MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Vendée Globe and . . . . foils

Hello, not sure if anyone else is taking an occasional look at the Vendée Globe, but I feel as a development class we should be looking at various advances in technology and imagining how they could make Merlins faster, safer, more exciting and even more beautiful.
So, although this will never happen .. and this may seem like heresy . . it would be very interesting if someone attached a foiling system to an older, no hoper boat, to see how it worked out and maybe had some fun. 
It would be great to see some technical discussion here, and in a collaborative way again, and perhaps some home building too.
Time to get out the vacuum bag and peel ply?


Posted: 03/12/2020 19:18:15
By:
Richard,
 
Whilst I understand your thinking I would think that the work required to build a Merlin that would come out of the water would be quite hard, given the hull shape and weight.  The hull has to be built to support the weight on the foil, which wouldn't be the case on many boats.
 
The Merlin is Restricted Development and I would worry what a step change would do to the class as a whole, as this change would effectively kill the existing boats, which is why it is Restricted, so more evolution, rather than Revolution.  And change for the sake of change isn't always a good thing, the National 12 fleet nosedived when winged rudders were allowed.
 
It is good to think about new ideas for the boats and try things, so feel free to try this out.
 
Stuart


Posted: 04/12/2020 09:53:09
By: Stuart Bates
Given how many boats have now had issues with their foils and the comparative speed of the boats with drifts, I question the value of them in this type of race. In my mind it has spoilt the Imoca60 class and the race has become a race of attrition rather than sailing skill. Alex Thompson would almost certainly have won 4 years ago had he not lost his starboard foil and this time the boat just wasn't strong enough to take the pounding these fast, suspended boats get, hence PRB going down. 
 
I am all for development but you have to think that these boats have become too fragile now. As for Merlins, they are just fine as they are.


Posted: 04/12/2020 10:44:14
By: Jez3686
Thanks for your comments. Have uploaded some sketches to Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/richjard.burtob/posts/10221507947462825

I’m thinking I might try out the concept on my Hooligan boat, but having the foils on the outside for a start to see if/how well it ‘flies’.


Posted: 04/12/2020 16:13:25
By: Richard
The problem you would have is drag against righting moment and weight. So the only way you'd get the boat to ride would be to pop the kite and reach probably unless windy. B14 would do it but then as the hull are built stress specific, would probably not take the torsional loads. Laser is a good example of where it does not really happen. Reduced drag due to tweaks would be great but as Stuart says, the drag and hull shape would kill the chance to fly in normal mode
 


Posted: 05/12/2020 21:21:57
By: Barnsie

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