"Joe" wrote ...

I'm going to taper the leading edge to a knife like
sharpness.


I don't think you want to do that.

Scotty

Scotty wrote:
"Joe" wrote ...

I'm going to taper the leading edge to a knife like
sharpness.


I don't think you want to do that.

Scotty

How come?

Joe

I'm going to taper the leading edge to a knife like
sharpness.


Scotty wrote:
I don't think you want to do that.

Scotty


Joe wrote:
How come?


This may be counterintuitive, but when the foil
(centerboard, keel, or rudder) is working, there is a slight
flow across the leading edge. Then remember that it has to
cope with big disruptions in the flow, such as when the boat
rolls or pitches or turns. The foils are waggling about
under water and have anything but ideal flow.

The best all-around leading edge shape for a small sailboat
is an ellipse, it's relatively easy to achieve & keep and
works under a very wide variety of speeds & conditions.

There's a *LOT* of stuff written about this, try googling
something about leading & trailing edges, NACA foil
sections, L/D ratios, and the like.

Here's a good section:
http://www.nasg.com/afdb/show-airfoil-e.phtml?id=260

Fresh Breezes- Doug King