The heritage of Rob James, James Grogono and the 70th/80th...

I think it has a reason, why the Trimaran "Spirit of Ireland" (ex Colt Cars GB) built in 1982 poked me couple of days ago so heavily, unconcisously.

I didnt know about the visions of sailor Rob James who let build the tri CC (designed by Ron Holland). And haven't read his book "Multihulls Offshore". I know now I should have 20 years ago... especially the chapter "Future Trends" (Foiling).

Tks to the forum members Ilan Voyager, Gary Baigent and pogo pushing me into that direction. (positively spoken)

I did little bit research for myself about James Grogono who invented the first Hydrofoil conversion of a standard sailing catamaran (see the book: "Ikarus - the boat that flies")... I like to share with you. Just a short spot of light onto this pioneer and "father of foils".

More I am interested in the future than in the past to get answers about the question: "What is the future of sailing in times of foiling?" (Too early to look back like an old pensionist to "good old times".)

What a charming guy this James, isnt ?? Read about the family and three brothers: James, Alan and Andrew. I am not wondering about that James can be seen as a pioneer of foiling. Inspiring family clan that keeps the spirit alive over decades/centuries... and with lots of humour & respect to own ancestors (see family page). - James is the uncle of David Gregono who discovered foiling for himself buying an Aquaskipper, a muscle driven hydrofoil.


I got following reportage from James Grogono himself which was published in Seahorse (written by Gilles Martin-Raget) in March 2011... see attached single page images.

Actually James has a highly reputation in the world of foiling and the the younger generation of the foiling scene treating him with highest respect. So it has to be. James visited in 2014 the Foiling Week.... a very humble charming man.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJBJxqUVv1w




Reading the article of Gilles and looking at the amazing pictures of that time we clearly can say: All what we see nowadays with the America's Cup goes back to these guys, their passion, and never ending curiousity and steadily learning.

I feel old, sooooooooo old reading the article (a status I will allow only for today). - What boring sailing life I had till today ! Okeys... nothing to complain about. The right time, the right place... and it seems obviously, to where "Spirit of Ireland" has pulled me.

Being aware, that its not all shiny glamour foiling world as these guys had lots of "tries & errors". Huge money was burnt also, many boats crashed. But so it is with sciences. Mostly the following generations earn the crops.

Grogono gave in a very short and interesting interview (during the Foiling Week 2014) some key statements about his vision and future of "Ocean Hydrofoils":
Knowledge transfer what we see on a tiny mod onto big boats as I have found on CatSailing News.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGA_zn6XXSY




I cant say why. This view back seeing the "flying sailing boats" triggers me heavily. - Sailing a heavy monohull floating deep in the water ? After all this knowledge and keen projects impossible. Slow boats are something good for "old wrecky bones" at the age of 70... and for leasure cruising making boat parties. (Rec.: Dont take it personally, just a personal view/feeling.)

It will be an exiting future next 10-20 years. As it was possible to let fly 200 tons ships, e.g. the "BRAS D'OR" at a speed of >60 knots with a max. crew of nearby 30 I have no doubts about that we will get different yacht warfts which will produce next 10 years safely foiling cruising Trimarans + Catamarans (Sources of picture: Yacht Yakka - Foiling part 1 (2008) and Foils.org )




The ship FHE400 BRAS D'OR had a full load weight of 200 tons, a length of 151 ft, a hull beam of 21.5 ft, and a foil span of 66 ft. Crew size – 29. She was designed by DeHavilland, completed in 1967, and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 1 July 1968 to begin a long series of trials. From September of 1968 until July 1971, when the trials terminated, the ship logged 648 hours, 552 hullborne, and 96 hours foilborne. The most operationally representative trial was a 2,500 mile voyage to Hamilton, Bermuda, and Norfolk, Virginia, in June 1971. Foilborne, BRAS D’OR exceeded her calm-water design speed, achieving 63 knots at full load in 3 to 4 foot waves.

 

Kerl,
wenn du die Recherche nach "deinem Tri" genauso oberflächlich betreibst, dann gute Nacht.
Vielleicht solltest du nicht so viel in so kurzer Zeit durchackern ? Mehr das Rechte richtig durchackern ?

From David Grogono HP, about the Aquaskipper
"The Trampofoil was for manufactured for sale but not for long. Very recently the Aquaskipper (and another similar device called the Pumpabike) have come to the market and I decided I should get one and give it a try."

I know , you're searching --Trimaran Investigation.
You discover one "explosion" after another one, and another one.
Seems to be an overkill for u.
Slow down please.
Don' t get banged against the wall by each " explosion" u discover.
Sober Analysis, Evaluation of all these " wonders" , these design solutions , these ( older) racehorses , these whatevers , would be a more efficient way. A lot of these " explosions" you are sharing here , have in my opinion nothing to do with your dreamboat . They only generate more and more senseless questions , bringing u off your path.
Du verzettelst dich !
My opinion.

 

politeness and respect is more important than critics...

Ah... you are another one of these "unpolite Germans" as everywhere to meet, pogo.


I have misunderstood the infos on David's website. Okeys... can happen. Sorry. Doesn't need to get such heavily critics in a very arrogant and harsh tone.

Some guys out there think to play "whise daddy" with raised finger pointing at other people's weaknesses to profile themselfs being something "more worthfully" ? - In psychology it is called the method "self-aggrandizement by lowering others"

Read that, seems the right headline for you, pogo: "Psychologie Heute - Wer andere erniedrigt, hat es nötig"

I dont care such "negative folks" whatever knowledge they have in sailing or boat building. - Keep away from my life so long you overstep the limit of unpoliteness and lack of respect !

I am not here on this planet earth to do everything right... I try it, but everybody has his own capacities (emotional, intellectually, social, physically) and limitations.

So are humans and we should respect this within our communication. We mainly learn by mistakes and not "being Mr. Perfect".

All those who think, that they may not allow "fail and error" to others are arrogant fools.

My solution for such folks: one click and "blocked" putting on "black list".

Enough troubles we see on TV screen every day this world is driven mad by violence and brutality. Dont need this in my "sailor's life", too.

Welwishers are always welcome ! Happy Sailing !

 

Ja ja.

You are such a youngster, and, a digitale native performing all disadvantages of this kind of " sailor", respective websailer.
More input doesn't mean more success.
One should judge about the quality of the input.
Quantity is not everything.
Calme toi.

 

Rob was one of my favourite skippers, a good guy
I wonder what happened to Naomi after his death, a tragedy

 

Oleboynow, you did know him personally and sailed with Rob ?

Naomi stopped sailing because of seasickness she was heavily affected during her pregnancy. She made her PHD in philosophy in 2006. So said on Wikipedia.