Spawn of Frankenscot: Foiling!

Over the past few months, the dreaming team of OH and Mr. Linton have been working on the next step in the evolution of Spawn, the 21-foot Rodgers Tampa Bay Adventure boat.

That includes new power (sails), including a fresh and shiny jib from Sail Technologies, and various splash-reducing deck rails. Plus (the evolution part) foils! 

OH Rodgers has been designing and building foils for A-Class catamarans, and in keeping with the budget-conscious program, the team repurposed a pair of A-cat asymmetrical dagger-boards and rudders to lift the bow of Spawn.  

They have no plans to make the boat rise entirely from the water in the dramatic way of recent America's Cup catamarans.  Short reason why not: the shallow, rocky crossing of Florida Bay.

​But still, it's pretty nifty:

So there are presently two foils extending from the sides of the boat. They resemble the tipped wings of some airplanes. 

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To put them in, the fellas first cut a pair of holes in the sides of the boat and then fitted them with daggerboard trunks from an A-Cat. 

Why yes, it does seem ironic to cut holes into the hull of a boat that was a good floater. But progress is not made without some revolutionary thinking.

When the team chooses not to use the foils, they can seal off these slots with a strip of tape. Good old duct tape would do, though they are more likely to use Insignia sail tape.

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A few test-runs (thanks to guest test-pilots Bill Wingrove, John Paulson, Ben Givens, and Dave Clement) to adjust the angle of attack, and poof! The bow lifts to reduce wetted surface and make Spawn a more stable creature. 

The team will take to the water this coming weekend for a longish trial. Crossing fingers for good sailing weather. 
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