New racing dinghy design

[George T]

Hi all,

I am currently developing ideas for a racing dinghy to sail at club level on handicap. One idea is to develop a 420 style semi-displacement hull (so it can plane or sit in the water stably) with a modern style of cat rig (I'm thinking wishbone boom) or a foiling mono hull such as the new mini transats with the scow bow and either a conventional rig, semi solid or solid wing sail. I have the time and money to bother with wing sails and foils so that is not a constraint. Depending on sail area after development they could be either no trapeze and single handed or single trapeze and single handed. I'd like to know any thoughts on which would be better and any tips on developing the cat rig to make it more efficient upwind as well as any other hull styles or rig options people think would be better.

Many thanks George T

 

[upchurchmr]

That's a pretty big request.
You only covered dingy design from about 100 years ago to yesterday.
Want to know about the best materials and building process also?

The only thing you left out is multihulls.

Is there still dingy handicap racing any more? Not in my area.

 

[messabout]

George; why do you want to develop a new class. There are already scores of them. If you can improve on or somehow make a new design better than or less costly than established classes such as Laser, Melges 14, RS....and a bunch more, then I heartily encourage you.

 

[George T]

Hi upchurchmr

Yes , there still is handicap racing especially in my area. I know I covered a lot so here is what I specifically need help with: The design aspects of a modern cat rig such as those with a wishbone boom; any ideas on conventional rig choices or semi-solid/solid wing sails and your opinions on the two hull designs (420 style planing or something like a laser just bigger with an open cockpit and foils).

Many thanks

 

[George T]

Hi Messabout

I don't have the intention of developing a new class it is only a one off build for me to have fun with and test the limits purely to get it PY rated so I can handicap race at my club and the inter-club events along the solent and also for me to have fun in. if it does gain popularity then I would contemplate going further and possibly making a few more and selling to those interested.

Many thanks
George T

 

[Dolfiman]

I recommend you to have a look at the rig of the new First 14, because the architect Sam Manuard, coming from the Mini 650 world, has designed for this dinghy a rig allowing both cat boat sailing, and/or with a (furling) jib and/or with a gennaker on a bow sprit, all being manage by a single-handler (wind permitting), and even with two daggerboard position in order to optimise the balance when sailing cat-boat or with a jib.
First 14 | Beneteau https://www.beneteau.com/fr/first/first-14#
This video demonstrates these various uses and corresponding manoeuvers :

 

[George T]

Thanks very much but I am looking for a modernised version of the traditional cat rig with mast well forward and the first 14 is completely the wrong hull shape to what I'm looking for

 

[messabout]

George; if you want to build a new original design dinghy strictly for your own satisfaction you can count me in. I have done several of those just for the fun of it. After I aged a bit I did manage to put aside unrealistic expectations. In any case I built a couple of boats that were better than average and more than a few that were average or less. All that time and effort did not bring me fame or fortune but it did almost satisfy my creative urges. In the process of spending all that time, money, and apologizing for having robbed companion time from my good wife, I would do it again if given a chance.

In addition to all that fun, disappointment, and limited success, I have learned a little bit about what works and what is of questionable worth. At this time I am corresponding with my young and really bright Lithuanian friend, Laukejas. We are in the process of arguing over a planing dinghy design. His real name is Justinas and he is a plenty smart guy. In fact he is an IT whiz who has developed a Hydrostatic app to use in conjunction with the Solidworks program. We are having a helluva good time with this because I am an old time engineer type who uses a drawing board with pencil and paper instead of his computer programs.

Laukejas is a member here and you might persuade him to run your hydrostatics for you.

Go for it George, have fun.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

how about a "racing dingy" that also has great practical features to widen appeal beyond hell for leather racing. If its a "class" or club that is supposed to mean it about doing your best against equal boats. Include mounts for motor and oarlocks and mounts for sliding seat rowing, and make it a good swim/scuba boat.