Musings on Exploring the Design Space

I have often made the point that rules are as much a driver in the development of racing sailboats as any other factor. 

Access to manufacturing technology, knowledge of materials, power of computation, the accumulation of empirical knowledge, fashion, and the evolution of athletic technique all catalyse within the boundaries of the design space* as defined in the wording of class rules.

The rules act as a lens to both sharpen and distort the theoretical optimum tradeoffs. 

This is often lamented as an undesirable constraint placed on the creativity of the designer, but, on analysis, it is both inevitable and inextricably linked with progress.

On some level every technical challenge is defined by its constraints. In fields such as civil engineering these might typically be budget, available resources, time frame, and physical boundaries such as geological features, existing infrastructure, or private property limits. 
In the aeronautical world the brief may be bounded by a power source, required range, payload, runway length, and similar hard parameters, as well as client preferences.

In sport the constraints are necessarily arbitrary. In football (soccer) there is a stipulated prohibition on players using their hands to advance the ball. In motorsport, each category places limits on engine capacity, fuel potency, aspiration mechanism, chassis dimensions, aerodynamics and any number of other factors.

Quite apart from necessary safety aspects, some of these rules may exist to limit costs, but ultimately they can be traced to a common need to artificially constrain the terms of the game. This means closing off parts of the design space that could lead those who venture there either to a runaway win or down expensive blind alleys.

Competition does the rest. At times, holes in the boundaries of the design space need to be mended as competitors throw resources at methodically testing the edges as defined in the wording of the rules. 
The pressure of competition pushes to uncover newly advantageous points in the space.

Patches, however, can only be implemented periodically, as it is vital that rule validity and immutability be tied to a known time horizon.

Typically this cycle involves some form and degree of ‘arms race’ that depends on the length of the competition cycle, the resources brought to bear, and the effectiveness of the wording of the regulations.

In every case the absolute key to the survival of a game is the ‘knowability’ of the rules. 

Specifically, the knowability of the method used to interpret them, and the period of their validity in their current version. 
If the impartial validity of the rules is in question, it will not make sense to invest in exploring them, designing to them, and ultimately taking part in the game under them. 

The risk of the ‘goalposts being moved’ once one is committed, would make any serious effort to take part with a view to winning a waste of time and money.

These universal principles have given rise to institutions and procedures developed specifically to administer sports in order to strike a balance between the need to crowd the design space to keep competition interesting and the periodic mending of holes in the boundaries of said design space. 
As with complex systems such as economies, knowability is vital for stability and success.

The interpretation of rules involves a hierarchy that ensures constructions (as in 'to construe') will be ranked in a reliably predictable order that everyone will agree on (agree, that is, on the order of interpretative methods, not the outcome). 
Namely, the plain text or literal meaning always takes precedence. 
Only in the case of ambiguity or patent absurdity does intent come into play. 
This makes sense because the plain literal meaning is far more dependably repeatable than conjecture about the mind of whoever drafted the rule, whether they are still around or not.

There is real beauty and value in the elegance of a rule and the attendant machinery for its interpretation and maintenance. 
It is rules that focus minds, channeling competitive drives into targeted refinement that can be quantified by simply looking at the finishing order.

After all, if the brief were simply “get from point A to point B before the other guy”, the best solution could be a powerboat, a plane, or a jetski, depending on the length of the course. 

Even in such an absurdly simple case, boundaries would have to be identified in order to be able to make any meaningful attempt at preparation. 
Things like the course distance, budget, and what the other competitors are doing, would all be used to formulate an analogue to a rule in which to work. 

Even in the case of such an open challenge, one often hears that ‘the size of the shed’, human muscle power, the previous benchmark to beat, or other such constraints were identified at the initial design stage. 
In any case, point A and point B are arbitrary constraints to begin with, and participation in sports is voluntary - albeit occasionally representative of real life challenges and rivalries such as competition between nations for trade routes or proficiency in technology that may have applications in defense.

In other words, like snow crystals that develop into exquisite forms after beginning the process on an airborne particle, the development process needs some starting point and some references to get going. 
The best results come when an open free space is clearly defined by a goal and edge boundaries. This is true in the development of products, businesses and racing vehicles.

