and to support the sails controls.
Sails: ‘Ricoshea’ uses standard Batt Sails and buys new sails each season for use in major events only.
Hull Finish: All of the top boats have a polished anti-foul finish or a smooth sprayed resin finish.
Jib Barberhauler position: The standard position for jib barbour hauler leads is 200mm from the centre line of the boat and 100mm forward of the edge of the cuddy. Many boats have moved barbour hauler positions further aft or further outboard. Hogans use the standard position. (See photograph.) Hogans use single purchase jib sheets, but many of the lighter or female crews use double purchase sheets which work equally well.
Compass: Hogans use a standard Tacktick digital solar powered compass mounted on a special bracket below deck level.
Control lines: Hogans use over deck spinnaker sheets, over deck shooting pole launch controls.
Helmsman: This is the key element. Chris Hogan is able to position his boat on the start line in a position where he can accelerate fast for 25 seconds before hitting the start line. Hogans can be seen with their bow ahead of the opposition after the first 30 seconds sailing.
Crew: Mark Hogan is about 12 stone and is quick moving around the boat, he is fit, and knows all the boat tuning settings and is helmsman in his own right. He advises Chris on race tactics and on changes in wind conditions, location of other boats etc.
There is no secret weapon which a potential competitor can buy, which will win the National Squib Championships.
All of the top 25 boats in the Squib fleet travel at exactly the same speed in a straight line.
It is the crews who can change gear, to address changes in wind or wave type who travel fastest.
The crews who have the necessary skill in turning corners can gain several places at all mark roundings.
- Batt Sails are used by more than 80% of the fleet for mainsails and jibs
- Batt Spinnakers are used by Hogans
- The latest generation of Hyde Sails are as quick as the Batt Sails, but they do recommend that the jib leads be further outboard from the centre line
- The Hyde spinnakers are available in cross cut or vertical cut. The jury is out in deciding which works best
- The Lonton & Gray Sails are not used by many crews, and have proven themselves to be exceptionally quick in flat water but do not appear to be so effective in choppy water