Sailing on Foils? - America's Cup Thread

[ApS]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Catamarans with daggerboards ..the normal ones anyways, Always retract the "windward" daggerboard to eliminate "drag" on that side. The submerged board on the leeward side is all that is needed to prevent sideslip.

Having owned three speedy catamarans concurrently, I found myself too busy with navigating to be overly concerned with the windward board; even with a crewmember, he'd be "on the wire" and oftentimes, the partially-retracted board would be clear of the water anyway.

Par Four, two of my catamarans, but especially my Tornado—with smallish centerboards—was capable of 10-MPH higher speeds than the AC72s are restricted to in these races.

But, according to July's SAIL magazine—dropped off by a bluewater-racer-friend—the real reason the AC72 windward boards are retracted is by safety regulation.