Hi Pete

Sorry I have not got back to you, I’ve have been away. Anyway I have put some thoughts together.

49er Daggerboard

With the cassette I made. I was able to make sure the board is lined up within the boat. Also there is no gasket, this makes the board very ridged in the boat, which you can feel on the helm.

The first time I used it was in a good force 3/4. The boat felt stiffer and seemed to accelerate better, over all it felt smoother. With no other boats racing of similar performance it was hard to judge if it was faster.

The ISO open at Essex Y. C.

We were only able to do the Sunday, which was a good force 4. We seemed to have good upwind speed, pointing high and going fast, you seem to get more lift from the board; you can pinch and go very high, or sail a more freely and go faster, I have had it planing upwind.

Downwind I do feel you get a better top end speed, as you are not dragging a thick board through the water. We did seem to make most of our gains downwind.

We finished second in both races, and at one point we lead the race but we were still unable to beat Mike Lillywhite who was using the new Rooster sails, which I must say look very good.

The 49er dagger board, info.

• It is a little smaller in area.
• Nearly half the thickness and tapers down to the tip.
• It is half the weight, only 3kg
• Made of carbon, very stiff.

We are a 24 stone crew with wings, using Hyde sails, plus a carbon rudder stock, which helps with stiffness of the rudder.

John Gill
Tinky Winky 1003