Also, here's a few pictures:
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| Close up of forward deck structure by David Woodward |
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| Comparison with the trusty Peck; sort of an optical illusion as the are the same length... |
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| TerraFiber cloth, stiff & light! |
Thursday, July 14, 2016
New RG-65! New Materials! Sliver Mk.I and TerraFiber
Back from a brief summer hiatus to introduce a new boat (Sliver Mk.I, designed by Mark Dicks, and built by David Woodward) I'll be building, and a new material called "TerraFiber". Check out the video below:
Also, here's a few pictures:
Also, here's a few pictures:
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Is the DF a competitive RG-65?
This will be a controversial topic, but it need not be so.
Since its origin the DragonForce-65 (DF-65) has been propounded in two classes; first as a one-design boat, and second as a fully class compliant RG-65. In the US the DF-65 was originally registered as an RG-65, and many regatta's took on one of two formats; one-design DF-65's (only) or raced in RG-65 events, typically with separate scoring. This separate scoring was usually done on the grounds that there was essentially two intermingled regattas, one for RG-65's and the other for DF-65's. Even with this "one fleet two scoring" system, a DF-65 would still place in the RG-65 event; for example, Chris Macaluso won last year's White Rock Cup in both the DF-65 and RG-65 categories. As the DF-65 is now being organized as its own one-design class in the US, separate from the RG-65 (though, still fully, at this writing, RG-65 legal), the question naturally arises, once organized into their own class, should the DF-65 continue in the "one fleet two scoring" manner in which it began when participating in RG-65 events? The determining question therefore, would obviously would be, is the DF-65 competitive enough in the RG-65 to be worth sailing as a typical RG-65? As I intend to demonstrate, the answer is a qualified "yes".
First, it should be understood that no boat in an open ecosystem necessarily remains competitive forever...one need merely look at the IOM class, where the largely successful wide-beam skiff designs (like the "TS-2") have all but disappeared in favor of narrower, partial chine boats like the "BritPop". Technology marches on, and it is generally not given to any design to stay on top forever...
Secondly, as a caveat to the above observation, it is also well understood that a good skipper with a well-tuned old boat will usually beat a poor skipper with a poorly worked-up new one.
Assuming all other things are equal for the purposes of this argument, can a DF-65 race with a typical RG-65 with a reasonable chance of success? I say yes, for reasons I shall now explain. First, let's take a look at some particulars; I'll compare my DF-65 to my RG-65 (a Blue Splash, a typical RG-65 design with swing-rig). Both boats are, of course 650mm long, and are of very similar beam (within a few mm). On my boat at least, the keel is carbon fiber and 650 grams of lead in the bulb, and about the same length (again a few mm shorter); the DF-65 has metal fin and a 554g bulb. In terms of hull shape, the DF-65 shows a strong "U" shape with a flatter sections heading aft, while the Blue Splash evinces a more "V" shaped hull with a rounder transition aft.
Since its origin the DragonForce-65 (DF-65) has been propounded in two classes; first as a one-design boat, and second as a fully class compliant RG-65. In the US the DF-65 was originally registered as an RG-65, and many regatta's took on one of two formats; one-design DF-65's (only) or raced in RG-65 events, typically with separate scoring. This separate scoring was usually done on the grounds that there was essentially two intermingled regattas, one for RG-65's and the other for DF-65's. Even with this "one fleet two scoring" system, a DF-65 would still place in the RG-65 event; for example, Chris Macaluso won last year's White Rock Cup in both the DF-65 and RG-65 categories. As the DF-65 is now being organized as its own one-design class in the US, separate from the RG-65 (though, still fully, at this writing, RG-65 legal), the question naturally arises, once organized into their own class, should the DF-65 continue in the "one fleet two scoring" manner in which it began when participating in RG-65 events? The determining question therefore, would obviously would be, is the DF-65 competitive enough in the RG-65 to be worth sailing as a typical RG-65? As I intend to demonstrate, the answer is a qualified "yes".
