-Since we are basing a class largely on Inter 20 specs , -not Hobies with narrow bows a 30 Lb heavier cat that is weight sensitive,smaller sail areas and no shutes , and not the Tornado with much smaller sail plan ,10 ft beam and added 800 ft lb average added righting moment as compared to the Inter 20 with its 8.5 beam ,the following is particularly relivant.
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<br>-This from a well known cat designer ---as follows
<br>The parameter that will bring this discussion on crew weight to focus is "overturning moment to righting moment ratio". The overturning moment corrilates with sail area times the height of the center of effort above the center of bouyancy of the burdened hull. The total righting moment is the sum of the boat righting moment (boat weight X boat width/2) plus the crew's righting moment plus the skipper's righting moment. This ratio tells the tale as to the optimum weight for the boat. Boats designed with a larger number (ratio)favor larger people and boats designed with a smaller number (ratio) favor smaller. Boats designed with a larger number tend to become overpowered sooner (less wind) and boats with a smaller number are more controlable in stronger winds and will excell in stronger winds.
<br>Designers have gradually increased this ratio by adding additional sail area , and now the addition of large spinnakkers ,in an effort to build faster boats at lower cost than the competition via higher sail area to weight ratio. This doesn't work if you can't hold the boat down, does it?
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<br>Remember the recent Olympic catamaran selection trials? The old boat 10ft wide with 237sqft of sail area beat all the new designs with more sail area including spinnakers but only 8.5ft wide. If you don't go up in righting moment as you go up in sail area, then you can't drive the sails to their capability and the boat moves out of the competitive weight range for normal weight people and it won't perform well in strong winds. . What's happening with the 'new boats' they are powered up with more sail area and no improvement in righting moment and the big people are favored.
<br>Good Sailing,--end
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<br>-It automatically requires larger crew to sail the Inter 20 effectively . proven in natl's and numerous race results .
<br> Thes boats are POWERFULL and can not be held down by small crew . Again we are basing a class largely on Inter 20 specifications ,--{huge sail areas } -
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<br>Being 6,4 and 225 , do not want to exclude racing sailors from the 20 class to allow myself a perceived advantage , even though most larger people in N A have raced at a disadvantage in predominantly light air racing on smaller less powerfull cats with smaller sail plans for decades
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<br>-In racing the Inter 20 extensively both singlehanding at 225LBs with CRAM and distance racing in MI. and racing it at just under 400Lb crew weight in 2 Worrell 1000s ,-before that 2 on the Nacra 6/0. Several have commented on how they believe the Worrell is a heavy air race ,---WRONG ,--over 13 days and nights in 1000 miles you encounter every combination of wind strength mother nature can conceive. Surprizingly the largest gains are made in light air .This being my 6th Worrell 1000 this year in 02 it is very disturbing to read other comments on how they think the Worrell is only in heavy air when they have NEVER RACED ONE , it is 60 to 75 percent in lighter wind .-Even at near 400 LB crew weight we still excell on the Inter by powering up the main and positioning more weight to leeward on these large bouyant hulls required to carry shutes. -The best example in the Worrell this year was the leg sailing up to cape Hatteras , light air 5 to 8 mph. The first team to the Cape was GUIDANT -Rod is an excellent world class Aussie 18 skiff and cat sailor , -2nd there was Tommy Bahama --{Nigel and Alex } ---3RD To Cape Hatteras was us ,-TEAM SAIL for SIGHT , Dave and I at just under 400 LB crew weight , --Dave and I passed T B in the surf at the cape and popped into the lead for a time shortly after .--The point is weight is not the factor that most are used to on other types of cats ,--These are large bouyant POWERFULL cats that require large crews with their added righting moment to race them.-
<br> .–Again I have raced the Inter both at 400 LB CREW WEIGHT AND SINGLEHANDED AT 225 lb CREW WEIGHT ,Having this wide a range of crew weights in distance racing has given some special insight on crew weight as it is applied to these already overpowered cats which actually favor large crews in any winds above 10 mph.
<br> Again the best way to equalize crew weight is with a total crew and boat weight rule , but even this still favors larger crew , allowing them more righting moment in weight on the wire in that above 10 range.
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<br>-The Inter 20 has 15 more sq ft than its Euro counterpart , all of this is in the upper mainsail with a larger sq top. –With regular crew this cat flies a hull in 8 mph winds , when singlehanding about 5to 6 mph winds IN WHICH CASE ONE BECOMES COMPLETELY OVERPOWERED IN 10.
<br> -The power of these cats with huge sailplans and the same beam as smaller cats with smaller sailplans automatically requires a large crew to hold it down and sail it at near its performance capabilities.
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<br>-This was best illustrated to me in sailing the RED FOX distance races with CRAM 2 years ago–racing singlehanded.
<br>-The 20 mile distance race on Lk Charlivoix began well for me at the start port tacking out in front of the fleet of of about 15 I-20s and a few other cats in 5 mph winds on Sun. the 2nd leg back to Charlivoix.. I held the lead for some distance passing numerous boats that had started ahead in different classes .
<br> About halfway through the 20 mile course the wind kicked in to about 15 with higher gusts . I cranked the downhaul untill the upper main was flat as a board and popped out on the wire keeping the Inter in perfect trim just skimming off the wave tops . -
<br> One by one other Inters with normal crew weight begane to pass as I struggled to hold it down , by the end of the race more than 12 cats had passed even though I knew I had sailed technically perfectly and made no course errors.
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<br>-Again compare sail area on the Inter to the Formula 18 -its much smaller but has the same beam and righting moment ,
<br> The only way to hold these larger more powerfull cats down is with LARGER CREW which they are already specifically designed for .
<br> The best solution is a total boat and crew weight rule ,
<br>This requires a comprehensive scale of total weights to sail areas , as opposed to the present Formula means of various jib and spin sizes per crew and corrector weights.
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<br> A total boat and crew weight to sail area rule is the best rules method of providing equal FAIR sailing for ALL.
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<br> Carl
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