A few changes in the form guide?
First Scott made a token Boycott on behalf of Woollahra and the SIRS ragatta, apparently wasting his time at a 49er promo day.
Secondly local king Dave broke his gantry mid week and the repair was not set up at the correct angle, (thats his excuse anyway) so he trailed the leaders all the way.
The star was Andrew in his 5 year old Prowler who lead well for 3 of the 4 laps, and around all but the first and last marks with excellent pace, only to drop into a light patch up the last work and get passed by Luka and Ben.
We had a good southerly from 12 to 20 in the puffs and a fleet of 15, 10 locals and 5 visitors.
My own race was a keen fight with Alistair and Pete for 6th. With Steve just far enough ahead to be encouraging. Good fun and some very fast downwind legs in the gusts.
I am getting much better at gybing only putting down two, which was a great releif after a practice run on Thursday with Andrew in a solid NE where I seemed to put down the lot.
Some improvements to the boat this week, still learning and its getting easier with our quality fleet and generous knowledge exchange.
Results:
Luka Damic, Prowler Zero,
Ben Croker, Prowler Zero,
Andrew Stevenson, Prowler 2004
Dave Lister, Gilmore/Lister Alpha
Steve Donovan, Prowler Zero,
Phil Stevenson, Hungry Tiger,
Peter Harney, Hungry Tiger
Ian Sim, Scow
DNF: Clive Watts, Chris Dixon, Lea Sitja, Grant Weymouth, Bruce McLeod, Allistair Gibson, James McKenzie.
No serious damage, just little things and tired bodies.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Decks on.
Decks are on Karma and joints taped. It weighs 9kg (subtractive method with bathroom scales so maybe not really accurate) which is more than I wished for but lighter than most moths.Picture shows progress, hull with mast tube, main foil, gantry.
Rudder next than wings.
Not a render but a real boat! Us computer slobs have to get our hands dirty in the workshop.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Karma progress
We the main deck is on. There is a bit of trimming to do but its about 7kg so I am happy with progress so far. With the minimal wings planned I am sure we will have one of the lightest moths around.
Now I'm sorting out the wand/flap linkages.
Hinged the flap today with a true no gap hinge line, its a real barrel hinge full depth of the foil made from carbon tubes and SS wire. Had one many years ago on a really dodgy foil, the hinge worked then but not the foil. This time its in one of John Ilett's proven moldings. The subtle hinge line with no gap top and bottom certainly looks like it should reduce drag, and it moves so freely.
Nice to see Mach2 has a raked rudder bearing on the gantry. Its a good idea, Andrew tried it early this season and I have since modified mine to match. It seems to help reduce ventilation by raking the rudder like the centreboard. Back when my Tiger was new I tried raking the blade without raking the pivot, but even with all the blade behind the pivot, steering got lighter and lighter the higher the boat flew, and it was very unsteadying. (see the picture on the right of this page). Matching the pivot with the rake does make the feel more consistant but it does apply a bow up component when the rudder is turned. I have not tried it yet but this might make sailing downwind in big waves a bit more difficult than it already is? Anyway the Karma gantry I built last week has 5 degrees of rake built in.
Seems all the new boats now have carbon or SS pushrods instead of the old Bowden cables which seemed to be good when new but were susceptible to damage and increased friction with use. Since we all converted the number of crashes from ride height control has reduced dramatically.
My Tiger never had a cable but the first generation thru deck rod/tube was not great and since replacing it last winter with a better aligned setup, everything just works great. For Karma I have reversed the bellcrank directions so now the " pushrod" will be in tension so I am looking at using a simple low stretch line, lighter, less likely to kink, bend or jam and just simpler, exactly the theme of the whole boat.
Now I'm sorting out the wand/flap linkages.
Hinged the flap today with a true no gap hinge line, its a real barrel hinge full depth of the foil made from carbon tubes and SS wire. Had one many years ago on a really dodgy foil, the hinge worked then but not the foil. This time its in one of John Ilett's proven moldings. The subtle hinge line with no gap top and bottom certainly looks like it should reduce drag, and it moves so freely.
