Centerboard flexibility

[hewi]

Hi sailors,
racing a relatively heavy but highly technical centerboard class with lots of sail area and most stability from a wide beamed boat shape, I am wondering why these boats are not equipped with centerboards maximizing aspect ratio up to the class rule allowed span.
Considering the maximum possible aspect ratio, the chord still would be around 40 cm, which is plenty in other boats. Stall at very low speeds would be accetable.
Lowering the center of pressure at the centerboard could be such a negative effect, explaining why the span of the winning boats sticks around 80% of the maximum allowed centerboard span.
Now, could more flexibility help with a design at maximum span ? Current centerboards are stiff with wooden core, sometimes even partly metal cores. People, who tested maximum span boards, talk about „stumbling“ of the boat. Is the weight of the boat a problem (450kg, centerboard area 0,5 sqmeter)?
Also, because of the form stability, boats cannot be sailed dead flat, as in light centerboard classes. There is almost always 20° heel. Would it make sense, to build a lateral bending into the centerboard under load, so that the centerboard tip is absolutely vertical and vertical lifting forces are reduced? What about pointing? Formula Windsurfing boards have 70cm fins that overbend leewards thus producing a lifting force for the board? Would that be a goal for sailboats also? What are the goals when designing centerboard flexibility?
Tx
Henning

You may have seen this already but in case you haven't : Centerboard Flex
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/ind...howtopic=86135