What are they?

Since my Web skills are lacking and I can't figure out how to copy a pic into my post. Check out the photo of the Russian Volvo Team about half way down the page on www.xsracing.org What have they got going on with the bow of that boat?

IF you mean this
http://www.xsracing.org/images/home/4898.jpg

They are streaks to keep the "nose" up.
Seems some of these boats where spending too much
time under water. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Go to www.sailinganarchy.com and the Ocean Racing forum. More info and details going on there.

But a number of the new VO70 have these "strakes".

spray deflectors , which will also give lift to the bow , which will allow boat to be driven harder in waves and big winds ,
nuthing new , shearwaters had em years ago and many others , just looked different then , but same principle

might be new they are on a mono , but prob been done before too .

Imagine how good a winged keel would be on that boat with one wing in water vertically , if you made wings adjustable you could create down force too , at least there would be no need for other boards .

if wings were adjustable and down force created you could ditch some lead outa the bulb.

I think someone called them "chines" long ago, but they may have performed a similar function of producing slight resistance to diving

At the price of added drag.

The strakes are to provide lift on the bow...just like those bolt on bow planes you can buy for the Hobie 16.

Were these adapted from Hobie 16 anti pitchpole devices? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Chine

. Nautical.

a. an angular intersection of the sides and bottom of a vessel.
b. a longitudinal member running behind this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chine_(boating)

Thanks for the image.. Oh the joys of ocean racing! sitting on the rail for hours on end cos they've got the trim just right.

Do they put toe-rails on those new-fangled boats like that? It makes hiking all that more comfortable for the duration of your watch, doesn't it? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Adjustable winged keel on a leadmine?
Cod, You're being a troublemaker again. This here damnable Innovation nonsense MUST STOP!

Yes, pretty soon the keel wont be made of lead and ride on the surface. O yes thats a Proa. Then they will just add another so they can go in two directions. woops, a trimaran. Then they will get rid of the center hull due to drag. Hey we are there already, a catamaran.

I think their just a liitle slow in the "innovation" area. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I recently came across this F18 project. The picture doesn't show the 'spray rail' that clearly but it's at the intersection two thirds the way down the depth of the hulls between the light and dark areas and at it's max girth probably protruded 22mm. Oh...and the hull is the right way up

It looks like Dr Frankensteins lab

No...but it was built around the time the treaty of Paris was signed.

I knew about that boat about 2 years ago.

Got any beams or kit for it yet?