The mistake is that he forgot to put on a shirt

Ooooo, I was itching to say something like that, but I am too nice

I would say something clewless but that would be tacky.

Lack of sunscreen?

Very beautiful.



Raked back bows looks cool now, but when the fashion trend is over, it looks as old school as a Dart 18. Seeing that you use your brain rather than following the trend makes the boat even more beautiful.

With the A-cat mast (9m length?), what is the final weight? 85kg?

Cheers,

Klaus

Oh I like that, nice comment on the boat rather than the tacky clewsy bit, yes I did have the spinnaker back to front when first putting it on, wasn't thinking very straight after the cider offered for a liquid lunch by guess who.

Talking of weight, I think the central beam has a lot of merit, it saves a lot of heavy components and if the forestay is added into the equation, it means a proper working jib and a screacher rather than the spinny we now use. The beam and front pole is only about 2 kilos at the moment so lighter than a conventional snuffer setup. Anyone out there good at converting loads to carbon fibre layup ?

Okay, now I'm lost. I don't see how the central beam is saving that much weight? Not to mention that you were probably the one who removed it from the 5.2 I have in my back garden when it was yours...

What are the advantages of the central beam and under tramp snuffer? I can see the following:

- Reduced weight and reduced windage on front, centering the mass is always good.
- Self sustained pole is probably real nice™ when rigging, one less thing to attach around
- Solid attachment for central sheeting (I'm curious to see how well it works as you still need to throw the extension on the back of the boat. I guess if it works for the A class, it can't be that bad)
- Rigidity? Is it really helping?

There are inconveniences probably:

- Lower clearance under the trampoline, the central beam may slap in waves?
- You have to either pick a side to launch the spi or forget about the jib completely and install split forestay. BTW, if split forestay are installed with no line from the mast to the middle of the pole aren't you afraid the pole is going to invert? How are you inducing pre-bend?
- launching and snuffing the spi may take longer as well as you have to pull all the length of the pole...
- You need extra long spi sheets to go all the way back to the trampoline

Anyway it's really nice to see something really new for a change, and I must admit I'm curious to see the results. Can I get a ride?

Another tid-bit for Rolf. We discussed this boat some time back and now it's being readied for a new life!

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=96734

A beautiful and very interesting boat, well ahead of her time. Hopefully her time have come this time over. Thanks for letting me know. Will be very interesting to see how she comes along.

Have a look at Hakan's latest attempt at a A class with Spinnaker on www.catsailor.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=192263#Post192263

Interesting to read he can get the boat out of the water on its curved foils, pity I cannot afford the money to go all out as he has done. 20 knot plus already so it is definately fast.

Bitsa has finally gots its bits wet, had a first sail today in low winds and surprising not to much to tinker with. Quite pleased in a way as the boat is very much not far from final settings with an almost neutral helm and seems to be doing most things reasonably correctly.

One thing for sure though you really need to be in the middle of the boat, as as soon as you get near the back you can stand the boat on its butt sinking the transoms really easily, mind you the Stealths do have a big wide fat bottom so you can't quite compare like for like.

The Spinny under tramp snuffer seems pretty cool and as yet hasn't failed to work which is a surprise as its a quite different approach to things.

I plan to sail again tomorrow and sorting out a few things so hopefully will get some on water time

Ooooo!! Great stuff! Please give us more

(And pics of the under-tramp snuffer in its operational state)

I am very envious of you. Last night I pulled about 1500 staples and tonight I have been sanding..

Damn, I'm stuck at home with the kids, I would have liked to see this thing in the flesh...

You didn't miss much Pepin, Friday nights rather long frivolty time imbibing rather too much " Henley Gold " and an early morning start Saturday meant that looking out the window Sunday morning and seeing doom and gloom weather wise, meant a very instant decision of staying in bed for an extra hour or two of kip. Went to the Rugby in the afternoon so no sailing.

I very nearly did exactly the same, but am very glad I didn't - you missed a great morning's sailing.

Looking forward to seeing Bitza on the water.

Paul

Very cool Wayne. Its gotta be quite an accomplishment to design, and build your own boat. I know I don't have the patience to do it.

News says ya got snow already.

Snow is beautiful. It is not too cold to sail before the water freezes solid.

Take a stroll over to SA.
(scroll down a bit)
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/index_page1.php

At least the beer is cold
(so that is why the brits drink it lukewarm)