New rig

Bob or anyone do you have any comments on the new rig?

I'd love to comment on the new rig but I haven't have enough tiller time. The first regatta had too much wind then drifter so I didn't learn squat. The second regatta had too much wind and way too cold. Hoping to learn something this weekend at Lake Charlevoix at Boyne City.

Dave,
Here's my take on it so far....
Boat is easy to tack and gybe. As far as speed, it is equal to the carbon rig and more time will tell us a lot about it! In waves and breeze, very smooth and it's easy to make it go fast. Very responsive to mast rotation. I will be racing a 2 day event this weekend and I will report back to this thread on what transpired. After owning a carbon rig for 5 years, I'm very impressed with the ease and simplicity of sailing the new rig! Looks sexy, yes?

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

How about a before and after pic?

Darryn

I found this picture on the Class photo page. Maybe Bob can comment

Well...
As your trained eyes can see, #640 has the alum mast and #522 and 323 have the carbon mast.

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Maybe I need to retrain my eyes, to me it isn't immediately obvious <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Why did the F17 change from a carbon mast to an aluminium mast?

Darryn
Mozzie
1782

Darryn,

It wasn't an easy decision by Performance but a big economic one. The price of the carbon spars has skyrocketed over the last 2 years and something had to be done to keep the cost of the boat at an affordable level. I think their decision to use the Infusion F18 mast hit one out of the park! The 2 rigs are even in performance.

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Dave I think I can now comment on the new rig...now that I finally have a little tiller time. The boat does indeed tack well. The new mid pole snuffer is a lot better than the end pole I had years ago. The shute seems more intutive than it was with the end pole. I am going to change the spin halyard. That 90 degree offset below the front beam just adds effort. It has not gotten tangled yet, its just a litter harder to raise the shute.

Last weekend we had lots of wind again but with the flat water of the inland lake it was fun to tweak the ropes to dial the rig in. The aluminum stick is very adjustable with the down haul. I think the carbon is too stiff really. We had one race on Saturday that the winds were probably 20 with higher puffs and the rig was very easy to depower and keep managable. We still didn't do any tuning or pacing side by side carbon vs aluminum so I can't say for sure the rigs are even yet. Bob did lots of testing but up in Michigan we haven't done any of that yet. Maybe the next regatta at North Cape we can get there a day early and play around a little bit.

I gotta say, I love the big boy shute. Still trying to learn the wild thing. The boat does scoot downwind.

Hope to see you at Caseville for the NA's

Eric Kennedy
F 17 Fleet Captain
2008 Nacra North American Event Co Chairmen

Lets chalk this one down as another example of where a better design wins out over the choice of material. Again we find that carbon is no miracle cloth. Even with the limited testing so far the conclusion can be made that the difference is to small to be obvious or to really matter.

It is good to see that another class then "the class we all love to hate" is proving this to be true. Saves a bundle in purchasing costs; this can only be an improvement for the cat sailing scene !

Wouter

Eric,
I knew YOU would like it!!

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What do you mean "the class we all love to hate? You gotta be kidding?

"... the class we all love to hate ? " = F16

This is some self dissing (or however this is called in English) and therefor allowed.

Wouter

Yes and the forum is entitled "17' Single-Handed Cats" but you will need to weigh about 110-120KG to right an N17! That to me is a classic example of an oxymoron! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I beg to differ. I weigh 195 right now and had no problem righting my F17 last weekend... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> My math says that is about 89kg.

Thanks Andy!!

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well it's a beautiful boat for sure but that's beside the point. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The platform is weighing in the 157kg. range with 9m of mast! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> This is more then a Hobie 16 (and with longer mast!) and an A-cat (single handler) is nearly half that weight!<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> So, how much do you weigh then Bob? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Rig Tuning Guide will be in the next newsletter.

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Nice shot! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Do you happen to know the minimum crew weight for this platform? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The NACRA F17 - Minimum Weight shall be 175 lbs.,maximum crew of one person

F17 Class Rules

That's good to know. Unless I start getting chunky I would have to add almost 20lbs to make minimum. The "other" singlehand 17 its 157lbs.

I am down to 180# and if you "have a set" and use the proper technique (with or without a righting bag) you can get the F17 back over.

Weight is a "non-issue" that's why they make cat trax and righting bags or poles.

Yea weight is a "non-issue" until someone turtles. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Then the tears start to fall as reality to sets in. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bob coming down wind with his new boat....

Mark
F17 #695 w/BB Chute