Moth on Foils: 35.9 knots(41.29 mph)

We interrupt this monologue ...

To invite one and all to do a Google(tm) search on:

Significant developments in the last 100 years.

 

Moth on Foils/ some interesting comments

Check this out for some interesting discussion about weight and the 9m² Bladerider sail:
Foiling Moth in Annapolis - Sailing Anarchy Forums
Address:http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42131&pid=893123&st=0&

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Cash is King

It's remarkable how much huge sums of money can create the illusion that everything is hunk-dory in Bladerider Foilville.

I still haven't seen any reports of this boat when matched against one of the current Ilett designs. Is Bladerider afraid of going head to head with John's exemplary work? Would a defeat at this point put a huge wet blanket on their marketing effort? A marketing effort that appears to be about how much money can be spent and not how good the boat might be?

Here we have Ilett's foil equipped 18's being splashed all over the screen and not one single reference of a Bladerider doing anything of value, whatsoever, against the current, state-of-the-art for International Moths, the Prowler.

I would call this, "All dressed up and nowhere to go" or "Big Hat... No Cattle". You pick the metaphor that works for you.

Silly posting when there is still so much to learn and understand.

 

I support the Bladerider project.
Because I am a boatbuilder and tend to sympathize with those who are doing what I do.
Nothing hurts me more than scepticism as I always had great support from friends and customers.
Between them I count surgeons, sailors, boat builders, writers, teachers, woodworkers, sawyers, masons, lawyers, engineers, architects, sail makers.
I am proud of it.
They all are doing admirable things in their trade and I am sure they think the same of me.
You can do almost anything if really want to and are willing to work hard.
When somebody is doing his best to push things beyond the bounds that surround us, I think I owe him respect, not scepticism.
Marco.

 

The Wearing of the Baloney Suit

I'd have a degree of support for it too, Marco, if the introduction hype had been accompanied by something (anything) more than words and music when the product is supposed to be based on performance to an established standard. That requirement is especially poignant when the product seeks to set itself apart from the field of an already working and well-proven design, such as Ilett's Prowler.

I get the business of being a guy taking chances in the boat shop as that is what I do with all my own free time. There is no argument from me on that part of your post. What I don't get is why the "front" of the marketing effort has far superceded the intro of the boat without any substantive sea trials. Where is the comparative sailing potential when measured against the Prowler? Where are the reports from other, established sailors with absolutely no ties to the commercial interests of the Bladerider? Why so much up-front hype without any of these things?

It would seem that buyers are being asked to jump into the hefty price tag based on the prejudicial comments of Rohan and a collection of pretty pictures. Please tell me you base the major purchases in your life on more than that thinly disguised hype cycle?

Bladerider is an unproven entity in the marketplace with this boat venture. I know that the driving force behind the boat is a company with a lot of experience in building sails, but the two component elements are not the same thing and require entirely different marketing strategies and cash outlays for market positioning. If you believe otherwise; that a boat is but a connective tissue example of horizontal market positioning within the same sport, would you also assume that Bladerider's parent group are also qualified to produce wetsuits and ropes in addition to boat trailers (and the cars that tow them) as well?

Consider that far bigger companies with much greater cash resources, such as North Sails, have not seen fit to make the jump into boat production, even though their possible target markets are much more established and far less risky than Foiling Moth as a result.

I'm all for Bladerider having a go... it's their money, after all. I think the competition will improve Ilett's boat. It will also start a bit of a range war between the two factions for market position and you've already seen some of the first exchanges in that regard in soft statements from the various parties.

If I were in Ilett's shoes right now, I'd be engaging the talents of one of the many talented, independent sail lofts on this planet in a partnership effort to blast the backside of KA Sails and their full line of products. A "hit them where it hurts" effort, putting a real crimp in the funding mechanism for the Bladerider. When your product is being challenged in the marketplace, you hit back with a tactic designed to cause a rethink by your opponent. You can't sit back and wait while you hope for things to get better.

You say skepticism. I say I have a healthy disregard for all things dressed in a baloney suit. Ditch the costumes and demonstrate the reality and I'll be willing to change my mind. Until then, I will call 'em like I see 'em.

 

Look... no weeds!
http://www.moth.it/Manuel_sard.jpg
Marco.

 

Great stuff guys!

Boogie, How is the great europe treating you? I have finished my design, got a job lined up in Auckland, and just finishing off my final presentation, thanks heaps for your help! I will send you an email after i have finished my renderings, and show you what we have been up to. Sorry we havent made contact sooner, but we have just been so busy!

Hope your well!

Chris (and Tara too!)

