Changes to CS17 seat construction OK?

[Dave Newell]

Gday all - i am getting close to rebuilding the seats on my "the six million dollar boat - we can rebuild her we have the technology" project (just hope it dosnt cost that much!). because of the previous builders construction techniques (read - lack of techniques!) i need to finish the seats about level with the front of the centreboard case.

i was wondering if not having the seat sides/tops go all the way to the front bulkhead will make any major difference to hull strength/stiffness.

thanks

dave

[Brent]

I did not do the design calculations, but I do sail a CS20 agressively. I believe the seat sides and tops are an important element to total boat stiffness. There may be ways to get the same stiffness with other methods, but runing the seats from bow to stern bulkheads delivers that stiffness with simplicity.

Keep in mind that with that large main sail up front and the ballast (crew )sitting aft there is a great deal of twisting force through the hull. A stiff boat will translate that force into forward motion. A twisting hull - not good.

[Dave Newell]

thanks Brent - will keep that in mind

dn