I say thank you for the long reply, I find it interesting to hear this stuff about the skiffs. i've been well aware of them for a long time. I just didn't know that boats like the 49-er were not considered real skiffs. Additionally I find you commentary alot more interesting then the skiff class webpages. You are providing alot more detailed info and info that allows me (at least) to get a better feel for the balancing that is included in designing a better skiff. Afterall, this is part of any boat design.

I can understand the absolute need for the design to help in the area of control. As said, when I sailed the 49-er I noticed that any help here is a major point. It allows you to drive it much higher by not having to keep a significant safe margin. Again this is the interesting balancing act and the skiffs are on a totally different path in the way of rig development.

Clearly the skiff rig tension is heaps more then what I personally found on, again, boats like 49-er. So I think I admitted to that earlier in this thread. And yes this does provide an engineering challenge. Although I do still wonder why exactly this high tig tension is needed. What is its beneficial effect or what is causing this to be necessary ? Do you know ? On the 49-er it appeared that that the designs tried to bend the flexible mast into a stiff lower section by the yielding method of buckling. This does require alot more tension then bending a mast by "cantilevering" it. I feel cats are mostly using the last method and that the stiff for aft plane doesn't require rig tension to sufficiently fix the bottom part of the mast to a given curve. That and the fact that a skiff rig can never accept loose shrouds as that would negative impact on control by having a mast that can independently move relative to the platform. I'm very interested in your ideas here.





Ohhh, I do very much respect these classes and all as a matter of fact. I'm just also a digger and question everything. I want to know how it really is and you don't get there by asking softball questions. I also fear that at alot of times my way of writing can be intepreted as being respectless, but in basis it truly isn't. Although I do have a streak of using biting sarcasm in my writings alot. That comes from my upbringing, was considered a sport in the (very much loving) family I grew up in. And sadly this was also the case among students and friends at the University I went to after leaving the family. Even in the Netherlands themselfs these have a reputation for being like this.





I'll try ! But also know that I never mean that much by it, certainly not disrespect. Disagreement with the points stated yes that it signales but not hate or disrespect.

Wouter