Performance Engineering
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Performance Engineering |
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Simple Inexpensive Performance
"A fast hull with little or no expensive hardware will always beat a slow boat with all the expensive go-fast gadgets". Keep the sailing simple and fun. Remember that low cost is fun. No one enjoys spending money; only what it brings. Performance doesn't have to cost that much (i.e. 12 meters are slow expensive boats, sailboards are cheap fast boats).
There is a general consensus that slow boats are tactical and fast boats are not. Slow boats are tactical because everyone goes the same speed. Slow. Fast boats are more sensitive to boat handling and loss of speed in tacking. The Vanguard 15 overcomes much of this by simplifying boat handling and minimizing weight sensitivity in a light boat. Boat handling is tamed by not having excessive sail area and having sufficient stability. Emphasis is on having control. Weight sensitivity is always difficult in light boats. The percent difference between crew weight is much greater in light boats than heavy boats. The Vanguard 15 was specifically designed to minimize the weight penalty for light or heavy crews. First, the length of 15 feet was determined to be much more beneficial in this regard than 13 or 14 feet. Secondly, more innovative design approaches were required. A close inspection of the V15 hull shows it's unique shaping. This hull shape was the result of tank testing and a strong influence of my design work with the International 14.
A tactical performance hullform for the general population requires durability. While more expensive solutions are available, a low cost boat with high performance characteristics requires a thoughtful approach to design. The hull and deck are designed to deflect impact. Rather than try to continue to add more and more glass (which adds to the cost and weight), the V15 is designed ride over or bounce, not stick on boat-to-boat collisions. The bow profile and deck gunnels are angled to encourage the boats to lift on impact. The angled gunnels also afford comfortable hiking. Surface area for all glassed surfaces was minimized. This allows a heavier glass weight per square foot without having a heavier boat. The internal structure is also optimized for hull rigidity and rig loads.
Easy to Handle on and off Water
Light weight boats not only cost less to build they are easy to handle on and off the water. The Vanguard 15 is easily car topped without crushing you or your car. The flat deck affords an easy landing on any straight roof rack and will distribute the load over large areas of the boat. On the water, the Vanguard 15 is spacious and comfortable. Moving about is easy and not an exercise in gymnastics. There aren't a lot of expensive fittings to rip your close, body, and wallet. You won't have to fish your halyard down the mast 10 minutes before the race because your halyard broke inside the mast when you where hoisting the sails.
"Tactical sailing doesn't have to be slow, and performance sailing doesn't have to be expensive, uncomfortable, and excessively physical."