Posted by: Paul Goodwin on March 14, 2005 at 08:36:54:
In Reply to: Re: Rules regarding the use of carbon fiber in DN construction posted by Harald Stuertz, DN G 201 on March 12, 2005 at 05:06:51:
I agree 100% with Harald.
I would disagree with Eric when he says "state of the art"
referring to CNC balsa core composite construction. I would
call these components "highest tech" and "most expensive", but
to call them state of the art implies that all-wood construction
is inferior.
I think it is also a mistake to think that allowing carbon
composites would not increase the price of a DN. True, it is
getting more difficult to find clear lumber, but the price
is not that prohibitive today. Clear Sitka Spruce costs less
than end grain balsa, and for side panels the Sitka doesn't
require any reinforcing. For planks, the wood for a
traditional plank is very cheap compared to end grain balsa
composite contruction, and doesn't require any special
machining, vacuum bags, autoclaves, etc.
If carbon was allowed on side panels, then we might well see
a design come along that obsoletes all-wood construction.
This would make all of the older boats worthless, and would
mean that all home builders had to go to composite construction
to be competitive. If wood hulls had structural problems
which composites overcame, I would be enthusiastic (as I
was for composite masts), but I think the composite hull is
bad for the class, and carbon would make this problem worse.
As for wood booms. I agree you can't easily build a wood
boom as light as an aluminum boom. I sailed with a wood
boom for many years, and I still think it was the most
functional boom I've ever used. The boom was a prototype
which I built with junk wood (lots of grain runout), and I
finally split it along the grain after many years of happy
sailing. With a little redesign I might be able to make it
"close" to the weight of a Forstmann boom, but I'm not
inclined to take the time. If anyone is interested, I can
supply drawings of my boom design and suggestions to make
it better. The aluminum Forstmann works very well, is
lightweight, and I don't have to worry about it breaking.