Planned economies, where an enlightened elite arbitrarily permits certain things and bans others, have consistently failed. Even if the rulers act in good faith, the outcomes are both distorted and demotivating to wood-be competitors.
Societies where rules are clearly defined and consistently applied give rise through real progress through competition and collaboration.

At the risk of delving too deep into philosophical niceties, I want to share this fascination with the mechanism that forges the expressions of our creativity. 

By happy accident, good class rules gave us the elegance of the IACC boats, the power of IMOCA 60s, the efficiency of Marbleheads, and the sheer speed of the development skiff classes. 

The open wheel tradition of F1, through countless cycles of radical innovation and corresponding tightening of the design space, generated the look that we associate with fast racing cars today. 

Similarly, the ‘happy accident’ of the monohull constraint gave us the ‘T foil’ Moth that, combined with heel to windward, spawned a genuinely new way to resolve the major forces in a sailboat.

In all cases, rules with a known time horizon of applicability and a reliable method of interpretation were instrumental. 

Always scrutinised by those interested in maximizing performance, and always construed in the knowable hierarchy: literally first and foremost.

Creativity excels thanks to the structure provided by rules. 

There is something beautiful and exhilarating in an elegant solution that discovers a new point within a space bound by wording that was penned by another - Another whose intent could not foresee that particular point in the space being originally defined. 

And that is how it should be since nobody today can predict the progressive solutions that competitors will invent in the future. So all we can do today is define the space and let future minds play in it, then marvel at the new places they will discover.

_______________________________________________________________________

* Think of the design space as all points on a graph that lie between axis representing the parametres controlled by a rule. 
In the case of a simple rule where length and sail area are mandated, there would be two axes. Sail area would be on one axis and length on the other. 
If permitted length were 10 to 10.5m, and sail area 20 to 25 m^2, the design space would be every point on the plain defined by the two axis between the values of 10 and 10.5m on the length axis and 20 to 25 m^2 on the sail area axis. 
If a hypothetical rule also controlled displacement, then the design space could be represented by adding a third axis orthogonal to the first two. 
Now the design space becomes three dimensional. 
The space would be bound by a prism with a cross section equal to the area defined by permitted length and sail area values, and a length equal to permitted displacement values.
A boat with dimensions equal to the middle values for the three permitted ranges would be said to be sitting in the middle of the design space. 
A boat with max length, max sail area and max displacement would be up against the edge of the design space. 
If more than three parametres are restricted by a rule, the rule space becomes an abstract multidimensional one.
But the principle remains the same: each boat that 'measures' in the rule corresponds to one point in relation to each of the measurement parametres.

IACC Rule Space - Image credit: Unknown

Octave Development Bearing Fruit

We now have comprehensive feedback on the Octave design.
Qualitative and quantitative tests have enabled us to evaluate the radical features incorporated into the prototypes in order to decide on values for future production boats.

More detailed explanations of the design choices will be published later, but the broad concept has been validated.
Overall beam, prismatic coefficient, the characteristic forward location of the centre of gravity, the piercing bow, and the chambered deck are all retained.
The treatment of the chines has been softened as the volume distribution is maintained, but the water-shedding characteristics of the chines were found to be detrimental in some conditions.

Overall volume has increased, as has the midships freeboard.
Some moderate hull flare has been introduced in the centre section to reduce sink at large heel angles, and the deck height at the mast has been increased to both increase heeling moment and keep the booms clear of the water in rough conditions...

Congratulations to Ray Joyce who won the day this past Sunday in light conditions with the much modified original Octave prototype.
Results courtesy of Ray and Ridson Brook Radio Yacht Club.

RISDON BROOK RADIO YACHT CLUB Inc.
INTERNATIONAL MARBLEHEAD RESULTS, Sunday 19th February, 2012
Rank	SailNo	HelmName	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	Total	Nett
1st	93	R Joyce	1	1	2	-4	2	1	-3	1	1	2	18	11
2nd	60	W Behrens	2	-3	1	1	1	2	2	3	-4	1	20	13
3rd	5	P Darcey	3	2	-6	2	4	-6	1	5	3	5	37	25
4th	67	A Furmage	4	-6	4	3	3	-5	5	2	2	4	38	27
5th	10	K Dobbie	7	4	3	7	5	4	6	4	5	3	48	34
6th	19	L Hanson	5	5	5	5	-6	3	4	-6	6	6	51	39

Congratulations to Michael Hickman

For a well earned third place at the Australian Championships sailing an Ajax by Carbonicboats.
Great to see that the M Class is alive and well, with a very high standard of sailors and equipment.
The Event Site can be found here

Not What it Said on the Box

I found the following interesting enough to post and comment on.

