Peter Bosgraaf, using his years of design and engineering
expertise has kept steering control at the forefront in designing
the Paradise
60 hull, keel, rudders, rig and systems in an effort to create good
steering control.
Of all the requirements strived for
in the design of the Paradise 60 steering control was by far the
greatest challenge.
At Paradise
Yachts we believe that good steering control is the primary ingredient
for safety in heavy weather. Steering control is also a major consideration
in comfort during moderate weather. Steering control influences
how fast you can sail the Paradise 60. It also has an enormous impact
on motion and this will determine how well you sleep when off watch
in all weather conditions. The Paradise 60 responds to the helm
very
well and this has a direct bearing on how well the autopilot will
steer the boat. Of course this means that the crew will not have
to take over the helm in moderate weather, only in extreme heavy
weather. This will also directly impact electrical consumption
and pilot reliability. There are three independent autopilots.
The
rudders are carbon fiber built by GMT of Bristol, Rhode Island.
They are close to balance. We have tried to remove as much steering
load as possible. This will help the autopilot reduce the electrical
consumption and if you have to steer by hand it will greatly
reduce
fatigue. We realize that a full balanced rudder lacks feel and
without it is simply not so much fun to steer. We have tried
to compromise
here and still maximize passage-making efficiency.
The two carbon fiber spade rudders have been designed and built
to take a severe grounding with 5-1/2” (140 mm) diametre
rudders posts at the lower bearings. One of the objectives of
having
twin rudders is to assure good end plate – which is formed
by the hull and ocean. This end plate effectively increases steering
capacity
of the rudders. What normally happens here is that at some point
the boat heels, the top of the rudder/hull area comes out of
the water and into the open air and the end plate is lost.
With
twin rudders, the leading edge of one rudder remains immersed
through a wider range of sailing conditions retaining the end
plate. With two rudders the transom design allows for an increased
water
line length and thus reduces pitch. This design also reduces
the issue of transom slap caused by the wake of passing vessels
hitting
under the stern counter. Twin rudders also allow for space to
store a dinghy in the transom.
The transmission steering system
and bearings have been supplied by Jefa Steering Systems in Denmark.
There are twin carbon wheels
in the cockpit. The steering in the pilothouse is hydraulic
using twin hydraulic rams supplied by Hydrive Engineering of Australia.
The three independent autopilots are commercial grade; two
are
connected directly into the transmission steering system and
the third one
is hydraulic.
The Paradise 60 has a waterline length of 58’ 6” (17.80
m). We do not believe that a long distance voyager should give
waterline length to the rule makers. No overhang means a sharper
waterline
entrance.
Waterline has a great influence on steering control.
Our hull shape allows for very little longitudinal trim movement,
using
a balanced
hull is the key ingredient in steering control.
Keeping in
mind that this is a long-range cruiser the draft is 7’ (2.14
m); the keel has been hydro-dynamically designed with longitudinal
stability as a key factor.
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