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29erXX - NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Post Hyeres and with a much increased level of interest in the XX project, the builders group decided to firstly listen to all those girls who had participated in the trials and also those additional sailors of both sex's that became XX owners and sailors. From that we have allow the boat, to use your words, “evolve”. Hence its involvement in the 49er sail development out of which both classes benefited exceptionally. Again from my POV, it was an extraordinary opportunity that comes alone so rarely it just has to be embraced. The classic comment we came across again and again was that the I14 is too big, and a 29erXX is too small, yet the XX has a bigger foot print than an I14.So it’s all about perception! We need to change that perception. The perception that the 29erXX was too small has more to do with the fact that is balanced and “sweet” so you did not have to fight it. Also the rudder is transom hung, so the tiller intrudes into the cockpit. Though the development of the new 29erXX sails with the 49erC sails was a bit of a leap frog process, the object was to give the sails a much bigger sweet sport and more potential. The last “leap” of that process the 49er over the XX (dare I say girls)! On Maka's return, (next week) the final leap of the XX to bring it along side the 49er will be done which involves the orientation of the fibres in the very head of the main and the designing of the reinforcements! Then those sails will become the sails!The Rudder Pod gets the tiller out of the way and further refines the steering; it’s now much easier to gybe well, bit off both ergonomics and hydrodynamics. The first “production” rudder pod should be here in days along with the wing extensions. Same mast, we have changed the track, and the longer pole makes it much easier to gybe, while not throwing out of balance!
The "evolution” is complete!
Interest remains pretty high, we have some orders for 20+ boats for Asia, I know that USA/Canada is getting lots of bits to service orders and Chris (UK) is in the same boat.
Julian Bethwaite
The 29erXX has been submitted as potential equipment for the Women's Doublehanded Dinghy for the 2012 Olympic Games. Here's some interesting information from the submission:
| Attributes of the 29erXX |
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| Main & Jib |
15.6m2 |
| Spinnaker |
19m2 |
| Optimal crew weight |
120-140kg |
| Hull weight |
70kg |
| Boat fully rigged |
83kg |
| Beam |
1.7m |
| Length overall |
4.45m |
| Length with bowsprit |
6.15m |
"This is great! It's really fun to go so fast." -Sarah Ayton, 2004 Yngling Gold Medalist, GBR
"I really like the 29erXX, it's good fun. I've sailed a 420 before but I'm more of a skiff person so it'd be great to have a double-trap women's skiff." -Sophie White, GBR
"I couldn't sail my 49er on a day like today, it's too windy. But with the 29erXX I can go out and have an awesome time." -Emma Spiers, Australia
"You must be in good shape because the skipper has to work a lot harder (than the 29er). In 20 knots it's very powered and goes fast!" -Genevieve Bougie-Bastien, Canada
March 2008
Here are some photos of the latest and final 29erXX design. Julian has been perfecting it in Sydney and the reports from those who have sailed the latest version are very enthusiastic.
Report from one of the first trips out on the water:
Wind was high teens to low twenties, occasional gust through to high twenties. First Clynton and Harry went out, sailing at about 150kgs. Then Harry and Julian went for a good 2 hr blast, at about 165kg.
The rudder pod, could not be better. Even with 2 big people on board the extra foot (by getting the frame out of the cockpit) is very noticeable. Gybes are much easier. The boat is bloody fast, some of the rides where truely electrifying. We where doing a easy 11-12knts up hill.
Here's an up-close shot of the new rudder gantry:
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