Rob,
so far this is just a concept model,
all the technical details have yet to be worked out.
In my neck of the woods shallow water is a huge concern,
and also for the Ultimate Florida Challenge.
I should be able to lower the masts with the sails and boom still attached.
they will also be removable for the portage,
or on the skinny and narrow upper reaches of the rivers
where I will basically have to cut a trail thru the downed trees and blowdown.
Yup, the drag of the mounting of the swinging stub masts are a concern.
If I can keep it out of the water I should be good.
The lower stub mast section will be faired to reduce catching any waves.
the center platform.
while I'd really like to just have a net there
I do have to plan on the aux propulsion.
I'm gonna use some kind of pedal prop drive.
for the portage I'm also going to use a bike.
the center platform will store the bike wheels, etc.
it will also make a great place to sleep.
I've never gonna leave the boat , not if I can help it.
folding:
my model doesn't exactly show how it's really gonna be.
I'm gonna use rectangular aluminum tubes
and they will be bolted to a center and shared "splint"
The platform is just basically be a light weight storage box mounted on top.
What's next?
I have to come up with a sail plan, and boat length.
>From there I can figure out the CE and CLR and such
and can figure in just where those rudders are going.
Right now I'm working on another boat project
which must be finished first before I move on with building the Proa Phoenix.
that doesn't stop me from doing all the design work though!
can't build it until I know what I'm going to build, right?
When the time comes I'll be getting help from someone to design the hulls .....
different build methods are being considered.
when I start flying the ww hull it's got to be strong!
--- In harryproa@yahoogroups.com.au, Rob Denney <harryproa@...> wrote:
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>
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> Dennis,
> Looks good. When are you starting to build?
> Couple of details:
> 1) rudders a long way back are hard to access to lift them. I find weed
> and reducing wetted surface for reaching/running are the cause more often
> than shallow water.
> 2) Outboard masts solve the dropping problem, but the drag will be huge.
> Will you have to remove the sail and boom each time you drop the mast?
> 3) What is the purpose of the platform? If the boat has enough sail area
> to be fast, you will be sitting on the ww hull most of the time, and on the
> lw one the rest of it. There is not much middle ground as, once you start
> moving, the apparent goes up very quickly. Clambering over the platform
> to balance the boat, and to reach the sails and rudders will be harder work
> than necessary.
> 4) Folding looks good, just make sure all the overlaps are big enough to
> support the righting moment and that it all locks into place, rather than
> relying on lines.
>
> rob
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>