 

Moth on Foils-Bladerider #4

Rohans new boat:
Photo_0004.jpg
Address:http://www.rohanveal.com/photos/china/Photo_0004.jpg Changed:10:57 AM on Sunday, October 22, 2006
Also, interesting comments on his site about a day at the factory in China.
---------------------------
Giving a friend a hand....
PosFortnight.jpg
Address:http://www.moth-sailing.org/media/2006/PosFortnight.jpg Changed:7:54 AM on Thursday, April 6, 2006

 

Aussie Rider for Fastacraft Prowler

Just found out that John Ilett has signed Luka Damic to be the Australian company sailor for Fastacraft. Check out Luka's site here:
:: Welcome to luka-damic.com :: - Home
Address:http://www.luka-damic.com/ Changed:7:03 PM on Monday, October 30, 2006
Also on the site is great news about production at Fastacraft.
The Fastacraft Prowler is probably the most refined Moth foiler currently available and without a doubt the most refined monofoiler sailing today(there are a few others that aren't Moths!) www.fastacraft.com
-----------------------------
Sort of off topic but interesting news to be backed up by it's own thread:
Rumor has it that the next big leap into a foiling sportboat(selfrighting keelboat between 20' and 30') may be just around the corner-able to sail circles around a Melges and still win by two laps....Stay tuned to this forum.

 

I've had an idea for a name for boats that foil from the centreboard and rudder, like Moths. How about SWASH? Like SWATH, but Small Waterplane Area Single Hull. SWASH Moth. Got a ring to it, huh?

 

Moth on Foils: US Moth Newsletter

Apparently the US class has voted NOT to accept the International rule. I'm not 100% sure but I think the International boat fits within the US rules but not the other way around. If somebody knows the facts please post them here.
There is an interview with an "old guy"(and great man) who sails foiler Moth and much more:
USMMCA News Letters
Address:http://www.mothboat.com/USMMCA/newsletters.htm Changed:5:47 PM on Wednesday, November 1, 2006
========================
Here's a reply from Scott Sandel of the US Moth class explaining what is now legal:

Saved e-mail message
Subject: Re: US Moth Newsletter
Fellows,
I posted the USMMCA rules in an issue of Mothballs a few months ago. Any device used to extend the rudder away from the hull is legal, as are sleeve sails, foils are also legal, and unmeasured asymmetric chutes will remain legal too. Our recent vote to either embrace the International rules, or not, was quite telling. Devoted narrow skiff skippers said that they wanted the chutes to remain legal because, although essentially impossible to fly off a, for example, Prowler, they wanted to be able to judge their speed and performance against all comers. Realistically, I am certain that IMCA will win out in the end, or at least establish itself here soon, and the Modern Moth (which is not "contemporary", I may point out), will probably merge with the Classic Moth (I envision the CMBA boat lowering the minimum weight, adding a little roach to the main, and allowing exotic sailcloths, and maybe even a "chute division"???), but this stuff will take a little time. Frankly, a merger of the two classes would be the best thing for both (more numbers on the starting lines, a little bit better boat, some new blood, etc.).
Hope this answers your questions.
Hey Steve! Send photos of your hull! We are working hard to get the Sag Harbor Classic Moth fleet back up! Hope you can sail in 2007!
Scott
===========================================
---------------------------
PI Design, "SWASH" may not be such a good idea:

Address:http://www.brondell.com/products/index.php4 Changed:9:16 AM on Tuesday, November 7, 2006

 

Moth Foiling Technique: Major Article by Adam May

Check this out:
Technique
Address:http://moth.iointegration.com/TechniqueSP.htm Changed:5:54 AM on Monday, November 6, 2006
=======================================
Check out Rohan Veal's web site for some recent Bladerider Olympic wanabe info:
Rohan Veal: Home Page
Address:http://www.rohanveal.com/ Changed:1:17 PM on Sunday, November 12, 2006

 

Moth on Foils: Breathtaking Speed Breakthru/UPDATE

Sam Pascoe of the UK has shattered the previous Moth Class record with and incredible speed of 33.4 knots(38.4mph) AND whats more he has done 31.5 knots average over a 500m course!
International Moth Homepage
Address:http://moth.iointegration.com/ Changed:3:41 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2006

Congratulations to him and the Moth class! And to the pioneers of two foil monofoiler technology!
===========================
See ahead to 11/17/06: software error invalidates record; Rohan's original record stands-27.9knots(32mph).

 

Thread title Update/ Moth Speed

And thanks to Jeff for updating the thread title to reflect this exciting news!

 

No wonder the International Moth Class is the most talked of at the moment.
Marco.