First, it should be understood that no boat in an open ecosystem necessarily remains competitive forever...one need merely look at the IOM class, where the largely successful wide-beam skiff designs (like the "TS-2") have all but disappeared in favor of narrower, partial chine boats like the "BritPop". Technology marches on, and it is generally not given to any design to stay on top forever...
Secondly, as a caveat to the above observation, it is also well understood that a good skipper with a well-tuned old boat will usually beat a poor skipper with a poorly worked-up new one.
Assuming all other things are equal for the purposes of this argument, can a DF-65 race with a typical RG-65 with a reasonable chance of success? I say yes, for reasons I shall now explain. First, let's take a look at some particulars; I'll compare my DF-65 to my RG-65 (a Blue Splash, a typical RG-65 design with swing-rig). Both boats are, of course 650mm long, and are of very similar beam (within a few mm). On my boat at least, the keel is carbon fiber and 650 grams of lead in the bulb, and about the same length (again a few mm shorter); the DF-65 has metal fin and a 554g bulb. In terms of hull shape, the DF-65 shows a strong "U" shape with a flatter sections heading aft, while the Blue Splash evinces a more "V" shaped hull with a rounder transition aft.
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| General profile, both in A-rigs...the Blue Splash is a bit deeper and more rounded. |
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| Characteristic U-shape of the DF hull, allowing for a flat transition aft. |
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| The V-shape of the Blue Splash (bow bumper not installed) showing a deeper entry and rounded aft transition. |
In terms of hull, form and foil design, the DF-65 and Blue Splash represent different thinking and different trade-offs, I believe it is fair to say neither design approach is intrinsically superior. Specially, given that both boats use their maximum waterline (a key speed component), they are both able to reach hull-speed fairly easily in a breeze (at hull speed, the amount of power from the rigs can't move the hull any faster, typically causing nose-diving. The solution, is of course, to reduce power by using a smaller rig or sailing a different course to bleed out the excess power).
The real differences in these boats lie in two areas: weight, and rigs.
A typical, ready to race DF-65 usually comes in at about 1250 grams, with a plastic hull and rudder, and metal keel fin.
By comparison, the Blue Splash has a fiberglass hull and carbon fiber keel fin and rudder and weighs about 1130 grams, about 100 grams or so lighter, and some RG-65's will weigh even less. It is important to keep in mind that RG-65's are made out of a variety of materials; wood/balsa, fiberglass, plastic, and carbon fiber, so in terms of materials it is difficult to generalize.
The key performance take away here, is that a typical RG-65 will be lighter and carry a heavier keel-bulb; allowing for less weight to move under sail and a greater righting action to carry a taller rig. This leads to, in my opinion, the definitive differential; rig plans.
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| The tall, narrow, high-aspect A-rig carried by the Blue Splash compared to the more conservative A-rig of the DF-65 |
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| The Blue Splash B-rig here is about 85% of the DF-65 A-rig, and fairly similar. |
By carrying more weight down low in the keel-bulb (nearly 100 grams more), the Blue Splash carries an A-rig nearing the maximum allowed height and sail area, in a very efficient, high-aspect form. By contrast, the DF-65 favors a much more conservative, lower-aspect rig, only about 15% larger than the B-rig of the Blue Splash (see above photos). I suspect the heavier plastic hull of the DF-65, combined with a keel bulb nearly 100 grams lighter, would make a taller rig impractical, and quite tender in anything short of a very light breeze. It should be noted, that in this comparison, the Blue Splash is carrying a swing rig as compared to the DF-65 traditional fractional rig...I will have more to say about this later, but the choice of swing-rig vs. fractional is not determinative in my opinion, many successful RG-65's sport fractional rigs also.
The rub of the matter, as I see it, is what are the competitive advantages of these rig differences? Simply out, the larger sail area and more efficient high-aspect form of the Blue Splash A-rig, generates more power for a lighter boat, making it faster than the DF-65. There are important caveats, however.
