Interesting thread. Sorry I missed it, but web page writing is all
consuming, at least for me.
Extracts and comments
"without exception, every single video i have ever seen has shown them
pitching down. unacceptably unsafe in my opinion. what can be done
about it?"
I disagree. Very few of them are bow down, none of them to the point
of being unsafe. For sure, the bluff bows kick up some spray, but
remove that and they are pretty close to level. Given the low rigs,
no rocker, easily driven hulls and high prismatics, why would they be
any more bow down than a multi of similar length in similar
conditions? Check out the 2 vids at
http://harryproa.com/index.php/boats/2012-10-11-10-18-30/2012-08-28-18-16-37?start=1
Of course, it can be done. When Elementarry was a schooner with 22
sqm/240 sq' of sail, I sailed it in 25-30 knots on the Swan River in
Perth. No swells but frequent large waves from ferries and gin
palaces. This is windy enough for beach cats to think twice about
gybing and both crew on Tornados to be perched on the stern downwind
with the lee deck almost awash. It was possible to push El hard
enough to pitch pole it, but it was very easy to keep it right on the
edge using the sheet and steering. The way to tell if you are right
on the edge is to push it a little harder, which I did and got thrown
almost a boat length ahead of the boat when it went over.
Pantographing has a lot of potential, just needs someone to realise
it. Making pivot points for the beams in the ww hull is very simple
as the loads are relatively small and they are always in the same
direction.
Spinnakers and kites. Russ uses a spinnaker as a jib/genoa does not
work beyond about 120 apparent unless it is a ballestron. On a racing
harry, I would prefer much more upwind sail area (schooner rig and/or
telescoping) which is not used when it is not needed (too windy, the
mast bends) and use it downhill. Not as much sail area as a
spinnaker, but much cheaper, lighter, easier and faster in the light.
A racing harry would always sail with the breeze at 90 apparent or
further ahead. Spinnakers are not much good at this angle, you are
better off with a screecher, but the loads on these are horrendous,
which adds more weight which has to be carried upwind. A cruiser is
more likely to run dead square and could probably use a spinnaker in
light air. Easy enough to fit one, but sheeting angles, extra winches
and gear make it a hassle.
I have done a few miles with Outleaders. They are indeed great for
keeping the bows up and with some practice work well. Gybing them on
a harry would be tricky, but I guess there is no reason why you
couldn't just move the sheet positions, dump the main and sail with
the long hull to windward. With a bit of practice they can be flown
across the sky to increase their apparent wind, while the boat is
sailing dead down wind. They can also be flown at 90 apparent. I
tried a 40 sqm one on El and it was pretty impressive for the brief
times it worked, but the strings were a pain. Built a retrieval line
which tidied them up, but 4 lines and a tiller were too much for me
solo. If you try one on the weta, put one string through a block at
the bow, one from the hounds, and the tip lines at the end of the
fore beam to keep it stable and eliminate gybes. To trim it, always
ease the line on the corner that is moving downwards. Try it with the
boat anchored first. Wear gloves. The thin lines really hurt when
the kite goes through the power zone.
Beating Hobie 16's downwind. Contrary to popular opinion, not many
boats are fast enough to sail the angles downwind faster than they can
blow down almost square running. Maybe run wing and wing with the
spinnaker during races, and when not racing keep practicing sailing
the angles by using a telltale on the windward stay to keep the breeze
at 90 apparent.
Forward rudder downwind. It is very obvious on El that the bow is
more depressed downwind with the front rudder down. In marginal
conditions, or racing, I would always have the front rudder up.
"all the accounts i've read of harry proas claim to achieve windspeed
in the summary, and then later on when they give numbers it's only 3/4
of it or so. a bit of an exaggeration that's always bothered me."
Please let me know where the above occurs and I will correct it to
read "are able to sail at windspeed from 5 to 15 knots", which is
what it usually is. This claim is based on Rare Bird in the first
video above where (according to Mark Giles, an experienced Aussie
journo) it is doing 10 knots by gps in 10 knots of breeze in the first
part and 15 in 15 in the second. And Blind Date sailing at 8 knots
in 8.1 knots in the fifth photo in the title at
http://www.zeilenmetvisie.nl
Main sheet fuses are very dangerous as they don't allow for waves.
Better is a simple fuse that releases when the windward hull lifts.
regards,
rob