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SCUTTLEBUTT 1616 - July 1, 2004
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talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press
releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always
welcome, but save your bashing, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere.
THE NEED FOR SPEED
Yesterday, in Scuttlebutt 1615
(http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/archived_Detail.asp?key=2848 ) we ran a
story about a revolutionary sailing craft, based on a wing-borne hydrofoil
concept was designed to break the world sailing speed record. Stephen
Bourn, a mathematical scientist with the Australia's Adelaide-based Defense
Science and Technology Organization (DSTO), claims his design will allow
the sailing craft to travel at more than twice the speed of the wind in
which it is sailing.
Bourn is not alone. Alan Smith, a retired aeronautical engineer and a keen
Etchell sailor has designed Kooee - an 'extreme sport' sailing craft which
has the potential to break the World Water Speed Sailing Records (WWSSR)
and the 50 knot barrier, but it is a craft which is also suitable for
general purpose sailing on closed waters. Kooee incorporates design
features which, in combination, will overcome a number of the limitations
of other high speed sailing machines. In particular, Kooee's configuration
will enable her to perform at high speeds to windward and leeward while
maintaining the ability to provide very high reaching speeds. To achieve
these outcomes, Kooee uses a tricycle footprint of deep running foils with
active joy stick control. This configuration is unique and the modeling
carried out demonstrates that the predicted outcomes are achievable.
The principal features of Kooee are that the layout is symmetrical, that
the boat can sail on both tacks and it has very good up-wind and downwind
performance. Another major feature is that the surface piercing struts do
not attract any leeway angle and thus the likelihood of the foils venting
is minimized. Large foil sizes are necessary to put the probability of
cavitations above maximum estimated speed. This also results in good
foiling performance in light airs.
To read more about Kooee: http://home.kooee.com.au/zach/hydrofoil.htm
RUSSELL
Russell Coutts answered the phone from the back side at the Geneva Golf
Club, as in Switzerland. "I'm just in the middle of a golf game," he said.
"Can you call back?" "Sure…but how are you doing?" I asked, thinking along
the lines of his current impasse with Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli. "I
just had a 7," he said with an ironic hint of a chuckle.
Clearly, while the Alinghi problem has caused some distress, it has not
destroyed Coutts' life. While his America's Cup future is clouded, he
remains a member in good standing at Geneva GC. ACs may come and go, but
the pursuit of birdies amid the reality of bogeys is eternal.
It's been universally reported that the triple winner of sailing's grandest
prize has had a critical falling out with Bertarelli, who sounded
especially upset during last week's UBS Trophy event at Newport, R.I.
because Coutts had declined to drive the boat against BMWOracle, according
to what Bertarelli said were the terms of his contract.
Coutts said Wednesday, after completing his round of golf, "I did notify
them in writing, and even before that I had certainly verbally indicated
that there was a problem. And the day before we raced I once again notified
the team in writing and verbally--and verbally to Ernesto---so I'm
surprised that he was surprised."
When asked if it could still be worked out, Russell replied, "I'd have to
say it's probably unlikely it'll be resolved. All options are open right
now and I just hope we can resolve it and go forward with our lives. We've
had a professional mediator involved for quite some time. I actually
thought we had a solution a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, we didn't manage
to take up that solution. I'm still hopeful we'll come to some sort of
agreement, be that to part ways or whatever." - Rich Roberts,
YachtRacing.com, full story: http://www.yachtracing.com/richroberts/063004.htm
ELLEN
(Ellen MacArthur arrived in Southampton and described to thedailysail what
her trimaran's first record attempt had been like. Here's an excerpt.)
Ellen cannot say enough good about her tri, enthusiasm to a degree we
haven't witnessed from her since her Mini sailing days. "She's cool, best
mate. I really feel attached to the boat. I really don't want to get off
and I never thought I'd feel that again. Particularly because we didn't
break the record as well, it is just like we went through a hell of a lot
together and we are still here and it wasn't far off the record.
Compared to a 60ft trimaran Ellen says Castorama B&Q handles completely
differently. "You can push so much harder in big waves and she never
frightened me. I never thought she was going to go over. Nothing like that.
