Wednesday 16 May 2012

Dix Designs new Didi Retro 29 is announced

Breaking news, you saw it first here!

We have been aware of the very new concept boat being drawn by Dudley Dix for a proffesional sailor. The idea is a race boat that looks traditional,the boat was based on an enlarged version of the well known Didi 26, a yacht that has already prooven it can be made larger or smaller.



Performance with Classic Looks
~ Developed from Didi 26

~ Economy of plywood

~ Radius chine hull

~ Round bilge from sheet material

~ Within abilities of amateur builders

~ Gaff cutter rig

~ Lifting or fixed keel options

~ Fast cruiser/racer for classic fleets

~ Comfortable weekending for the family

~ Pre-cut kits and foils


This will make a fast cruising boat in a traditional style, retro is in style once more!


go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlE8Ut56jd0&feature=youtube_gdata. to see a 3D image of the hull and keel.



This design was commissioned by a client who likes the concept and features of theDIDI 26 but wanted a more classic appearance. He plans to build it himself in Hout Bay, South Africa from a kit supplied by CKD Boats.
Most of the boat is the same as the DIDI 26, with some obvious differences. The springy sheer curve was achieved by adding bulwarks that are 100mm (4") high in the bow and taper down to normal toerail height for the length of the cockpit. This gives safety for working the foredeck but allows crew to sit comfortably on the rail at the cockpit.
The cabin has been changed to a more boxy traditional configuration with the sides and ends close to vertical. The roof has compound curves that might mot be easy to skin with plywood, so it will be done with strip cedar glassed over. The cabin is a bit narrower, giving wider sidedecks that on the 26.


Lots of space in the layout, if the shorter cockpit is chosen, there can be an option to place a double berth were the two singles are?

This boat is expected to be built this year and in Cape Town.


How good is that!

Roy


A review has just come in from a well known yachting writer, Justin Phillips.


Huh! This is going to be interesting!

Do you remember the craze when people took old VWs, made them look as standard as possible on the outside, but inside they had huge performance engines? I can only imagine when this thing does its first “classic race” somewhere. Even more when it does some kind of offshore race – it will give anything modern a really good run off the wind - and still be quite competitive round the cans . . .

This is quite an extreme example of one of Dudley’s tricks! – Lotus underneath and Model-T on top.

In some ways it reminds me a bit of a high-tech RCOD – fairly narrow and easily driven, I think it will smoke-em downwind, heel a bit upwind (but it has strong keel), and point very well for a gaff. In light airs it will be particularly impressive – with large flexible sailplan (incl full-roach main), and easily-driven at that. This is a boat that will continue to surprise all who see her, and skipper will enjoy the bar talk! On the Mykonos race, or Governors Cup, this will get all the headlines!

Some interesting tricks I have noted – the sheer on the transom gives it a nice classic look as if to say “I am older than IMS, I0R and any silly box rules”, while the plum-bow makes up the waterline and will benefit her upwind angles, helps to give a flat run underneath, and still looks classy. The rig- while pretending to be an old-fashoned gaff, is really a trick to get loads of sail at instant disposal, and easily handled by one or two, ideally grey-bearded old buggers with navy caps on, and a few good tricks up their sleeves.

Maybe a good boat for that little engine Roy?

Cheers

Justin


(the engine he mentions is my brand new, still in the box Britannia Middi engine)