If we could have ordered wind exactly to our specifications for sailing trials, it could not have been more perfect. In the morning it was a smooth 8 knots, gradually building to 16 knots---an off shore breeze with no waves. The performance satisfied our highest hopes and expectations. The Maltese Falcon has written a new page in the history of yachting, the DynaRig is no longer an experimental concept---we had a day of stunning success!
Everything worked as engineered and the yacht achieved some remarkable numbers: hard on the wind in 15.8 knots true, at 38 degrees relative wind angle, we sailed with no fuss or strain at 10.5 knots. On a close reach at 60 degrees relative angle, the speed (still at knots 16 true wind) climbed to 14 knots. The balance is, essentially, perfect---with weather helm never exceeding 0.6 degrees on the wind, or 2.5 degrees on a fast reach. The angle of heel was around 15 degrees, but in a puff, once touched 20 degrees. The leeway angle was well under 5 degrees (without the dagger-board in place). Since it was our first day out, and we wanted to be careful, these results were achieved with the topgallants and the royals furled---so we expect even better numbers in further tests. The maximum loading on the masts never much exceeded 50% of our (very, very, conservative) limit, so, we have plenty of room for some even better results.
There were no untoward effects from the revolutionary rig. The automatic tacking worked smoothly in all wind strengths---tacking takes only 1.5 minutes, and curiously, she tacks quite readily in light winds, perhaps even easier than in heavier air, (because the wind force against the rigs, when backed, increases with the square of the wind velocity). Jibing is almost trivial and, to a passenger, virtually undetectable.
The attached photos were taken from our tender, whose crew got soaked in keeping up with the gliding Falcon. The day proceeded so perfectly, that we finished all our tests and returned to the harbor a little earlier than planned. We had 85 people aboard, some guests, but mostly technicians of all types, who found little of concern, and thus, had a great day out.
Special credit must be given to Gerry Dijkstra and Jereon de Vos, the naval architects, whose work has lead to performance so closely adhering to their theoretical predictions We all are delighted with this beautiful yacht, and we look forward to our “debut” in the Mediterranean.
The interior is now 100% finished, and is beautiful. The “look” is luxury-machine. It has been suggested that I write my next novel in my new study, and perhaps I will---the plot is about the struggles of the poor.
Best, Tom