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EPO3 rudders
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Author:  mmadge [ Thu May 23, 2013 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

Already thinking of a new boat Mark,that 16 of yours is a fast boat and it is just getting broken in :) .

Author:  mmiller [ Thu May 23, 2013 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

MVD wrote:
Matt M,

Will we start seeing the EPO3's offered as standard equipment on a new Hobie 16, and if so, what effect will that have on the price?


Already standard on new 16s starting this month. The boat package price is being held until model year (September 1st).

Author:  mmiller [ Thu May 23, 2013 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

mmadge wrote:
It surprises me that in a strict One Design Class how easy it is to introduce a new Rudder that sounds like it will improve performance.
Curious what differences he noted while sailing on the new rudders, was he testing it against a boat being sailed with EPO 2 or was it just by feel?Does it help the boat point higher?Is there less chance of it stalling out?
I think that is great if there is a new and improved Rudder,but if that is the case then it will be a matter of the rich getting richer out on the Race course.
How about a trade in on my EPO,s that apparently now are obsolete.


Rudders have ALWAYS been an open item for innovation in the rules. There are restrictions on shape and weight that have to be maintained. There is nothing wrong with the EPO2... it was a great rudder. The 3 offers a fresh digitized foil and better finish on the trailing edge, plus altered layup for better strength and stiffness.

I am sure the difference from 2 can not be felt by the average sailor, but anyone who has not sailed a fiberglass rudder on a 16... will know the difference from plastic right away. The biggest difference is in cavitation / ventilation when you turn hard. Fiberglass blades have fuller foils shapes and that helps the water flow stay attached. The plastic ones have inconsistent and somewhat sunken foils at times.

Author:  Steve Fields [ Thu May 23, 2013 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

mmiller wrote:
mmadge wrote:
It surprises me that in a strict One Design Class how easy it is to introduce a new Rudder that sounds like it will improve performance.
Curious what differences he noted while sailing on the new rudders, was he testing it against a boat being sailed with EPO 2 or was it just by feel?Does it help the boat point higher?Is there less chance of it stalling out?
I think that is great if there is a new and improved Rudder,but if that is the case then it will be a matter of the rich getting richer out on the Race course.
How about a trade in on my EPO,s that apparently now are obsolete.


Rudders have ALWAYS been an open item for innovation in the rules. There are restrictions on shape and weight that have to be maintained. There is nothing wrong with the EPO2... it was a great rudder. The 3 offers a fresh digitized foil and better finish on the trailing edge, plus altered layup for better strength and stiffness.

I am sure the difference from 2 can not be felt by the average sailor, but anyone who has not sailed a fiberglass rudder on a 16... will know the difference from plastic right away. The biggest difference is in cavitation / ventilation when you turn hard. Fiberglass blades have fuller foils shapes and that helps the water flow stay attached. The plastic ones have inconsistent and somewhat sunken foils at times.


Matt is correct. The EPO2 and EPO3 are almost the same blade. EPO3 is just refined. The EPO3 is not a faster blade. There is no speed difference. It is only a feel thing. Good sailors win races regardless. Get a good start, go the right way.

Author:  mmadge [ Thu May 23, 2013 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

Will they be on the Worlds Boats?

Author:  Steve Fields [ Thu May 23, 2013 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

mmadge wrote:
Will they be on the Worlds Boats?

they will be on worlds boats.

Author:  mmadge [ Sat May 25, 2013 4:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

Should be awesome,the Worlds best 16 Sailors putting the new boats and Rudders to the test.
When do we get a preview of the Worlds Sail colours?

Author:  ronholm [ Tue May 28, 2013 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

This might sound like a dumb question... but since I have found a set of the red EPO2's for sale I am weighing this decision right now as my fiberglass rudders have taken a beating, and been repaired enough that it is time to do something...


Are EPO2's symmetrical... Or supposed to be symmetrical?


The reason I ask is that I am very seriously considering making my own rudders mostly as a fun and interesting woodworking project... But I am struggling to pick a profile shape..

I have a borrowed EPO2... and an original here at the house.. Both of them look to be unmodified or repaired.



Here is what I found... Showing both sides of the EPO2 in comparison to the EPO right the thickest part of the rudder...

First side of EPO2

Image

Second side of EPO2

Image


So I fit it against the second side... and tried that back against the first... just because

Image



And the first side of the EPO2 up against the EPO1


Image






Is this a reason to wait for the EPO3's? Or roll my own? the pictures really make the variation look awful... more than what is there... But still... it is there?

Author:  ronholm [ Tue May 28, 2013 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

Original EPO both sides

Image


Image

Author:  MBounds [ Tue May 28, 2013 11:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

Blades are supposed to be symmetrical. That hollow could be the source of ventilation.

Author:  ronholm [ Tue May 28, 2013 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

MBounds wrote:
Blades are supposed to be symmetrical. That hollow could be the source of ventilation.



Good thing they belong to the competition! :D


So I guess I ain't going to directly copy these... It looks like my EPO1 is what I am going to use for reference if I decide to build.. hummm... the trailing edge differences b/t the 1 and the 2 are easy enough to see...

That is a pretty massive difference in symmetry. Any clue which side it is supposed to look like?


That 'hollow' doesn't actually dip back in... It just doesn't stay as thick as the other side.




(FYI i have this jig most of the way set up... Just need to decide on exact profile http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/how ... /index.htm )



I'll have to see if I can't get my hands on a couple sets of EPO2's in the next week or so..

Author:  ConnorG [ Wed May 29, 2013 7:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

So if my local dealer orders a new boat from Hobie now it will come with EPO3s?

Author:  Jbernier [ Wed May 29, 2013 8:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

ConnorG wrote:
So if my local dealer orders a new boat from Hobie now it will come with EPO3s?


Simple answer is -Yes-.

Author:  MVD [ Thu May 30, 2013 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

mmadge wrote:
Already thinking of a new boat Mark,that 16 of yours is a fast boat and it is just getting broken in :) .


Hey, Mike. No, I'm not thinking of a new boat at all. I'm very pleased with the still-new feeling 16. The tramp is still tight from your tuning at Fort Walton. I just haven't been getting enough time on the water lately. However, I'm taking it to a regatta in Charleston, SC, in a couple of weeks and down to Sea Side, FL, for a beach vacation the following week. I'm looking forward to getting some sailing in. I'm fine with my EPO2's.

Author:  msd [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: EPO3 rudders

Just got my EPO3s and they have new instructions for drilling and no template available. Matt or someone who has experience with them, can you shed a little more info than they have in the instructions? I'm just concerned I put the wrong holes in these pricey pieces. Thanks in advance.

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