tonystott wrote:
As you know, TIs have used the offset centreboard from the outset, so experiences with them should largely be comparable to those from 2015 and later AIs.
At the risk of disagreeing with you (again), I would be interested to know how the effectiveness of the centreboard on each tack could vary by any measurable degree when it remains fully submerged (and therefore having the same exposed length) on both tacks. Also, given that the Miragedrive fins are going to flex (by design) to effectively "weathervane", their resistance to sideslip would be negligible (and of course any effectiveness would be the same on both tacks, so would not reduce the difference between tacks anyway).
I don't know the answer, but it would be interesting if the difference could be quantified (admittedly almost impossible to do without loading up with sensors measuring apparent wind speed and direction, tide strength and wave direction, sheeting angle, heeling angle, etc etc)
It's not in the measurement, it's in the feel of the boat. I can feel it, but then I have been yacht racing all my life and am use to sitting on the side of a yacht and driving her upwind. I can feel the difference and know it is so. But it is more noticeable in my new TI over the old TI. I have also modified the steering controls now too.
As for performance, the new 2015 AI's were beating me upwind. Now I can match is go faster depending on the wind conditions. Also I could not turn the boat fast to starboard, now with the centre board system using the locked drives and a change to the steering controls I can put the nose exactly where I want it.
Keep in mind I am a sailor and I want my TI to sail better than it is. But for 95% of people they will not care, to them is is a kayak with a sail and gets them to where they won't to go but too me I can get it to where I want to go a bit better.
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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au