It was unbelievable. The bows would go in sometimes, but she didn't slow
down. It was just straight back out again and she carried on. And I really
loaded her up, I really drove her and she was just great. I am so happy
with the boat. She is the star of the show really. I am over the moon with
her." Her design deliberately has more freeboard and volume forward in her
floats relative to a 60ft trimaran and this means that Castorama B&Q can be
driven harder through waves, particularly downwind. - The Daily Sail, full
story: http://tinyurl.com/2zpgz
TEETER-TODTER COMPASS FOR BETTER INSTRUMENT INFORMATION
Your compass does more than generate heading display: Wind Direction and
True Speed /Angle, Current Set/Drift, and others are all directly affected
by your compass. The amazing 033TT (aka Teeter-Todter 3D) compass designed
by Chris Todter is a compact powerhouse. Performing flawlessly at Key West,
SORC, to Mexico and Bermuda, availability of this small wonder in 3D has
been limited to a lucky few boats. We now have a Teeter-Todter in stock for
you. Contact Tom Davis (tom@ockam.com), Campbell Field
(cmf@ockameurope.com) or visit http://www.ockam.com or
http://www.ockameurope.com for more information.
TRIVIA QUESTION
What year was match racing introduced to the Olympic Games? (Answer below)
90-DAY YACHT CLUB
Sacramento, CA - Amid spending projections and tax proposals being
exchanged in Sacramento, a surprising document recently cropped up: "The 90
Day Yacht Club Guide to Ensenada." It's a guide to a California sales tax
loophole that hundreds of yachts sail through every year, costing the state
as much as $55 million. At issue is the state's sales tax of about 8% -
depending on the county - on most purchases, including vessels of all
kinds. For most boat buyers, the tax is no more than a few thousand
dollars. But for boats costing $400,000 and up, many financial advisors say
it pays to avoid the sales tax altogether by taking advantage of the
loophole in the law. Through it, buyers make their purchases offshore - and
keep the boats out of state for 90 days. After that, they can bring their
vessels back to California without paying the sales tax on new purchases.
Tax officials say buyers of planes and luxury RVs are doing the same thing.
The book shows wealthy Californians how to harbor their new luxury yachts
in Mexico for three months to avoid paying the California state sales tax.
A sample passage: "You may want to use the savings to update the
electronics, mechanics or cosmetics on your new boat…. You will find much
lower labor rates and fine quality results in the work you have performed
while in Mexico."
Schwarzenegger has expressed interest in the idea of changing the law but
remains neutral. He does not own a yacht. Senate GOP Leader Dick Ackerman
(R-Irvine) said closing the loophole would devastate California's luxury
boating industry. He said it would be difficult to find a single purchaser
of a vessel worth more than $400,000 who paid sales tax on the deal. And,
according to the senator, they are not about to start. "When you get to
$400,000 or $500,000, it is automatic," he said. "Nobody in that group
takes delivery in California." Ackerman said that changing the rules would
mean the rich would buy their boats elsewhere. "You will wind up with a net
loss to the state," he said. - Excerpts from a Los Angeles Times story by
Evan Halper and Richard Marosi, full story:
http://www.latimes.com/la-me-yacht30jun30,1,3216599.story
ON THE TRAIL
British sailor Shirley Robertson, 35, is headed to Athens for her fourth
Olympic campaign. After 12 years of sailing single-handed (Europe dinghy)
she is now at the helm of a three-woman Yngling class keelboat. Two years
after leaving university Shirley competed in the l992 Barcelona Olympics,
where she came ninth. At the Atlanta games four years later, she lost out
on the bronze medal by just two points. She immediately mounted a new
campaign, and won gold at Sydney in 2000.
Says Shirley, "Last year I was only sailing; I did no other work. We each
get £1,000 ($1,816.24 USD) subsistence a month from the lottery, which is
great. It is enough to live on. In addition, we get funding from the
lottery to pay for flights and hotels in our training and racing programme.
"Our main sponsor is Volvo. The company is helping us with the Olympic
campaign and there is no way we could manage without its support. Volvo
also provides us with a powerful car to transport the boat everywhere. We
are lucky enough to have an XC90 off-roader, which is ideal for what we
need. We also get support from BT Broadband and the Isle of Wight council."