The A-rig pictured above is good up to about 9 mph wind speed before it begins to over-power and require a downshift to the B-rig. The DF-65 can continue to sail it's A-rig quite comfortably in this wind range, and in my experience, it can carry its A-rig to about 15 mph...so from 9 to 15 mph the DF-65 is sailing with about 15% more sail than a typical RG-65...sail area being horsepower, this has a very leveling effect on speed. This squares with my own experience; when I'm sailing my A-rig against DF-65's, I have a noticeable speed advantage, particularly running downwind. In that DF-65 "sweet spot" of 9-15 mph, I'm the one with less sail area and do not see any noticeable speed advantage. As wind speed increases beyond 15 mph, both boats start hitting their maximum hull speed fairly easily, and again, there is little advantage. Given the size of the DF/RG-65, speed will level off rapidly as the wind speed increases beyond 9 mph, regardless of rig. So in terms of advantage, it is my opinion that the RG-65's are advantaged in winds below 9 mph, and the boats are increasingly equal as the wind rises beyond that point.
I note that this comparison is based on my RG rigs, the kits & sails of which were produced by Eric Rosenbaum, and constructed by me. For comparison, other boats may have very different rigs...however the ones I've described are by no means atypical. For example, I have considered an "A-" rig that would be lower aspect as compared to my current A, but of nearly the same area, to shorten the "9-15mph" gap I described. If executed successfully it may push the DF-65 into a narrower, higher, wind band of competitiveness.
Also, a note about swing rigs...some consider the DF-65 disadvantaged because it carries a fractional rig. I think this misunderstands the advantages (and drawbacks) of the swing rig, and fails to account for the many highly competitive boats that use a fractional rig. The advantage of the swing rig, is, in my opinion primarily it's tremendous efficiency running downwind, especially in light air. Typically, in lighter air, if you have two identical boats; one with a swing rig and the other a conventional fractional rig, the swing rig will be noticeable quicker downwind (the physics of why are for another article). Going upwind, the swing rig is a bit faster, but also sails a bit lower, which is essentially a push, though in small boats like the RG-65 sailing high can be slow and dangerous! In my B-rig I have trouble with the DF-65 when they are still in the A-rig heading upwind, I'm not really faster and they will typically be sailing a bit higher. On any reaching course a swing rig is difficult to trim properly; it is also a bit different to tack and requires some adjustment of technique (you do not ease the sheets and then tighten back up to accelerate like a fractional rig). Suffice to say, a swing rig represents a preference more than an serious competitive advantage, its primary value being (as stated) in light air downwind legs.
So to answer the question I began with, can a DF-65 be raced competitively with a "typical" RG-65? I would give a qualified yes, it is most competitive in wind ranges exceeding 9 mph. Some have suggested to me that in venues with greater wave action, the taller rig RG-65 rig "whip saws" more, making a figure of 7 mph more realistic). In these conditions, I believe the skipper skill and rig tune will prevail, i.e. the boat is competitive and the better sailor and rig tune will prevail. Below these wind speeds, the DF-65's greater weight, smaller righting action, and low aspect rig will make it more challenging. As every boat is designed for some optimal condition, I would therefore consider it reasonably competitive.
I therefore believe a DF-65 is a proper and reasonably competitive RG-65 and can generally be raced and scored as such.
I hope this has proved helpful and I invite the thoughts of others...
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Texas DragonForce Series #4; Drifting into Austin...
This report is a bit behind schedule on account of my catching a frightful cold after this regatta...and the short report is I sailed so poorly there, there is little to say!