It is an open letter to the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) by somebody who was associated with a credible prospective competitor. 
Given my experiences as part of an official competitor that found the ever changing new format untenable, I would broadly agree with the principal views expressed in the letter.

However, focusing as it does on the point person, is perhaps to the detriment of a broader look at an organisation that has great resources available, and an admirable stated vision, but appears to be working without defined milestones, and hence with no accountability/metrics for quantifying success with reference to its stated aims. 

The old saying of 'shoot first and call whatever you hit the target' comes to mind.

Analysing the shifting philosophies (such as the decoupling of the ACWS from the AC 'proper'), the stringent controls being stockpiled by the Defender, the inconsistent treatment of different competitors, and the ongoing redefinition of identified profit centres, one cannot help but speculate that at least some of the actions of the many branches of the organisation are governed by different and conflicting agendas. 

Add to the mix massive commercial interests without the checks and balances of a strong voice from challengers with genuine countervailing interests, and you have an event that resembles more a choreographed WWF wrestling show than a 'friendly competition between nations'.

If these were isolated outbursts of individual criticism, they could be dismissed as 'sour grapes' and we could all get on with the show. 
But the mounting evidence is pervasive and compelling. 
The credibility of the critics is growing, and the objective results are indicative of a deeply flawed approach if the stated goals are taken as a measure of success.

In my opinion the single best thing to come out of this low point in the cyclical nature of the AC is the rediscovery, popularisation, and acceleration in development of the modern racing multihull.

For this unwitting byproduct I am grateful, despite the mess.
The show will be spectacular, in a way similar to the Valencia DoG match: The boats will be spectacular. The images will be compelling because of the backdrop and the accessibility of the course. 
But, again, it will be low in numbers and be steered by a power that is not counterbalanced by genuine opposing interests.

"An Open Letter to America’s Cup Event Authority Chairman Richard Worth from 
Peter Huston