- Natalie Graham, The Times, full story:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9556-1158760,00.html
THE BEST GAME IN TOWN
Get a Laser and line up in one of hundreds of Laser regattas in North
America this weekend! Huge fleets, no crew or rating headaches, just great
racing in North America's largest One-Design Class. For dealer, racing and
class information, go to http://www.teamvanguard.com and http://www.laser.org
IBM VICTORIA TO MAUI YACHT RACE
The high-pressure zone (with its meager wind) hasn't moved for several
days, and it has been giving the navigators headaches because it's
predicted to expand further SE. The High was providing a constantly lifting
breeze, so for those tracks that have not dropped south, they face the
undesirable prospect of gybing back late in the race to make Lahaina. The
boats behind these leaders have a bigger problem, because the persistent
low-wind zone is very large, stable, and for most of them, it's still
ahead. Today the entire fleet reported winds under 10 knots. Presently, the
Division 1 leader is Dan Sinclair"s Andrews 70 Turbo Renegade, the Division
2 leader (and fleet leader) is Brian Duchin's J/130 Voodoo Child, and the
Division 3 leader is Jack Shannon's Swan 46 Tranquillite. Considering the
conditions the boats are sailing in presently, all this could change by
tomorrow. http://www.vicmaui.org/2004
NEWS BRIEFS
* The last of the three, 30-minute OLN shows on the Alinghi / BMW Oracle
Racing match races at the UBS Trophy series airs tonight at 6:00 pm EDT.
* The Sailing Instructions for the 2004 Olympic Sailing Competition are now
available on the ISAF Athens 2004 Microsite. The Sailing Instructions as
published are provisional, with the final version available on registration
for the Olympic Sailing Competition. - http://www.sailing.org/olympics2004
* On the first day of the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship at
the Tred Avon YC in Oxford Maryland, only two races were completed because
of light air. The provisional leaders are: 1. Emily Maxwell/ Avery Field, 5
pts; 2. Andrea Savage/ Alison Trost, 6; 3. Rebecca Dellenbaugh/ Keisha
Pearson, 8. - http://www.ussailing.org/idalewis
IN MEMORIAM
Thomas "Chip" Montgomery Evaul passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at
his home in Long Beach, CA after battling breast cancer. He was 49. Chip
marketed racing sails for Harstick Sails of Rochester, NY, was the
Waterfront Director for the Long Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach, CA, and
with his wife, founded Iko Iko Motorsports, specializing in Porsche
restorations. Chip was a professional and competitive sailor with numerous
national awards, and a former All-American diver and co-captain of his high
school swimming team. Chip is survived by his wife, Lise; his father and
mother, Dr. Thomas W. and Constance H. Evaul; his sister, Anne Evaul and
his brother, Philip Evaul. A memorial service for invited friends and
family will be held at the Long Beach Yacht Club on July 9, 2004 between
12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. with a burial at sea preceding the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Team Spirit, designating the "Chip
Evaul Breast Cancer Fund" benefiting breast cancer patients at Team Spirit,
P.O. Box 1315, Long Beach, CA 90801. (www.teamspritonline.org)
TRIVIA ANSWER
Match racing was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1992 in Barcelona,
Spain. Using a current Olympic class, the Soling, a format of fleet racing
and match racing prevailed also for the 1996 (Atlanta, USA) and 2000
(Sydney, Australia) games. However, at this summer's games in Athens, the
Soling class and match racing discipline was replaced by the desire to
include a women's keelboat class (the Yngling), and the needs to limit the
total number of competitors at the Olympic games.
"DEKE" KLATT AND IAN SOUTHWORTH WIN J/24 TITLES
Congratulations to David "Deke" Klatt and his crew on board "Jaded" for
winning the J/24 North American Championships last week. Thirty-four top
competitive teams competed at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club in British
Columbia. Jaded finished the regatta with 4 races in the top 3, including 2
bullets. Considering Ian Southworth's recent capture of the J/24 UK
Northern and Southern Area Titles, it appears that Ullman Sails has the
winning designs. Both J/24 teams sailed the regattas with complete
inventories of Ullman Sails. For "The Fastest Sails on the Planet" contact
your nearest Ullman Sails loft or visit http://www.ullmansails.com
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com)
(Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be
edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room nor a
bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best
shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* From Dennis Palmer: Regarding the article about the hydrofoil that
Stephen Bourne is developing to break the sailing speed record - this is
not a new idea. He claims: his design will "allow the sailing craft to
travel at more than twice the speed of the wind in which it is sailing." He
also claims "The craft will fly at a maximum speed exceeding 30 knots ..."
