Seen this Rad Cat from Gougeon Boys?

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?&showtopic=81925&pid=1985436&st=0&

 

oh ya! it's awesome! I have emailed Meade about it.. It's jan's new boat, strings. Ben Gougeon says they are still fairing the wingmast and the rig should be on before the end of the summer. I love the concept! If I can't find a Gougeon 32 to buy I may build something like it...

 

Strings

You might want to wait until it sails...of course. To see what may not work too well. Might as well let them do the heavy work.


I guess I am too traditional. Pod seems interesting and dry in Lakes chop, but kinda cuts ability to move around boat, it seems.

And will be one long sucker to trailer...

 

long but light, like pulling an A scow I suppose. I Think it will be an outstanding performer. Why wouldn't it be?

 

I could not find the link. Can you check and repost?

Thanks

 

Rad Cat Link

Link in first post is resonant, but you will have to register with SA to see pics, it seems.

 

Strings

It's sailing:

click on image and then again on resulting image for best detail:

 

Strings Cat

Lovely. Looks better than on the hard.

I am impressed.

Need to see it cutting though the chop from a high pressure Northeastern wind on that water.

 

Um... can someone explain why this was done? Is it essentially a beach cat with a pod? I mean, there is very little freeboard on those hulls, what gives? Won't they dig in if the boat is sailed in anything but the smoothest water? Or is that the point in a way, since it is supposedly modeled on a trimaran with its vaka raised out of the water?

Cats with rigid central pods aren't exactly a new idea last time I checked, what's so different about this design?

No criticism here BTW just curiosity

 

I think what makes this design unique is the combination of speed, functionality, self righting, and that older sailors and handle it offshore. The article on SA does a pretty good job explaining the boat..

The boat is a lot more impressive in person. I don't think pictures do it justice.

 

Strings

Didn't know it was 40' or designed to be self-righting!

 

Rad Cat Link

Yes, DL, but as most of us know, self-righting as a description of facile recovery is abused.

Turn upright by self, with some crew help, with lots of crew help and lines>>>? That pod looks to be heavy; the beam narrow.

I do want to see some vids of it moving in a 3 foot Great Lakes chop, really.

Just very curious to its overall reaching of design and build objectives...

 

I have been on that boat, and that pod is crazy light. I bet the hardware on the pod is heavier than the pod itself... I have never been on an all carbon boat before... I was floored.

The G 32 can self right rather easily. I have done that too

 

Raps, as BB alluded to "self-righting" is much abused: do you mean the boat will automatically right itself(the traditional definition of "self-righting") or do you mean you have to right the boat yourself? Either way for the G32 or 40' Strings is pretty damn cool.

 

watch the G-32 promo video on you tubes! You can see how it works... pretty clever actually.

You right the boat yourself by using the mast as a lever