(Message posted on the Parker 27/275/285 forum to try and drum up interest in getting a polar model for Super Seal 26.)
Dear Parker 27/275/285 owners,
do you know if you are getting the best out of your boat in all points of sailing? How do you measure your performance? I pick a boat that sails well and compare my performance to it. A good indicator but not great.
Today, boat designers create a polar model that predicts the performance of a boat on all points of sailing for various wind strenghts. Owners then use these diagrams to see if they can drive the boat to its potential. It’s very useful particularly if there is no sister ship racing in the fleet as now you have the facts to compare against your performance. It is also useful for cruise planning as given a forecast you can more accurately predict your arrival time at your destination.
Unfortunately, polar models were not around when the Super Seal was designed. All is not lost however, as Ron Holland Design are willing to create a polar model for the Super Seal which will also apply to Parker 27/275 and approximate the Parker 285. There is one snag, the cost of €1,000 (this is before negotiations!).
I have suggested to the Commodore, Mr Clifford Miller, that the Association negotiate with Ron Holland Design to produce the polar model and then publish it in the handbook or sell it at a reasonable cost to the Association members. If there is sufficient interest and commitment to purchasing the polar diagram to cover the cost, I feel that the Association would fund the development.
If you are interested please post a reply to this message. If you have any questions on polar models I’ll do my best to answer them.
Some WEB sources on Polar Diagrams and Velocity Prediction Programs, VPP (don’t be put off by the TLAs and the hard sums, the diagrams are easy to read):
http://www.c34.org/faq-p...s/faq-polar-diagram.html
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/YD/2003/vpp.htm ' title='Click HERE to visit this site'>site'>read):
http://www.c34.org/faq-p...s/faq-polar-diagram.html
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/YD/2003/vpp.htm
A very good book on sail trim (the best book so far in my humble opinion) is North U TRIM. It has a section on polar models and VPP.
The email I received from Ron Holland Design follows.
Regards,
Donal Gleeson
BTW: TLA=Three letter abbreviations!
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Holland Design [mailto:info AT ronhollanddesign.com]
Sent: 08 September 2006 17:10
To: Donal Gleeson
Subject: Re: Super Seal 26
Donal
When we designed the Super Seal, we did not use polar comparisons. We
could create a polar model for this design for a fee of EUR1,000.
Regards
Ron Holland
--
Ron Holland Design
28 Lower O'Connell Street
Kinsale
County Cork
Ireland
T. +353.21.4774866
F. +353.21.4774808
E. info AT ronhollanddesign.com
W. www.ronhollanddesign.com
Skype ronhollanddesign
Donal Gleeson