Originally Posted by daniel_t
Originally Posted by PCFL waterman
Are boats of the same make same model same set-up gonna sail the same? I don't believe it!!! Every boat is different I dont care if they are the exact same rig in every way one is going to be faster than the other...in my opionion..what do you guys think??


Well now, let's be logical about this. If every single thing between the two boats is exactly the same (same rigging, same weight, same stiffness, same shape, etc) then you wouldn't even be able to tell them apart, much less tell if one is faster than the other.

That said, boats are generally hand laid fiberglass which means there is probably a lot of variability in the construction process. Unless the quality control is very good (which would mean a lot of rejects at the factory,) there are going to be differences in weight and stiffness of the hulls especially.


Perhaps there used to be...but there is not much variability in the lamination schedule of boats. Fabrics and reinforcements are cut using templates, placed by design, and the amount used is by design. Even the resin is pre-weighed and measured before applying. Most of this is born out of cost control but with a bend toward making a reliable platform. I've been to the Nacra factory while it was in the US and seen a few boats being constructed. Short of how a boat is treated by an owner, I wouldn't expect much difference between boats manufactured in the last 10 years or so.

I would be more concerned that the rigging lengths are the same rather than the hull layups.

Jake Kohl