Nice to see Mach2 has a raked rudder bearing on the gantry. Its a good idea, Andrew tried it early this season and I have since modified mine to match. It seems to help reduce ventilation by raking the rudder like the centreboard. Back when my Tiger was new I tried raking the blade without raking the pivot, but even with all the blade behind the pivot, steering got lighter and lighter the higher the boat flew, and it was very unsteadying. (see the picture on the right of this page). Matching the pivot with the rake does make the feel more consistant but it does apply a bow up component when the rudder is turned. I have not tried it yet but this might make sailing downwind in big waves a bit more difficult than it already is? Anyway the Karma gantry I built last week has 5 degrees of rake built in.
Seems all the new boats now have carbon or SS pushrods instead of the old Bowden cables which seemed to be good when new but were susceptible to damage and increased friction with use. Since we all converted the number of crashes from ride height control has reduced dramatically.
My Tiger never had a cable but the first generation thru deck rod/tube was not great and since replacing it last winter with a better aligned setup, everything just works great. For Karma I have reversed the bellcrank directions so now the " pushrod" will be in tension so I am looking at using a simple low stretch line, lighter, less likely to kink, bend or jam and just simpler, exactly the theme of the whole boat.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
NSW Interclub at Balmoral
Just home from the race.
A sick SE wind over middle head made for a patchy course. 12 foilers and three scows so a reasonale fleet. Dave got recalled so Scott, Andrew, Luka and Ben were up front at the first mark. Dave eventually got past Luka and Scott at different times but at the finish Scott won from fly weight Matt Day, Luka, Dave and Andrew then Alistair in the firat BR.
Most people were happy with their speed but found holes in the wind to explain ther places.
I was happy for half a race and was in front of Andrew (after he swam) when my vang decided to break. After that I sailed a lap with it slack unlil lapped and the pulled the pin to be first back to the beach.
Dave said the last few times he sailed against Scott it has been patchy, but for now Scott has earned the respect as the fastet moth in Sydney.
Much rumour oubout James MacKenzie and his new boat. Every one knew he has the first Mach2 order. So all expectant. He fronted with a 1964 vintage fibreglass scow predating wings, which he picked up for $200 a few weeks back. It did not loook like the renders on Simon's Blog but he did finish the race.
A sick SE wind over middle head made for a patchy course. 12 foilers and three scows so a reasonale fleet. Dave got recalled so Scott, Andrew, Luka and Ben were up front at the first mark. Dave eventually got past Luka and Scott at different times but at the finish Scott won from fly weight Matt Day, Luka, Dave and Andrew then Alistair in the firat BR.
Most people were happy with their speed but found holes in the wind to explain ther places.
I was happy for half a race and was in front of Andrew (after he swam) when my vang decided to break. After that I sailed a lap with it slack unlil lapped and the pulled the pin to be first back to the beach.
Dave said the last few times he sailed against Scott it has been patchy, but for now Scott has earned the respect as the fastet moth in Sydney.
Much rumour oubout James MacKenzie and his new boat. Every one knew he has the first Mach2 order. So all expectant. He fronted with a 1964 vintage fibreglass scow predating wings, which he picked up for $200 a few weeks back. It did not loook like the renders on Simon's Blog but he did finish the race.
Karma
Since Bruce has now published my interview on the Mothcast and revealed all my ideas about new moths I guess its time to post some pictured of whats in the shed. 
When we did the interview, just before the worlds in July, my plans were to build a stressed ply hull for a plug and build a carbon / foam shell. But since then I have acquired the damaged hull of Karma Package Deal and as I still think the Hungry Tiger is the best hull in the water, and Thorpey builds lighter than I can, I decided to develop my low windage ideas around the Tiger hull. About 100mm of freeboard was removed along with flares and most of the foredeck. The main deck is the cockpit flipped over. Lots of material reuse in the internal structure but I still threw out 5kg of surplus materail.
