[frers-list]Fairing keel and rudder

Courtney Thomas frers-list@lists.frers33.com
Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:13:36 -0500


On 12/7/2013 4:51 PM, ARTHUR KELLEY wrote:
> I made an unplanned stop at the boatyard today to check my cover and 
> remembered this thread.  Since we have two boats in the same yard, I 
> figured I'd check.  Again, this was unplanned, so I was alone and did 
> not have a ruler or tape measure but used a sail tie to compare the 
> foils, and came back and measured the sail tie.  Trends good, 
> accuracy, not so much.
>
> The keels seem pretty similar, both faired to about 1/8" (Boat A) or a 
> bit less on Boat B and both keels approximately the same length 
> (depth) below the bottom.
>
> The rudders were a completely different story.  Boat B appears "stock" 
> with a fairly thick, rounded trailing edge.  There is a school of 
> thought that suggests that the rounder edge reduces turbulence when 
> turning or when the rudder is offset from centerline like when going 
> upwind with some weather helm.  Then again the thicker edge does 
> create more turbulence when running straight with the rudder on 
> centerline.
>
> The rudder on the Boat A had been faired to about 1/8", the same as 
> the keel, but to achieve this the trailing edge had been extended by 
> about 2 1/4" to 2 1/2".  This also affected the roundness of the 
> bottom of the rudder.  Both rudders seem to be the same length.  
> Measuring from the leading edge of the rudder just below where the 
> notch for the skeg ends, and running parallel to the top edge of the 
> rudder (see attachment), Boat A's rudder measured approximately 28 
> 1/2" and Boat B approximately 26 1/4". Remember I am measuring to 
> knots in a sail tie here!  Both were about 60" long, top to bottom.
>
> I photographed both rudders, traced them in the computer, then 
> overlaid the profiles.  The diagram (attached) is perhaps not as 
> smooth and clean as they could be but this should be sufficient to get 
> the general concept - and generate discussion.  I would need to 
> re-photograph the keels, the perspective was different and the overlay 
> just did not work.
>
> I have not spoken to the other owner yet about what he knows about any 
> modifications to his foil(s), so am keeping the identities of the boat 
> anonymous for now.  He frequently beats me, but I don't think that's 
> raw boat speed as much as he and his crew just being a bit better than 
> we are.
>
> Joyce, if you come up with your diagrams I'd be happy to post them on 
> the class site, perhaps in the FAQ section.
>
> If anyone else wants to photograph their rudder or keel I can try to 
> add those to the comparison.  The photo would have to be taken with 
> the camera aligned approximately mid-point on the foil and 
> perpendicular to it.
>
> These specifications probably should have been more closely regulated 
> in the early days of the class, but for now perhaps we should 
> understand what the fleet looks like and try to avoid too much further 
> deviation.  In my mind changing the location of lead would be against 
> the one-design rules so Bill, I applaud you for planning ahead for the 
> event that someone wants to bring the boat back into class specs.
>
> Regards,
> Art
>
>  On Thu, Nov 28, 2013 at 09:25 AM, Scott Marino wrote:
>
>  > Joyce,
>> Sounds like those pics might be a nice additions to the Frers website 
>> for all to see.
>> Scott
>>
>> --------------------------------------------
>> On Wed, 11/27/13, Joyce Oberdorf  wrote:
>>
>>  Subject: Re: [frers-list]Fairing keel and rudder
>>  To: frers-list@lists.frers33.com
>>  Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2013, 12:48 PM
>>   Bill--
>>  Here is what I  know.  When I bought Checkmate,
>>  eons ago, we looked at 4
>>  Frers 33s Each one had a slightly different keel and rudder.
>>  Wolverine had a
>>  less deep keel-- but NOT the "shallow keel" version.
>>  Impetuous had a deeper
>>  keel, faired to a fine blade, as was the rudder.
>>  We measured with calipers the thickness of the trailing
>>  edges. ALL
>>  DIFFERENT>
>>  This is apparently not covered by class rules.  At that
>>  time (way back in
>>  the 90s), Impetuous was one of the leading boats, and the
>>  owner, Paul
>>  Zabetakis, was class president at the time. And close by. So
>>  we decided to
>>  go with that.  We extended the rudder about 3 includes
>>  to fair it from about
>>  3/4 inch to a fine edge. Did the same to keel. We didn't
>>  have templates.  If
>>  I can find the diagram of the two boats we measured (I
>>  plotted the shapes on
>>  graph paper, I'll copy scan and email.
>>   Joyce
>>    On 11/18/13 1:44 PM, "Bill Thompson"  wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> Have sanded d'Ad lib's hull - waterline and below -
>>  back to the vinyl ester.
>>> Brutal work. The good news is, after 27 years, not a
>>  single blister, soft spot
>>> or other imperfection. Washed and wetted down there is
>>  no ripple of
>>> imperfection to be found in the reflection. Come
>>  spring, sealant and 6 coats
>>> of inter protect before bottom paint should keep her
>>  dry and healthy for a
>>> good long time. Pics avail. if anyone would like to
>>  see.
>>>
>>> However, keel and rudder (which is still dry) are not
>>  as fair, so I'm
>>> wondering if anyone has templates and/or methodology to
>>  suggest, so I can
>>> bring them fair, prior to coating and finishing. All
>>  help appreciated.
>>>
>>> Bill Thompson
>>> Montreal
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> http://lists.frers33.com/mailman/listinfo/frers-list
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Art,

Sure would appreciate the specs on the keels. I was told on purchase 
that mine had been modified by a previous owner but now am not so sure. 
My main concern is regarding the keel depth and it's effect on boat 
performance.

All thoughts and experience appreciated,

Courtney