[MHml] Bi plane rigs.

[Roy Mills]

At 11:09 PM 9/3/06, you wrote:
>That is not the way I read his comments.  More like "W" than a tacking Harry
>proa.  Build only one mast, one mast base,  one sail, put storage equal to
>the mast weight including the structure in the opposite hull and now you
>have a free standing rig with all of its advantages such as being able to
>insert the mast with the hull on its side,

         Not sure I see that as an advantage, one then has to lift 
the mast and rotate the hull all at the same time, which seems more 
daunting than ever.

>  self depowering in the puffs, and
>no blanketing.  Would it really be a deal breaker to have the mast 20%
>heavier?  Or are you really set on trying the biplane rig?  I hope you go
>for the biplane because I am with Bill in that I want to see more work done
>on it.  I think it could really be a great shorthanded rig for cats.

         I have no wish to fly a hull, and I have no wish to capsize. 
The one pitchpole I did in G & S has quite satisfied me as to a 
lifetime score. Therefore a lower Cof E is attractive in a sail area 
adequate for good performance. Marchaj gave pretty good marks to the 
sprit sail. Dipping lug was better but it is a chore to handle. 
However a bi plane rig with two dipping lugs on opposite sides of 
their masts so that the windward sail is always to leeward of its 
mast would be simpler and cheaper than fully battened high roach 
sails, to the extent that one could afford a bit more sail area to 
make up for the reduced efficiency, though this would also add more 
to the drag. As it happens the first sail for the Bruce foiled 
outrigger kayak is a fully battened sprit, with the sprit hoisted 
halfway up the mast with a curved half wishbone shape. It too has the 
same area as a Laser sail. No decisions yet made as to either sail 
profile or sail area, other than adequate power provided adequately low.


>Robert

         Roy. ( who still wonders why you never came to Hornby Island)