too much of a good thing?

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havliii
Professional
Posts: 272
Joined: March 27th, 2011, 8:12 pm
Boat Make/Model: SuperCat 19, Modded SC20
Location: Fredericksburg Virginia

too much of a good thing?

Post by havliii »

Question on the Supercat 19.

I can't find a benefit to running with the boards all the way down, it seems that the added drag actually slows the boat and reduces the pointing angle when going upwind. Am I imagining things here? I have tried this in varying wind and wave conditions with the same results.

Since the boards were designed for the SC 20, is it possible to have 'too much' board in the water when beating to windward? I understand reducing board for the various points of sail, but thought that 'going to windward' full boards would be the best setting.

How about current? When beating into a strong current, more board or less?

Thanks,
Andy
Matt Haberman
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Posts: 602
Joined: November 10th, 2003, 8:22 pm
Location: Minnesota
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Re: too much of a good thing?

Post by Matt Haberman »

Andy,

Some will argue that the boardless 19X will point just as well as the original 19 & 19XL, while others will say that it is not possible for a boardless boat to point as well as a boat with boards. That being said, the original 19 was offered with "plugs" that replaced the daggerboards and plugged the hole in the hull.

In the end you will probably have to arrive at your own conclusion as to if the performance difference with or without the boards is worth it.
Matt Haberman
Aquarius Sail Inc.
http://www.aquarius-sail.com
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