Kohler catamaran Duo480 Jigsaw

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by Banzai, Feb 23, 2015.

  1. Banzai
    Joined: Aug 2014
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    Location: New Zealand

    Banzai Junior Member

    Hi Richard
    my boat doesn't actually sail well by itself. it rounds up and goes into irons.

    However, to answer the question in the second part of your message. Yes. There are a couple of old Americas Cup monos here in Auckland that tourists can pay their $$ and go out for a couple of hours "match racing". One of them came up behind us one day and passed us going up wind. Mind you they are what- 60 or 70 feet long? Was that the sort of thing you mean? Other than that, the guys from the 8.5 multi group here, not to mention the open class large multis and Orma 60's etc may be a little faster than me too. I think I could safely say that as they get up into the high 20's and even 30's (knots).

    regards
     
  2. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs

  3. Banzai
    Joined: Aug 2014
    Posts: 29
    Likes: 11, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 16
    Location: New Zealand

    Banzai Junior Member

    Hi Richard
    re those two clips: my boat has got slight weather helm when pressed. Because I have no head sails I cant really balance it any more. However a little weather helm is desirable according to every article I have ever read .

    About sailing round in circles: I have never actually tried that, since I generally go sailing when I go sailing. I suspect I could not turn as fast as that, not having centre boards. I dont think any boardless cats would. The hundreds of thousands of Hobie 14 and 16s were probably chosen by their buyers for their simplicity and robustness and fun factor rather than their gymnastic abilities.

    The design of the Duo 480 is similar in concept, in that it is simple, fast to rig, reef, and fun, with the added advantage of having accomodation and being dry to sail. It is not a race boat, I never expected it to be one.

    I'm not sure where we are going with this discussion. I was asked specifically about my boat, and there was a reference to its bigger brother the Eco5.5. There are boats by other designers in the size range: cats, tris and even outriggers and proas,that offer similar and also different attributes to each other, yours included.

    I am not particularly interested in getting involved in an argument about who has got the best designs. I made my choice, based on my needs at the time. I am still happy with my choice. I was asked about it on this forum, so I replied. I go on a lot of these forums regularly but almost never enter my 10 cents worth. I leave that to the experts like yourself, to do that.

    best regards
     
  4. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    so long as you sre happy with your boat that is all that matters

    Many years ago a very experienced yachting magazine boat tester told me one of the tests he does to see if a boat is well designed is the "sheet all sails in, leave them and put the rudder hard over" test. He also always liked boats to sail in a straight line when you let go the helm. So I have always tried to design boats that would make him happy

    RW
     
  5. Banzai
    Joined: Aug 2014
    Posts: 29
    Likes: 11, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 16
    Location: New Zealand

    Banzai Junior Member

    Yes Richard, I am happy with my boat. And I am happy that you are happy designing boats that make your very experienced yachting magazine tester happy. Let's leave at at that for now shall we. Otherwise this thread could develop into a "why Richard Woods' boats are so much better (or not) than every other designer's", and this is not what this topic was about. This topic was about a member asking specifically my own experience with the Duo 480 Jigsaw. I gave it. You obviously feel that the gentleman who initiated the enquiry could be making a terrible mistake by even considering the designs, in which case I suggest you contact him directly and point out the error in his thought patterns.

    very best regards
     
  6. DennisRB
    Joined: Sep 2004
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    Location: Brisbane

    DennisRB Senior Member

    Awesome boat. Congrats on the build. Hitting 12k and over must feel real fast in such a small boat. I guess with the flat hulls and light weight it would plane?
     
  7. DennisRB
    Joined: Sep 2004
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    Location: Brisbane

    DennisRB Senior Member

    What is supposed to happen on the "sheets all sails in and hard rudder over" test? Seems the boat would tack and be caught aback in the hove to position? What does does that prove?

    Ahh the old fabled myth of sailing yacht design that a good boat will sail itself in a straight line. I guess its a conspiracy between autopilot manufacturers and yacht designers that most boats are not able to achieve this on most points of sail? Maybe some points of sail like hard on the wind, but to expect self steering from every boat on every course is a bit far fetched. Often if it is possible, the sail combination/trim do to so is not the same as what gives the best speed.
     

  8. basil
    Joined: Apr 2005
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    Location: aUSTRALIA

    basil Senior Member

    HI Banzai,

    Very eloquently put

    Tony
     
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