President’s Note

Posted on November 27, 2010 by - Features

Welcome to the new USA Flying Dutchman website!  We are pleased how it has turned out visually.  But more importantly, the entire site is filled with features that will hopefully involve all class members, as well as friends of the FD class.  We thought long and hard about this project before starting.  Just coming up with a bright shiny and new website would be nice, but hardly worth the effort.  We have very specific goals with this new design which are:

  • Help fleets grow with an integrated set of organizing tools
  • Foster a community with dynamic information and idea sharing
  • Build an extensive, search-able body of FD knowledge on many subjects over time 

 

2011 Schedule Update

Posted on November 26, 2010 by - IFDCAUS

The 2011 Class schedule is being developed.  The primary anchor dates are National at Noroton Yacht Club, World Championships in Italy and North American Championships at CORK after return from Worlds.  The two main US events are happening on the east coast this year, breaking with general proactice of having a major event on each coast.  This is to facilitate shipping to Worlds this year.  Similarly, in 2012, we plan to have both events on the west coast, in addition to the Worlds Championship that will be held in Santa Cruz. 

Shroud Termination

Posted on November 26, 2010 by - Rigging

A recent question on the upper shrouds came from Stuart Austin, rebuilding USA 440, a 1969 Dubdam.  Stuart writes, “Rule 62 states that the lower ends of the shrouds should be “impossible” to adjust while racing. How do you achieve controls that can be tuned conveniently but still meet the rule?”

The rule references the “lower end” which is referring to the teminal attachment of the shroud to the chainplate or whatever hardware affixed to the boat. This does not refer to the critical adjustment mechanism that lengthens or shortens the upper shroud.  The rule is stating that the attachment point of the shroud may not be movable while under way.  The effect of this is that on an FD, you are not allowed to move the shroud fore, aft or athwardships while racing.  To be sure, many boats allow for this type of adjustment to be made between races.

Cuspidor Regatta 2010

Posted on November 24, 2010 by - Cazenovia

The annual Cuspidor Regatta was held the weekend of July.17-18 at the Willow Bank Yacht Club on Lake Cazenovia. For those that have never attended the Caz regatta you miss a good time – there is fabulous camping on site, great club facilities, good lake racing and very welcoming hosts.

51st Cannonball Regatta 2010

Posted on November 24, 2010 by - Canandaigua

This year attendance at the Cannonball was not up to the usual numbers – but did include 4 boats that had been in CA for the FD Nationals in Santa Cruz and which were delivered to CYC by Paul Hemker. Grand children’s graduations, and other commitments, including emergency appendectomies kept folk away.

2011 FD Nationals NOR Posted

Posted on November 23, 2010 by - Nationals


Noroton Yacht Club has released the Notice of Race for the 2011 Flying Dutchman National Championship, to be held over Memorial Day weekend.  Here are links for: Notice of Race and Entry Form

Please register now!  Late fee will be applied for entries received after April 30, 2011

NYC, home club to Job Sandberg, former North American Commodore, was also the site of the 2006 Nationals that provided great Long Island Sound conditions and was immortalized in some of the great photography by Kevin McCabe.  Notice of Race and associated information to be published soon.

2011 FD Nationals Announced

Posted on November 23, 2010 by - Nationals


Noroton Yacht Club has announced sponsorship of the 2011 Flying Dutchman National Championship, to be held over Memorial Day weekend.  NYC, home club to Job Sandberg, former North American Commodore, was also the site of the 2006 Nationals that provided great Long Island Sound conditions and was immortalized in some of the great photography by Kevin McCabe.  Notice of Race and associated information to be published soon.

2006 North American Championship

Posted on November 23, 2010 by - Nationals

The 2006 North American Championship regatta was completed at Bay View Boat club in San Francisco recently. 13 boats showed up. Sailors came from region I and II and III on the east coast, and from SDgo and LA, as well as SF and NorCal.

Sails

Posted on November 23, 2010 by - Sails

Much of the FD’s well known power and upwind speed in particular is rightfully attributed to its generous sail area in relation to the boat’s weight. Fairly unique in the world of high performance dinghies is the FD’s use of an overlapping genoa. This feature provides special challenges for the sail designer in trying to achieve optimal shapes. The effective range of sail designs is of course broadened by the adjustability of the rig, but let’s take a look at some special features.