The photos show the hull with deck panels sitting on top loose. The insides are complete with all hard points for wings and gantry plus fin case and mast tube. Deck should go on this week.
As I indicated in the interview the mast is a little forward from std at 900mm from the bow because that is where there was some framing, not the 500 of Chainsaw Mk2 or 800 of Chainsaw Mk3. The fin case is 150 in front of the Tiger position.
Foils are underway, gantry is complete but rig and wings will take a while. I need to sell the canoe first.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Still ventilating the rudder
Although I finished a close third to Lea I really did not have a great race. The rudder continues to ventilate at high speed, despite careful fairing and sanding with an accurate profiled template.
Again we had 9 moths starting but again only three finished with a mixture of gear failures and lost enthusiasm from those who withdrew. It was a gusty westerly which started out at about 12kts with big holes and ended up as a solid 20. Lots of fun and plenty of swims.
Dave who usually wins each week had an off day. Not only did a few of us cross him up the first work, followed by Andrew and Luka putting on a fair chase, but then he managed to break a centreboard brass pushrod and so pulled out of the race. From my point of view it was a good feeling to be with a few fast boats at least up the first work.
But then my ventilation problems returned? Swims from spin outs and some from poor gybes, but I did nearly catch Lea as the wind freshened towards the end.
Analysis with Andrew concludes that my rudder is more vertical than his, the same molding and he does not have a problem, going very fast at last. So this week's exercise is to adjust the T joint connection for a few more degrees of forward rake. Not so hard with the detatchable T. And the rudder box has plenty of scope for more range.
Next week we have an interclub at Balmoral. Most of the StGeorge crew are going. It will be good to mix it with the Balmoral Bladeriders and Woollahra fleet. At this early stage the forecast is for a moderate southerly, at least that tends to keep the yacht and skiff fleets clear of our race course, othersize its very crowded.
Again we had 9 moths starting but again only three finished with a mixture of gear failures and lost enthusiasm from those who withdrew. It was a gusty westerly which started out at about 12kts with big holes and ended up as a solid 20. Lots of fun and plenty of swims.
Dave who usually wins each week had an off day. Not only did a few of us cross him up the first work, followed by Andrew and Luka putting on a fair chase, but then he managed to break a centreboard brass pushrod and so pulled out of the race. From my point of view it was a good feeling to be with a few fast boats at least up the first work.
But then my ventilation problems returned? Swims from spin outs and some from poor gybes, but I did nearly catch Lea as the wind freshened towards the end.
Analysis with Andrew concludes that my rudder is more vertical than his, the same molding and he does not have a problem, going very fast at last. So this week's exercise is to adjust the T joint connection for a few more degrees of forward rake. Not so hard with the detatchable T. And the rudder box has plenty of scope for more range.
Next week we have an interclub at Balmoral. Most of the StGeorge crew are going. It will be good to mix it with the Balmoral Bladeriders and Woollahra fleet. At this early stage the forecast is for a moderate southerly, at least that tends to keep the yacht and skiff fleets clear of our race course, othersize its very crowded.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Foils for sale
I have two used foils to sell.
Two centreboards/main foils. Both are carbon moldings finished in gloss white two pack. Std 120mm chord and sections (within my building tollerances) They have flaps and pushrods installed. They are from my mold as used by Andrew, me and Thorpey for foils under boats like RTFM/Revolations, Sector 7G, Butterfly wings, Tiger on a Chain, Cahinsaw.etc.
1. Main foil #1. Built for Tiger on a Chain and used from late 2005 to end of 06/7 season. Damaged at Sunshine nationals and repaired and used extensively afterwards. 3.75kg. $500
2. Main foil #2 Built for Tiger on a Chain and used for the 07/8 season, never damaged. Fast enough in the light to win three heats of last NSW champs. Has new hinge and bottom gap seal. 3.2kg. $600
Both have the normal 7-8 degree forward rake. 900mm span main foil, centreboard length about 1350mm.
