Sailing in 20 knts plus

[bearmcnally]

It's a got to do with the tumble home and the bustle in the hull . The S & S like most of the 70's designs had plenty, as ratings and designed changed as now we see flat bottom skiff shapes with very little appeal to the eye. Again you cannot compare the a top hat to a 34 footer as they are totally different in performance and design.It's like a hard chine ,get them heeling so the chine bites in and they will point higher than most round bilge yachts.

Bear

[storm petrel]

Yes I agree Bear, I was not meaning to compare the heel of an S and S 34 to a Top Hat- I just wanted to give an example of a well known boat and it's suposed optimum heel angle, to start the conversation. It is being stuck inside in the rain....

[bearmcnally]

Don't worry Mark I'm in the same boat doing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of yachts at a marina !
A Christmas present ?

Why in hell would anybody cut -up a perfectly good picture into a 1000 bits ? and then why would anyone with half a mind try and put it back together ?

Bear

PS Mark it would make a good topic and interesting discussion even comparing the 1960 1/4 tonners today's

Bear

[storm petrel]

Yes the meaning and purpose of much of life is an enduring mystery. Jigsaw puzzles just deepen the conundrum.

As to the 1/4 toners of today(do such critters exist now they don't use IOR anymore?) they are just big skiffs. Even those Sydney 38's look very wet and uncomfortable ( I guess they would be 3/4 tonners in the old language). I sailed out to watch the start of the Gosford to Lord Howe race last year and most of the competitors looked liked stretched versions of an 18 footer. It was only blowing 15 knots and the crews on these boats already were in full waterproofs. Looks pretty easy to be swept out the slippery dip stern too, but it must be fun when they surf waves at sea and plane. Wet and wild - a bit like when I used to race around the harbour on my moth.

I used to love racing 1/4 tonners with the CYC in the 70s. It was close and exciting racing, but you could not say it was fast...Though at times we thought it was...

PS In the USA they have put the Dana 24 back into production, see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6nkFYpFuMU

Maybe some enterprising Aussie should resurrect the Top Hat? Yes I know - market is too small today.

[bearmcnally]

Mark , The sad thing about yachting in Australia is that we had some of the best designers and builders around in the 60' and 70's. but sadly they have gone and I don't believe we will ever see them again ?

Bear

I did a post years back about the top 10 yachts of my choice starting with the Top Hat .And if I had to choice a modern design today I'd rather by a stink boat .

PS I do like traditional designs

[storm petrel]

I remember that discussion Bear. I think we have similar taste in yahts(must be the our age) with the possible exception the Swanson 28 which I am not crazy about. I like the 27 and all the larger Swansons but the 28 just seems to have too much windage, looks a bit porky and I suspect would be pretty slow. Now a brolga, magpie or currwong would be nice.

[bearmcnally]

Mark never worry about a Swanson and heavy weather performance or any weather. The 27 is a pretty yacht and I looked one .I was going to mould a Swanson Dart many years ago when we laying up the old mans 38 and I wish I had , as they lost the mould not long after that.
I agree the Brolga Duncanson etc ,again were the 70's classic and now lost ? I don't think anybody can name a modern up and coming classic ?

Bear

[storm petrel]

I used to crew on a Dart. It was a really sweet boat and surprisingly quick. One would be great for LM. I like the Duncanson 29 more than the Compass 28 and I agree that the 34 and 35 look like nice boats.

[moose]

This is the moose here just joined,from Lake Macquarie my boat name is ASHANTI . Have been reading your various comments ,must say you are a interesting lot. At present hold in Laurieton waiting for window to keep heading north,hope to catch up with some of you guys sometime down the track, have met Phillip here at. Laurieton been very helpful nice to know nice people .CHEERS TO ALL.

[storm petrel]

Welcome aboard Moose, look forward to catching you on the water some time. When you get a chance, post a few pics of your boat in the member's boats section.

Cheers,
Mark