Older Southerly rudder configuration

[Greenheart]

I certainly regret any pot-boiling consequences my 'hijack' may have caused.

The whole issue of adjustable draft in yachts, seemed as well-addressed here as anywhere; admittedly I wasn't thinking of such vessels' rudder-vulnerability in particular, but contributors on the one subject are well-placed to speak on the other, I believe.

I'm pretty sure we don't all have the sailing design-solutions which we feel suit our style of use perfectly, or even mostly. That's why, at a time when I'm "between boats", I'm really uncertain what I'd pick, given a free choice...I haven't seen the ideal combination of features.

I'd hope my sort of dissatisfaction is a spur to new ideas (even if they're only my own!) as well as a wistful hope to see more of old ideas which were dropped too soon. I do so here, because many responses draw my attention to excellent existing designs I didn't know about.

Tranona's inevitable dismissal of my enduring discontent seems based on a solid belief that in general, the best-possible design-solutions are already with us, in exactly the numbers which we, the market, dictate...

...that point of view seems to me to overlook unfortunate wider economic circumstances (and some lousy local human decision-making) which sees yards fail during construction of much-admired and coveted yachts...

...often as not, when new money takes over an existing yard, it brings new design-initiatives, and the original hulls (which the company remains famous for, decades later) suddenly cease construction...

...that may be a form of evolution, but the almost-unanimous popularity of certain 'classic' designs in spite of the relatively small number produced, does not seem to me to indicate smooth supply & demand in a market which knows, and gets, what it would like.

On a lighter note, while I'm thinking about inspired designs which the wayward industry so wilfully, selfishly deprives us of...

...has anybody tried a twin-keeler without ballast in either leg, but with laterally-pendulous, canting ballast which can swing, attaching temporarily to port or starboard leg, to increase righting moment on each tack? I've heard of canting keels, but none which could dry out.

 

[NigelCraig]

Glad it was useful, let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll try to help.

You will be a bit busy sailing alone in shallow water as it takes around 86 strokes to raise the keel. Not a huge effort but it does take a few minutes. I guess that you'd mostly just lift 1/2 way and leave it there if entering shallow water . That will give you some directional stability with much reduced draft. Problems usually occur in crowded areas in windy weather. That's when it is very useful to have someone on the keel control if it is shallow as you can start, stop and pivot on the spot with ease.

I actually preferred to enter a harbour with 3-4 feet of depth rather than 6+ feet. I knew that I could stop instantly with the handbrake (keel down) and then turn to point in any desired direction before moving again (just lift keel slightly and pivot using prop wash).

Sorry just one supplementary question. it's occurred to me that given location in SW Leicestershire, a berth on the east coast might make much more sense than S/SW coast. In which case i understand the key is ability to sail up/down the Wallet in NE-SW direction and reverse which, in the prevailing winds means, as well as shallow draft (I've read Maurice Griffiths "Magic of the Swatchways!") you need a boat that will run without rolling all over the place (broad beam carried aft?) and sail well upwind. How far do you think the S95/105 satisfy that criteria?

 

[Mistroma]

Sorry just one supplementary question. it's occurred to me that given location in SW Leicestershire, a berth on the east coast might make much more sense than S/SW coast. In which case i understand the key is ability to sail up/down the Wallet in NE-SW direction and reverse which, in the prevailing winds means, as well as shallow draft (I've read Maurice Griffiths "Magic of the Swatchways!") you need a boat that will run without rolling all over the place (broad beam carried aft?) and sail well upwind. How far do you think the S95/105 satisfy that criteria?

Can't speak about the S105 but the S95 was a bit of a handful on a run in strong winds with fairly big seas. However, I never found this to be a major problem in the time we had one. Cruising covered many trips to Holland, Ireland, of east coast of Scotland & England and west coast of Scotland.

From memory, the problem was just that she was tricky to steer (stern wandering from side to side and helm quite heavy). But I never once considered changing the boat because of this small drawback. I suspect that she wasn't much worse than many modern AWBs of similar size. High windage but still sails quite well upwind when cruising.

I did make the odd short video but nothing showing behaviour downwind. e.g. I mention heavy helm here but you can see that it isn't a problem in moderate wind sailing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRY2lIBrdc).