The venue in Austin is Berry Creek (actually Georgetown which is north of Austin) at Sun City. This is a very scenic venue with good shade trees, but somewhat fickle winds. On the day of the DF series the winds were bafflingly light and there were several light rain showers. I learned a few things; the DF is not a light air boat, it excels in the medium to heavy airs. Accordingly, good tuning and some practice are needed to do really well in drifting conditions with any boat, but particularly with the DF. Having neither light air practice, nor a good tune on my rig for the conditions, I was painfully slow, and never really got going well except in a few spots. The light airs and frustrating wind conditions made tempers short at times, as mark rounding could become difficult. Chuck LeMahieu looked very fast in these conditions, and if he hadn't broken down on the first race, may have won the day from Chris Macaluso. Chris wasn't quite as dominate as usual, there were several firsts to spread around, but was consistent in the win. The TRYC contingent (excepting me) fared well, Chuck LeMahieu 2nd, Mauricio Dantas 4th, and Bob Piper #9th...good job!
Upon getting home I reset PeckForce's rig to its default settings, and made some notes to try and get a good light air baseline for the next time such conditions predominate. As always in a small boat, the secret I think is to stay low and keep moving...I just couldn't get moving enough to execute any plan. Next in the DF series is the White Rock Cup in Dallas...my home turf, I sailed well there last time and hope to make a run...I'll be praying for a good breeze!
The White Rock Cup sign-up is here, and is open to any DF-65, consider the trip!
Russ Gardner (the host of the DF Series in Austin) posted his report here.
Some photos, by Mike Biggs:
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| Clustering at the rounding...not pretty! |
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| A little breeze at the offset settles things out... |
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| Attractive venue, complete with small island. |
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| Chuck sailed well, his #09 ahead of Macaluso here... |
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| Light air start...very tricky to start clear with momentum...I couldn't on this day! |
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| One good moment, PeckForce rounds near the head of the fleet before being annihilated on the downwind run... |
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| A touch of breeze on this pre-start... |
Monday, April 4, 2016
TRYC RG-65 Club Racing; 4/2/2016
We had a great day of racing for the monthly club RG-65 day, getting eight boats (including one visiting custom 36/600) on the water for some good racing...complete with an appearance by the elusive David Eldridge, who raced (and won) several times with Eric's boat. We had the open RG's outnumber the DF's for the first time in a long while, with Eric, Mauricio, and I running swing-rigs, and Bob getting his yellow "Banana Boat" going in a fractional rig that was a bit bigger than DF, but lower aspect than the other RG's. Bob is still working this boat up, but my opinion is it will be fast in the mid-to-heavy wind ranges. Eric and I share identical sail plans, so it's an interesting comparison.
Eric won the day easily, sailing with A-rig all day (despite some near pitch-poles) with David sailing a few firsts with it as well. We didn't keep the results, but I suspect I finished 2nd with three 1st's, two 2nd's, and two 3rd's. Mauricio tried several rigs again, and was uniformly fast. Bob, and the DF's started off a bit slower, but as the wind built into upper-A ranges for the open RG's, they became very fast and competitive. The fractional rigs also caught a break when the wind shifted several times to turn the runs into reaches; a swing-rigs advantage is the downwind leg (it is fast upwind, but must usually sail lower, which tends to be a push from a VMG standpoint)...the repeated reaching legs made for difficulty with the swing rigs because it replaced large portions of the race that should be their best leg (running) with their worst (reaching). Educational to say the least, and I for one benefitted from practice trying to hold them off on those reaches! I had to drop to the B-rig for two races, and the DF's were right on top of me, and very tough downwind with their greater sail area (being able to stay in A).
Anyhow, a beautiful day, and great racing. Pictures, below, as usual. Next week, the DF Series is off to Austin, I hope to see you there!
Eric won the day easily, sailing with A-rig all day (despite some near pitch-poles) with David sailing a few firsts with it as well. We didn't keep the results, but I suspect I finished 2nd with three 1st's, two 2nd's, and two 3rd's. Mauricio tried several rigs again, and was uniformly fast. Bob, and the DF's started off a bit slower, but as the wind built into upper-A ranges for the open RG's, they became very fast and competitive. The fractional rigs also caught a break when the wind shifted several times to turn the runs into reaches; a swing-rigs advantage is the downwind leg (it is fast upwind, but must usually sail lower, which tends to be a push from a VMG standpoint)...the repeated reaching legs made for difficulty with the swing rigs because it replaced large portions of the race that should be their best leg (running) with their worst (reaching). Educational to say the least, and I for one benefitted from practice trying to hold them off on those reaches! I had to drop to the B-rig for two races, and the DF's were right on top of me, and very tough downwind with their greater sail area (being able to stay in A).
