[MHml] Bottoms, Proas and Biplanes

[TLam45387 at aol.com]

Have been away sailing so just three items:

1.   Used the 17.5 pound Bruce for the one month trip in mostly mud and it 
performed even better than in the past.   Then one day we dropped it in an area 
noted ast STK   (sticky) on the charts and it did nothing in four tries. First 
two tries it never bit and second two it bit but dragged.   Then tried the 25 
pound CQR and it bit instantly (unusual) and held perfectly.   Does anyone 
know what this sort of a bottom is supposed to consist of?

2. Saw the Harry Proa in a backyard in Rockland, Maine and it appeared to be 
doing nothing and the wife said is was leaving very soon.   Any further info?

3. Have answered several questions about biplane rigs from persons interested 
in them and have concluded they are a good idea for the purpose of crowding 
on as much sail area as possibe for top speed in high wind as with the 
Kettleman tri fouler.   Where the idea seems deficient is is light air where the 
objective, particularly for a cat, should be to get some sail area up into the 
light air that is moving.   Lots of sail area down low is a waste in this 
situation.   The old schooneer guys had the right idea with the removable topmasts.   
I think the practical solution for a cat is a very tall stick with a very 
easily reefed mainsail.

Tom LaMers  
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