Nacra F20: New Trendsetter

Photo Gunnar Larsen

Photo Gunnar Larsen.

Set to my knowledge by VPLP, a more angular and refined bow deck is making a way on beachcats. VPLP’s Banque Populaire V and the 2nd version of BOR 90 Tri are a good examples.

Photos of Banque Populaire V / B.STICHELBAUT BFBP
This new trend is being used by Morrelli&Melvin in their Nacra F20 recently launched.
Acording to Pete Melvin the main benefit is a better recovery from a bow pitch, offering less resistance in the way back up.
To me it also provides a stronger structural deck due to hard angles acting as horizontal beams. The same way a full spray rail does.
Right: BOR 90 amas bow, photo by Dennis St. Onge

This angled deck gives a modern and futuristic look (Check f18 draft cad drawing to identify deck lines and style being described).

The ’rounded bow deck’, trademark of Loday-White cats (Spitfire, Darts, Shockwave) it is also a good solution for structural and slicing through waves features, I used that deck style in the 16, and it works way better than the RC I big square deck.

RC 16 rounded deck (right). This little boat is a rocket, although this bow reduced reserve volume compared with the RC F18 I, it proved to be way more efficient, with smoother recoveries and less speed lost.

With the nacra F20 new angular decks you can also play a bit with volume distribution, limited though as you need some heigh to have a gradual transition in front, resulting in higher bows. I like volume on bows but too much you have more pitch, too little you go down. Experience and common sense shows it is always better to end the race than having an unexpected pitch pole when you are leading the fleet…

Design below water line are key, but a good design must take account of several aspects in different conditions, one thing learned in last AC, is that you can´t design for an specific condition in mind… unless you are 100% that 100% of the races will take place in the perfect weather conditions you dream off while gambling almost to nonsense.

For those that didn´t read Pete Melvin´s post on bows and wave piercers click here.