cromarty
New Member
What is this boat please?
Trimaran or stabilised yacht?
- Thread starter cromarty
- Start date
PeteCooper
Well-Known Member
Is it a Sunbird trimaran? I vaguely remember something like that with folding wings.
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
Or was it the Ocean Bird? It does seem to be bigger than I remember, though.
Kilter
Well-Known Member
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
You're probably right. Pity that we cannot see the structure of the folding arms. I am trying to remember if the Ocean Bird had those 'windows' below the sheer, just above the 'knuckle'. I don't think that she did; at least not on the first version. I think that it's close to 40 years ago, no?
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
On second thoughts, have a look at this
Kilter
Well-Known Member
That's all together more convincing! Well done!
alienzdive
Well-Known Member
Why would anyone want to own one of those??
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
That's rather like asking why someone prefers mangoes, or coconuts, or apples or even prunes in custard! Why don't I like MoBo's ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
The simple answer is 'because they like it' !
At the time (mid 60's) trimarans were the 'IN' thing. Very fast, Very stable, Very cool, Very affordable. Two problems were quickly pointed out by their detractors (1) the main hull had less space than a mono, and, (2) 'it' was too wide to be welcome at most places.
The Ocean Bird was an attempt to address these two 'shortcomings'. Space was added by virtue of the 'Westerly-like' knuckle. This retained the narrow waterline while the flare of the topsides gave more space. The flaring also gave a space where the amas (floats) could be parked when they were folded, thus reducing the beam when berthing. This solution was possible because at that time the overall beam was little and the length of the amas was minute - by today's standards.
Nowadays the amas are at least 85% of the overall length of the main hull and each one of them has enough buoyancy to support the total weight of the boat. The length to beam ratio is in the order of 1,5 maximum, usually more like 1,2.
Swing-wing configuration did not really catch on, but the idea of folding certainly did. The modern trend is to fold the amas under the flare as may be seen on the Ian Farrier designs. In all honesty, one must emphasise that a folding configuration is not meant for ocean sailing; it is more suited for limited cruising. IMO.
The simple answer is 'because they like it' !
At the time (mid 60's) trimarans were the 'IN' thing. Very fast, Very stable, Very cool, Very affordable. Two problems were quickly pointed out by their detractors (1) the main hull had less space than a mono, and, (2) 'it' was too wide to be welcome at most places.
The Ocean Bird was an attempt to address these two 'shortcomings'. Space was added by virtue of the 'Westerly-like' knuckle. This retained the narrow waterline while the flare of the topsides gave more space. The flaring also gave a space where the amas (floats) could be parked when they were folded, thus reducing the beam when berthing. This solution was possible because at that time the overall beam was little and the length of the amas was minute - by today's standards.
Nowadays the amas are at least 85% of the overall length of the main hull and each one of them has enough buoyancy to support the total weight of the boat. The length to beam ratio is in the order of 1,5 maximum, usually more like 1,2.
Swing-wing configuration did not really catch on, but the idea of folding certainly did. The modern trend is to fold the amas under the flare as may be seen on the Ian Farrier designs. In all honesty, one must emphasise that a folding configuration is not meant for ocean sailing; it is more suited for limited cruising. IMO.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
There's one of these Flagon Dry things on the pontoon near me.
Dragonfly Tri
Dragonfly Tri
DaveS
Well-Known Member
My pal's got an F27. Goes like the proverbial!
simonfraser
Well-Known Member
a mess !
either go for speed with a proper tri, i have a grainger tri - awsome - or buy a "normal" boat
either go for speed with a proper tri, i have a grainger tri - awsome - or buy a "normal" boat
gandy
Well-Known Member
Where did you spot that? There's an Ocean Bird that sails out of Findhorn and could easily be seen in the Cromarty Firth, or sea area Cromarty.
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
There's also an Ocean bird knocking around the Orwell... was based in Ipswich until fairly recently....
ColinHuggins
N/A
What about the Tristar? There's one at my local club (tho to be honest I think the 'wings' are locked - I've never sen them folded back to attain the max 10ft width that's road-legal.) Limited accommodation for 3 max, but sail comparatively well in the right conditions - it got away hull-down one cross-Channel trip!
DaveS
Well-Known Member
From direct personal observation I can keep up with the F27 on a beat, but with the wind the least bit free it leaves me standing, so from the point of view of speed it seems quite clear to me that it's considerably faster than a longer monohull. Obviously it has less accommodation. I'm not sure what you mean by describing it as "a mess".
I freely admit to knowing little about tris, but no doubt different makes have their own adherents, with views based variously on hard facts or wishful thinking just as with monohulls. (See the divergent views on Bavarias...)
I freely admit to knowing little about tris, but no doubt different makes have their own adherents, with views based variously on hard facts or wishful thinking just as with monohulls. (See the divergent views on Bavarias...)
simonfraser
Well-Known Member
Hi Dave,
ohoh, well i sure don't wana get into an argument, to me the boat in the top pic looks like a mess, neither one nor the other, sorry if i offended the owner.
on speed, hmm, two weeks ago i had to reef my tri down tacking towards wind, it kept going over 12 knots of boat speed & got too wet, i can't see you do that in an etap ???
my grainger tri, new jib, old main, sails at at least 60% of aparent wind speed, i.e. it does 6 knots to wind in 10 aparent, etc.
they are awsome sailing boats, but the accomodation in an 8m one is dud !
Simon
ohoh, well i sure don't wana get into an argument, to me the boat in the top pic looks like a mess, neither one nor the other, sorry if i offended the owner.
on speed, hmm, two weeks ago i had to reef my tri down tacking towards wind, it kept going over 12 knots of boat speed & got too wet, i can't see you do that in an etap ???
my grainger tri, new jib, old main, sails at at least 60% of aparent wind speed, i.e. it does 6 knots to wind in 10 aparent, etc.
they are awsome sailing boats, but the accomodation in an 8m one is dud !
Simon
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
What wrong with prunes in custard? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
simonfraser
Well-Known Member
nothing, as long as your head works 
p.s. mine's a bucket, it's never blocked !
p.s. mine's a bucket, it's never blocked !
DaveS
Well-Known Member
I think I'm beginning to understand the confusion. Your "mess" comment was meant for the original posting and was referring to the appearance of the pictured boat. By replying to me rather than cromarty I rather naturally assumed that your comments referred to something that I had said. All is now (eventually) clear.
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