Paul Oman ) writes:

... let the weave of the cloth show thru

You wouldn't normally do this on racing boats as any rough surface creates
drag, but on a Optimist raced by junior sailors there will be much more
important factors in the race, like wind directon and trim.



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In article ,
(William R. Watt) wrote:

Paul Oman ) writes:

... let the weave of the cloth show thru

You wouldn't normally do this on racing boats as any rough surface creates
drag, but on a Optimist raced by junior sailors there will be much more
important factors in the race, like wind directon and trim.


Good point--the main reason this boat needs to be light is
psychological. When some kid gives my son a hard time because he's
sailing a wooden boat, my son can truthfully tell him that the woodie is
the same weight as a glass boat, but stiffer and tougher! Some people
spend upwards of $700 on Opti foils. That money would be much better
spent on quality coaching teaching the kid boat handling, tactics, how
to play shifts, etc.

Jack

Jack Rogers -you) writes:

....the main reason this boat needs to be light is
psychological. When some kid gives my son a hard time because he's
sailing a wooden boat, my son can truthfully tell him that the woodie is
the same weight as a glass boat, but stiffer and tougher! Some people

when plywood boats like the Optimist are built in fibreglass they usually
come out heavier. being overweight may not be a problem. being underweight
may be as people don't like racing against lighter, faster boats.

if the boat is to be built heavy of thicker plywood for toughness the
stiffness of thicker plywood may prevent it from bending to the shape of
the hull.

Skene's Elements gives the weight of fibreglass as 96 lb/cu ft, fir
plywood 36 lb/cu ft, fir lumber 32 lb/cu ft, and all the mahogonies
beetween the fir lumber and fir plywood.

something to note. sorry if it's been considered, I haven't read all the
articles in the thread.
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