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Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:55 pm
by lauraj
wasn't sure if this qualified as gear or equipment.
We are wanting to add an archway to a 1990 32'.
because of the flat backs, mounting the outer leg on the steps doesn't seem to work and we don't want to lose the distance between the hulls by mounting internal of the hulls. which would leave mounting it flat on the top of the back hulls (next to the rudder chamber)
we are concerned about putting that much weight that far back and what it will do to speed and handling.
anyone else researched/done this? comments/suggestions?

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:20 pm
by thinwater
Effect on speed. Determine how much weight you are talking about, add that for a test, and go motor. I'm guessing about 0.2 knots, based on some weight and lengthening experiments. How over loaded the boat is before will also matter. There is also windage and weatherliness to consider; the boat will go to windward less well. Burry the transoms and you can make a pig.

Handling. I doubt it will be noticable. Tacking and docking may be affectedba little.

Personally , I think it crowds the back, makes carrying bikes and kayaks harder, makes loading the dingy harder, makes fishing awkward, and adds little. Just depends on prioreties. I would add solar other places first.

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:06 pm
by Marc Gershel
Was the 32' built in 1990?

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:54 am
by amytom
1990? Flat backs?

Could your boat be an early 34'? Cabins forward or aft?

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 11:43 pm
by thinwater
In that case, I'd add 4-6' and some steps.

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 3:11 pm
by lauraj
Yes, the year and length have been a matter of much debate.
the hull number specifies 1990 (#8) it didn't rough measure at 34' and the manual on the boat is for a 36'.
Mack sails said they didn't make the 34' in a sail model that year.

But Yes, very flat steps. anyone know where the extension molds went?

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:50 pm
by thinwater
I think you can make better molds with sheet metal. This is a common and well proven method. It is certainly faster, as the transom extensions are molded right onto the boat.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2013/ ... ocess.html

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2013/ ... nsoms.html

The mold construction, installation, and hull lamination were finished in one day. A second day finished the step construction and trimming, and a partial day was spend fairing for paint. Hard days in the middle of the summer, but the benefits in ease of boarding alone were worth it.

Though I only built one step, adding steps all the way up, using 1/4" pre-laminated FRP is the easy part, more like carpentry and fancy glass work. Just glass in strips for stringers, glass the steps to them, and fair with nice fillets.

Done thoughtfully, I think it would bring considerable resale value to a PDQ 32/34/36. It might even make sense to go beyond 36', but that would require a good look at the lines. You want to follow the existing curves and you do NOT want to end with the transom more than ~ 4-6 inches out of the water. Remember, when under power, and even more so when sailing hard to windward, the hull drops 6" into its wake. At rest my new transoms are 4" out, but they are awash when motoring hard or sailing in a breeze. I could have gone longer, but I thought it might look odd, and I am very happy with the result.

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:22 pm
by lauraj
Sounds great. Want to come down to FL for a few days in December and GC the job? :P
Seriously, thanks for the great info....and you're welcome to join us.

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:22 am
by thinwater
I'm going to Puerto Rico Sunday, for the week. They don't make me work on fiberglass. :lol:

Re: Archway on back (effect on speed)

Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:07 pm
by SecondWind
If you bought the boat from Karen & Al Keyser and it was called CATITUDE, then you have hull # 34008, which was the 34' predecessor to the 36. The molded steps were added to allow a dog to come aboard the boat.