Waves always look small on video...

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Is there a generally accepted theory as to why waves look smaller in pictures and video? I know this is true from experience, but I wasn't really thinking about it when I was on a boat off the coast of Mexico in 8' waves.

Is it that the boat goes up and down more than the waves, so it feels worse than the waves are? Is it because there is no depth to most wave pictures and no sense of scale? Is it because the focal length of the lens is not the standard human eye field of view?

I think it's simply that we're looking at them on a computer screen. So yeah, no real sense of scale.

I can't really see how the boat would be rising and falling MORE than the waves....

[thinwater]

I think it's a hoot that, with a few exceptions, mono hull sailors are pointing out what they are doing wrong, and the cat sailors find it reasonable.

Could be that cats sail down wind differently? Maybe?

Looks good by my eye.

[El Pinguino]

I wish people wouldn't keep banging on about the 'Southern Ocean'. 39 south isn't the Southern Ocean. The Southern Ocean lies either south of 60*S or south of the Convergence depending on which way you dress. Unless of course you are 'Strayan but most of them think Bass Strait extends east of Gabo and can't even get Port Phillip right.

The boat under discussion here crossed in about 39*S.....

Few yachts ever sail in the Southern Ocean, mainly them as go down to the Peninsula.

One reason few go down there is that if you go too far south you are going to get easterly gales mixed in with the westerlies.

I think 'Southern Ocean' is a form of primitive Viagra for sailors.

Rant over.....

earth :: an animated map of global wind, weather, and ocean conditions
Delivery Skipper's Report: Leopard 39 on the Southern Ocean | Leopard Catamarans US

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Polux

Certainly a good design but in my opinion overrated about speed or regarding to be the best or only option regarding a fast monohull for cruising. Never had the opportunity to really compare performances with other fast cruisers of different design, beamier boats, and my opinion relied only in what i know about boat design and that shape of hull not to be the best one for solo racing.

Now I have more information and I found some comparative interesting performances (with the boats sailing at the same time on the same course). I can say that my opinion was confirmed and someday I will post about it.

The best type of hull however if someone would want to sail or or circumnavigate the "wrong" way, against the prevailing winds.

Arrr

You are admitting it (Bedwolf) is a more versitile design that a flat bummed downhill flyer. I my opinion that makes it a more desirable vessel.

As others have indicated the Sydney to Hobart is certainly not considered a downhill run.

cheers

[Polux]

Originally Posted by downunder

Arrr

You are admitting it (Bedwolf) is a more versitile design that a flat bummed downhill flyer. I my opinion that makes it a more desirable vessel.

As others have indicated the Sydney to Hobart is certainly not considered a downhill run.

cheers

I don't understand your point: do you think that a design that works better downwind is a more versatile design as a voyage boat? While voyaging extensively the trade winds are used and certainly a boat maximized to upwind sailing would not be the better option.

Regarding the Sydney Hobart what you were discussing was this year's victory of Wild Oats over Comanche. If you had followed the race you would know that it was mostly an upwind race. You can check it on my blog since I followed the race direct and made comments about the racing conditions.

Out of the very light wind conditions and upwind conditions with heavy seas the Comanche was way faster. You just need to look at the departure (beam reach) and the way Comanche recovered when the wind turned downwind, almost catching Wild Oats.

[arsenelupiga]

As you discussing sydney hobart - i was planning to observe start outside heads and gone the other way as conditions were to good to miss for downwind to broken bay. One of most enjoyable runs so far with spending great time on the net forward most of time.

I heard that there were some breakages at start, questioning boat seaworthiness of race boats as this is quite normal for sydney waters.

But running, cats come out ahead for comfort & safety at least.