Why I'm Following Sven Yrvind

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by sharpii2, May 7, 2020.

?

Do you believe Sven's latest Ex Lex will make it to New Zeeland.

  1. Nope.

    50.0%
  2. Probably.

    30.0%
  3. Almost certainly.

    20.0%
  1. sharpii2
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 2,246
    Likes: 329, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 611
    Location: Michigan, USA

    sharpii2 Senior Member

    I have to agree with at least some of the criticisms levled against Sven. He does seem to cherry pick to prove his points.
    But I'm really following him to see how his design ideas work out. They are as contrary to status quo as one can get. Modern sailboats go with tall, Bermuda rigs and ever shorter, deeper keels.
    He goes with almost ridiculously short rigs and no keel at all.
    There may be some real world (beyond Sven) applications of his ideas.
    It seems that the now three Ex Lex have evolved to a very singular type.
    This is:
    1.) narrow for its lengnth,
    2.) very small, short rig,
    3.) multiple masts,
    4.) centerboard way forward in the bow, and now
    5.) twin fore masts.
    When I look at these design characteristics, I wounder how they would work out if they were scaled up and were slightly more beamy, say having a beam of 0.20 length instead of 0.17.
    Suppose we scaled it up to 50% more length, which would make it a 30 footer. Then, there would be a lot more space on board. and the greater length, combined with the narrow beam, would make it a very efficient powerboat. Put in a small engine. Give some good sized fuel tanks. And keep its sail rig, but just scale it up 50%, so the sail sizes stay in proportion to the size of the boat.

    This would make a very interesting motor-sailor. And it would be very easy to handle out at sea.
    It would motor with its tiny engine until the wind got strong enough to make this difficult. Then up would go the sails.
    In storm survival conditions, the sails could be all furled, and the bow centerboard could be lowered. Then, the boat would likely heave to without a stitch of sail up.
    Or the centerboard could be pulled up, and the twin fore masts would keep it pointed down wind, if the situation required this.
     
  2. skaraborgcraft
    Joined: Dec 2020
    Posts: 374
    Likes: 112, Points: 43
    Location: sweden

    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    There is nothing wrong with the idea of small and skinny as far as easily driven goes. A Scilly Pilot Gig can attain double figures under oars in bursts, and quite easily under sail in a breeze; certainly much safer to do so if it was decked over.

    [​IMG]

    Paul Fisher did an updated version to take an inboard, it would make a very easily driven boat that would clip along at a good pace using very little fuel.

    [​IMG]

    I hope his boat works out. Not everyone though wants or could travel in such small boats. he is small himself.
     
    Igor and bajansailor like this.
  3. Yes
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 2, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 19
    Location: Sweden

    Yes Junior Member

    This man says 38-42

    38-42 is exactly the right boat size.

    He seems to be very serious about it. He knows what he is talking about. Very very experienced solo sailor;

     
  4. skaraborgcraft
    Joined: Dec 2020
    Posts: 374
    Likes: 112, Points: 43
    Location: sweden

    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    Not everyone can afford 38-42ft yachts. I know more than a few people who have done transatlantic circuits Europe-West Indies-Europe in boats under 30ft. Not everyone wants to go into the Southern Ocean or spend months at sea between ports. I can confidently say that one can sail around the world in a 21ft boat, and that does not require having a watermaker on board. What exactly do you want, a means to travel to other places or a floating home to entertain others? Before stating "this is the right size", one must know what the question being asked is.
     
  5. Yes
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 2, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 19
    Location: Sweden

    Yes Junior Member

    Yes. Well if you watch the video you'll see exactly: 15:49.
     
  6. skaraborgcraft
    Joined: Dec 2020
    Posts: 374
    Likes: 112, Points: 43
    Location: sweden

    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    He admits its his personal opinion. These days far too many people are suggesting 55ft + is "the size" for a couple. Is a 38-42ft boat more comfortable than the 29ft boat he was sailing, of course, but then a 70ft would be even more comfortable. A friend skippers an 85ft sloop, in the off season he runs the boat entirely single handed. It has much to do with the sailors skill and physical ability, than just size.
     
  7. Yes
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 2, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 19
    Location: Sweden

    Yes Junior Member

    Yes. He put his point about boat size forward in รก very polite manner and explains well why he thinks this boat size is optimal. Not only is he a very experienced solo sailor he's also a mild mannered gentleman. He's someone I gladly listens to and I certainly take what he says seriously and I don't doubt for a second that he's probably right about his conclusion: 38 - 42.
     
  8. bajansailor
    Joined: Oct 2007
    Posts: 3,596
    Likes: 1,560, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 37
    Location: Barbados

    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    This is his personal opinion, and other equally experienced sailors will all have different opinions - it's like asking folk which is the best anchor....... everybody has their own preference. :)
     
    BlueBell likes this.
  9. Yes
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 2, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 19
    Location: Sweden

    Yes Junior Member

    Opinion based on facts. :) His argument is perfectly sound. ;)
     
  10. Will Gilmore
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 939
    Likes: 434, Points: 63
    Location: Littleton, nh

    Will Gilmore Senior Member

    A logically sound argument is all very good of the premises are good. That's where personal opinion changes things.
     
    bajansailor likes this.
  11. Yes
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 2, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 19
    Location: Sweden

    Yes Junior Member

    Okay. Where did the gentleman go wrong?
     
  12. skaraborgcraft
    Joined: Dec 2020
    Posts: 374
    Likes: 112, Points: 43
    Location: sweden

    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    No one is saying he is "wrong". He is stating an "opinion", based on his preferences. Yachting Monthly did a long poll over a decade ago with the result being the "ideal" boat was a 38ft semi long keel multichine steel boat with a cutter rig. I never heard of more than one the original boat being built to that "ideal" design.

    If there was such thing as the "ideal" or "perfect" boat, we would all be sailing around in the same boat, and driving identical cars. Life aint like that.
     
    Will Gilmore and bajansailor like this.
  13. skaraborgcraft
    Joined: Dec 2020
    Posts: 374
    Likes: 112, Points: 43
    Location: sweden

    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    Now you are just trolling......or rather scraping the sea bed. Everyone knows the CQR is the best anchor ever.......;)
     
    bajansailor likes this.
  14. Yes
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 2, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 19
    Location: Sweden

    Yes Junior Member

    Yes! Did I say anything else than exactly that?
     

  15. skaraborgcraft
    Joined: Dec 2020
    Posts: 374
    Likes: 112, Points: 43
    Location: sweden

    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    You agreed with his opinion, and added a qualifier, "he is right", without adding anything to say why a boat that size is perfect.

    Anyhoo, this thread is supposed to be about Svens small and enviro-mental boats. The difference in mind set deserves a seperate thread, maybe?
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.