International Canoe Sliding seat: F & A movement?

[u4ea32]

In one light air race in the third video, I saw three boats in a row move their sliding seat back a bit at as they round the weather mark.

"...nor are they kid's boats." - How old do they have to be?

[Doug Lord]

Originally Posted by u4ea32

In one light air race in the third video, I saw three boats in a row move their sliding seat back a bit at as they round the weather mark.

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I watched the 2008 Worlds summary again and I must be staring so hard I can't see! I saw boats where it was obvious that the seat had been moved but not the deed------again. Great boats-just terrific....

[u4ea32]

Originally Posted by CT 249

None of those classes are in the top 23 nationals, Doug, ... This is rather bizarre ... Here's a pro tip, Doug - if a class' nationals was not in the 23 most popular (in terms of starters) in the USA, then (shock, gasp, amazement) I didn't include it in a list of the 23 most popular classes!

CT, you are just discovering what a lot of other people have discovered. While Doug does have a fertile mind, he also has some recurring weaknesses. We all have some. For example, I put people off by writing like my opinions or debatable positions are pure fact.

I try and avoid the annoyance of Doug zinging off topic or sticking steadfastly to an erroneous train of thought, as some of what he writes is interesting. For example, these great International Canoe videos, but many other discussions as well.

[CT 249]

Originally Posted by mark775

"...nor are they kid's boats." - How old do they have to be?

They tend to attract an older crowd, with a lot of experience in other classes that are difficult to handle. Average age would be around 40+, at a guess.

Of course, older teens can sail them, but unless they come from a heritage of difficult boats most teens lack the boathandling skills and therefore the sailing thrills don't make up for the cost (about three times as much as a Laser, from memory), small fleets and lack of other kids.

[CT 249]

Originally Posted by u4ea32

CT, you are just discovering what a lot of other people have discovered. While Doug does have a fertile mind, he also has some recurring weaknesses. We all have some. For example, I put people off by writing like my opinions or debatable positions are pure fact.

I try and avoid the annoyance of Doug zinging off topic or sticking steadfastly to an erroneous train of thought, as some of what he writes is interesting. For example, these great International Canoe videos, but many other discussions as well.

Good points, Dave, and yeah I certainly have my own weaknesses (and I've borrowed others as well!) :-)

I'm trying to avoid watching the vid of the '08 worlds, because I couldn't do it due to a clash with another regatta and a family issue. Grrrrrr!!!!!

"They tend to attract an older crowd, with a lot of experience in other classes that are difficult to handle" -ty, I'll take it that kids generally havn't developed the refined taste to appreciate fun, fast, clean, interesting boats that require dedication and a little more counterweight.

[CT 249]

It's not a lack of taste. These boats can require more experience than most teenagers have to handle, and not many parents are going to spend three times as much (comparing the cost of a new IC to a new Laser or 420) on a boat for their kid. Furthermore, many people feel (and I'd agree with them) that a kid is better off spending time on more popular boats, where they can learn from others more often, and get more of a feel for how they are sailing.

I get the feeling that you're upset with something I wrote here.

By the way, there's nothing particularly clean (in terms of deck layout) about the average IC.

[u4ea32]

I agree, CT, that kids learn organically when sailing boats. The Bic Open seems to be effective for kids: fun, cheap, safe, tough, and fun!

[Doug Lord]

Does anyone have any experience with trying a rudder t-foil on an IC?

[gggGuest]

Originally Posted by Doug Lord

Does anyone have any experience with trying a rudder t-foil on an IC?

Andy Paterson has. It didn't stay on very long.

[MalSmith]

Originally Posted by gggGuest

Andy Paterson has. It didn't stay on very long.

Chris Maas tried it as well, (on "String Theory" I think), but did not stick with it. Among other things, I think he said that the foil affected the way the boat pitched in waves, that is, the boat tended to go through rather than over the waves when sailing upwind.

[c maas]

If you are still interested here is a video of a couple of IC's reaching in about 12 knots of wind. Near the end of the video the weather sailor moves his seat back. The IC's I build have 4 1/2 feet of fore and aft travel in the seat carriage. On a windy reach you will be all the way back and if the waves are steep you may wish you could slide back another couple of feet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ieKo2KlmM

[Doug Lord]

Originally Posted by c maas

If you are still interested here is a video of a couple of IC's reaching in about 12 knots of wind. Near the end of the video the weather sailor moves his seat back. The IC's I build have 4 1/2 feet of fore and aft travel in the seat carriage. On a windy reach you will be all the way back and if the waves are steep you may wish you could slide back another couple of feet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ieKo2KlmM

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Thanks very much, Chris!