The only builder of Blades in Australia that I know about, excepting plywood boats, would be Marcus Towell (working with the Barrets I believe). But I dont think Marcus used Taipan foils.

I would have contacted Marcus if you want foils built in Oz. Send me a PM if you need his contact info. Marcus is a resource!

If you consider going from Taipain foils (if that is what you have ) to a different foil it might be worth checking if AHPC Viper foils could be installed. You would need some inserts and some epoxy work anway when going for different foils.

Pics of your boat and foils would be helpful and interesting.

I wasn't confused enough, so I thought I'd complete the job.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/multihulls/gybing-center-boards-43772.html

Before you get too excited talk to some early Capricorn and Infusion sailors about their gybing boards.

The Viper has gybing boards, as does the C2.

Really, I didn't know that. Are they asymetrical or off set from the centerline of the hulls?

No, and no.

So where does the gybing come in?

The boards twist in the trunk, the leading edge moves, the trailing edge is the pivot point.

How does the performance compare to other boats you've sailed?

Interesting, I know a lot of the early boats (Cap and Infusion) had the foils locked off as the slop was deemed slow, I didn't realise AHPC have kept building them that way. Do any of the other new F18s have gybing boards?

Sailed an infusion Mk1 with gybing boards and loved it. Really felt good in flat water. If it gets a bit bumpy they can flop around in the case but not as much as you think. Didn't really understand when they started locking them off. Was just the fashion at the time I think.

Love the gybing boards on the viper. You can feel them click in and the thing takes off upwind. They never really move in the case even in bump so i guess AHPC managed to get it right.

Aido,

does that mean that there is some friction mechanism to hold the boards in the right angle of attack, or is there something else at play like increased angle of attack, asymentric profile or.. I dunno, but very interesting!

The lateral pressure on the board holds it sideways. With the boat on the beach you can grab the board and move it in the case. Its a very tiny amount and would only change the angle of attack by 1 or 2 degrees maybe less. But its enough to make a difference. In flat water you can feel the board flop over as the boat accelerates from a stop or out of a tack. I feel that the boat really tends to travel towards whatever you are pointing it at with no or very little leeway. Thats what is supposed to do and i think it works.

Nacra didn't get it right and the gybing system resulted in chewed up daggerboards. The lost speed wasn't noticed. I'm glad to hear AHPC got it right it makes sense, the 505's have had gybing boards for a long time.

Yes Aido, but what is the difference between the Capricorn version and the Viper version as the latter by reports now works properly?

No difference in the cap, c2 or viper. They all have the same gybing centreboard setup. Can speak for the new Capricorn from PSA though only the AHPC version.

That answer confuses me. On the Viper it is reported to work well, while on the Capricorn it was not judged to work well - and now both boats are said to have the same setup.

Hmm, maybe the judges are different? Also, I believe the C2 and Viper have carbon trailing edges on the dagger board. Original AHPC Capricorn did not to my knowledge. That could have an impact on how the boards handle it...

Same board as far I know. Just a fancy/pain in the butt to repair exposed trailing edge.

Pain? Karl you need some of this: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=3763