Hi Scott,
After finding this site and reading the numerous occurrences of capsizing by new / inexperienced sailors, I decided to figure out how to improve the stability.
Jim
I agree with BananaBob. The ideal option is to sail the boat as the designer intended and improve our sailing skills.
Even so, the boat seems quit tippy in gusty conditions !
I have been knocked down and turtled very quickly in gusting, shifting winds.
Bob would probly suggest I find a different design, but that is not of interest to me. I really like this little C14!
RRE
I made a new centerboard with a piece of 1/8 x 3' sheet steel wrapped in plywood, fiberglassed and shaped like an airfoil. It made the sailboat way more stable and did not damage the trunk.
What is the increase in weight? Do you think the new CB is stiffer than the original? What do the rules say about racing with a weighted CB?
I made a new centerboard with a piece of 1/8 x 3' sheet steel wrapped in plywood, fiberglassed and shaped like an airfoil. It made the sailboat way more stable and did not damage the trunk.
I purchased the steel and had it cut at a metals supply shop, used exterior grade wood and plywood. Faired it into an airfoil, Then fiberglassed the whole thing. Spent about $80.00 total. If you use narrower pieces of ply and build the foil you can use bondo to make the edges foil like. Sanding does the rest. Not hard to do. Well worth the effort since I sail in forecasted 15 to 25 most of the time
I would propose you build one and test your hypothesis of expansion on it.
I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers - only offer my expertise in improving the design. I've been a custom home builder and furniture maker for the last 39 years and I've seen two previous instances where these metal/plywood sandwiches have failed. I'm not saying yours didn't work - obviously it did. I'm just saying there are better ways and I would hate to see someone spend all that time to build something that doesn't last.
Are we OK now?
Personally, I would opt for reefing the mainsail and/or installing a jib furler for single-handing during heavy winds. The C-14 sails pretty well with reduced sail area, and unlike adding large amounts of weight for stability, this option is easily reversible.