Maxprop wrote:
OzOne wrote in message ...
On Mon, 1 Jan 2007 12:02:59 -0500, "Ellen MacArthur"
scribbled thusly:

These multihulls pitchpole in smooth water. What's with that? Bad
design?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afSKI1RN9Co

Cheers,
Ellen


Nope, just exceptionally bad crew work.

Bingo. Hit the nail on the head, Oz.

Max

I think a bit of both, wave piercing hull tends to pierce in a
straight line, a bit more flare high up on the bows would do wonders.
Pushing any Cat to the limits you can expect to pitch pole and flip,
not as much as the weekend warriors in Ellens flick, but often.

I think the Earthrace boat is in for a rude awakening dealing with the
same issue.
http://www.earthrace.net/

They do not have enough power to punch thru big waves, and a big wave
that envelopes the boat will snuff out the engines.

Wave piercing is great to a point, but ability to rise submerged and
not just drive forward is just as important.

Joe