Formula One to go into sailing.

[Nostrodamus]

I see from this report that a Formula One team have gone into sailing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22563038

I agree with a lot of things said which in essence states that the modern racing boat is prone to failure through ill designed parts. The team plan to bring F1 technology and reliability into racing. This can only make the sport better surely as I would rather see 20 boats still racing at the end rather than which boat can make it to the finish without dropping to pieces.

One quote I did find interesting was:-

"I was talking to Alex about working for him as a consultant," says Gascoyne, "and he said: 'I can't pay you 100 grand a year because I don't pay anyone that, and that's a complete set of sails and a new rudder.'

Oh for a hundred grand set of sails!!!!

 

[Neil_Y]

Interesting, I must get on the phone to Mike Gascoyne.

Our angle is what can F1 learn from sailing? we developed a material for superyacht spar applications that outperforms most if not all other composites in this type of application, we have one F1 engineer interested but most of the teams have shown little interest. It is new and it is different in materials, structure and performance. We're talking a material for very low friction dry on Ti or ss that can withstand massive loads.

 

[Woodlouse]

I think he's going to be disappointed. Sailing isn't where it was 15 years ago, which is where Gascoyne seems to think it is. Parts and systems in even the Vendee boats are becoming increasingly reliable to the point that the most serious failures now only generally occur after collisions. I should imagine it's rather easy to predict the life of a component that has to drive around a level, clear track every now and then. Much harder to do the same with an item that has to be bashed and thrown around in a totally unpredictable environment that could throw anything from another vessel, a whale or a semi submerged container into your path.

His last thoughts sound as if he's promoting a Clipper Ventures type project for the IMOCA.

 

[Lakesailor]

I think he's going to be disappointed. Sailing isn't where it was 15 years ago, which is where Gascoyne seems to think it is. Parts and systems in even the Vendee boats are becoming increasingly reliable to the point that the most serious failures now only generally occur after collisions. I should imagine it's rather easy to predict the life of a component that has to drive around a level, clear track every now and then. Much harder to do the same with an item that has to be bashed and thrown around in a totally unpredictable environment that could throw anything from another vessel, a whale or a semi submerged container into your path.

His last thoughts sound as if he's promoting a Clipper Ventures type project for the IMOCA.

I think you underestimate the forces involved and the unexpected shock loadings possible.

Maybe the people who he is talking to see more benefit than you suppose.

 

[gordmac]

Quite a few industries make use of the performance engineering skills in motorsport companies.
http://www.the-mia.com/

 

[tudorsailor]

Of course Eddie Jordan is an example of F1 going into sailing in a non-competative way. He is currently on his Oyster 82 dipping in and out of the Oyster World Rally. He has a massive Sunseeker in build. I doubt he would worry about £100k for new sails!

TS

 

[Nostrodamus]

Of course Eddie Jordan is an example of F1 going into sailing in a non-competative way. He is currently on his Oyster 82 dipping in and out of the Oyster World Rally. He has a massive Sunseeker in build. I doubt he would worry about £100k for new sails!

TS

He has also got a very good financial advisor and an accountant that will no doubt see that the boat is registered in a company for corporate entertainment.