Anyhow, a beautiful day, and great racing. Pictures, below, as usual. Next week, the DF Series is off to Austin, I hope to see you there!
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| Mustang, rigged and ready! |
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| A Blue Splash (Mustang) and two DF65's warming-up before racing began. |
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| Two DF65's...they got very competitive as the wind built, the Dragons like it over 9mph! |
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| Mustang, a Blue Splash, spent most of her day powering along in her tall A-rig |
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| The wind slowly built... |
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| Beautiful weather at Rymer today. |
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| We had a good turnout; seven boats! |
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| Pre-start maneuvers... |
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| Day-O! Bob Piper's Banana Boat got rolling today! |
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| At the gun, starboard tack boats go to port, Mustang and Mauricio (#71) go low looking for a lift... |
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| Note the high aspect rigs on #62 and #11, advantageous in the lighter airs... |
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| Eric's #11 in the lead, as it went for most of the day. |
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| Pulling away from the start, close racing... |
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| The boats low on the start get their hoped for lift as the pack converges on the mark... |
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| Will they catch the leaders? |
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| Almost...Mustang hot on Eric's heels at the mark... |
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| Eric pulls away downwind as the fleet rounds... |
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| Mustang's lift put her in second by Eric is comfortably ahead... |
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| The shifty wind makes the run more of a reach... |
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| ...in a reach the fractionally rigged boats are a bit better off... |
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| Nonetheless, as went much of the day; Eric ahead with Mustang chasing in 2nd... |
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| ...while the rest of the fleet hunts for a good breeze to roll-up the difference. |
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| Fun, sun, sailing...no complaints! |
Sunday, March 27, 2016
TRYC RG-65 Sailing Day at Railroad Park
We had a good RG-65 sailing day today at Railroad Park in Lewisville, with about 10 skippers in attendance at any given time, and 6 or 7 boats on the water. Afterwards, a couple DF-95's sailed also.
The location, Railroad Park, will host the RG-65 Region 5 Championship in September and it is a very nice venue, with a good breeze that blows right down the pond, easy launching areas, and good sight-lines. Parking and Restrooms are conveniently nearby...I was quite impressed with the venue and think it should be a terrific regatta, I hope to see many of you in September!
Bob Piper brought out his RG-65 from Breaking Winds, and had it going pretty well in the windy conditions...it still requires some minor running rigging adjustments, and he switched to his DF-65 for the racing...I didn't get a chance to get any pictures, but I look forward to seeing it again soon! Mauricio brought out his RG, and a number of inventive rigs, and Roo and I brought Mustang and PeckForce (Peck is still in for a refit). The rest of the fleet rounded out in the ubiquitous DragonForce's. There didn't seem to be any wind when we left for the lake, so I left the B-rigs at home...of course it cranked right up once we got there, I'd say a steady 12-13 mph with gusts over 15. The DF's A-rig can handle that, but Mustang couldn't stay up on the runs very easily. We got in at east 6 scored races, with several skipper switches so guys could try boats, or visitors could sail. The results, as I have them were:
1. 65-50--71-61
2. 09-50-71-65-61
3. 65-09-62-71-50-61
4. 71-65-(50-09 tied)-61
5. 50-71-09-65-61
6. 71-09-65-50-61
Roo sailed PeckForce to a very credible 2nd in the first race, and I took a second with him in the next one. A slight lull (barely) allowed me to get Mustang out for a race in the 3rd and it was good practice sailing an A-rig in very high-end conditions. I was pleased with how she went and held together...should have brought that darned B-rig! Mauricio sailed a number of rigs, including a "B+" rig that went well in conditions. Bob sailed well as usual, and Chuck took a quick win before helping a new skipper get his DF ready for several races. We had several visitors and new skippers, so boats were changing hands frequently and not always sailed by the same skippers (particularly 09 and 50).
