Es gibt erste Neuigkeiten vom Bieker3

I sent out a description of the B2z and the B3 to the list a couple of months ago but it was returned to me unsent for unknown reasons. I've seen a few more queries about the boats lately so I thought I'd try again.

 The B2z is an experimental one off that I built for Zach Berkowitz in the USA when I realized that the rule was going to remain unclear with respect to big bumps. It is a standard B2 bottom that I trimmed below the chine and fitted with new, more vertical carbon prepreg/honeycomb sides. At midships the boat is about 80mm narrower than a B2 at the chine and something like 250mm narrower at the gunnel. The forward 2 feet is the same as a B2 and the transom is about 60mm narrower at the chine (because I thought the narrower boat might have a tendency to cartwheel). I fitted the boat with angled up racks (about 140mm above the sheer line) to get the crew out of the waves upwind and keep the leeward rack out of the water downwind. The boat came in at 60.5kg (133#), the lightest I've done.

My thought is that the boat will be a little slower than a B2 in light air but a little quicker in medium to heavy air, especially in waves. So far the boat hasn't done anything to make me think that this isn't the case (it won the US nationals). However the performance differences seem subtle rather than obvious so the Worlds will be the first chance to really get a feel for the boat (lots of long courses and skilled sailors). The web site with sailing photos of the boat is williamsphoto.com but his thumbnail area doesn't work for me at this time. Maybe it's fixed now.

The Bieker 3 is a new design that I did which meets what I feel is the intent of the "pan test" in the rise of floor rule, i.e. the bumps are less than 13mm thick and don't have to be so long. I designed the boat as an incremental change from the B2 rather than a design departure. Compared to the B2 the boat is slightly rounder in cross section, narrower at midships, and slightly wider in the stern.  It also has more vertical sides and slightly less rocker. I fitted the same racks as on the B2z. There have been two of the boats built in Perth Australia (Grant Geddes and David Alexander) and I built one of the boats for Fred Eaton in Toronto. Performance information on the new boats is just starting to come in, but so far it looks positive. [...]
Felice Navidad!
Paul