The SKUD 18 and Universal Design
Chris Mitchell, Thursday, 20 November 2008To SKUD owners, sailors and others interested in the SKUD 18 Class
The 2008 Paralympics are over and what a great event it turned out to be. Extremely well organised and prepared at a superb venue with the seemingly unlimited resources of the eight million population Qingdao behind it.
The SKUD 18 was superb and has changed Paralympic sailing forever, and for the better. It will not go unnoticed that it was the SKUD with its national flag emblazoned spinnakers on the front and sports pages of the Chinese newspapers and television every day of the competition.
The SKUD proved its worth, and showed why it was selected. Two results stand out. Nick Scandone, possibly the most disabled athlete in the entire Paralympic competition winning gold; and Malaysia, with an ethnic Chinese girl with quite severe CP and only four months sailing experience, helming the boat to finish 2nd in one race and 5th overall.
In Nick’s case I doubt there are too many able bods in the world who could have done better. With Malaysia we have a newcomer nation quickly reaching a very competitive position. That’s the beauty of a boat of Universal Design and what we had in mind when designing the SKUD. That is what Universal design is meant to achieve - very simply, a level playing field. SK- Skiff UD- Universal Design
The SKUD is a good boat. However it has a few problems, some of which stem from its rushed introduction, and some can be sheeted home to me. Over the last three years we have been able to rethink some of its features and consider the improvements which will take it to the highest level. Apart from being the SKUD’s debut, the Qingdao Paralympics also represents the change in its manufacturing, with responsibility reverting back to Access Sailing.
We weren’t able to change much leading up to Qingdao. But now there is a great opportunity to set this boat up on a course that will see it accepted and applauded as the most exciting and affordable sport boat in the world; the boat which doesn’t discriminate against anyone; the boat of choice for able bods, but look out, the top sailors could very well have a significant disability. We can even see it in a future Olympic event sailed by a disabled sailor and an able bodied crew on trapeze. The SKUD can be the prefect boat to achieve some extraordinary things.
The SKUD is a boat with several formats. The concept of the SKUD 18 is a two person craft, both of whom can hike. Sit one on the centreline and the other can ride a trapeze. That straight away encourages a mix of able bod and disabled crews. The current Paralympic format has two seats on the centreline.
Last year we developed the SKUD 3P, where we maintain the same overall weight but reduce the bulb to 60kg (80kg lighter) and add a third crew, all who can hike, or, if one is on the centreline one can use a trapeze. Again it encourages any number of combinations of able bodied and or disabled people to sail it competitively. But by reducing the drag of the deep bulb, which tends to inhibit the 2P version’s bow from lifting onto a plane, the 3P planes much more readily and should reach 20kts.
I mention these variations here as these are identical boats, just knock out two pins and change the bulbs, all else is the same. The 3P also has the same Class Rules, with the addition of a couple of lines. This gives tremendous versatility to the Class. It takes it into a league on its own. There is nothing else to compare it with, and gives us a competitive edge over other classes. So what we propose is a major marketing initiative to relaunch the SKUD as the super exciting skiff of UD which anyone can sail. The world’s first such boat.
I believe the SKUD can be our flagship, your flagship that brings about the change in consciousness that ultimately leads to accessible boats being popularised in mainstream sailing. With that comes more accessible yacht clubs, docks, ramps, toilets, and more taxis and vehicles to get there. I am really excited about the future, we should all be, and together we can make it happen.
Proposed improvements.
There are less than forty SKUDs on the planet. We should be thinking at least 1000, but to get there the boat’s biggest negative needs to be turned into a positive. I made a mistake in rolling over the gunwale to the outside, extending its beam to just fit inside a shipping container. The thinking was it would help with stability by giving a wider deck for the crew, but instead we have a vulnerable appendage that is prone to damage, drag and turbulence when it is immersed on heeling, and decreased visibility.
The ultimate solution is to roll the hull over to the inside with the deck joining on top, keelboat style, this gives;
- superior strength,
- the hull/deck join is well clear of any potential collisions,
- the lines are clean, excellent water flow, less drag,
- save weight (approx 5 kg), which can be better used elsewhere
- and better visibility
The SKUD is a high performance, lightweight foam sandwich skiff, which of necessity, to keep it affordable, is built from polyester resin, not epoxy. The SKUD is also a keelboat. At its heart, or hub, is the centreboard case which should be comparatively indestructible and not the first thing to fail. Out from this hub radiates the spine running fore and aft picking up the compression of the mast, and the ribs, or bulkheads which pick up the chainplates.
So I propose we bite the bullet now, cut off the gunwales, and the saved weight can be put back into the centreboard case to better spread its loads. And add better chainplates with lifting capability.
The gunwale modification will have minimal effect on performance of the boat, in all but hard driving windward conditions when the current gunwale is immersed and must cause some drag. We have the production prototype and have removed the excess wing and re-glassed the gunwale which has demonstrated how to undertake such a change to an older boat. However, as all older boats should be grandfathered to guarantee their acceptance within the SKUD Class, it is unlikely, considering the minimal performance differential, that such a change to older boats is necessary or desirable.
The other proposed modifications to the SKUD are mainly fittings and will have little effect on performance. These changes are outlined below. It should be noted that if we can carry out these modifications, the new SKUDs will be more seaworthy, easier to rig and set up, have better visibility, spare parts will be readily available, will be easier to handle on shore and transport, and have a much broader appeal to mainstream sailors New SKUDS were hoped to be available at a lower price, but commodity prices and various currency values are in total turmoil and it is impossible to establish a firm price for a Mk11 SKUD 18 at this time. But it will certainly be cheaper in $USD than the current boat.