As usual, a few pictures...
The location, Railroad Park, will host the RG-65 Region 5 Championship in September and it is a very nice venue, with a good breeze that blows right down the pond, easy launching areas, and good sight-lines. Parking and Restrooms are conveniently nearby...I was quite impressed with the venue and think it should be a terrific regatta, I hope to see many of you in September!
Bob Piper brought out his RG-65 from Breaking Winds, and had it going pretty well in the windy conditions...it still requires some minor running rigging adjustments, and he switched to his DF-65 for the racing...I didn't get a chance to get any pictures, but I look forward to seeing it again soon! Mauricio brought out his RG, and a number of inventive rigs, and Roo and I brought Mustang and PeckForce (Peck is still in for a refit). The rest of the fleet rounded out in the ubiquitous DragonForce's. There didn't seem to be any wind when we left for the lake, so I left the B-rigs at home...of course it cranked right up once we got there, I'd say a steady 12-13 mph with gusts over 15. The DF's A-rig can handle that, but Mustang couldn't stay up on the runs very easily. We got in at east 6 scored races, with several skipper switches so guys could try boats, or visitors could sail. The results, as I have them were:
1. 65-50--71-61
2. 09-50-71-65-61
3. 65-09-62-71-50-61
4. 71-65-(50-09 tied)-61
5. 50-71-09-65-61
6. 71-09-65-50-61
Roo sailed PeckForce to a very credible 2nd in the first race, and I took a second with him in the next one. A slight lull (barely) allowed me to get Mustang out for a race in the 3rd and it was good practice sailing an A-rig in very high-end conditions. I was pleased with how she went and held together...should have brought that darned B-rig! Mauricio sailed a number of rigs, including a "B+" rig that went well in conditions. Bob sailed well as usual, and Chuck took a quick win before helping a new skipper get his DF ready for several races. We had several visitors and new skippers, so boats were changing hands frequently and not always sailed by the same skippers (particularly 09 and 50).
As usual, a few pictures...
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| Roo and Cash warming up before racing. |
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| DF guru Chuck helping ready a new boat. |
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| Mauricio's latest; with a "B+" rig. Note the aft position of the fin... |
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| Plenty of room for skippers at Railroad Park... |
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| Panoramic shot of the sailing area; the shore runs straight and is distorted by the panoramic feature, a very nice venue! |
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| Too windy for the A-rig, but got a few races in; everything stayed tight & dry in the overpowering conditions, a good test! |
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| Running upwind in a blow; note the swing-rig angled off to dump to speed and keep her feet up. |
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| Roo skippering PeckForce, he pulled a 2nd right of the bat! |
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| Mauricio heading in to the control area. |
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| Quite a few boats out today; some skippers swapping boats! |
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| Nice venue, good sight lines & wind, plenty of room. |
Sunday, March 13, 2016
More Reader Built Boats!
I received this message from reader György in New Caledonia (the internet makes for a small world!) I'm glad to say reading my blog encouraged him to build his own Blue Splash RG-65...his note and pictures follow:
Hi Christopher,
Just a couple of pics of one of our saturday mornings of regatta. As you can see, Xtasy the blue splash is in good position, ahead of different rg 65 and others, it’s honestly the case most of the time (as far as I’m not too stupid). You can recognise 2 goths (violet and white) a Palo de agua (red) and behind the last conception of a good friend: a trimaran (first time on water).
I’ve almost finished a new boat: MaLi, deutsch slim design, I’m gona take pics and will send them to you. It’s very different, I will let you now if it can be a good alternative to Blue Splash that I still like at the moment, but can’t stay without building something different so...
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| Extasy, an ERC Blue Splash kit with fractional rig... |
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| ...it leads the pack! |
Thanks for sharing György, good luck!
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