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Tell tails are used to optimize the sails angle of attack relative to the wind. With my PDR I've found that optimizing the sail angle of attack, relative to the wind, with the boom somewhere between...

While going upwind I usually sheet in to where the boom is at the transom corner, then when the boat has good speed I sheet in to where the boom is at the inside corner of the deck.

When the wind...

The cut down board and rudder may be contributing to the tacking problem you mentioned in your other post. You may be trying to compensate for the reduced rudder area by pushing the tiller further...

If your sail looks similar to this you should be close. This photo was taken while sailing in heavy wind, in lighter wind I would have the tack pulled back 50 to 75 mm.

What you want is a...

This photo was taken by Kevin Hahn at the 2011 Worlds. I've enlarged it to the point it's not very clear but you can get an idea of how much my mast flexes with gusts in the mid 20 mph range. the...

This story was on the front page of the "Woodward News" today. It's a small town, population 12,000. Not a lot going on around here so they're usually desperate for something to print and my wife...

You'd better wear padded seat pants and knee pads if you're racing that far in a Puddle Duck. A masochistic mindset would be beneficial as well. :)

That's Scott Widmier. You can read his account on the races here 2011 Sail Oklahoma Puddle Duck Worlds

Race Results

If anyone is interested in seeing photos of the 2011 Worlds Kevin Hahn has several hundred posted here.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117971817492705202273

Paul Cook also posted a video...

Passing the slow boat on the lee side was one of many mistakes I made that day :)

Crossing the finish of the last race. (photo credit John Owens)

The 2011 Puddle Duck World Championship was held Saturday at Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma.

A class legal OZ took first place, a Welsford designed Kiwi sailed by John Welsford tied for second, and a...

When mixing epoxy I use translucent drinking cups. After mixing the epoxy I add silica, while looking through the side of the cup, to a point that doubles the depth. If there's an inch of epoxy in...

No, I cut on the template lines and split the tolerances on most of the dimensional lumber. I did make the board and rudder maximum width.

I'd read about pushing the limit on the transom chine...

A few more.

No, it's not a Storer design but Mik has written an article on how to make them go fast and I did use his custom foil templates.

I've been working on it off and on for several months and finally...

Good to hear the new varnish is working well.

I'm feeling the back pain. Spent most of the day bent over sanding the floor in this today. The good thing is I'm not going for a show quality finish since it's going to be a race boat. :)

You're right, that's why I don't think either of them should be thought of as "really seaworthy" :)

When seaworthiness is mentioned I'm thinking big waves and wind blowing dogs off chains. I don't know how the OozeGooze will perform in those conditions but I can tell you that taking big waves on...

If I were caught out in heavy weather I think I'd rather be in a Scamp but that's about the only advantage I see over the OozeGooze.

The biggest difference I see in the OozeGoose and Scamp is room in the cabin. You can actually sleep lying down in the Goose cabin.

It's possible. I chased down and passed a WWP 19 at Sail Oklahoma. He had his genoa poled out running wing and wing, doing everything he could to stay ahead. Says he still has nightmares about a...

I don't think registering your boat and getting a number will be a problem.

I would think the OZ would be as good a kids boat as the Optimist or Sabot, maybe better, and a lot less expensive. If you're looking for a cheap fun boat that kids and adults both can enjoy the OZ...

If the Race Committee at your club is anything like the one at my club they won't be happy when you show up on the line with an OZRacer. Our RC can't officially start drinking beer until the last...

I've tried using a kayak paddle in a boat similar to that. It's difficult to make forward progress due to the boat turning sharply with each stroke.

I thought the GIS guys were getting everything figured out :)

I really don't have much time in the OZ, maybe 30 hours, so I definitely don't have anything optimized. There are three things I've...

Mik,

These were your recommendations a year ago. Do they need updating?

10% draft for upwind in rough water or when you are looking for more power
14% when reaching with flow attached to the...

Mik,

My traveler block is tied in the center so I can get the boom closer to the centerline going upwind. I sheet the boom in about halfway between the corner and center of the transom sometimes,...

I can see how a person could slide down into the cabin feet first but I'm wondering how you get turned around, unfolded, and in the prone position with feet towards the transom without being a...

This is a photo of my OZ in a gust. If you enlarge it you may be able to see that vang has the boom bowed but the head is still twisted off depowering the sail.

Needs more downhaul :)

Brad

You left out 2010 SDDP winner :)

The reason I said 99.9% is there will always be the 0.1% of us who are never satisfied and will always be looking for a little bit more speed.

Brad

Pulling my 6:1 vang on a broad reach or run can be a bit of a struggle with the 90 sf OZ sail. The cleat is located at the back of the centercase so it's a sideways pull toward the transom, if it...

Mik,

I know you struggle with it but it's really a marketing issue. You can try to hide it but those of us who read your stuff realize you're OBSESSED with speed. :)

Brad

Very nice looking boat, beautiful scenery too. Looks like a great place to sail and if you're like me you'll enjoy sailing much more than rowing.

Brad

You'll notice my form isn't great and I'm not keeping the boat flat but it's because I'm trying to conserve energy:) Some in the group logged 10 GPS miles on that beat.

It still amazes me that a...

Rick,

I read your post, good stuff.

My rig is stiff enough that I don't have what Bethwaite calls the self adjusting or automatic rig. Mik has designed that into his rigs with the tapered yard...

Woodeneye,

Yes, the diagonal or tension lashing you're pointing out would go slack when downhaul was applied, before I put the eyestrap on the vertical throat to yard lashing. I've thought about...

Rick,

This is the discussion I was referring to: Yahoo! Groups

Brad

Rick,

I don't know how the aluminum would compare to wood since with wood there is a wide range of stiffness depending on species, grain spacing, grain orientation, and other variables. The yard...

This is a photo taken Saturday in moderate to heavy wind.

While preparing for the race at the Sail Oklahoma messabout I had two concerns. One was I'd been reading about a recently completed Kiwi PDR that was reported to be very fast. The other was some...

Well, I think my OZ is a nice boat and most everyone who sees it thinks it's a nice boat also :)

Ian,

Thanks for the reply.

I really like the way the McNamara sail looks but I don't think I could justify the cost of a high end sail for a PD Racer. I was hoping the Duckworks sail was...

Are the custom made Dacron balanced lug sail panels cut and sewn to give the sail draft, or do they rely only on head curvature for draft in the upper part of the sail like the polytarp sails?

Brad

Mik,

Do you think 5.1 mph over five miles sounds reasonable?

I know my timing was accurate but I got the distances from this table: ...

I forgot to mention I put the carlins below the side decks. That shortened the side tank faces and left more for the foredeck also.

The boat felt good. There were a few brief moments when I had some weather helm due to the hull getting off balance but other than that the helm felt balanced and it required very little movement of...

"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then"

It took two shots but I managed to get lucky enough win the SDDP (Same Day Different Place) race Saturday.

When I started the wind was 16...