The changes are as follows :
1. Cassette type rudder stocks with fibreglass rudder blades.
Replace the current aluminium blades with well shaped fibreglass blades and cassette type rudder stocks.
- Steering can be permanently setup, no need to always remove and disconnect as with current system.
- Blades can simply be dropped in after launching.
- Fibreglass blades are superior shape with better finish
- Nylon bushes in the gudgeons to remove chatter and chafe.
- Current aluminium blades are from an extrusion common to other classes which take supply priority away from the SKUD and are overly expensive.
- Current aluminium blades will fit cassettes.
- Provision for steering arrangements for centreline seats
- and for manual steering
- Considerable increase in convenience at no extra cost.
2. Gunwale hull/deck join.
Without affecting the hull shape and general stability or performance, a redesign of the gunwale hull/deck join by removing the current dinghy type bonding surface and replace with a keel boat system has several advantages. These are:
- Remove the vulnerable overhang which catches on docks and is prone to damage, leaks, and is an inconvenient shape for fenders.
- Reduction in drag when the current gunwale is submerged when heeling.
- The hull’s flare still dramatically increases righting moment as the hull heels without introducing drag when the gunwale is immersed.
- Reduction in weight which can be applied elsewhere.
- Reduced side deck width is better for hiking.
- Reduction of overall beam from 2.3m to 2.1m gives better on shore handling, trailering, transport.
- Reduction in beam by 100mm each side aft improves visibility for the helmsman when heeled.
- New system gives added strength, less weight, more convenient beam, more conventional appearance. Overall, better all round performance.
- This modification will have no impact on cost on new boats.
- And facilitate fitting a new and improved, removable chainplate system which incorporates lifting points.
3. New mast and rigging.
The current mast relies heavily on components common to other classes which take priority of supply. They are also expensive and too costly for our global distribution network to hold stock. A new rig has been designed and built by a leading manufacturer. Its positive features are:
- Same performance and characteristics as current mast.
- No change in current sail plan.
- Mass production means ready availability and lower cost. Spare parts stock will be maintained on each continent.
- Adjustable spreaders to allow for individual tuning, allowing for better performance across wider variables, ie, on 2P, 3P, with and without trapeze.
- Ram vang giving better mechanical advantages, tidier appearance and more clearance under boom to suit 2 or more crew.
- 2 part haliard for easier handling of the mainsail.
- New spinnaker pole which is readily available and at a lower cost.
4. Modifications to Centreboard and Bulb.
- New positive keel lock down and locating system
- Lateral pin attachment system for the bulb
- Wrap around glass reinforcement along centreboard leading edge.
- Improved keel lifter with brake winch
5. Mast post and mast step.
- Halliards correctly aligned,
- Spinnaker haliard turning block correctly positioned
- Mast post step on plate with solid glass beneath, and positively attached. And with a greater variety of attachment points for control line turning blocks etc.
6. Improved chain plates with lifting points.
- Chainplates removable and accessible underdeck thru inspection ports P & S in cockpit sides, which also facilitate fixing tracks and fittings for control line management.
- Spare chain plate point for lifting sling attachment so no need to remove lowers.
7. Improved rudder gudgeons and pins.
· Same location and function as current, but more symmetrical in appearance.
· With nylon inserts to suit 8mm pins, no chatter or chafe.
8. Adjustable tie rod as standard equipment.
- Easy adjustment and fine tuning of rudder symmetry.
- Suits both blade mount, stub or manual tillers.
9. Improved spinnaker sock
· In very slippery porous mesh that doesn’t hold water
10. Optional spinnaker chute cover
· Limits green water flooding into spinnaker sock.
· Can be operated from cockpit
11. Redesigned Hard Stand Trolley
- Provision to support bulb
- Redesign keeps bulb tips clear of the frame.
Several Seating, Control Line management, Steering and Servo Assist options will complement the already broad SKUD versatility, and extend it to include the extremes of disability. These include :
1. Multiple seating, cleat console and transfer systems.
- Centreline fixed and canting helm seats
- Centreline fixed and canting crew seats
- Centreline cleat consoles, centre cockpit cleat consol with transfer seat.
- Hiking footrests
- Hiking handrails incorporating washboards to help keep cockpit dry.
2. Multiple steering systems accepted
· Stub tillers for centreline seats.
· Manual tiller steering with extensions
· Joysticks, push pull levers, push pull tracks.
· Servo assist joystick and Sip and Puff systems.
3. Integrated Servo Assist applications as optional extras.
· Variable speed and single speed steering.
· Sheet and haliard winches
· Control line trimming winches.
· a variety of application controllers.
Most of these changes are quite obvious and in response to sailor feedback. Others are not so obvious but will contribute to a better balanced and elegant craft, and the accessories will extend the versatility of the craft. Then there is the gunwale which, if we don’t sort it out now could be the difference between the SKUD being simply a Paralympic boat, or the great example of Universal Design which heralds a change in awareness in the sailing world.
The real prize here is to get the boat used in the mainstream. When a really good UD boat like this is popular with able bodied sailors then disabled people can simply join in, which adds to opportunities for disabled people, raises the level of competition, and raises awareness of the issues faced by disabled people. This ultimately leads to better acceptance, inclusion, and facilities. The higher the profile the more will be achieved. The fast, exciting and appealing SKUD 18 can be the flagship to do all this.
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