Is there an optimum width of rear axle to restrict the times a yacht ,lifts onto two wheels,I have a damaged knee and getting into and out of my blowcart is a bit of a problem,so I try to avoid a tip over wherever possible.Where I sail is usually offshore over sand dunes so sometimes(Well usually) very gustly, with winds speed increasing suddenly by 60 or 70%. Just wondering if there is any benefit in increasing the axle width,or would it make no noticeable difference. great forum by the way,been looking for a good while now.

If you wish to increase the stability of a yacht 'increase the length', by just adding to the width you create an unstable yacht as the roll axis increases.



Yes Blokarts can be difficult to get in and out of and that is why the LLMini has been designed without the side stays to hold up the mast.
The side stays on the Blokart is part of the design and would be hard to modify (and make a non standard yacht)

I tried getting into a blowkart but with my bung knees it was impossible plus i am a big boy
I have no difficulty getting into my LLM, especially when it tips over. Belt design is the biggest factor in getting out of an overturned yacht, the best being a double velcro unit(very adjustable and home made)

By going with a wider rear axle it will most definitely make the yacht much more stable.
You have it backwards gizmo.
The length will certainly help too with the handling/steering though. Trust me I have done it with a lake lefroy mini and my current setup I use on Pink lake is 85mm wider than its length, axle centre to axle centre.

probably very difficult to lengthen a blowkart,easy to widen just need slightly longer axle inserts,just looking for opinions.

Softer mast sections would make a huge difference as well. Blokart sails (or most Landyachts sails for that matter) don't twist off at the top, or weather vane well, as they are sheeted out. Most belly out and collect more power. The softer mast will flex and dump drive and keep you upright. As you get more experience this will become less of a problem. This is the exact reason we have developed the use of cambered sails for our really gusty conditions (as I sail on the bottom end of "The roaring 40s".) The last thing I need as I get hit by a huge gust is more belly in my sail. It hurts. People just don't understand this concept well if they have never had a go with a cammed sail.

I just found these photos!!!

Below are some photos taken while I was racing at Lake Walyungup in Perth West Aust at the state titles in January overtaking a blokart.

Thankyou to whoever took these photos.

You can see how much the top of this 6.6mtr sail is weather vaned off in the big gust to spill the air. Note the wind direction indicators on both yachts.

Still sheeting in.


Then sheeting it more to use the power of the gust to propel me faster along the course.

You can see here how much higher it points and I took the win in this 3 lap race.
Check out how far the front yachts were ahead as I turned the second mark after the start. Very poor start!!!!
#t=177
Sorry bout the sheet rope dribblin' along behind.

Great video Chook. That's cool having the camera on the boom. I'm amazed at how you blew past all those folks early on when you sheeted in tight. Did you have a motor or something? I think I'm going to need one of those ratchet blocks.

The ratchet blocks are an expensive luxury.
But as a retired farmer, I suffer badly from "carpal tunnel syndrome" and my hands go numb after a fairly short period of time without one.

I must always wear gloves too and Greg put me onto the cheap stretchy knitted backed gloves (see photos above) with pimply neoprene palms and fingers, that grip the rope well.
It means I don't need a vice like grip on the rope to hold it. They last really well and let enough air in to keep my hands from sweating too much.

Select to expand quote

Chook2 said..
The ratchet blocks are an expensive luxury.
But as a retired farmer, I suffer badly from "carpal tunnel syndrome" and my hands go numb after a fairly short period of time without one.

I must always wear gloves too and Greg put me onto the cheap stretchy knitted backed gloves (see photos above) with pimply neoprene palms and fingers, that grip the rope well.
It means I don't need a vice like grip on the rope to hold it. They last really well and let enough air in to keep my hands from sweating too much.

searunner, I can get you a nice 57mm ratchet block from the Italian hardware company Viadana for $45 + $3 shipping.

Like Chook2, I can't sail without sticky gloves and a good ratchet block.
I think I'm using the same kind of gloves he does. They are available in pretty much any home-center:
www.ansell.com/us/en?productId=145
They don't last super long (I probably go through a pair every 5-10 outings), but they are inexpensive so that's not a big problem.

Cheers,

Geoff S.