Hi Wouter,

Theoretically you have brought up some good points. The only problem with the theoretical values of a 12ft skiff is they often are impractical for the class. The 12ft skiff is so small and susceptible to the environment around it that some ideas will actually mean that the boat is almost impossible to sail in normal conditions.

The 12ft skiff is prone to nose diving and needs the volume in the bow to help ride over the waves downwind. The volume of the hull also helps in this respect and provides a large planning base for the boat to sail on. One of the issues with trying to make a more efficient 12ft skiff is the boat is so small that some compromises must be made to make the boat sailable.

The new skinny 12ft skiff which looks somewhat like a skinny moth with a twin trapeze rig and huge asymmetric spinnaker attached. Theoretically the craft is much faster than the other 12ft skiffs upwind but on the water the boat still needs refinement. The narrow waterline has made it much harder to balance and any gains that have been made due to the changes have been cancelled out by capsizes or tea bagging (dropping the crew in to windward without capsizing). The boat will be sailing this season properly and we will have the chance to see how it goes.

The wing mast is on the agenda for many people down here but proves a challenge to the designers and sailors. The boats carry so much sail area to overcome hull drag and carry the desired crew weight they need the flexible upper mast tip to bleed open during the gust so that they can hold the power. So far the problem has been producing a wing rotating mast that would be able to let the rig de-power upwind but not be completely snapped off by the huge loads exerted by the spinnaker which is in the realms of 50m^2.

Mast compression is a concern in skiff masts and developing a rig which can cope with the loads induced is difficult. For all its short comings the round section does a sterling job and until a reliable wing mast can be produced will take precedence. I am sure you can appreciate the loads from the pictures that have been provided.

It is true that big gains could be made upwind in this regard and many of the skiffs are trying to make improvements in this area of their sailing. From what I have read you’re obviously a very intelligent person. In future I would ask that you show perhaps a little more respect for other classes. Nothing wrong with having an intellectual discussion but it would be appreciated if you dropped the attitude.

Sorry for the huge reply, so much to say.

T_E