Message: 14 Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:18:05 +0100 From: "Tim Jordaan" <tradesure@libello.com> To: "Power Catamaran List" <power-catamaran@lists.samurai.com> Subject: [PCW] Roger Deering Message-ID: <LBECKKBLHOPINOAMBEEGIEGFCFAA.tradesure@libello.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Reply: Hi Tim and Members, I've enjoyed sitting back and reading the discussions on the subject of foils without jumping in, even if some of it ways out of whack, (masts on power catamarans) but I had to buy in on Tim's response. Tim, I've also enjoyed your inputs up until this statement; "As far as Foils go, they were usually fitted to very badly designed power catamarans as an option to try and get them going, a proper designed asymmetrical power catamaran, will and can afford all the attributes desired of such a vessel , speed, comfort, and fuel saving." You should keep more of an open mind on new technology my friend. Power cats are not being retrofitted due to bad design, some older designs may have had foils fitted to improve on their already proven performance but others are specifically designed to take advantage of proven foil technology. Even a "proper designed asymmetrical power catamaran"'s performance can be improved by using foils. Just for the record, carbon fiber foils can be built stronger than stainless steel and titanium and yes, they will have an initial cost but this will be paid back in time in fuel savings and experienced in the increased comfort they provide onboard. As for mounting two 6' carbon fiber "T" foils on engineered reinforced strong points on the under wing with single mid point support struts; this vertical foil with only 3' of it in the water will prove less vulnerable than a 6' horizontal foil totally immersed. Vertical foils could be looked at as presenting less of an obstruction or vulnerability than the center hull of a trimaran. The horizontal foils are joined at both ends, but strength is all about good engineering. Aircraft may not fly into floating debris but at their speed and weight and in turbulence they do experience forces far greater than we are likely to experience at 15 to 20 knots and their good engineering keeps them flying. By all reports striking debris is not a big issue, except maybe in the Pacific North West where tree debris is considered normal rather than the dangerous pollution that it actually is. Cheers Graham Captain Graham Pfister President & Principle Designer TrawlerCat Marine Designs