We've been getting quite a few emails recently from some of our Rocket 22 owners and their friends who've been out sailing with them. I've put a few of these emails up on the Rocket Boats blog but thought it was about time to launch a new blog dedicated to our owners and any other Rocket sailors. This blog will become an integral part of our Rocket 22 Class Association website which should be up by the end of the month, but in the spirit of there is no time like the present, I've created this new blog now.
As the number of Rocketeers grows we'll be introducing other elements to the class association website such as forums, racing and tuning tips for the benefit of all Rocket owners. Any other ideas will always be welcome. We want to make the class association and website as collaborative and interactive as people want, so please let us know what you'd like to see and how we can make the site and blog better.Thanks. Anthony.
2 comments:
thought I would put this up for comments on the OD rules. One of the tools I plan on for the boat is the Tack Tick Race Master instrument suite. I am concerned with the way the rule is worded below that I am running afoul of it.
ARTICLE OD: Prohibitions
1. The following are prohibited: · Electronic wind devices and computers which use electronically gathered wind and bearing data to derive true wind velocity and calculate VMG may not be used during races
Does this not prohibit the use of the Tack Tick T075? As written this rule appears to describe exactly what the Tack Tick system does. If it has some other intent I am unclear on what it is and we need to clariy the meaning one way or another. Comments?
VI. ARTICLE OD: Other required equipment while racing
2. An outboard motor, securely stowed in the designated location that is a minimum 3.5 hp 4 stroke, supplied by manufacturer motor bracket and a minimum of 1gallon of motor fuel in a suitable container as required by law or CCG or USCG regulations.
the issue here is " 4 stroke"
Should this not read:
An outboard motor, securely stowed in the designated location that is a minimum 3.5 HP and complies with Environmental Protection Agency regulations respecting emissions, supplied by manufacturer motor bracket and a minimum of 1 gallon of motor fuel in a suitable container as required by law or CCG or USCG regulations.
I raise this as a result of Evinrude Motors E-Tec technolog which is producing a clean 2 stroke engine that is lighter and more powerful than its 4 stroke competitors. The 2 stroke engines exceed EPA regulations and provide superior torque compared to a similar HP 4 stroke. In their promotional video Evinrude notes that the Lake Tahoe water patrol, which enfoces some of the strictest regulations in the US has switched to E-tec engines. The E-tec engines actually burn cleaner and have greater fuel efficency than a four stroke, and that would seem to be the object of the exercise for the EPA. Why should the OD rules ban 2 strokes if the EPA does not? I understand that ther is a concern about a ban on a lake in the US. Which lake? Perhaps we sould look into that futher before making an absolute ban a rule.
The EPA does not dictate how motors are to be made, but rather what level of emissions are permitted. It is up to the individual motor manufacturer to meet this standard.
Evinrude’s E-Tec motors are not yet made smaller than 40 HP. It is expected that the technology that allowed this development to take place will ultimately be pushed down into the smaller engines. The motors are about 20% lighter than there 4 stroke equivalent HP counterparts and it would be great pity not to be able to take advantage of this weight saving when the opportunity presents itself.
I don't have an interest in Evinrude motors, but I do think in the semi developmental spirit of these proposed rles, that we should be as pro active as wecan to try to acoid being short sighted on issues like this.
Comments anyone?
What is the reason behind prohibiting electronic wind instruments? True wind direction is important . Too much cost added?
Dorin
Post a Comment