A Cat Worlds 2014 Takapuna

[jeremyh]

Seemed to be missing a thread for this topic. The event starts in 19 days and the pre worlds starts in 15. Up to date entry list can be found here. As of now only 76 expected, but very experienced. Here is report by Arno Terra. Will anyone be sailing with anything outside of the norm besides the J boards and flexi C boards?

 

[Sailingkid]

I'll have straight boards with a kink in the top and L rudders, but they've been around for a few months now.

 

[juniordave nz]

I think you will see a few different things. Drummo will be back with his new black boat with raised platform. There'll be a few J's (not just from DNA), Lots of C's from lots of different manufacturers. Lots of variations of winglets. I'm not sure if we will see anything too much radical.

I'll have photos after the event of just about every set-up there is and load them to the NZADCA website.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Glad to see this thread. What was the rationale on the low freeboard design of the black boat with raised platform?

 

[SimonN]

Arno's report seems to be to be a bit biased. I know he isn't with DNA any more, but you wouldn't know it from the angle he has taken with his review.

Starting with the boats, the really interesting one is the Exploder, which has Landy, Brad Collett and a couple of other fast guys sailing them. In many ways I would love to see the boat do well, because it is the best value A out there.

Arno also says that in sail development we do not see too many new things. We certainly did at the Australian nationals, with Glenn using a sexy new and very light all black (total blackout) sail which weighed 1 kg less than all the others. Whether he sticks with that for the worlds, develops it further or reverts to an earlier design remains to be seen. I also wouldn't bet against others using something different from what we saw at the Aussie nationals. While foils may make a difference, there are other developments going on and to write them off would be wrong.

The biggest hope I have for the worlds is that we get a range of conditions in order to see how well these new boards (J, flexi C) work. I suspect there will be conditions when some foils are superior, but I think the jury is very much out on whether they are really an all round solution.

My prediction? If J foils are better, it will be between Glenn and Peter Burling. If they are the same as standard foils, it will be between Glenn, Peter and Stevie. If J's have a weakness, Stevie should be in the driving seat unless it is 17-20 knots when his lighter weight might be a problem. If it gets breezy, Mischa will be in the mix. I had believed that Nathan O was going, but his name isn't on the list, but if he does, he will be up there as well.

It will be interesting to see if the "young guns" - the likes of Steve Brayshaw, Adam Beattie and Dave Parker - can find that little bit extra that stopped them really challenging Glenn and Stevie at the Oz nationals. I am also probably being rather disrespectful to all sorts of other people, such as Landy and Brad Collett, who will be challenging for the top 10, but who I am not convinced can actually win the thing.

All I do know is I wish I was there and it will be a very interesting and revealing regatta which will probably give us a pretty good idea f the future direction of the class.

 

[Sonofagun]

Dougy the Gun will be up there

 

[juniordave nz]

I'm not entirely sure why he went for the raised platform. I think to reduce drag in waves. He was also running J boards at the Nats last year, but they were an older style.

Glad to see this thread. What was the rationale on the low freeboard design of the black boat with raised platform?

I agree, Arno was a bit DNA biased in his views. And SimonN is Aus biased.

All I can hope for is a bloody good show to watch from mid pack and to finish all races without DNF's or OCS.

With all this new technology, there could well be a bit of attrition in the fleet as bits break or people lose control.

Also Auckland could through any conditions at us. This summer has been quite unstable with quite a few systems coming through, although Feb is usually more stable than Dec and Jan.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

We're going to have some exclusive stuff on the front page i believe.

 

[SCARECROW]

Jakub has gotten his boat into some bloody good hands, Landy, Cairns, Anderson, Collet, Demon Parker and Noetzel. If they all perform to their potential that is a lot of Exploders in or near the top 10. Could have serious effect on the resale value of the second hand DNAs on the market.

 

[WetnWild]

Certainly agree that from what we have seen from the two Exploders sailing in Aus that they will be right up there particularly with the quality of sailors on board. Don't think there will be much impact on DNA second hand prices as they are proven boats with performance and longevity. In fact Aus second hand prices have been rising recently for DNA's due to the significant change in exchange rate Aus$ vs Euro.

 

[Sonofabitch]

Dougy the Gun will be up there

Define up there

 

[WetnWild]

Dougy's a great chance because he hasn't been conned by the bendy board bullshit.

 

[Sonofabitch]

Define a great chance

 

[WetnWild]

You Sonofa...... people are confusing me. Just trust me, Dougy has come across from the dark side of sailing monoslugs and will not be last. Surely there is a technology crossover from his NS 14 days.

 

[ukjamie]

Preview Report by Bob Griffits

http://www.a-cat.org/?q=node/345

 

[Sonofabitch]

Nice preview by Bob. Disappointed he didn't mention SimonN or Dougy the Gun, both of whom are legends in their own lunchtime.

 

[Rohanoz]

Be surprised if Glenn continues with the Black cloth, it has been discontinued by contender and is pretty much a clearance item.

I made a set out if it last Easter, and was pretty underwhelmed. Looks trick, but horrible to work with, and is pretty stretchy. You also stand out like dogs balls on the course, and the old RC could well just see the boat with 'black sails' over the line in a crowd.

Plenty of other far superior cloths to choose from both Contender and DP in Aust.

 

[Tornadosail2012]

You also have a strong US contingent competing at the Worlds. I am interested to see what Pete Melvin will be sailing since there are rumors of him designing a new A-Cat. Lars Guck who did well at the last Worlds held at Islamorada and was second to Glenn in 07 might give a good showing here as well. He was the surprise performer at the C-Class Worlds on a heavier and somewhat dated Cogito.

 

[juniordave nz]

I don't think Pete got round to designing the new boat, could be wrong though. Some guys at Dynamic Composites were going to build it, but never happened.