Messages

[trawler]

I think that Bethwaite generally talks a load of tosh and rarely backs it up with any data or facts.

There's a statement without grounds if ever I saw one! It's entirely possible that what he presents doesn't go down well with the current 12 / overpriced for performance, price-protectionist mindset? A restricted class mentality has sadly returned to the 12 scene I fear. Re. rotating wing masts, fully battened sails, high aspect ratio daggerboard, etc. etc. etc.? A man who seeds thoughts and inspires his son (as well as others) to design 18 footers, the 49er, 29er and others shouldn't in my opinion be slated quite so harshly. Or am I just trawlering up the wrong estuary? People can be so harsh these days!
Currently, I'm getting more fun out of my Tasar, even if she is 25 years old than I ever have done out of my 12, even though I'd never give up trying to sail her to perfection.  
Jim.  
 

Just approaching Chapter Nineteen of Frank Bethwaite's "High Performance Sailing". Looks interesting for the basic physics, but not much in the way of practical examples for a 12. The foils on my Tasar, esp. the daggerboard have a high aspect ratio and I suspect that if you're approaching ideal weight for a 12 I'd go for something that cookie uses, even in waves (just make sure he puts enough meat on it around the pintles though ). Either way, flat water or waves, I've found that the ideal situation in the 12 is not to use too much rudder and to steer the boat using crew with/position.
Cheers!
Jim. N3470, 3130 and T1293 (now being refitted)

Where I race, the Ammersee Yardstickzahl of 112 stays the same solo or twin-handed. Only fair really, since the Korsar which is a much faster yot (similar to FD) has a AYZ of 107.
If it means more 12 get out on the water when Solo is allowed then why not?
Cheers! Jim.
 

I wonder what would happen if you released the pressure on the windward shroud before jibing /tacking/sail moving over and then putting more tension on the swinging shroud? Would that release enough pressure on this shroud to enable it to fully lock again?
Jim. (I'd like to try it myself, since I don't have shroud tracks)

Hey THG!
Did you get any interest?
Jim.

You might want to put as many potatos/slate/bricks or whatever in a sack that make up to 18 Stone and place that around the centreboard case - that way you'd make you're own handicap, or just eat more to get up to weight. 
Get's a bit lonely out there on the Ammersee in a blow though and the rescue boats aren't always that quick if you can't get her up quickly enough (with or without potatos) :-/
Jim. (Not needing any more potatos).
P.S. Where are the Pie Boys?
 

I'm trying to too. Seems to be a long delay in sending confirmation by email. MAy be they can smell that we sail 12s!!!:-/
Actually now successfully posted and met Mr. Wilkins, Mrs. Roly Mo, Garth and Mr. Purkins - all on the same thread!!!!

Nice views of North Lincolnshire. Wish I'd got over to that side as a Lincolnshire lad (Boston born and Spilsby bred). I had to make do with Dad taking me to Covenham reservoir near Louth. It was quite good for wind but the concrete sides for "miles" used to get a bit boring at times.
Cheers! Jim.

is for sale...
Anyone need a spare Kidney?

No, but I'd be interested in a pancreas if you've one to spare!
Seems quite a high price to pay for a soapdish/ashtray design though. Ok. semi self-draining and the look is interesting. Looking at the pics in the database however, you'll see that the hull twists on the reach. I'm sure it'd be something for a lighter crewweight though.
Cheers!
Jim.
 

Stu, you might want to talk to Dare Barry - he's in the book. He built N3470 Passion Pudding. Goes well but would go better were it for our combined crew weight.
Alternatively, if you are interested in doing a part restore of a nice Tigress, I've got one sitting in my garage at the mo'. I'd give it to you for free, with a decent set of hardly used Alverbanks sails (mylar main) plus all the extras except trailer if you're interested. I don't have much time for any more restoring since I've spent so much time sorting out N3470 Passion Pudding. Give me a call - I'm in the book. I live in Germany, but I could arrange for delivery. Cheers!
Jim N3470 N3130 and Tasar2193

Maybe more people would prefer a 12 AND sail competitively if they knew they would not be penalised for their weight....
Now I love my 12's but it's a fact that if you're like me (94Kg + 65 Kg) you can't get anyway up the fleet. And not just because I lack the skills. A good example of a skilled person would be Rick Purkins, last year with his wife at BW. He was not happy with the fact that despite obvious skills he could not get right to the front. Result, sold his 12 and moved on. I have the feeling that many people have seen a 12 and didn't get to the stage of buying one for that reason alone. Many people like to sail, but are too much on the heavy side for a 12. They then choose other boats that'll take the weight. I for example, am ideal crew weight for an FD or a 505, a Merlin - one design which'll take a bit of weight - or (heaven forbid) even a "flatiron" like the Wayfarer. Or, how would it be to own a Finn?
The alternative is just to take your (single) child along alone to an event like BW. Wifey or Hubby + remaining sprog(s) stay on shore, getting bored or doing other things than sailing, and the whole thing (BW or other events) despite social event alibis turns out to be at the end an egotrip for the lucky few who either are ideal weight adults or have been able to persuade their child crew that they can do well in such an event (even then it's not easy trying to tell an 11 year old to balance to boat when she's heeling "at 15° to 20°" to windward).
Oh, yes plus the tension created by "Spousey" who was promised a "family event" but ended up not seeing the "Other Half" at all except in the early mornings and evenings at the beer and Pimms 6 O'Clock swill, trying to understand the somewhat "private" sailing event jokes and ending up staring out to sea or at their feet and "Spousey's", wishing they'd gone on a sailing holiday on a nice yot in Greece.... 
Two (part) solutions to the problem. Fewer long weeks, more three day events (parts one and two?). AND a MINIMUM weight. Then perhaps more people will get interested.
Jim. N3470 and N3130 and Tasar 1293

Thanks for the information Antony!!!!  You were correct in assuming that I have no transom. However, with my daughter Emma as a light crewmember, we don't have any problems with water ingress.
Great - looking forward to thrashing those pesky 420s and Lasers at the weekend!
Cheers!
Jim.

Hi Folks!
I've got to get more twist going upwind. Tom's sent me a split mainsheet. That's good, but I need help about getting the split angle and length right. Do you need to generate any tension in the leach when the main is closehauled to the centreline or should you rely entirely on the kicker when you need tension? The other question is what's the best way to secure the split ends to quarter inch ply?
Any answers gratefully received!!!
Cheers!
Jim. N3470

Sorry for you Jammy. That sort of thing takes a lot of work. I'd have turned up,  just to have a decent British Chip Butty, but it was quite a long way to travel.
That's no excuse for the rest of you. :-/. Spinnaker's friendly, well organised and the (ahem) fresh water tastes the same as anywhere else which has waterfowl. (i.e. 10% duckpoo). So, if there is a next time, be there or I'll force you all to sail in a Supernova (which are a bit crap actually). F'in Sunday afternoon sailors?
How was I? Not too forceful? Probably not enough.....
Jim.
 
 

Did the same with my first 12 but she didn't end up going home.  She now belongs to my daughter, Emma who's got a steep learning curve from Optimist to N12 (once I get the transom etc. sorted out).
Also, good news for the budding fleet in Germany, since I'll be taking a few of the older and heavier kids in the ESC to crew in Passion Pudding. It'll also be a steep learning curve for me, but at least they'll be getting used to cooperating in a real boat, not sailing solo in their own plastic bathtubs! (Optimists all!) 
Cheers!
Jim.