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Title: Polars for the Beneteau First 21.0 from Finot Group 
Author: Terry F. Ellis 

(See also Polar Graphs Technote)

This is my understanding of the Polar charts from The Finot Group who designed the wonderful little Beneteau First 21.0. These polars "describe" the boat to be very quick in light air, suggest using spin even at 40-50 degrees apparent winds and suggest the boat may "top out" at 8 knots under chute in 24 knot true winds.

To windward with jib:

True Wind at 3 knots: True Wind Angle of 46 degrees and Apparent Wind Angle of 29 degrees = boat speed of 2.0 knots = OPT VMG
@ 24 degrees apprnt = 1.6 knots; @ 32 degrees apprnt = 2.2 knots; @ 36 degrees apprnt = 2.4 knots

True Wind at 4 knots: True Wind Angle of 44 degrees and Apparent Wind Angle of 29 degrees = boat speed of 2.5 knots = OPT VMG
@ 24 degrees apprnt = 2.1 knots; @ 32 degrees apprnt = 2.8 knots; @ 37 degrees apprnt = 3.0 knots

In 3-4 knot winds, hoist spinnaker in true wind dir of 70 80 degrees. OPT VMG = 142-143 degrees true wind angle, 106-110 degrees apparent wind angle, 1.9-2.4 knots speed.

True Wind at 10 knots: True Wind Angle of 41 degrees and Apparent Wind Angle of 27 degrees = boat speed of 5.0 knots = OPT VMG
@ 23 degrees apprnt = 4.4 knots; @ 34 degrees apprnt = 5.5 knots; @ 39 degrees apprnt = 5.7 knots

True Wind at 12 knots: True Wind Angle of 40 degrees and Apparent Wind Angle of 26 degrees = boat speed of 5.1 knots = OPT VMG
@ 23 degrees apprnt = 4.7 knots; @ 34 degrees apprnt = 5.7 knots; @ 39 degrees apprnt = 6.0 knots

In 10-12 knot winds, hoist spinnaker at true wind dir of 70-80 degrees. OPT VMG = 159-166 degrees true wind angle, 143-156 degrees apparent wind angle, 4.7-5.2 knots speed.
 

True Wind at 20 knots: True Wind Angle of 41 degrees and Apparent Wind Angle of 28 degrees = boat speed of 5.3 knots = OPT VMG
@ 24 degrees apprnt = 4.7 knots; @ 30 degrees apprnt = 5.5 knots; @ 36 degrees apprnt = 5.9 knots

True Wind at 24 knots: True Wind Angle of 43 degrees and Apparent Wind Angle of 30 degrees = boat speed of 5.3 knots = OPT VMG
@ 23 degrees apprnt = 4.6 knots; @ 31 degrees apprnt = 5.4 knots; @ 37 degrees apprnt = 5.9 knots

In 20-24 knot wind, hoist spinnaker at true wind direction of 80 degrees. OPT VMG = 172-173 degrees true wind angle, 168-169 degrees apparent wind angle, 7.0-7.7 knots speed.
 

Gybing Under Spinnaker:

True Wind at 3 knots: Apparent Wind Direction of 107 degrees and boat speed of 1.8 knots = OPT VMG
@ 45 degrees apprnt = 2.7 knots; @ 73 degrees apprnt = 2.5 knots; @ 180 degrees apprnt = 1.4 knots

True Wind at 4 knots: Apparent Wind Direction of 110 degrees and boat speed of 2.4 knots = OPT VMG
@ 51 degrees apprnt = 3.6 knots; @ 75 degrees apprnt = 3.1 knots; @ 180 degrees apprnt = 1.8 knots

True Wind at 10 knots: Apparent Wind Direction of 143 degrees and boat speed of 4.7 knots = OPT VMG
@ 71 degrees apprnt = 6.3 knots; @ 127 degrees apprnt = 5.0 knots; @ 180 degrees apprnt = 4.2 knots

True Wind at 12 knots: Apparent Wind Direction of 156 degrees and boat speed of 5.2 knots = OPT VMG
@ 74 degrees apprnt = 6.8 knots; @ 129 degrees apprnt = 5.7 knots; @ 180 degrees apprnt = 5.0 knots

True Wind at 20 knots: Apparent Wind Direction of 169 degrees and boat speed of 7.0 knots = OPT VMG
@ 82 degrees apprnt = 7.7 knots; @ 135 degrees apprnt = 7.4 knots; @ 180 degrees apprnt = 6.9 knots

True Wind at 24 knots: Apparent Wind Direction of 169 degrees and boat speed of 7.7 knots = OPT VMG
@ 85 degrees apprnt = 8.0 knots; @ 136 degrees apprnt = 8.3 knots; @ 180 degrees apprnt = 7.6 knots

What it tells me is the boat is a great light air boat. Can hit 2.4 to 3.2 knots to weather and 2.9 to 3.6 knots under chute in light winds , 3-5 knots. Does really great in 10-12 knot winds, hitting 4-6 knots to weather and 6 to 6.5 knots under chute then. Reaches hull speed at 15-20 knts, going 5 to 6 knots to weather and 7-8 knots under chute. At 24 knot winds, not much increase. I think it might hit 10 knots in 24 knots wind, planing under chute...but I'd use tweakers to depower it!
 
 
 
 
 

Title: Polars for the Beneteau First 21.0 from Finot Group 
Model(s): First 210 
System(s): Polars; Racing & Handicap Rating 
Author: Terry F. Ellis 


updated May 12, 2004