[malamar]

Estan escribiendo un bonito hilo sobre el Suahili de Robin Knox Johnston, y querria contribuir con algo de su historia, pues estuvo basado en un diseño de William Atkin de los años '20 !! , el Eric




The design's claim to seaworthiness is based partly on her typical classic combination of heavy displacement, a long keel, and good diagonals. To this the Redningskoite form adds great beam and flare above the waterline providing buoyancy, a large rudder, and motion-damping V-shaped sections carried right aft to form the Norwegian stern. The latter provides no flatness in the run, giving a low maximum speed and minimum tendency to surf on steep waves, while dispersing the energy of waves overtaking the vessel from aft. The Redningskoite features detract from speed, but are mainly aimed at survival and utility in violent short seas close to land, where they had to perform complex maneuvers and even tow fishing vessels off lee shores under the worst conditions. I have a rare film clip of a Redningskoite under sail in gale conditions, and the power and agility of the type in its weather is a revelation. Eric herself has amazed more than a few people with her good manners and determination when the going gets tough. Since none of these "inshore" characteristics detracts from the type's safety in more typical offshore conditions, I think Eric and her kin may well be "the best boat for the worst weather."

Vamos, un Westsail 33' cualquiera...