The smooth, curved leading edge sheds weeds and results in softer 'stall' at higher angles of attack, reducing deceleration during maneuvers.
That would be against the purity law, wouldn't itNot sure what they do with the weeds - probably make beer from them.
In the U.S., they'd probably smoke it.Not sure what they do with the weeds - probably make beer from them.
https://aerosouth.net/sailboats
Sheet guide clip: this looks pretty cool. I like the articulation, might figure out something roughly similar for the Lightning.
Tiller "extension": whoever thinks this works, doesn't know much about tiller/extension geometry, or steering a dinghy in general. (Will elaborate if wanted.)
Mast hole plug: smart little thing, simple enough to homebuild, though.
The Sabre daggerboard: looks like it just swings the existing planform around, front to back. Not very interesting.
The Sabre rudder: this probably is an "improvement", but so what? Is there a market for these foils?
That would be against the purity law, wouldn't it
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Excellent. But where have I seen that leading edge shape before. Oh ya, now I remember. It's similar to the outer leading edge of my Atos VQ Race competition hang glider. Also designed with software... and wind tunnel tested.Yes sir, the Sabre leading edge is curved from the very top, increasing towards the tip. The trailing edge is vertical. This shape was primarily designed for flow efficiency reasons.
FYI Laser booms come with a plastic sheet hanger already installed and I believe they work fine.Making them for other boats is now relatively easy. We have one for the Laser now and will make others upon interest.
There is a mast plug out there already, not sure how many people buy them.
View attachment 35576Laser & Sunfish Step Stoppers - RightOn Trailer
The Step Stopper prevents water/ice and debris from accumulating in the mast step. If you store your boat deck-up on a dolly or trailer this is an easy and inexpensive way to keep the step clean and clear of water/ice. Simply insert the stopper into your mast step and there is no room for the …rightontrailer.com
A tennis ball fits fairly well and works as a cheaper alternative.
Excellent. But where have I seen that leading edge shape before. Oh ya, now I remember. It's similar to the outer leading edge of my Atos VQ Race competition hang glider. Also designed with software... and wind tunnel tested.
- Andy
View attachment 35579
Indeed. And for clarity, I was referring to the "leading edge shape" of your daggerboard foil in the context of root to tip, not the cross section.Our shapes were designed for water, not air. Much different Reynold's numbers than for the Atos.
Much appreciate your efforts and initiative on the Sunfish foils. I would be particularly interested in one of your rudders.
Indeed. And for clarity, I was referring to the "leading edge shape" of your daggerboard foil in the context of root to tip, not the cross section.
Cheers,
- Andy
FYI Laser booms come with a plastic sheet hanger already installed and I believe they work fine.
The sheet hanger clips look nice. It looks like the sheet may be rubbing on the hanger as it looks like the opening in the hanger is closer to the boom than the exit of the boom block, which will result in friction. Intensity makes some nice ones Intensity Mainsheet Hanger for Sunfish and one of their pluses is they are soft so you won't get a divot in your head if you don't duck enough.
Intensity, which is a go-to place for parts, also sells that mast plug. Your best bet might be to get Intensity to market your plug at a lower cost.
View attachment 35578
As far as your new foils, do you have a means of testing VMG upwind vs. a boat that is identically equipped except using a normal racing board and normal rudder? If not, you should do paired testing between those same two boats. While your foils may have less drag relative to lift, they are attached to a boat that has a lot of drag itself, so the reduced drag may not have a noticeable effect on VMG.
As you can see in Tag's photo, weeds typically are right near the surface, so the curved lower part of the board will be below most of the weeds and not be able to help shed weeds.
The sunfish is not a fast boat.
Did the Portsmith number even change when the sail changed from flat to a much better shaped race sail or with the foil centerboard?
Considering your background, perhaps you could use the following photo as inspiration for a logo to attach to your daggerboard and rudder products.
I have closely followed the Thrust SSC and Bloodhound stories with great interest.
- Andy
View attachment 35581
I believe all new Laser booms actually come with a loop of webbing around the spar for this purpose. You can alternatively use the original stainless eyestrap (I do, and it does work fine) or another type of "soft" (at least somewhat flexible) lead, as long as it's fastened by rivets at the original location. A lead like the ones we're discussing here is illegal.Laser booms come with a plastic sheet hanger already installed and I believe they work fine.
Thanks for the offer, but as the Lightning boom section isn't completely round, the "clip" fastening won't work - they'd snap off at the first gybeFeel free to send me the diameter of the Lightning's boom and I will send you some clips if you agree to test for me.
The fundamental problem is that a longer tiller makes steering harder, because the range of motion increases for a given rudder angle. That's why in classes where the lengths aren't controlled, evolution has led to shorter tillers and longer (articulating) extensions. I absolutely can't imagine what pros an extra long tiller without a real extension might have unless you're only sailing in light air and in a straight lineTiller Extension - I have been using the extension as well as a standard Harken extension since June. Both have there pros and cons, for me, on my lake.
The more choices there are, the harder it is to choosePeople like choices
I believe all new Laser booms actually come with a loop of webbing around the spar for this purpose. You can alternatively use the original stainless eyestrap (I do, and it does work fine) or another type of "soft" (at least somewhat flexible) lead, as long as it's fastened by rivets at the original location. A lead like the ones we're discussing here is illegal.
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From the Z banding on the sheet hanger and deck plug, it looks like they're 3D printed, right?
View attachment 35582Just made my own little copy of your sheet clip.
Do you have any idea on the price of the Sabre Daggerboard?
How strong is the centerboard material as they are stood on to right the boat when it flips.