Topics

Hasn't been discussed here for 10 years or so but:

• To overlap (stick separate gasket mylar down both sides overlapped by 5mm in the middle) or not (ie just one strip cut down the middle)?
• To cut a "V" at the aft end (self-emptying is the theory) or don't bother ('cause it doesn't actually work)?
• Glue (ie CT1) or Double-sided tape (eg 3M VHB)?

My everyday job revolves around sustainability and the circular economy in transport and so I am continuously reminded about the impact that our choices of material make and will make to our environment and our climate. I believe that N12 owners, illustrated by their choice of boat, will be more interested in sustainable living than the average Brit. I am therefore hoping that we could take an environmental lead in sailing by controlling the use of materials through our class rules.

It doesn't take long using your favourite internet search engine to reveal the sort of impact that GRP and more fancy construction methods are having; when it is no longer possible to sell on that plastic boat, it gets abandoned close to shore and gradually decays leaving significant quantities of micro-plastics floating around to poison us and other creatures. Nearly all the studies into the environmental impact of small marine craft recommend that the best form of lightweight construction for the environment remains plywood with low impact epoxy.

We know that wooden boats remain desirable and have a much longer life than GRP. We do, afterall, have an active Vintage fleet but I can't imagine anyone wanting to keep afloat some of those early GRP boats that are now beyond competitive life and are languishing in the corner of our dinghy parks unused.

We have an interesting situation where, apparently, there are no moulds for composite construction as they have all been destroyed. Unless new moulds are made, the most cost effective means of construction would be to follow Simon Hipkin's lead and make using ply.

I would like to suggest that we look to restrict the materials that we build our hulls from in order to protect our environment. I'd like to suggest that hulls are made primarily from wood bonded together with bio-resin. We could allow glass fibre or, if they develop sufficiently, bio-fabric tapes to cover joints but could easily limit their use to within, say, 35mm of any joint. Bio-resin is an area that is fast evolving but I've used Entropy (a West Resin's brand) and GreenPoxy (a Sicomin brand) very successfully; we would have to have a moving minimum standard for what equates as "bio" epoxy as this area develops. Epoxy filler materials for fillets, fairing etc would still be needed.

I would not propose any restrictions on materials for centreboard, rudder and assembly or rig but I guess these could, in time, be looked into.

I would suggest grand-fathering any boat made or issued with a sail number before the introduction of such a change.

Would you greet the suggesting of an addition to rule 5, Hull Construction, with howls of anguish or would you give it your support?

I recently went through the results from last year and realised that when I swapped out the "old" suit of sails for the "new, never used" ones that came with the boat, our performance went from "just about OK for a newbie" to shockingly slow. I know that the boat isn't slow (at least it wasn't in Graham and Zoe's hands) so it could be me or it could be the sails - let's blame the sails for now because I used not to be quite that slow sailing other boats... Both of the sets of sails are from the same maker and I won't say who for obvious reasons. So I'm thinking of using this enforced no-sail period to get some new sails sorted. I'm based in Sussex and so someone relatively local might be of benefit. Has anyone had particularly good experiences with any sailmakers and would be prepared to make recommendations? If anyone has a really bad experiences then it might be best to contact me privately because we don't want anyone being sued for defamation! Does anyone know of any sailmaker wanting to develop sails for the class that might not be normally found? Does any sailmaker want to put themselves forward?

I just got my renewal notice from Newton Crum. Whilst I was pleased to see no increase in premium from last year, my eye was caught by a line:

"IMPORTANT REMINDER this insurance excludes craft fitted with HYDROFOILS or FOILING/WINGED RUDDERS"

Oh my, I think, so I give them a call. After a little discussion at their end, my having pointed out that a 12 with a winged rudder (even if retro-fitted) is indeed faster than one without but not that much faster, they confirmed that sailing with a winged rudder would invalidate any insurance that they provide.

I checked my insurance documentation from last year and there is no mention of this limitation.

I am now off to secure insurance elsewhere but it might be advisable for you to check your insurance in case there is any such limitation in the small print.

With built in buoyancy tanks I need to do an air pressure test (hasn't been done for a while and I missed my opportunity at the Shoreham open). Before I go make up a kit with a spare hatch cover, some clear tubing and a pump, has anyone got any tips for success in building a testing kit? Any photo's that you'd share to show how it's done well?