No rudder but I can convert the old foil to rudder rake/span if someone wants it.
Suit foil conversion of an old Axeman or Tiger.
They will get you flying easilly but will not win any championships.
Pick up Sydney.
No rudder box, tiller, deck pushrod or wand included but I might be able to assist with some bits and pieces if someone needs a complete set of gear.
Contact Phil Stevenson
ph Aust 02 98161028
phil(at)moth(dot)asn(dot)au
Two centreboards/main foils. Both are carbon moldings finished in gloss white two pack. Std 120mm chord and sections (within my building tollerances) They have flaps and pushrods installed. They are from my mold as used by Andrew, me and Thorpey for foils under boats like RTFM/Revolations, Sector 7G, Butterfly wings, Tiger on a Chain, Cahinsaw.etc.
1. Main foil #1. Built for Tiger on a Chain and used from late 2005 to end of 06/7 season. Damaged at Sunshine nationals and repaired and used extensively afterwards. 3.75kg. $500
2. Main foil #2 Built for Tiger on a Chain and used for the 07/8 season, never damaged. Fast enough in the light to win three heats of last NSW champs. Has new hinge and bottom gap seal. 3.2kg. $600
Both have the normal 7-8 degree forward rake. 900mm span main foil, centreboard length about 1350mm.
No rudder but I can convert the old foil to rudder rake/span if someone wants it.
Suit foil conversion of an old Axeman or Tiger.
They will get you flying easilly but will not win any championships.
Pick up Sydney.
No rudder box, tiller, deck pushrod or wand included but I might be able to assist with some bits and pieces if someone needs a complete set of gear.
Contact Phil Stevenson
ph Aust 02 98161028
phil(at)moth(dot)asn(dot)au
Sunday, November 2, 2008
St George Moths 1/11/08
First heat of the Club Championship.
We had 9 boats rigged for a moderate southerly but it seems we are a slack lot and only 5 made the start line on time. A couple of others started late but with the wind a bit gusty and coolish there were a few excuses to pull out and only three of us made the full distance. Dave won as usual, with Steve chasing and me a way back.
But for the first few marks I seemed to be hanging in there, still keeping Dave in sight and rounding ahead of Steve, but then a port tack downwind showed up some major rudder ventilation problems and 3 swims later they were gone.
Last week at sunshine I was having occasional ventilation at speed, so during the week I had glued on a 2mm glass rod and re faired the leading edge for a sharper entry. It worked OK upwind and downwind on Std but there must be some assymetry there somewhere and as soon as I built speed on port, the rudder vertical would let go and the boat gybe.
Subsequent downwinds were sailed as slow as I could to keep the boat flying but not ventilating, unusual way to be racing.
Today I am making an accurate sanding template to clean up the leading edge, something I should have done last week I suppose but we learn the hard way. I hope to compete the adjustments and do some trials mid week so I klnow its right before next week's race.
We had 9 boats rigged for a moderate southerly but it seems we are a slack lot and only 5 made the start line on time. A couple of others started late but with the wind a bit gusty and coolish there were a few excuses to pull out and only three of us made the full distance. Dave won as usual, with Steve chasing and me a way back.
But for the first few marks I seemed to be hanging in there, still keeping Dave in sight and rounding ahead of Steve, but then a port tack downwind showed up some major rudder ventilation problems and 3 swims later they were gone.
Last week at sunshine I was having occasional ventilation at speed, so during the week I had glued on a 2mm glass rod and re faired the leading edge for a sharper entry. It worked OK upwind and downwind on Std but there must be some assymetry there somewhere and as soon as I built speed on port, the rudder vertical would let go and the boat gybe.
Subsequent downwinds were sailed as slow as I could to keep the boat flying but not ventilating, unusual way to be racing.
Today I am making an accurate sanding template to clean up the leading edge, something I should have done last week I suppose but we learn the hard way. I hope to compete the adjustments and do some trials mid week so I klnow its right before next week's race.
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