Builder Update No. 8

[hull113]

Don and Rules gang-

Couple of things I'd like to talk about.

1. If wind generation is allowed, why not water?  I ask because EPropulsion has added water power generation capability to the Spirit.  Maybe it makes sense to allow one or the other, but not both.  I know you don't want to make it a power generation race.  It started with just solar, but now solar and wind, why not any two of the three?  Solar is light, but inefficient, wind is heavy but efficient, water might be essentially free (already carrying the motor).  Seems like an interesting twist to the competition/decision making aspect of the event.

2. What's the reasoning behind not allowing watermakers except in an emergency kit for the liferaft?  I think it would be too power hungry to use an electric one, buy why not a hand pump version?  In Transpac (and maybe others), the requirement is to carry some  volume of water as emergency water, sealed.  If the seal is broken at the finish, the entrant is DSQ (denoting an emergency situation).  If I want to carry 20L of water, and hand pump an hour or two every day, why not?  As long as I arrive at the finish with my safety water, then I'm deemed safe and sane.  Am I missing something?

3. I'd be happy to build some more structure into the bow, but I don't want to build a bunk as such.  I can't imagine ever sailing with more than two, so I don't need 3-4 bunks.  I'd rather light storage up there (spinnakers, etc) without needing lids, cubbies, etc.  Is there a way we could add some structure and avoid the bunk?

I'm sure there are some other things to think about, but these jumped to my mind first.

Thanks,
Jack
Hull 113

[jimschofield]

Hi Jack,

I can't answer 1 or 2 for you but regarding point 3, I've put two extra bulkheads above the waterline in the forepeak. I plan to fill these with buoyancy and two batteries just forward of the mast bulkhead. I basically copied Kolabri hull 78.

Jim

[hull113]

Quote from Don in these forums to Severin (use the search to find the rest of the post)-

"You must build the Galley Chart area as shown in that spot, but you can make it as complicated or simple as you like...a sink is NOT compulsary....You must have a BUNK in the bow area...that can be any design but MUST be able to secure shut so heavy items can be stored easily under the bunk...if a toilet is fitted then it is modified..basically it cannot be an open area...also that bunk will add strength to the bow panels..good luck..)"

I'm just trying to figure out what's REQUIRED for the Transat race. I'm really not interested in arriving in Portugal and having to kludge together a bunk in the forepeak or something else overnight.

I'd like to suggest a living document (ideally maintained by Don or Jane on the website, but someone (including me, I guess) needs to make a document with the aggregated rules from this forum, NORs, plans, etc. It's getting a little weird to have to look at the website and these forums to try to glean what's said as commentary and what's really a requirement/rule for racing.

[Admin]

Bugger..I just wrote a HUGE reply and for the first time the forum program failed?? aggh! ...so try again!!..it has never done that before???

Thanks JACK!!....opinions and ideas always welcome...

First the rules will finally consist of three things...1 The 580 Plans and builders updates...2. The 580 Class Rules for certification and 3. the Notice of race for a particular event. So first you build the boat to all the info in plans and builders updates which evolve as issues develop and we respond. Then certification is VERY important to maintain a one design status as best we can. So you need to follow those rules as well. This will never be Olympic one design standard but it will be good for Racing Oceans and around the bay together and still have fun club racing against other boat but your never going to beat a Mini 6.50 of course. Finally the event NOR is everything and it all comes together as one, so the idea of a living Document gets a bit hard but thanks for the suggestion. We still Maintain best to build the boat to the plans, follow the class rules for certification and then join qualify for an event.

Next week hopefully when we slow down a bit, I will be forwarding a questionnaire to all plan holders to ask opinions on a few suggestions ...that will help us make some final decision...so stand by for that....it includes ideas for the 2022, 5.80 2 week championship/challenge in Portugal, Comments on the Globe Transat PRE-Notice of Race, more news on the Plastimo builders pack.

The wind but no water gen situation is as a direct result of the ePropusion. I made a suggestion to ePropulstion about having a water/gen/ob and some months later there it was lol...anyway we do NOT ever want Petrol onboard, we need OB for all Trans ocean events to get to the start and from finish line to dock and if there are pitstops a feature of the MGR you use the engine to actually bring yourself to the marina and the clock starts when you throw a line ashore or anchor. there are no support boats at all. your on your own and that is part of the challenge so?? we cannot control or stop people using them so we allow it and it is a good overall challenge and good for OB developement...BUT no water gen combos were available when we allowed that concept and now it complicates it as we do not want a power boat race?

The reality is that a 5.80 has bugger all power requirements..you only have one stand alone Auto pilot, must have a windvane and just use radio, music, nav lights and little GPS, Ais etc...so 200 watt solar is heaps and 200 amp battery is the same....BUT?? what is forever clouds?? so a small wind gen seems the only option?? for an emergency? in the questionair we will suggest that we limit the size of the wind get to a max output...so you can see once you allow something it opens a can of worms with rules but it is still worth it ...so??

The water maker situation is that NO electric watermakers allowed....but you can take a manual watermaker BUT it will be sealed and you will be penalised if you break the seal..so cannot use it ..or only in extreme emergency...you need to carry all your water and that is for safety reasons...if 12v watermakers were allowed the first thing a sailor does is empty tanks after the gun goes and that is simply too dangerous. In the NOR for the Transat you MUST leave with 100 ltrs of water plus 9 ltr emergency...from the mid stop and 60 ltrs at the start from Portugal. I was the Australian agent of the survivor 06 and 35 as well as all electric models in Australia and sold 1000's to military and consumers...they are very good BUT the manual units are NOT meant for constant use...but for emergencies only... but I will carry an 06 in the Transat if I can afford it??

The double Bunk up forward does supply strengthening against slamming even though we all know the hull is VERY strong and it creates storage space down low...and IMPORTANTLY does NOT penalize another sailor who wants the bunk up forward...all are relevant issues when creating a one design useful small ocean racing yacht...so that is now required and is part of the builders updates provided when you bought your plans or on the website.

If anyone has any questions about descriptions or requirements best just to facebook message me for quick simple answers. I try to make myself easily available and FB messaging is easier than emails as some days I will get 30 emails..I work 6 email addresses lol..

All the best and hope to see you in Portugal??