Vendee Globe 2012

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by Doug Lord, Apr 6, 2012.

  1. tomas
    Joined: Nov 2012
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    tomas Senior Member

    If the batteries in that part of the boat didn't hurt, then neither would the added strengthening in the same area, which is why I quoted the designer himself. It wasn't worth it. Of course, it's easy to comment in hindsight.
     
  2. sharpii2
    Joined: May 2004
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    sharpii2 Senior Member

    I wasn't referring to them. I was referring to the Open 60 class in general and the Vendee race in particular.
     
  3. capt vimes
    Joined: Apr 2009
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    capt vimes Senior Member

    but it was not the structure mentioned here that failed, the reinforcement inside the boat - the keelson if you may say so - which should still be intact...
    looks like the keelfin snapped right where it was connected to the axle...

    edit:
    from what bubi said after the incident, it looks like it really was simply the fin going snap and not the keel-supporting-structure:
    from: http://www.accionasailing.com/?p=9704&lang=en
     
  4. JosephT
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    JosephT Senior Member

    There's no question this is a high stress area. For such critical parts it's a very good idea to not only do a good CAE analysis to predict the life of the part, but also to do scheduled non-destrictive inspection (NDI) such as x-ray, die penetrant/black light, etc. Sailors don't take such inspections that seriously I suppose. It's only a matter of time before these parts fail. Good design aside, their service life is directly proportional to how often & hard they are sailed. I recall Hugo Boss several years ago lost his keel...snapped right off in the Southern Ocean.
     
  5. tomas
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    tomas Senior Member

    My post was related to JP Dick's example where the structure just above the pivot was the failure, although I would also state that strengthening just below what you refer to as the axle is essentially the same. Heavier cross-section was needed. As far as I can tell, the difference is 6 and half-dozen as to the reason for failure, a critical design choice with respect to weight savings.
     
  6. tomas
    Joined: Nov 2012
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    tomas Senior Member

    Update

    IMOCA chooses the boat for the future

    "The Skippers and Members of IMOCA met in Paris on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April 2013 at the IMOCA Annual General Meeting to decide the future direction of their class, and in particular to discuss two major subjects: the design of the future boat and the programme for the years to come."

    "The majority decision reached was an integrated solution, with a one-design mast and keel. The other elements of the boat must conform to the rules of stability, speed, length and construction materials. The boats will remain at 60 feet in length, with a bowsprit of 1.8 metres and the one-design keel must meet the specifications that were previously agreed, with particular note to the rule applying to a single piece of forged steel (Inox) for the keel blade."

    International Programme
    "The team at OSM (Open Sports Management), responsible for the development and commercialisation of the international class, presented the Race Programme for 2013/2014 announcing plans to take the boats to the United States and Asia. To this end, the IMOCA World Championship will change its format, organised around two Series. One Series will be solo, the culmination of which will be the Vendée Globe and another will be two-handed, finishing with the Barcelona World Race. "
     

  7. sharpii2
    Joined: May 2004
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    sharpii2 Senior Member

    I think these are very sensible reforms.
     
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