Flat skirt trials 2017

In 2017, when I was testing the dual bag skirt, I was also trialling what I called flat segments.

The “flat” segment was investigating how little tailoring could applied to a segment design and yet it would still do the job.

We had been using compound segments for many years. Compound have different materials for different parts of the segment, are cheaper to make and mostly reusable. The basic concept of the segment was a given – a square wear panel of durable material and side and top panels of “carrier” material – material there to hold the wear panel in place.

In regular segments, the side and top sections of the segment are joined together, usually on curved seams. The tailored seams give the segment the curved shape.

The aims of these trials was to learn just how little the top and sides could be joined but still have a functioning segment.

There were two slightly different types – one made of all rectangular panels and the second with a wider outer panel.

They were not successful. Although they sealed in a fashion, they were too easily displaced and leaked. (This video is pretty poor and the commentary almost inaudible – but you might get something out of it)

Next test – the outer panels were pinned to the web panels at about the middle

The actual change is shown and then the next step

The results of lightly joining the outer panels together.

Bag skirt trials 2017
Australian designed and built race craft.
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