by s vernon » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:39 am
Carr - longer lower - higher righting moment and higher moment of iniertia. With a higher moi the boat will keep hobbyhorsing longer once it starts, in very little wind and chop. The boat wants to keep going straight rather than being willing to turn when commanded to do so or when a slight windshift causes the boat to seek a different line (upwind) on its own due to balance (change) between the center of effort of the sails and the center of lateral resistance of the hull. (Probably getting too deep.)
DB - slightly shorter and higher - slightly lower righting moment and lower moi. With a lower moi the boat responds quicker to turning commands of the rudder or a small windshift.
The difference in boat personality between the two styles of lead may be subtle or it may be very obvious. (?)
I have the 2 types of leads in 2 different boats. 95 std with long low and Ozmun with short high. They both are fast boats. I am going to have to try to sense the differences in racing situations.
AMYA magazine #115 has a very good article by Rod Carr concerning this subject.
Scott