Introduction
Yesterday we tried out the latest of Craig's development platforms. The goal is to have an all round boat that will handle the flat water venues of the first IOM ranking event near Scarborough and the National's at lincoln and then the waves of Datchet if the wind blows across the reservoir.
The joy of working with Craig, is knowing that his designs come from his own head and not from any development of the latest greatest designs. He works by the power of observation on the water and translates those ideas onto the drawing board. His 3 D printed designs are a development of his GRP Chimera design. The boats are made of PLA+ with a single wrap of glass and the weight allows for a healthy dose of corrector weights. There is an element of excitement and frustration to each new design as the good and bad points are revealed.
This year the weather has not helped rarely providing the desired conditions to test the strong points of the design. Its a long process getting to the point where we have a world beater and made all the tougher knowing we sail on ponds and lakes, whereas all the international events tend to be held on more open water, often with a Mediterranean like chop.
The great benefit of being Craig's tuning/testing partner is the amount of learning about sailing techniques and the sharpening of boat on boat skills as well as the constant learning about rigs. Constant use of mixing whilst sailing upwind, starting practice, smooth tacking, slick gybing (goosewing to goosewing) builds intuitive skills.
Getting the hull design right is one thing, but the speed comes from the rig. I have covered this in previous post so no need to say any more. How many times to you see a top design let down by an inefficient rig.
Onto the designs.
Proteus V2
We know that Proteus V2 is a winner in light weather, however the design is challenged when it come to the top end of the A rig in gusty weather or in a good chop and under top end B rig and C rig in waves. It has a tendency to put its nose down before other designs and bury in waves rather than ride over them. However in a steady top A rig breeze on flat water, the bow holds up nicely and V2 the boat of choice for light to medium weather.
Proteus V X+1
Craig had a rethink on the design to overcome the challenges and produced a much fuller more powerful boat, which fingers crossed, solves the nose and chop issue without losing the upwind advantage. The hull design looks good and will appreciate the power from my max draft Sailboat RC moulded sails on a mast with 5mm prebend. Remember the shrouds do all the work at the top of the mast. One thing I really like about this rig is in light weather is you have little tension anywhere so the jib will goosewing downwind very easily The next time I can test the package is at Emsworth on Thursday when the high pressure over the country moves away and the wind returns. Then we have a final two days over the weekend to assess the new design.
Boat Testing
Yesterday, our testing was difficult in 0 to 5 mph wind from various directions. We sailed with a Venti, V12, Proteus V2 and Proteus VX and the new Nemesis for a brief time. The new designs were a bit sticky in next to no wind althouth it has to be said the rigs were thrown together, but as soon as the wind picked up they showed their potential. The winner in that wind was definitely the Proteus V2 with a rig with 16mm prebend and all round (mid draft) moulded sails.
How will the current new modifications work out. Time will tell but the Proteus X+1 is primed and ready to go. More news after further testing.
This years Ranking points sailing venues:
Nationals venue - Lincoln over 200m by 200m gravel pit
Ranking 1 venue - Scarborough 600m by 400m but because there is a peninsular of land sticking into the lake the run of open water to the sailing course to windward shore is far less
Ranking 2 venue Datchet reservoir approx 1.5km by 1km. Here we can see anything from flat water to 1-2 foot waves and is the Worlds venue for 2026.
Woodspring - Compact marine lake beside the Severn Estuary.
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