High Performance MPX Foil/Self-righting Trimaran-The Test Model

MPX Test Model

Well, I went to Southern Photo today to see if they could do anything to the gopro-no luck. But I did get an SD card that has dramatically expanded the video capability of my camera.
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UPDATE 6/14/14- Of the next three days Monday and Tuesday look the best. But everything is packed and ready to load. Checked on the Tracker again and made a little mount for it.(pictures below) Also fixed the Davis Windmeter...

UPDATE 6/15/14- Tomorrow looks like the first sail-we'll see. If it is there will be pictures and video Monday afternoon.
UPDATE 6/16/14 - Looks good for today. 60% rain chance but may be able to sail before it starts.
UPDATE 6/16/13- Got loaded* and drove to the best sailing site for ENE wind(predicted). When I started loading the car wind was nearly flat calm. When I got to the site on the Indian River-wind was 8-10 on the Davis Windmeter. Too much for the first test sail-perfect after that. Try again tomorrow.
* The new stand would not fit completely in the car-- see below.
Tracker from site back: Click on the left circle, then play, then almost full zoom for a great view of the sailing site used for N,NNE to E winds: http://www.a-trip.com/tracks/view/153604 I'm mighty impressed with the little tracker!

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Tracker is fixed and doesn't rotate. Click-

 

Doug,

Why did you pull your Youtube video test???

...and your post here, pointing to that video???

-Rosebud

 

MPX Testing and Development

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Because I figured it had been up long enough AND I figured I'd have another video up today. I guess I was wrong.
But we try again tomorrow....and a friend is going along so we could have some great stuff tomorrow afternoon.
---The chances of that have dimmed a bit with the forcast.......

 

The "dry run" test of your transport ability is a move in the correct direction.

Just keep plugging at it until everything lines up.

Hope to see that first real video soon.

PS. There are probably not many Elantra's with Florida plates and a Sail Rocket bumper sticker. As a Sail Rocket fan & Elantra owner, I will have an easy time remembering that combination.

 

MPX Testing and Development

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Paul, the real thing about the Elantra is that a 103" X 24"(wider at bottom narrower at top) rig will actually fit in the thing! Not to mention a 5+' long by almost 7' wide boat(even in pieces)!
I do hate having to put the boat together and take apart every time-it's a real pain. Hang in there -good(great) stuffs a'comin......

 

MPX Testing and Development-First Sail!!!!!

Yee Ha! My patience paid off with absolutely perfect conditions this morning. Only one small problem: the designer forgot the jib and/or the Code Zero! Of all the dumb stupid moves. I even had a checklist but I guess I was so anxious to get going....... So I decided to sail with the main only. Very light air-probably maximum of about 3-4 -perfect.
In this first video I had forgotten to tighten the GDC(gaff control device) so the head twisted off a lot.(again ,that was on the damn CHECKLIST that, for some reason doesn't work if you don't read it)
The boat sailed well in these very light conditions tacking most of the time-but I got her in iron several times but backed out of it-easy to sail backwards-but much faster the other way! Had to wade out almost 100' from shore to get deep enough water. The sun knocked me out-I couldn't have got this stuff without the help of my neighbor and friend Coach Dan Burke.
This is the first video-there is one more. Did remember to turn on the tracker so I'll post those results in a little while.
For just sailing on the main I couldn't be more pleased-everything worked perfectly-except that the switch wouldn't turn the radio off at the end. Plenty of range, great site and the help of a good friend taking the video-without Dan there would have been no video.
And to top it off today is my birthday!
NOTE: when I asked youtube to fix the shakiness they totally screwed up the audio. Today I added music to both videos.
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Also: checkout the little tracker mounted just above the rudder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0AHD34_-8c&feature=youtu.be

 

MPX Test Model

Heres a few minutes more of light air:
NOTE: when I asked youtube to fix the shakiness they totally screwed up the audio. Today I added music to both videos.
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Also: checkout the little tracker mounted just above the rudder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74KEpcmgCh8&feature=youtu.be

 

MPX Testing and Development-------First Sail!

Here is a shot of the tracker screen. The wind was around 4 mph( 3.48 knots) max and averaged 2-3mph(1.74-2.61 knots). The bottom line is the boat did 3 mph(2.61knots) max( windspeed in light air with main only and main foil flap down 30 degrees!). She sailed well for not having the jib or code zero. Her sail area today with the main+ wingmast was 2686sq.in.(18.65 sq.ft.), the sails she missed would have added: 1) jib=704 sq.in(4.9sq.ft), 2) Code Zero=1400sq.in.(9.7 sq.ft.). Note that the wands had the main foil flap down 30 degrees the whole time, the lee foil was fully submerged and the bottom of the windward foil submerged. Main sheet was very quick and response to the helm was excellent. Jib sheet was tossed in the water so it wouldn't snag on anything-got to work out a solution using a mini shock cord or spring for future main only adventures-jib and main tied to same winch.
I'm real, real pleased at these results!
click and expand--

 

Happy Birthday Doug!

What a great day to have your first sail. I eagerly await more vids in more wind/with the other sails.

One thing I did notice even in this vid was that no matter what the wind done the amas pretty much seemed to only just be touching the water.

 

MPX Testing and Development-----First Sail!

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Thanks ,Dennis! This thing moved real well in the lite breeze-surprised me just how well. Dan and I could actualy see the lee ama lift a bit in a couple of bursts of "speed". I think she'll do just fine if I can remember to read the checklist.......

 

Doug,

Marvelous, simply marvelous.

Congrats on a job well done.

Looking forward to hearing about what you learn as you go along.

Sincerely,
TomH

 

Nice going Doug and happy birthday.
Look forward to seeing it with full rig and in stronger wind

 

Happy birthday Doug and congratulations on the test sail.

 

Happy birthday Doug!

 

The difference with the main sheeting corrected and no horrible leech fall off ... will be considerable; boat should fly no problem.