The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the concern that many of us share in the direction that you are taking the marketing aspects of the America’s Cup, and to offer suggestions for improvement.
I speak not as an individual; however I do have experience with ACEA as an individual through my association with Paul Henderson and Kevin Reed of Red Maple Racing, a life long association with the sport, and an experienced background in entertainment marketing, including sailing. Rather, I speak as someone who gets constantly asked by friends within the sailing community about what is up with the Cup. They want to place blame on Golden Gate YC for not reaching out to the sailing community and not telling the story of what’s up with the Cup. The blame is not GGYC’s, the blame is yours.
As much as you and the rest of the staff at ACEA might want to spin things, in addition to your failure to reach the sailing community, of those few people you have reached, you have alienated far too many, for no good reason. “Out with the Flintstones and in with the Facebook” was just the start. Many of us grew up with the Flintstones, and have a Facebook page. Announcing ACWS dates, but no venues, and then never fulfilling those dates, as recently as this January. Why have announced dates with no venues too often not materialized? Is it because you had completely unrealistic venue fee pricing expectations based your completely unrealistic and unsustainable event production budget? A checkered flag at the finish line? Seriously? In a day and age when “authentic” is a big buzz word, what is authentic about taking something that is a signature within motorsports and using it in sailing?
Obviously, the front page story in the San Francisco Chronicle Saturday morning said all that needed to be said about the overhype that ACEA has had about projected attendance figures for Cup events. Those of us in the game a year ago knew that ACEA was spouting utter nonsense with those attendance projections. No wonder the City is now giving ACEA very justifiable pushback.
But those are small problems in the scheme of things. Currently, Grant Dalton is screaming that the Cup is not any less expensive than in the past, and is in fact 20% more expensive. Grant is also citing the fact there are only three billionaires and his team currently entered in the 2013 America’s Cup. As a part of one of the teams who a year ago took a very hard look at entering the ACWS and the America’s Cup, I have a decent idea what the costs are, and while we can debate Grant’s statements, the bigger issue than costs is the abject lack of definable media expose for potential sponsors. A year ago ACEA had no real set schedule for ACWS events, and no real media schedule. During the last year, nothing much has changed, including your assumption that broadcasters are going to line up in a bidding war for TV rights. That is not going to happen, especially in the US. If you had signed major TV broadcast partners, you’d be talking about them. Instead, we got press releases about the chef in Cascais. If you had signed major broadcast partners, it is highly likely we’d have more than the current three challengers entered.
Many people think more teams aren’t announcing their entry into the ACWS or Cup because they can’t find sponsorship money. I don’t know about other teams, but I do know about Red Maple. A year ago the issue was not finding interested and willing sponsors, the issue was being able to assure those sponsors that ACEA, meaning YOU, would come through with ACWS venues and a major media schedule. Red Maple elected to not go forward because there was no evidence you were going to perform as would have been necessary to satisfy those sponsors. Those teams who did not go forward are probably relieved they did not. Those teams that are still in the game and are hanging on by their fingernails are still waiting with bated breath for the announcement of your ACWS venues and dates, and for the TV package to be announced.
Simply put, the teams who rely on sponsorship to make it to the starting line in 2013 will not be there unless you announce ACWS venues and dates and your TV distribution package within a couple of weeks. The sooner the better. It almost does not matter what the package is, it just matters that there is something concrete to point to. For the prospective teams to obtain sponsorship there MUST be a media schedule that is actually in place. The most bizarre part about all this is that you cited ESPN2 in the ACEA Media Footprint document which was circulated last year, yet you had not made a deal with ESPN. The single thing that you could do immediately to start to reverse the trend of negative publicity that is currently besieging the America’s Cup is to make a deal with ESPN, and announce it. YouTube is amusing and all, but ESPN brings to the table the credibility that you lack, and which the America’s Cup needs, right now. The group of people who are most likely to come to San Francisco in the greatest numbers for the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup are people from the US, particularly those who are lifelong fans of the America’s Cup. Why you have essentially ignored the US market is beyond our comprehension.
Sure, there will be an America’s Cup in 2013 in San Francisco. But instead of a grand spectacle, it will be a whimper if no more than three challengers show up. Three challengers is a race, but it is not a regatta, and it is certainly not much of a show.
Right now, because of ACEA’s abject failings Golden Gate YC and the America’s Cup have a very serious credibility problem, largely because you as the Chairman of ACEA, the marketing arm for the Cup, completely over hyped and constantly under delivered on virtually every single thing you set out to do. So, the question is now: Are you just like ‘Captain Coward’ Francesco Schettino of the sunken Italian luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia, seeking refuge in a life raft that is just another ACEA spin city press release? Or, are you man enough to step up to the helm in the storm that you have driven the America’s Cup into as a result of your poor tactics, do the right thing for the Cup and the sport, and finally make some media and venue deals that sponsors can rely on so that they can agree to support teams who want to enter the 2013 America’s Cup? 

- Peter Huston." 

Carbonicboats Collaborates with Kedo

Here are some preview images of the Kedo range of carbon fibre houseware and furniture.
These creations are made using a proprietary technique that gives the best features of glassware, with the unique aesthetics of carbon fibre.

You can buy Kedo products now in Australia and New Zealand only from Carbonicboats. 

Choose from the standard range or ask about custom items.

2012 John Cootes A Division Catamaran National Championships

A lot has been written about the recently concluded A Cat Australian Champs.

Not much to add here except to agree that it was a fantastic regatta and a great way to learn about these elegant and sophisticated boats.

The hosts were generous and hospitable, the race management was smooth and efficient and the competitors represented a broad cross-section of our sport, from professionals to passionate enthusiasts.
The weather ranged through the whole spectrum and the atmosphere was exciting, welcoming and family friendly.

Below is a selection of links to reports, pictures and videos.

We are looking forward to developing equipment to fulfill the needs of this market in the next years!

