I-17 update: I finally cut my daggarboards!

Hello and Happy Holidays to all!

Our regatta season is beginning in the Caribbean and it is time to change the boat for the races( if this was the plan).

So, after too much inaction, I cut 12 inches off the stock daggarboard.

I studied photos of me and the I-17 underway, and man where those boards pulled up, no kidding, about 16-18 inches!

So, I cut 12 inches, giving me a 'comfort zone' of not going to the point-of-no-return. I probaly will have to adjust the d-board 2-5 inches,..but that is better than 16inches or so!

Weight reducation 25% ( 25% of board cut off)

For those who want to know the composition of the interior, here is a simple layup profile;
starting from bow section;
first 15% leading edge external skin and carbon
next 10% filler material with carbon
next 50% end grain wood
next 10% filler material w carbon
trailing edge 15% external skin and carbon

Right now, the boards are back in the shop, to 'V' out the portion ( like the T4.9) that is 'in the hull' when fully deployed( down). This will be a modest 'V 'cut out.

'V' weight reduction, maybe 10%

Actually, a friend who teaches a boatbuilding class is doing the work, and it is a very nice job, the boards look great ( small by Inter standards).

Total weight loss, approximate total 5 pounds.

Not a ton by any standard, but I am going the right direction!

Next project, fabricate a new, tube boom, just like the FX-1.

The stock Inter boom, for the 17 ( same as the 18 and 20) is a beast. I bet I can save 50% of the present weight on that too.

I figure the I-17normal ( metal mast) about 318-ish pounds, so maybe I can be at 310-ish pounds this year.

Once again, Happy Holidays to all!

regards,

Bruce
St. Croix
US Virgin islands

Bruce, Hope you are thrilled with the mods! Send us some pics soon! It's way too cold up here! Merry Christmas to you too!

Brian,

Ok to the pics, when it gets done.

Funny thing,..now when I pull the boards out of the bag,..I think that I have the wrong ones! ( for they look tiny, compared to before)

For those 17's out there, this was an inexpensive retrofit ( cost me a withdrawal from the favor bank!)
I figure the new boom to be $100 or so..

The next big weight reduction would be the mast,...which is big ticket,...
If anyone comes across a used Euro FX-1 mast ( or left over from a crash)...tell me!

The FX-1 Euro mast is all aluminum,...real nicely done and quite light! ( no comp tip, and much lighter than the I 17 mast, which I believe to be used on the N(F) 18 also)

Merry Merry to all!

regards,

Bruce
St. Croix

Bruce,

I might be able to put you incontact with someone. His FX1 got (probably) written off in a collision with a trawler this summer. But I have not spoken to him in ages.

Only problem is that it is in the UK

Bruce,

I few comments here.

100US$ for a A-cat/FX-one boom setup !

That sounds quite expensive; what costed the most the tube or the fittings ? I assume you used most of the fittings of the original boom ?

Masts :

Just a suggestion but vectorworks marine has a few 8.5 mtr Superwing masts (Taipan / Blade) in Titusville Florida. You may want to look into that :

I have some data on both masts :

FX-one : Source Steven bellavia in a post on this forum a while ago

FX-one mast With spreaders and main halyard 44 lbs = 19.93 kg = say 20 kg

Superwing of same length with spreaders ex halyard = 15.5 kg

Both are alumimium masts. I always thought that the FX-one mast for just a Tiger F18 section just as the I-17 mast is probably a Nacra F18 (Inter 18) section

I think the I-17 alu mast is a section of 1.85 kg to 2 kg per mtr. The superwind section is 1.6 kg / mtr and it is the lightest alu masts that I know off except the old alu A-cat masts.

Come to think of it. I know that Pieter Saarberg has a few old alu A-cat mast laying around at his carbon mast shop. You may even get one of those. I think they will come out fully fitted somewhere about 13,5 kg's

Good luck !

Wouter