The new larger spinnaker for NACRA F17 sailors 210 lbs. and heavier was used for the first time last weekend at CRAM's Tawas I Regatta. Two different skippers tried it out and it seems to work GREAT!

http://www.cathouse1.com/F17spin.html

is the web address for the pictures. There is an interesting one showing the stock NACRA 17R spinnaker layed on top of the larger spinnaker. Also, a couple of the pictures show the spinnaker hoisted and flying. It looked real good on the race course!

the comments on the above site say this :



Yet the bigger kite has a longer luff :

Looks nice. However, don't think you guys will get away with making the F17 rules effective at this years North Americans. I'm opposed to any such nonsense.

Bob Curry

The longer luff and foot fit within the existing rig! Instead of locating a ball to stop the hoist of the spinnaker about a foot above the head of the sail, the ball is located at the head.

OK.

I presume the mount is higher on the I17R carbon mast (than the I17)?

Scooby,

I have been told that the location of the bail (what establishes the maximum height of spinnaker hoist) on the aluminum mast and the carbon mast are the same. The Carbon mast is one foot taller, all above the bail.

Sparky,

Interesting, could you get the Luff measurement of the 21sq (or a 17.5) as my 19sq Kites (based on the small Nacra I18 kite) go all the way to the bail when all the way up.

Maybe you larger boys need to sail A cats where you can sail with a fuller and taller sail/mast combination. Or better this for your health: TRIMSPA Baby!!

BC

I would not call myself 'Larger' at 175 !

Pounds or kilos Simon?

Ounces.....no pounds (with sailing kit) - Rock the scales at around 12 - 12 1/2 Stone (168 - 175)

Just some new info:

The new proposed rule changes will not take affect until next year, 2005. Hopefully, someone will bring the new chute to Tybee for all to see.

See y'all in Tybee and bring your best attitude; you're really gonna need it!

Bob

has any oncreate information on the actual spec come out yet ?

I've read the comments on here re kite sizes and changes to the plates.

I've also read about a possible reduction in weight of the boat - no bad thing IMO.

but has anyone got chapter and verse on this - I am very interested in getting the bigger mainsail (and carbon mast) you guys have onto the I17 platform we have here in the UK - otherwise I might have to buy an FX1 !!!!!!

Hi Scooby,

I don't have much information about weight. They said they went through the boat with an eye towards reducing some of the weight in the layup, however, they decided to keep the structure in the front of the hulls the same because so many want to have the bridle instead of the dual forestay. It makes the spinnaker easier to gybe but requires more structure to prevent hull deflection when mainsheet loads are high. The new daggerboards have not been incorporated into the new boats that arrived in Michigan this week, however, the new boards will be exchanged for those who bought these boats when they become available. This is true for the revised/redesigned boom, also.

I've been told that the prototype "Big Boy" spinnaker design is what will go into production, and it is smaller than your 19 sq. m kite. It uses the entire available space from pole end to mast fitting, uses the same aspect ration as the current F17 standard spinnaker (between 15 and 16 Sq. m). Some say the Big Boy is fuller, also. I have been told the S. A. is between 17 and 18 sq. m.

The shape of the blades will differ from the current blades in being 8" shorter but the lower part of the leading edge will share the shape of the new F18 board (conceptually). I don't think design has been finalized. Boom system will be lightened (4 lbs.?) and incorporate the rotator system Europe is already using. They are supposed to fix the outhaul, also.

You will love the carbon mast and bigger mainsail. I first sailed my 2000 I17 with the stock aluminum mast and smaller mainsail and there was a significant improvement when the carbon mast/mainsail was installed. I have nothing against choosing the FX-1, but those I talked to that have sailed the I-17R and the FX-1 here in the US (2 people) said they prefer the NACRA, "no contest" (their words, not mine). Make sure you know what you are getting into before you switch.

All that being said, you can see that I just had to get an A-Class!

Thanks Les,

Just need to kick PCat US to get info and Price over into the UK soon.

Edit to add :

From what I ahev seen the 17 is a better boat in the wild stuff (f5+) just the ally mast version lacks power in the lighter stuff...

On kite sizes, standard on our 17's is a 17 sq kite, but we are all using 19's becasue they rate the same on SCHRS schrs.com which is what we do most of out racing under...

Hey Simon,
I have just ordered 2 Shadows from Reg White for customers here. At your weight, it is the perfect singlehanded cat for you

I will sail one at some point, but I really like wiring down hill with the kite up and this does not pay on the Shadow. Also, I'd like room for 2 as well....

Just curious, is the Spitfire a suitable solo cat?
The specs look very much like my FX-One...

btw. I also sail with a 19m2 kite...

I have never heard of the Spitfire being raced singlehanded at a serious event. I have sailed singlehanded in club races when the wind is force 3 or less and it really moves, but it is quite a handfull above that.
If you check www.schrs.com you will see that the Spitfire (139Kg)is lighter than the FX-One (153Kg). The Spitfire also has a larger mainsail area (15.45) than the FX-One (14.85. so, in the stronger winds, the Spitfire needs more weight to hold it down. In Ireland and the UK, where we regularly get force 4 to 6 winds, we would not be competitive solo in those winds.

The Spotfire is also 'only' 16 feet - whick is a bit shor for carrying that much sail on your own.