Performance Upgrades
- Optimizing with a new sailplan – New spar, including chainplate relocation if necessary, or utilizing existing spar with new sail profiles
- Optimizing with new appendages – Keel, Ballast bulb, Rudders.
- Deck layout modifications
- Structural reinforcement – Keel attachment, mast step, chainplates
- Deck Structures – Hard dodgers, existing deckhouse modification
- Hull Modifications – Stern scoop, Extensions, Bow profiles
Click on a thumbnail below to see examples of our past work.
NEW SPARS and SAILPLAN for DASHEW 80 “GODSPEED”
“Godspeed” lost her original aluminum mainmast off Block Island. Rather than replacing the spar as-is, the owner saw opportunity to upgrade and give the boat much-needed sailpower. VPPs were used to optimize new spar length to match Godspeed’s available power to carry sail. New main and mizzen masts were built in high-modulus carbon by Hall Spars, new sails built by North Sails, and deck modifications by New England Boatworks. Quotes from Owner Andrew Lambden;
The rig and other improvements to Godspeed have been working very well. We had some heavy weather from Bermuda to Charleston (60 kt winds on one day and then a 55 kt gale on another day). On two occasions she picked up speed and surfed down waves. That was pretty interesting! We completed the Bermuda to St Maarten leg in 5 days and averaged about 8 kts. This included one light wind day, short sails during the night and no use of the motor. Light air speeds have definitely improved. The Code 1 dramatically increases performance in under 15 knot winds when reaching. It was great arriving n St Maarten as we came in with the front of the regatta fleet. Under white sails we were keeping up with other boats flying spinnakers!
COLGATE 26 “KORU” TURBO UPGRADE
Colgate 26 “KORU” upgraded with a four – stage program to match Client Jerry Manock’s sailing schedule;
(1) New deeper-draft keel and ballast bulb, optimized to reduce drag and increase righting moment for more sailpower. Engineered to match stock bolt layout, fabricated by Mars Metal.
(2) New retractable carbon bowsprit by Hall Spars, deck-mounted.
(3) New carbon spar by Hall Spars; lighter and smaller section than stock aluminum spar. Chainplates redesigned and moved outboard, considerably decreasing rig loads
(4) New squarehead mainsail profile, sails built by Doyle Sails. Sailplan optimized by VPP, definite performance gains upwind and downwind.
SANTA CRUZ 37 “THREE BEANS” KEEL BOX REINFORCEMENT
Stock configuration is a lifting fin keel, bolted down when underway. The owner noticed abnormal athwartships movement in the trunk and consulted RMD to reinforce prior to the Newport-Bermuda Race. Scope included;
-Assessment of sailing and grounding load, and geometry of deformation
-Reverse engineering of existing trunk structure, carbon and fiberglass composite.
-Engineering and installation drawings of reinforcement webs, tabbings, and additional laminates
“SALTY GOOSE” SPAR AND CHAINPLATES
Derecktor 50 “Salty Goose” lost her aluminum spar; RMD consulted to optimize new carbon spar (by Hall Spars) and a more powerful sailplan. Scope included;
-VPPs to optimize spar height to available righting moment
-Deck layout and redesign for non-overlapping jibs
-Relocation of chainplates aft for increased shroud sweepback.
-Engineering and installation drawings of new aluminum fabricated chainplates
MAST STEP REFIT FOR 24m “ZANABE”
“ZANABE” a modern wooden yacht, was noticed to be deforming below her mast due to insufficient structure. RMD was contracted to perform the following scope;
-Assess strength of existing inadequate structure per sailing loads ( mast compression )
-Design new mast step to fit within yacht geometry without any destruction of existing framework. A mock-up was built in plywood to prove out the geometry.
-Engineer mast step in stainless steel, utilizing FEA to optimize plate thickness
-Oversee step construction and installation
HIKING RACKS FOR KIWI 35 “IN THEORY”
Rodger Martin Design assisted in several optimizations to the Kiwi 35 “In Theory” including;
-VPPs to assess performance effects of weight reduction, carbon Mumm 30 spar, and asymmetric spinnaker
-Design and engineering of aluminum hiking racks to replace old fiberglass “wings”. Weight savings of 340 lbs. Built by Syd Janes Metal, trampolines by Hood Sails RI
-Attachment details of deck-mounted retractable carbon spinnaker pole.
STERN EXTENSION FOR SUNDEER 56 “EAGLE’s WINGS”
“Eagle’s Wings” desired a performance boost, especially in light air. RMD’s scope included;
-Proposal of stern scoop extension to increase waterline length and eliminate turbulent wake
-VPPs to assess magnitude of performance increase of extension
-Design and laminate engineering of stern scoop
-Design of molds for new part to be made
