Transcript SELF DRAINING SABOT - South Queensland Sabot Association

SELF DRAINING SABOT
OR
REASONING
Safety issues after witnessing incidents.
Keep kids in the class by not turning them off after
multiple capsizes.
Better learn to sail outcomes.
Modernise the class for long term future
AIM
 Improve the recovery after a capsize
 Make the boat simpler to sail
 Existing boats could be modified
Considerations
 Not to make the boat faster – aimed at beginner
sailors
 Ensure it still looks like a Sabot
 Minimise change of handling characteristics
 Easily righted from capsize
Scuppers
 Trialled Scuppers as this would be quick cost
efficient conversion.
 This was not a success as the Sabot does not
have the speed or stability to drain the water
out.
Other Options
Most surviving dinghy classes have false floors or full length
side tanks so there is no need to bail. Eg. All of the Olympic
classes, Manly Junior, Byte, 125, Bic.
 Full length side tanks:- boat floats higher when capsized
making the centreboard higher to reach. Appearance
would be very different. Less space for 2up sailors.
 False floor:- a second floor creates additional buoyancy
and reduces the volume of water the hull holds. Floats
slightly higher with drain/scupper holes for excess to
escape.
False Floor
 Not a new idea in Sabots: 1970’s - some made in NSW but never approved. The
false floor was very high altering the sailing
characteristics and less room between floor and
boom.
 Early 2000’s the PJ version emerged with a lower
false floor and a shorter front tank. Once again
approval not granted.
Why should it go through now?
 After the 70’s the buoyancy area was increased to a
longer tank front tank.
 Previously the Sabot Class had little competition from
other classes therefore had no reason to support
change.
 Now it is important to retain and attract more sailors
by making the class more appealing.
Conversion to False Floor
 Removed rear buoyancy tank
 Removed automatic bailer
The centreboard case
 Shortened centre board
case at the bottom front.
 Prevents the bottom of the
board going forward
causing difficulties for
inexperienced.
Experienced sailors do not
use this area.
 Centreboard can still be
raked back for light sailors
in strong winds.
Added bulk heads to
support the floor including
lightening and drain holes
for air flow and ease of
removing water.
The false floor is laid after
glassing the bottom side.
Ready to test
Moment of Truth
Click on the play button to watch
video.
Further modifications
Hiking straps had to be
moved inboard as they were
higher. Could work with one
strap as they are now so
close together which would
make the boat look even
simpler.
Other info
 Bucket, scoop, lanyards and automatic
bailer can all go. Simplifying the
whole look.
 The weight removed equalled the
modifications.
 Existing boats can be modified by
owners or with a mould such as
Dinghy Sports did for the Manly
Juniors when they changed.
Templates could even be supplied.
 Bung in stern was considered but
these are often forgotten. Safer to
keep front inspection port where it
has less opportunity to leak.
Verdict
 All the kids who trialled it
loved it and were all positive
about it.
 It was cleaner, simpler, no
tangles.
 Felt different but they liked it.
 It looks cool.
 Residual water or water over
the bow is easily emptied by
simply moving weight back .
Safety Considerations
Centreboard higher to reach
The centreboard at the tip was 40mm higher out of the
water and all who have trailed this boat have easily been
able to reach the centreboard and right without turtling.
Ease of boarding
The boat floats higher
without the water in it.
Boarding over the side
causes it to roll to
windward more than
before which spooked a
few who entered over the
stern. All kids managed to
re-board in some fashion,
however it was better to
cut the transom down for
easier for stern entry.
Boom height
The gap between floor and boom is reduced but is no
less than other similar classes. False floor Sabot
740mm; Opti 700mm; Flying11 750mm.
Rule Changes
 A proposal will be submitted by SQSA for
consideration by all the zones for discussion.
 It will be optional which type of buoyancy
configuration is used.
 Time is of the essence with planning underway for
production boats.
 Overtime the best option will persevere.
Summary
 The proposed self draining Sabot will benefit the
newer less skilled sailors, the future of our class, to
progress them quicker to enjoy the Sabot experience.
Our current more experienced sailors who capsize
little will likely be happy to stick with what they have.
 The only other class that springs to mind which still
has a bailer is our competition.
Its time to move ahead and
ditch the bucket.