Jim's telltale alternative
Bernard Johnson (slithytove@earthlink.net)
Thu, 29 Jul 1999 08:14:41 -0700
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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That is very interesting Jim. I think I would like to try it. Do you
know where I could buy the hardware? Could I build in some kind of
stress feedback to indicate when the total pressure on the sails is
getting dangerously high? (This would be useful for capsize prevention).
I understand the general idea of what you are saying, but maybe you
could sketch the layout and send it to me as an e-mail attachment?
I have an idea for gradually reducing the overturning moment (or at
least preventing it from increasing to a dangerous level) by allowing
the mast (and consequently the main and jib) to pivot in the wind
direction independently of the hull. This would require a pivot on the
mast step and a means of increasing the length of the windward stay
proportionately to the force at the center of pressure. I don't want to
say too much right now because I'm still working on it. It should allow
the boat to sail faster than when the hull is heeling because the hull
will present a more efficient profile (it's designed profile) to the
water.
Later Bernie Johnson