That would be a major speed reduction compared to the stock Hobie
Trifoiler, a hydrofoil that lifts out of the water in 12 knots of winds and
exceeds 35 knots, going nearly triple the speed of the wind
(http://www.hobiecat.com/sailing/history_trifoiler.html)
The idea began with the desire to break the world speed record for
sailboats. In the process, Dan and Greg Ketterman built 5 prototypes (TF20,
TF2, TF3 Longshot I and II) and 4 production prototypes (Avocet 1, 2 & 3,
TFP). The Class A world speed record was broken by "Longshot", owned and
sailed by Russell Long. Long set the Class A record of 43.55 knots on a 500
meter course in Tarrifa Spain in 1993. The record still stands today
http://www.speedsailing.com/Background_records.htm
* From Chris Ericksen: Thank you, Jervis Tilly, for your not-too-farfetched
scenario at a leeward gate in 'Butt 1615. Even at five or even six
boatlengths apart, sprit boats and/or multihulls will come in at hot angles
where they want to take the gate mark on their right hand, for example, and
get into the two-boatlength zone of the gate mark on their left. When I
have asked judges and race-committee folks about this, their eyes seem to
glaze over and I've never gotten a good answer. I'd love to have some
judge-type person--not a PRO-type person, mind you, or some other
mark-laying guy like me--address this issue here in Scuttlebutt and cite
rules, appeals or cases, not personal opinions, that speak to this issue.
And, while they're at it, please cite rules, cases or appeals that either
allow or prevent a mark-laying guy from adjusting a gate mark to square up
the gate during the race without having to post a change at the preceding mark.
* David Fagen: As a 49er sailor I have been in the opposite gybe situation
going into a leeward gate many times. Let me tell you it is a very vague
situation and I have been thrown out of an international event for being
the starboard and inside boat at the left mark. The jury is always
50/50...no matter how right you are. Guess I should have given the other
boat room event though we were only a boat length from the mark and the
other mark was 5 boat lengths away and he was on Port. In your situation,
with two boats on the same gybe with an equal gate, 90 percent of the time
both boats will end up rounding the mark closest to them and then tacking
off into the direction they want to go. After all, neither of them wants to
round as the outside and ultimately behind boat.
* From Ryan Hamm: John Wade was spot on when he said that the good sailors
that are in the boat that keeps winning can get on the loser's boat and
still win. What he left out was that the good sailor would show up early
and make sure that the boat that has been losing is set up right. And then
he'd kick your butt.
* From Ralph Taylor: On the old yacht-versus-ship debate, I went to
Webster's New World Dictionary. Webster's defines ship: 1. any water
vehicle of considerable size navigating deep water, esp. one powered by an
engine; 2. a water vehicle for sailing, with a bowsprit and at least three
square-rigged masts, each composed of lower, top, and topgallant members"
It also tells us the word comes from the Old English "scip", which meant
"to cut" in the basic sense of a "hollowed-out tree trunk.
And yacht's definition: "any of various relatively small vessels for
pleasure cruises, racing, etc." It comes from the Dutch name for a ship to
chase pirates. So, yacht & ship aren't mutually exclusive except in the
relative size sense. Athena probably wasn't built to chase pirates, but she
seems fancier than a hollowed-out tree and isn't a square-rigger. Also,
it's relatively smaller than a container ship and intended for pleasure.
She does meet the sea-going definition of vessel: 3. any relatively large
watercraft.
Curmudgeon's comment: A link to the website of Athena's builder, with
design information along with additional drawings, is available from the
Scuttlebutt website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/athena/
THE CURMUDGEON'S QUOTATION
"Vegetarian is an old Indian word meaning 'lousy hunter'." - Andy Rooney
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