Foiling Moths...what's the thing hanging off the bow?

If its a jellyfish, it's probably jellyfish nil, moth one. I know of someone at my inland club who broke a trout a bit...

The annoying thing is weed. If you catch any you tend to stop foiling rather quickly, and the only remedy is a quick capsize to clear it. It's fine in the winter inland as the weed dies back a lot, however in the summer if the water level is low and the weed is doing well, there can be no-go areas on the pond.
 
No probs...but bear in mind in Moth circles I am a mere beginner. For proper advice join the Moth Class UK Facebook group...you will get far better advice than I can offer!
 
My thanks too, for explanations and - momentarily - the desire to be doing it. Iain's classification of the Moth as similar to skiffs, has made me think about RS700s and the MPS.

Probably I'm too fond of relaxation to be that speed-crazed...but I'm wondering how Moths perform beside quick cats like the Hobie FX1.
 
I wouldn't necessarily say that a moth is like a skiff, it's just an easier transition if you are used to a boat where everything has to be in balance to steer it. The old skiff adage "keep the boat under the rig" is even more true in moths...almost "keep yourself under the rig!"

WRT performance against cats, Hayling moths are now sailing off 499...'nuff said.
 
Sailing off 499...? Is that a provisional Portsmouth number? :eek:

As in, almost exactly half the Contender's PY number? That is quick.

Has anyone put foils on an FX1? :)
 
Surprised that they can take up to 90kg. I'm an ex-windsurfer, ex-kitesurfer so always fancied a moth. I had written them off cause I thought my 6'6" 95kg body was just too big (that's why I sail a Phantom:).

Is 90kg enjoyable, cause I could be tempted to eat more salad and try and get weight down a bit.......
 
I want one. (with spare foils)

Looks challenging but it's the launch recovery that must be interesting and expensive, how do you come into a concrete slipway with foils you can't easily lift, or do they lift? I could see some expensive foil meets concrete scenarios.
 
Launching and recovery is a slight PITA, basically to launch you carry it in on it's side, swim it out on its side until you can't touch the floor, right the boat and go. Coming in is easier...a gentle controlled capsize by the slipway and carry the boat out.
 
Well, it's even been done to an Oppie for a laugh!

http://www.sailkarma.com/2009/12/foilborne-optimist.html

Truth is the 600FF never had much of a following. The Moth, being smaller, lighter, and twitcher, delivers a much better experience. Add to that the fact that Moth development is probably at an all time high, and there's well over 150 boats at the worlds attracting some top sailing talent, and there really is little reason to sail the 600FF.

The one advantage is does have is conventional launching and retractable foils, but in every other respect it's nowhere near a moth. I've never sailed one, but I would not much fancy going a long way round the front from the end of the wire in a crash. In addition, some of the main developments are in Moth hull aerodynamics...basically you want a platform that sails well as a "slow" boat, up to about 8kts, where the whole lot lifts and becomes pretty much redundant. It's then all about minimal aerodynamic drag until you land again. The 600FF really does have an awful lot of boat that is quite simply surplus to requirements!
 
moodyNick said:
One of our club members has a Moth in addition to an International Canoe and an International 14 - and he is well known to be 70-something !
Click to expand...

Very impressive.

I can't help thinking the MacGregor 26 could benefit from foils. It only seems to have speed on its side, so emptying the ballast tanks and getting one airborne would at least be a spectacular entertainment. :rolleyes:
 
Purely on the basis of doing something mad, I wonder how high one could foil? If the centreboard and rudder were 2 or 3 feet deeper, would the boat still fly? Wouldn't the Moth be any amount more stable if she had 2 foils on 'bilge-legs', instead of a single centre one?
 
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