Count me out

Under the posted rules I can't qualify for F14 without a lot of work. I am way too light. I would be carrying ~100 lb of corrector weight and the boat was not designed to race at that weight. I will probably use your work to determine a ports number for the boat

Hey Carl....

I would like to talk to you about what I saw. I'm interested in building my own lightweight 14. Could you share more information on the picture?

female mold, strip-plank, foam-bulkheads

Whatcha building there Carl? Possibly a F14HP...

See the posting in the original F14 thread.

I will be happy the share information when it is finished. Right now it just one problem after another.

This boat started as a updated version of the 70's tunnelhull Moths. It ended up as 2 boats. A narrow beam small rig that could compete with Portsmouth dinghies in the Wed Nights. There is enough strength to allow it to go to 8.5 ft wide with a larger skiff derived rig. (see attached drawing).

The big problem is because of the hull shape the hulls has to be built in halves. I built a 1/4 scale model to be sure it could be built but it is still going slow with a lot of problems to be solved.

Carl,
I had a post in the thread on the open forum (F14 subject) but deleted it as soon as I saw the min weight.

I was working on a 14 ft design but I'm just not interested in designing a boat that heavy.
After all the work put into developing the Blade F16 hulls and the pleasure expressed by others when they have had the chance to sail Blade F16. I started working on a 14ft version. I will still design and prototype the Blade 14 but it also looks like it will not be involved in the F14 class as proposed.

The basics for the platform are worked out but it will also be as you put it "way too light".

I don't see any reason to design a heavy boat. They just don't interest me.

I'd like to see the F14 class accept a broader cross section of craft.
It is proposed that the min weight be 240lbs which is around 110kg (actually 107) and sail area of 160 sq ft.

Now if we design a boat weighing 70 or 80kg and give it that sail area (160) it will kill the class straight off.

I accept that point and would like to propose there be a sliding scale of boat weights and sail areas.

That way as well as giving seasoned sailors a low cost way of competing and tinkering it could also be a motivation to design some modern looking 14ft craft and these could be a vehicle for attracting some of the younger set into the sport.

Sample table of sliding weights and sail area.
eg
110kg = 160sq ft sail area
100kg = 150sq ft sail area
90kg = 140sq ft sail area
80kg = 130 sq ft sail area
70kg = 120 sq ft sail area

Just to get an idea of relative weights areas and ratings.
In Austrlia we already have two popular 14ft boats that would weigh in around 70kg fully rigged and they are more than 30 year old designs.

Arrow = sail area 111sq ft weight 70kg rigged approx with a VYC rating 91
Paper Tiger = sail area 101 sq ft approx 70kg rigged with a rating of 91.5 under VYC this could be compared to Hobie Turbo which would approximate the rules VYC rating 88.5.
If building specifically for the F14 you could increase the sail area on the PT and Arrow to 120 sq ft and you would be very close to the H14T.

Both the PT and Arrow are very simple to build but I couldn't see anyone likely to build from either of these plans just to pour 40kg of concrete into the hulls just to compete in the F14 class.

Just the way I see it.

Some how I managed to post the above as anon. That was not intended.
The Blade 14 would look like the attachment

The hull designs are very similiar. There is less volume in the bows but front crossbeam looks to be about a foot further aft so the bows are longer. I am assuming it was designed as a uni.

Do you know the hull width?

I understand the Blade 14 is buildable in ply? I'd be very interested in building one of these over the Quattro 14 design. Are the plans available?

Carl,

It is designed to be sailed in both Uni and sloop configurations both with a kite.

The photo is actually of the Blade F16.
The Blade 14 will look pretty much the same.

The 16 carries heavy crew weights very well.
I've sailed two up with 180kg on it and unlike other boats of its size you just wouldn't know you had that kind of weight onboard. Sails like it does one up.

I'll do the plans for a 14 ft version once I've finished drawing the plans for the F16.

The platform in the photo is simply made from 4mm ply as will the Blade F14.

It will be bulilt in glass but I will keep the home build option available.

Sorry I can't give you the hull width. I have it detailed at home in the preliminary design but as I'm also working on another design for very young kids I just can't keep all the numbers in my head. The Blade 12 will be a Uni no kite.
Good luck with your design.
I would really like to see some more photos as things progress.

Forgot to tick a button when setting up the Forum --Now there will be no more Anon postings.
Rick