Reports on MySailing.com.au:
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/sailing-s-rockstars-get-their-instruments-and-will-come-out-to-play-on-lake-macquarie
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/business-as-usual-ashby-dominates-a-class-cats-invitation-race
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/ashby-bundock-on-top-at-a-class-catamaran-nationals
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/big-names-at-the-top-of-the-a-class-cat-leaderboard
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/nathan-outteridge-takes-to-a-class-like-a-duck-to-water
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/ashby-in-a-class-of-his-own-on-lake-macquarie
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/ashby-secures-a-class-cats-with-a-day-to-spare

Pictures:
http://www.a-cat.org.au/2012-nationals/sail-world-photo-gallery-for-the-2012-nationals/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73409289@N05

Some videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT_m8S7WfnU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hovL91SoN6Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa24YlmEP0k

Official host club website:
http://www.wangirslasc.yachting.org.au/

These shots from 'Bad Dog' http://www.flickr.com/photos/73409289@N05

Rigging

A few days of boat preparation are an interesting opportunity to come up with solutions to some problems common to many boat types. As always the factors to consider are weight, reliability, durability, cost, and repeatability. Usually in that order.
Here are some images of what we came up with...

Trapeze lines: starting from the top, the 2.5 or 3mm Dyneema is spliced over a closed thimble. Both thimbles bear on a single shackle that connects them to the conventional hounds plate or T-ball ring.
There is a 200mm length of core as a chafe guard where the line may touch the stays and sail/batten.
Since the 'hounds' on a rotating A Cat mast are rather crowded, and occasionally the thimbles will interfere with each-other before lining up as load is applied, some stickyback aramid cloth is applied to the exposed line where it lies in the thimble.

Moving down, machined round aluminium thimbles are used at the bottom end for the lower splice and as stoppers for the T-handles. They also act as turning blocks for the lower strop that has a stopper ball at the bungee end...

Merry Christmas

Best wishes and thanks to our followers, customers, partners, suppliers and fellow sailors.

May 2012 bring fair winds, health and prosperity.

Carbonicboats at Sail Sydney

First outing for the new test platform after only a very light wind race out of Kurnell the previous Sunday.

Having a designer at the helm meant expectations were low: The goal was to get around the course cleanly and begin gathering data (rigged the boat with instruments at some key locations) for baseline values before the scheduled mods begin.

The atmosphere at the regatta was excellent. A well run, well supported event in a friendly setting with many sailors of all ages enjoying the sport at its best. As always many thanks to the organisers for making it all possible.

On the first day the breeze came in late but did eventually allow four races to be sailed in building conditions that reached 15 knots by the end of proceedings. The second day piped in touching 20 knots with some steep chop so the decision was made not to push things just yet.

It certainly seems that the small boat scene and the beach cat fleet in particular are alive and well. Fantastic news for the future of our sport and for the industry.

Photo courtesy Andrew Hawkins, Mainsheet Media

2011 Retrospective Part 4 of 4

During this year dominated by AC preparations, Carbonicboats simmered along with a couple of architectural projects, aerospace consultancy, assorted mods and optimisation jobs for clients, RC yacht development, and lately some limited work on our A Cat test platform.

Personally I took every opportunity to get out on the water on multihulls big and small, and had the chance to communicate my views by writing some articles for Australian Sailing Magazine on topics such as impressions of sailing the AC45, analysis of technical developments in the AC, and a designer’s look at the A Cat Nationals. 

Part of my journey to discover and understand multihulls was learning to sail an A Class Catamaran (my thanks to coach Adam South for his patience) that was also used as a test platform for ideas that helped us get to grips with what makes a catamaran go. 

We have recently acquired a second test boat that will be seen regularly at Australian A Cat events. But more on that later…

Among the turbulence, RC Yacht production slowed as our Australian suppliers were affected by the floods in Queensland, and our European supplier closed up shop due to the loss of other clients that he had come to rely upon. There is therefore a considerable waiting list on our RC yachts. Something we are working on remedying with new in-house tooling that should be underway in the not-too-distant future.

Next year our focus will be firmly on production, returning to our roots, but growing to include accessories, parts, and fittings for RC yachts, beach catamarans and more.

I take this chance to wish a happy and prosperous New Year to all our loyal supporters.

