Ahhh, come on guys !.

Alright I'm the first to admit that there are many factors included BUT to same these numbers are relatively meaningles or that the T can't be compared to the F18's is to go to the extreme on the other side.

With luck we get some extra data as gethered by Jake and either colloborate or conflict with the Marcus data.

But still, we can already say that a 92 marstrom at a greater width and length was measured to be noticeable stiffer than much newer F18's. What do you guys think will happen if a 2004 Marstrom Tornado is measured ?

So we can certainly take away something from the supplied data. Then of course other people are coming in with their own experiences and data I refer to Jake and seating his F18 beams and Macca with his Taipan 5.7. Surely these comments more colloborate the data then conflict with it. Afterall the newly seated beams appear to have made the platform noticeably stiffer.

And does any of us really believe that Marcus would come out under his own name with intentionally rigged data. Yes, there may be difference in the dolphin striker tensions and how tight the bolts are but is it reasonable to believe that all were loose to the extend that they all favoured the Tornado and Blade to this extend.

Would it not be reasonable to assume that these numbers are relatively accurate before new data comes in ?


>>This test was only ment for a rough personal guide for the guys and should be taken as that.

why not take it as a starting point for additional measurements; why not keep these numbers in mind and check your own boat. Under the asumption of reasonability is shows that gains can be made. Even by the sailors themself by seating their beams as Jake has done.

Sure we need to take care to not make to much out of it. But we would be equally foolish not to use this info. Right now it is the only data we've got and for all we know the numbers could be accurate.

And as an ending I would like to add that absolute deflections, uncompensated for hull length or width, is what is important in sailing. A shorter hulled cat may well be relatively less stiff but if it flexes less in absolute terms it takes on waves better than a relatively stiffer platform that flexes more. Not all in real life is relative. Some things only matter in the absolute sense.

Wouter