From one of Doug’s previous posts that was quoted by Greg earlier …
<font size=“1”>"Enter the new Quick Trac idea: the foils AND the wand mechanism are mounted on rotating axles and hooked to a powerful servo. "</font id=“size1”>
OK - stop here and “think” about that for a moment. Now go back and read the quote one more time. OK ?
Here is one very important reason that I have been critical of the concept of retracting foils since this post was made. Even those without “technical foil experience” can understand this. Since the first posting of this “concept” I am still waiting [:-boring] to see a prototype - and why I have been constantly asking Doug to just demonstarte it.
Doug seems to be fond of facts - so let’s look for a moment at his facts and ideas on foils.
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Fact: Doug (finally) admits a foiler can be a “dog” in light air if foils can’t be retracted.
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Fact: Doug feels that “T-Foils” are the best answer to foils and has used them extensively in the F3 project. Who knows about the “other” ones.
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Fact: A “T-Foil” is shaped like an upside-down “T” and the cross foils is what controls the attitude (height) of the boat above water.
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FACT: The retractable idea Doug continues to promote includes a mechanism where the foils are mounted on rotating axles and hooked to a powerful servo.
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OK - here is why <u>I Want To See This Thing Work</u> … If you “rotate” a “T” shape while it is in the water, as the “T Foil” rotates from vertical to horizontal at some point (almost immediately past true vertical, the surface area of the foils “T” acts as a brake as the boat moves forward through the water, but the “T” is at right angles to the direction of travel. It is this seeming small and insignificant issue that causes me to ask (again) for a prototype to show me how this “rotating retracting T-Foil” will work without stopping or slowing the boat? Remember - this is happening in very light air.
What would be the results of dragging a parachute in the water for “1 second” behind ANY boat? Methinks it would tend to slow it down a lot. Rotating the foil on an axle WILL slow the boat down. The foils need to be raised vertically (like a daggerboard) to prevent the “T” part of the foil from acting like a brake. Doug isn’t in a position to sell you the product for simple installation on your multihull. This means you (YOU the owner) get to <u>build</u> the system yourself!
FACT: After three years, without a boat builder, it is easy to see how few F-48’s have hit the water, and there is a simple foam or balsa strip construction method available too. Now Doug wants you to believe that YOU can build a retracting foil system. Yes, I’m sure those new to the sport or to multihulls will quickly embrace that challenge.
The multihull is designed to be fast. If it can include “control” so much the better, but until the idea is demonstracted (to use Rohan Veal as Doug’s favorite guy) ON THE WATER, once again, we will all sit around and wait until a product is available to be purchased. Perhaps a few may make a stab at building their own foil system.
FACT: In the past Doug has indicated a multihull needs to be properly designed to use foils. So if you design a boat to use foils, but then “lift” the foils and deactivate them, doesn’t this change the “concept” of a boat being designed for foils? For the beginner, wanting to “learn” to sail a multihull - simply remove the daggerbaord and replace it with one with a chunk of lead on the bottom. Much easier and less trouble for these kind of “training wheels” - and a lot less work and cost too! Once you feel comfortable with sailing experience just replace with an “unleaded” keel version.
Contrary to Doug’s views - the “jury” is a long way from rendering it’s verdict. In fact, they are still waiting to see all the physical evidence first. In the meantime - you can purchase a multihull kit from a US builder in Kansas, you can purchase a complete boat from a UK builder, you can build your own out of foam or balsa using any number of free on-line plans, … or … you can sit and wait for Doug to build and sell his retracting foil idea.
In the meantime - Don’t let horror stories keep you away from a fast sailing multihull.