Photo courtesy Gilles Martin-Raget

2011 retrospective Part 3 of 4

Needless to say, this turn of events was surprising and extremely disappointing because the athletic and technical sides of the team had grown to be truly formidable.
The record shows the caliber of the names involved. Perhaps more importantly in such a collaborative undertaking, promising constructive relationships were growing within the group.
The sailing and shore teams had already fitted out and assembled their first race boat at the regatta venue after completing a training camp in home waters.
The design team had put in place the test matrix and was already well into the calibration work necessary to home in on the optimum parameters for the bigger boat. Once again a lot was learned but this time we had gone much further down the path.
We began functioning as a team and felt confident we were headed for great things.

Reflecting on the commercial proposition of the 34^th AC, one cannot help but notice that a radical transformation happened by degrees, in a way that was not immediately apparent at each incremental step, but which added up to a format very much at odds with the initial premise.

As things stand, one cannot argue convincingly in favour of the commercial viability of the format. 
The balance of power has also shifted away from the interests of commercial teams, in favour of large privately funded entities that effectively hold the keys to the field of play. 
In this framework, it is easy to imagine that ‘some animals in the farm are more equal than others’. 
It is tempting to say ‘it was ever thus’, but this incarnation of the Cup has reached beyond the reasonable expectation of politics, lobbying, intrigue and power-plays that are part of AC folklore. 

A confluence of years of play stopping litigation, the economic times, a ‘non-establishment' vehicle, and, perhaps most significantly, a Challenger of Record that was ‘friendly’to (and possibly dependent on) the Defender (and has in any case left the picture), points to an interesting moral hazard in relation to the funding of both the event and prospective teams.

The unprecedented combination of a participating team also supplying (through entities that purport to being independent but share a common funding source) the equipment, and having mechanisms in place to unilaterally penalise other parties, makes for an extremely uncertain situation for someone who is considering investing in order to gain a return. 

This point is worth pondering if it is really to sink in: the defender is supplying equipment to prospective challengers that can be admitted and sent off at will through thinly veiled rule pretexts.
I want to be clear that this is not a naïve idealistic realisation: politics and dealmaking have always been a part of professional sport. But in this case the picture is extremely unbalanced. 
Instead of Challenger and Defender doggedly negotiating, each in the self-interest of securing the best chance to win, you had first a Challenger that was more interested in securing hosting rights than actually racing and winning. Then a puppet Challenger. And finally a Challenger relying on financial backing from the Defender.

As a small aside, let us remember that we are talking about professional sport. Professional does not mean ‘full time’. It means that the people involved do it for a living. Meaning they get paid. In turn this should mean that those providing the money should expect some value in return that is commensurate with the investment. This requires arrangements to be dependable and transparent, with knowable costs that should be subordinate to the value being added. 

In a commercial reality where value for money is at a premium (since the need to spend on tax-deductible advertising is negated by slim or nonexistent margins), a bold new proposition should offer as many certainties as possible to entice genuine investment.

And there is no question that the new AC format is bold and different if not new. 
It brings to the forefront the spectacle, excitement and technology that were once hiding in a niche of our sport (namely the C Class and, to a lesser extent, the A class). 
In my opinion this fulfills the spirit of the AC as a pinnacle of international competition and a crucible for the development of performance under sail. 
Yet these premises are contradicted by mandating a conservative one-manufacturer/one-design for a period much longer than the anticipated ‘hit the ground running’ introductory bracket (leaving aside the dubious implications this revenue stream has on the fiduciary duties of the Trustee/Defender). 

Along the way there have been radical policy changes in the declared profit centres of the business model, particularly with regard to TV and venues. 

The calendar still has gaping holes in it, and the eventual big race boat rule does not address the original promise of containing costs where they do not lead to outright performance or where they are absorbed by minute gains. Specifically, the AC72 rule started out admirably by restricting the key speed producing factors and imposing equipment limitations. But subsequent changes have driven up initial and ongoing / logistical costs beyond recognition whilst simultaneously the value available through exposure has dwindled.
Again, the AC has never been 'cheap', nor should it be. 
The issue is not the size of the investment but the relationship between investment and return. 

The graphics and television coverage are remarkable and technically brilliant. 
But, as with any project lacking pre-defined benchmarking, it is impossible to judge how much better the results could have been, or what would constitute an unremarkable result or a failure. 

The commercial considerations that should come first and foremost if viability and sustainability are the goal seem to be forgotten: the true measure should be efficiency - the value for money to a stakeholder represented by what is being produced against the cost of producing it. 

