Modifications
Scarlattikvarten differs from the original Spyder design in a number of ways. Some changes were made when we built the boats and others have been introduced over the years. The following table is a summary of all this.
Major changes and some other 'progress':
When |
What |
Why |
1986 |
Stretched hull aft-body |
Longer and straighter run. |
Better ergonomics and shorter building time. |
||
Simpler and stronger. |
||
Aluminium mast |
No time to build wing and lighter |
|
Ackermann tiller geometry |
||
1987 |
Ease of helming. |
|
1989 |
New cross-beams and 0.5 m wider. |
Old beams under-engineered. |
1991 |
Got a good deal on a used, higher main. |
|
Assym. spi. on bowsprit. |
To fit new rig. |
|
1996 |
Deeper dagger boards. |
Greed for windward speed. |
1998 |
New aluminium mast. |
Stronger, lighter, better shape |
2004 |
Dolphin striker replaced by beefed-up laminate on beam. |
Convenience on trailer and at mooring. |
Apart from this I have tinkered quite a bit with main-sheet and other sail controls. The net effect of all this tinkering and re-engineering is that Scarlattikvarten has gained some 20 kg of all up weight, the up-wind sail area has increase little over 4 sqm and the down-wind area some 10 sqm. The rig is about 1 m higher and the daggerboards are some 25 cm deeper. Top speed is probably lower but average speed and windward capability are definitely better. Above all she is quite a bit sweeter to sail.
A friend of mine commented some years ago that the only parts left from the original boat were the hulls. I had to point out that the boom, the rudder blades and the engine pod also are from 1986.