Are AWBs faster than classics?

Fergus

Fergus

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Just looking at the latest YM - the 2 they test have a longer wetted length than my 1974 32 footer (around 25ft waterline). What are the pros/cons in terms of sailing performance between the old/new designs? I can get about 6-6.5 knots even though she cuts through the waves really well (fin & skeg)
 
Pros - new AWBs definitely sail faster, especially when the sea gets up. First yacht I had in the 70's (long keel) could do 6 knots to windward on calm water but as soon as there was any sea she slowed down. New ones also accelerate faster and are better under power.

Cons - new AWBs loose rudder grip far more dramatically than the old ones. As the gust hits the helm gets a bit heavy and then bang, up she rounds. Old ones gave you more warning and as you crank on more rudder the extra drag means the round up is gentle.

Of course the biggest difference is interior room - where there's no comparison.
 
I'd have to disagree with you slightly there ...
IME the smaller AWBs tend to slam more in a larger sea - so although they are quick off the block, they can't keep it up (so to speak!) and the MABs come into their own by slicing through the waves (albeit not at top speed!)
We had a 22' MacWester Rowan - took it out in some larger waves when the AWBs were turning back - it was plain that we'd give up before the boat did!
 
My mid 70\'s \'classic\' .....

EOLA_01.jpg


baltsail_29-6-03e.jpg


Shows her clean stern to vast majority of new boats ...... especially AWB's ...... the second picture is her STOMPING past a modern AWB .... on her way to win the Baltic Regatta in '03

Pine on oak frames, hand-built boat ........ with no fear of keel dropping off !!

OK - yes the average AWB is faster than traditional classic's of the cruising style ... but the old race classics can still hold their own ... Contessa, Sigma, S&S, etc. So don't dismiss the classics so easily ...... you just might be in for a shock !!

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Re: My mid 70\'s \'classic\' .....

That wind indicator on the foredeck is a classic bit of eastern european overengineriing
 
Wind indicator !!!

Nice one !!!

Eolasold012.jpg


Here she is having had all paint stripped of hull and ready to fair up for another seasons success ... new owners now though ... (tears starting). And you can see the keel dropped for bolt checking and replace of part of keel frame ..... try that on a AWB !!!!
 
Re: Wind indicator !!!

[ QUOTE ]
paint stripped of hull and ready to fair up for another season

[/ QUOTE ] Much as I love wood I swerved away from buying a Folkboat for this very reason. The constant maintenance is a bit wearing.
 
It didn\'t actually need it ...

New owner decided to strip back to bare and then see what then ... I hope actually he cleans up and varnishes !!!
 
Re: It didn\'t actually need it ...

AWBs* faster in all but buttock clenching conditions, and by quite a lot downwind.

However, MABs have a much more comfortable motion, so you can keep going for longer in stiffstuff and arrive feeling less creamcrackered.

*For some reason my 28' does seem to go upwind faster than Bav 40s
 
If you say your boat is faster than mine, then you are right. If anyone else tells me an upright symmetric bilge keeler sails well to windward, they are right too. Long keelers are as agile as any canted fin water ballasted boat, which is also true. Old cruising sails will outperform this modern plastic stuff, how true.
Pouffy sails and rigs on new boats need reefing early, so that makes them so tender they cant be fast, I know its true.
Varnish is more hydrodynamic than gelcoat, definitely true.
Each owner is compelled to wear rose tinted spectacles when recounting tales of derring do, and any two boats on the same horizon are racing, its all true.
Its not true of course that passage speed records are broken, they merely had better conditions on the day.
Its also true that those in charge of rating boats have lost the plot, as they seem to rate my scow of a wide cruising bum thing higher than the grand prix 3/4 tonner of the same length from a while ago. Musht be shome mishtake, shurely?
But I can motor at 8.9kts, and I cant recall any of my previous boats doing that.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Re: It didn\'t actually need it ...

" AWBs* faster in all but buttock clenching conditions, and by quite a lot downwind. "

Or as a Liz 29 owner put it, "You're not going well until you can see Mullet through the cabin window." They are built to go faster when heeling, putting an extra 4' on the waterline length, and I reckon that an F5 with 1 reef in the main and the No.1 jib is about optimum.
 
Re: or a

It's quite obviously a wind speed indicator with built-in gull-scaring speakers. There is a choice of playing Des O'Connor or Meatloaf.
The gulls round here actually quite like Meatloaf, so it has to be Des.
 
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