Wings.

[trebor]

What is the average span of wings from centre of boat to outside edge of wing?
The boat is a Minisprint.

[RonnyDG]

"Sitting-out aids of any design are permitted but must be removable and may not extend further than 1524mm (5.0") from the centre line of the boat."

Item 6 in Minisail class rules

[trebor]

Hi Ronny, I knew this rule, I wanted an average width, what I intend to do is make a set of wings out of a single 8ft x 4ft sheet of marine ply, I will make the outsides the same width as the plank, so basically I will cut a slot out of middle of board, this will give a centre of boat to outside of wing of 4ft and will be 4ft wide, the one side will fit where plank would sit the other will be on a support, it will then be locked in place, whilst in use. I will have to find out how to bend ply.

[JimC]

Sort of like a fixed Sliding seat, curved like a Canoe one?
See if this helps a bit. I'm sure there will be a how to build article somewhere on the net.
http://www.damesblonde.co.uk/products.p ... up_id=3000

[trebor]

Hi Jim, the picture of the man sitting out on plank is brilliant.
I was actually looking along the lines of 2 fixed planks side by side, I hope to make it out of a single sheet of 8ft x 4ft x 3 quaters of an inch thick ply, it will not have the 5ft from centre the moving plank gives you, but it will be easier to sail, you will be able to slide from side to side, depending on reach.

[JimC]

Yeah, I get that you were having it fixed, it was just that the Canoe seat is well established for lightish weight and strength, so ought to be an excellent model for your construction methods

[trebor]

Hi Jim, I had thought about making the wings similar to the plank that is with the minisprint, it would be easier to get the curve, but would be a lot more work, perhaps it would also be lighter?
I am assuming the plywood at 3 quarters of an inch should be strong enough, the outside of wing should only project out about 12".

[Nessa]

I have two magnum five moth wings, just the tubes, no tramps. Just a thought.

[trebor]

Hi All, I am making a pigs ear of this post, I will start again.
(1) will a wing span of 8 ft be to wide for a minisprint ? ( minisprint is 3 ft 9" wide ).
(2) will a 3 quarters of an inch thick sheet of ply be strong enough for job? ( I shall be cutting centre of board out)
Hi Nessa, Thanks for offer, (I was hoping to utilise the 2 pods on minisprints deck), I am not sure how I would attach tubes and make them re-movable, the main problem is, I have never seen a winged boat in the flesh, so I am having problems visualising fitting etc.

[JimC]

I don't think you'll get a good result from a single thickness of ply. It will be very heavy and hard to keep in shape. The curvature is essential with wings, otherwise the lee side will hit tye water too much. A hollow box of 3mm or 4mm ply is your best bet. A sliding seat that doesn't slide effectively. Moth wings used to be hollow.ply boxes.