Tipps91-EV

the One and Only

Last Update 21 nov 2011		Tips & Tricks 9. The 2D-Burgee From my very first race book, I still remember that the best burgee is the one the other boats have: You can use it without getting a stiff neck.Without getting into details about sense and nonsense of a burgee (in the meantime we got to know the tell-tales), there is a key point you cannot deny: If the boat heels (what it is supposed to do at low wind speeds), the burgee can no longer - by purely geometric reasons - rotate into the wind - once again, it doesn't help to stand on one's head and flounder one's legs: It does not work - not even with Windex, not even with big ship equipment! "Right," an old seaman said, "you need a gimbal - but of course, that would be pretty complex." But it is not - this is after years of experimenting and improving the Hanging Burgee Version 2008 Version 2009 the latest Version 2010 The key innovation is the horizontal axis by which the burgee is always aligned vertically and thus keeps the ability to rotate into the wind even when the boat heels. [The only slightly more sophisticated three-axle suspension ( "3D Burgee") proved to be disturbing because of its oscillating tendency. Furthermore, it is - by geometrical reasons - not really necessary.] The 2010 version has proved its efficiency during two seasons, and it can - after a small tric, shown below - be definitely recommended. This new version could only be realized when and shown burgee appeared in the market. To make the mounting plate,bend an aluminium batten (ca 80mm x 20mm) at the vice to an inner length of 53mm, saw to a pointed smooth form, drill (1 drill hole in front & 2 at the rear side to fix to the mast, 2 holes on the top for the burgee clip as shown), and cover the mast top with it - that's all (even the mainsail halyard can no longer slip out). Everything else is standard. At least in Germany, the rods of standard burgees are too short, so the flag must be cut smaller or, of course even better, the rod extended by a same size diameter rod from a do-it-yourself store, which makes the burgee reach further into the free air flow. This is to be seen with the later versions. Unfortunately, both later versions have the tendency to rotate around the horizontal axis what can be mastered by simple limit stops So, the designer can relax as this is the ultimate design, approved and recommended: Of course our special Tasar problem is still remaining, namely that our burgee does not have the boat's axis as a reference line, but the rotating axis of mast profile. The most important thing however: A burgee does not tell anything about the correct air flow in the sail! (that is done by the tell-tales/ribbons as you know) At very low winds, however, when we have to look around to estimate the wind direction and when the wind at the top of the mast blows from a different direction than at the height of the boom, then we need the 2D Burgee! Don't forget the tell-tales!

Tips & Tricks

9. The 2D-Burgee