In this context I am surprised at the apparent willingness of commentators to marvel about technical excellence without reference to the resources available. 
Given enough money to hire enough talent, technical excellence should be expected, not marveled at. 

Technical achievements are of course admirable, but they are even more so when they dwarf the available resources. 
That is why TNZ beating the Americans in 1995 on a shoestring budget and with wooden wings on the bulb is more remarkable than America^3 winning in ’92 with a virtually unlimited budget… 
One would do well to examine the quality of the Extreme 40 coverage that uses radio controlled UAV’s and other ideas that save money to increase the value on the bottom line.

But one must not dwell… The experience was fulfilling and worthwhile. 
For sure similar chances will arise again in better times. 
Right now the lessons learned are valuable and I intend to apply them to our other work whilst sharpening the focus for 2012.

2011 Retrospective Part 2 of 4

Fortunately, the chance arose to apply these lessons when Carbonicboats was hired almostimmediately by the then Official Challenger from Italy.
Having carefully done my homework on their funding, management, and philosophy, I was impressed by the commercial approach they advocated and (vitally) comfortable that the backing was in place to implement the strategies they had formulated.

Specifically, they showed proof of having in place the underwriting necessary to get through the campaign, and they presented some innovative plans to independently increase the value offered to partners through initiatives taking advantage of up-to-the-minute social media tools. 

As with any business, these are two key components: capital to get a product to market, and a coherent strategy to recover the investment.

Armed with this knowledge, I was enthusiastic about bringing on board some of the key players I had already worked with, as well as some outstanding new talent both in the technical realm and in the sailing team.

AC45 purchased and loaded. Next stop Portugal...

As the key deadlines passed for qualification and entry (deadlines that had already been postponed and whose associated barriers had been considerably lowered), it became clear that the commercial viability of the proposed format was being questioned by many, with good reason. 
The uncertainties that persisted exacerbated the lack of confidence in an already bear market. Question marks still existed on venues, dates, budget capping mechanisms, balance of power, competitiveness of the existing players, commercial arrangements, allocations at the race villages, and broadcast deals…

In a further change to an already moving target, the ACWS was effectively de-coupled form the CSS and the AC ‘proper’, altering the nature of the commercial proposition that teams were presenting to prospective partners. 
This radical change was a revelation that the new ‘democracy’ could easily be ‘tweaked’. 

For those who had already paid up, and done the necessary work to be in a position to take on the original calendar, the change had significant implications. 
The stated motivation for the change was that, as things stood, there were only three Challengers. 
But that is still the case when one looks at the AC today, as distinct from the ACWS.

Accumulating uncertainties surrounding an event that had been totally reinvented after shedding all momentum due to several years of unglamorous litigation, an incredibly volatile economy, and a difficult relationship between the team owners and event organisers, led to the last minute (the day before the first race) exit of what was the only funded and staffed Italian team in the event.

2011 Retrospective Part 1 of 4

It is that time of the year again: summer (Southern Hemisphere) and fast approaching festivities to welcome 2012…
I thought it timely to reflect on 2011 and update the blog that has been somewhat neglected among the hectic activities during this very interesting year.

It has certainly been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Very interesting times. Great satisfactions, some disappointments, many challenges, and constant growth and adjustment.

As well as the usual ‘bread and butter’ consulting gigs, Carbonicboats was involved at the start of 2011 in what was then the Australian Official Chellenger for the 34^th America’s Cup. 
As always, our role was a technical one: in this case co-coordinating the preliminary work on assembling the design and shore team, planning timelines, design strategy, budget projections, cash flow scenarios, logistics, advising on the technical feasibility of offerings made by the marketing team, and setting the foundations for what was to become the team culture on the design and build side of the operation.

Great flexibility was called for as the rules of the game were still very fluid. They were being refined as time went by and feedback materialised. 
A rewarding part of the process was taking part in the Competitor Forums, where talented and very experienced brains came together to flesh out the vision of a spectacular, modern, fast and commercially viable reincarnation of the Phoenix that is the America’s Cup. 
Hopefully some worthwhile contributions were made to discussions on the Protocol, the Class Rules, the RRS AC Edition and overarching strategic considerations.

