The new B6

[rand]

Work on the new B6 at Henderson Boat works is progressing. Here we have a stealthy photo of the plug.

I understand that Joe is hoping to sail the new boat at the San Diego NOOD the third weekend in March.

[Shu]

Very nice. A little hard to judge the shape with the lighting, but I think there is less rocker forward than a B5, and more of a flat spot athwartships near the stern. Hey Kris, could you arrange a grid of regularly spaced white boards on the ceiling of your shop before taking the next picture?

[joe.bersch]

Posting Pictures is clearly beyond my ability. Here is my second try at posting some better pictures of the project from inception. I hope I get it right this time!

The Boat is being called the B6-H2. It was designed by Paul Bieker (www.biekerboats.com) and built by Kris Henderson (www.hendersonboatcompany.com). The project is intended to result in a boat which is easier to sail than the B5, equally as fast or faster, highly durable and more affordable than new boats currently available.

Stay tuned as we see if we can achieve these goals.

[joe.bersch]

It seems there is a 5 picture limit, so here are a few more.

[rand]

Looking good!

[Shu]

Looks great. That's my favorite part of the build, watching the hull slowly take shape. Appears to have less deadrise in the bow sections than a B5. I think that will help it keep it's bow up. However, coupled with what appears to be less rocker forward, it might be similar to a B5 in that respect. Joe, some of the photos suggest that the stem at the knuckle is fatter than the stem at the chine; maybe almost a suggestion of a bulb? If that is the case, this together with the flatter cross-section at the stern suggest that Paul is trying to maximize the prismatic coefficient (ratio of the displaced volume to volume of a prism the length of the waterline and having a constant cross-section equal to the maximum submerged cross-section of the hull). But then again, I may be seeing something that's not there...

[Shu]

Looking at it again, this is appears to be closer in shape to the shu2 than the b5 is, except for the lack of rocker forward. And of course, the straight chine (same as B5; shu2 has a rockered chine) Can't wait to see it in person.

[joe.bersch]

Steve:

I can't make a comparison to the Shu 2 as I have not yet seen her. Generally, however, your observations about the B6-H2 are accurate. You'll have to talk to Paul about the prismatics, but that was indeed one of the issues he was focused on. Yes, the bow is in fact a bulb although you would not know it looking at the stem in profile. The rocker has also been changed as noted.

The mold is nearly complete. Kris and Kim will be happy to be done with the polyester phase of the project! More photos next week.

Joe

[joe.bersch]

Today was a big day. Both sides of the mold popped off beautifully. Minimal work to do before Kris and Kim are ready to begin lay up of the first hull. All smiles today.

[rand]

Looking good, keep the pictures coming!

[Shu]

Looks great. I love how the bow tapers into the forward sections. Very clean. That's a very deep rudder gantry; almost makes a stepped hull. I suppose that will help prevent "wheelies".

[Andrew P]

Interesting sketches on the white board on the left.

Seems like a stump rig with compression struts from the wing bars to the goose neck may be planned.

Also do I see a foil with a blended trailing edge flap a la the Alpha (?) flying C class sketched on the white board as well?

Some nice ideas there me thinks.

[BWR]

Ahh, Andrew doing a little dectective work, A? Hope you guys are having a good summer down there!

[rand]

Be careful about intentional disinformation

[Hendo]

Andrew, glad to see you poking around on our page.
I drew that drawing on the pen board when we were repairing moths
during the summer of the moth worlds at the Gorge.
nice try, you'll just have to wait and see.
love to have you come back to the Gorge!