Why will the XS-Spider
be the small keel boat racer of the future?
Its
overall modern
appearance -
• Here at Van Gorkom Yacht
Design we believe
that “fast is fun”. The XS-Spider definitely fits
into this category with its sleek, stealthy canoe body and contemporary
sail plan featuring a powerful square-top mainsail, blade jib and
masthead asymmetric spinnaker.
• The XS-Spider has a spacious
and functional
cockpit with a simple-to-sail deck layout.
• There are no winches and no
backstay!
The Harken deck layout draws on the latest dinghy technology to make
sail handling easy and quick.
The design
appeals
to younger sailors -
• The XS-Spider will be
extremely popular with
ages 16 through 30.
• With the so called
extreme sports commanding
so much of the youth market, this design will create an air of
excitement which will create a strong youth program for any yacht club
and encourage continued participation in its young adult members.
• Two to three people in
close exciting
one-design racing can sail this little rocket hard.
• Many of the Spider’s
design features
make this boat an ideal platform for a teaching environment such as the
“legs in/no hiking” arrangement.
Superior
performance in a broader range of conditions -
• This XS-Spider has a
fine bow entry, efficient
hydrodynamic foils, and a low displacement/length ratio, giving the
boat a superior windward performance in conditions ranging from fluky
zephyr-like summer breezes, to the more moderate winds of the spring
and fall.
• With flat, stable, after
planing hull sections
and a relatively high sail area/wetted surface ratio, the XS-Spider
will maintain a captivating level of downwind performance.
• The XS-Spider has a high
initial stability,
yet is a very responsive boat to handle in most conditions.
State-of-the-art
design features -
• The lightweight
composite laminate includes
e-glass, CoreCell foam and vinyl ester resin with a gelcoat finish.
• The high-lift, laminar
flow keel and rudder
foils are all carbon fiber construction.
• The boat will be
virtually unsinkable with
floatation compartments built into the structure.
• The mast and boom are
lightweight aluminum
alloy sections.
• A Harken & Boom
Kicker vang system
come as part as the basic package.
• The roller furling jib
has an integrated
headstay system with a halyard lock for easy sail removal and hoisting.
• The retractable bow
sprit is all carbon fiber.
• There is a “legs
in” system with
hiking pads on the life-lines for your back and a center-line foot
chock for your feet.
Longevity in its
concept -
• The XS-Spider will
maintain its leading edge
appeal for many years to come and serve any yacht club well in
attracting new members to their sailing program.
• The boat is a
lightweight structure yet it is
tough enough to withstand the rigors of yacht club use.
Versatile in its
concept -
• The XS-Spider will be a
great one-design fleet
racer as well as a spectacular vehicle for spectator match racing.
• The XS-Spider can also
serve as a trainer for
the intermediate to expert sailor.
• The boat is designed for
two to three sailors
but there’s plenty of room aft of the helmsperson for an
instructor.
Convenient
package
for storage -
• The XS-Spider can be
quickly rigged and
de-rigged and stowed away with the minimum of fuss and space.
• Setting up and taking
down the deck stepped
rig is relatively easy and can be done and tuned by one person.
• The lifting
“T” shaped keel firmly
locks in place on a bearing saddle connecting the internal structure of
the boat to the keel fin.
• The high aspect ratio
rudder is completely
demountable with just one pin to pull.
• The boat can easily be
launched from a trailer
via a single point hoist or from a ramp and can be set up to sail in
less than 20 minutes.
• There is room below deck
for sail stowage.
|