Adam South, Dario Valenza, and Nev Whitty (front to  back) 

on the prototype AC45 in Auckland. Image credit: Unknown

History will show that the Australian Team was one of the many that did not make it to the start line in these unique and changing times.
Much was learned and clearly there was a genuine passion driving the initiative.
Perhaps in a bull market the outcome would have been different.
However an honest analysis does reveal certain shortcomings which should serve as case study lessons.
From my point of view (inside the team but outside the PR team), the principal error was a failure to engage those outside the team - the sailing community first, and the greater public as well.
A dedicated group was working hard on the project and achieving significant traction in some key areas, but this was not being communicated to the outside world. The excitement of the new format was not being conveyed. The talents, passion and qualifications of the key players were not being made known.
I believe that such communication would have been instrumental to overcome public skepticism. Only those directly responsible will ever know the thinking behind the decisions that led to the lack of outreach and engagement. 
In my estimation there was a need for a concerted effort to communicate, to engage, to involve and to excite. 
Instead those in charge insisted on positively excluding the press. 
Perhaps part of the reason for the silence was the rivalry between different would-be leaders of competing syndicates within Australia, but that seems like a poor reason for what borders on secrecy in a venture that relies on visibility and fan base to justify investment.
The silence left open speculation about troubling lack of unity within the syndicate leadership, and conceivable conflicts of interest that may have played a role, but this brings us into the realm of conjecture so I shall not probe any deeper in this context.

Australian uniforms on a boat with the iconic Auld Mug logo, for the first time in many years.
Hopefully it will happen again soon.

The work carried out on the technical side was well structured, promising and very satisfying. Analysing the outcomes I am confident that the structure, programme and personalities involved in the design effort were easily up to the challenge of producing a competitive boat, and the connected ‘machinery’ to maintain, repair, and develop it in a campaign under the conditions that were posited at the time, and within the constraints imposed by the initial brief. 
In an honest and self critical internal appraisal aimed at improving future performance, very little emerged that our tech team would have done differently if given another chance. 
The lessons learned and the relationships forged, beyond making the exercise worthwhile, became valuable tools for the next project.

A Class Catamaran Trailer

An economical, quick and practical conversion from an existing 'generic' flat frame trailer to a specialised A Cat transport...

Before:

And after:

The parallel side rails support the cross beams just inboard of the hulls.

At the rear they curve downward and can accept 'extensions' that plug in the back to act as 'ramps' so the boat can be slid on/off by one person. 

Side splashes aft are retained to catch the bows as the boat transfers to the launching wheels.

For loading and unloading the aft mast post is removed by sliding it up off its lower telescopic element which is welded to the trailer frame.

Once the boat is loaded, the aft post prevents it sliding back whilst the mast splash holds the aft beam down.

Two clamps over the front beam at the side rails, and both mast posts, are secured with screws that have 'T' handles and tap into nuts welded on the adjustable elements.

The biggest challenge seemed to be finding a suitable storage box readily available and at a reasonable price.

Even fabricating a custom box requires considerable materials and much labour.

A lockable roof-top box off Ebay provided a ready solution.

It can easily take two sails, the boards, rudders, booms, wires, assorted spares, and a tool box.

It is also streamlined (for what that is worth in fuel consumption savings given that it is in the wake of the towing vehicle), looks sleek and, in extremis, can be quickly commandeered for the occasional skiing trip... 

Oh, and, being plastic, it does not rust.

Next to the box is a readily available length of plumbing pipe with screw cap ends to take tiller extension, cross bar, trailer rail extensions, and a can of emergency tire foam.

Towed the trailer 400Km to pick up the boat (next test platform - Yay!) and 400Km back with the boat.

It handled nicely and fuel consumption was noticeably lower than with the old heavier trailer with conventional square metal box.

Metal fabrication by Marcus and Rose MFG P/L, Carringbah NSW

Octave Jib Booms

Ray Joyce continues to develop the Octave prototype.
Notice that all adjustments use 'finite' steps located by means of pins/holes or notches to guarantee accuracy, replicability, and prevent movement under varying loads.
The design envelope of Octave is being mapped with a view to optimising the eventual production boat with an emphasis on upwind/downwind rig crossovers.

BlackIce First Sail

The pics are from a phone camera so low res, but the boat is sailing.