We've been racing EC-12 and Star 45 boats in one fleet at the Triangle Model Yacht Club in Raleigh NC for about three years. The boats compete well against each other. However the EC-12s have a definite advantage is very light winds and the Star 45s are faster in heavy winds.
@@sailwars The Star's advantage in heavy winds include the potential to plane downwind. I'm not sure if the Star is advantaged to windward in heavy winds, as you say, we might have expected the opposite. We believe the EC-12's advantage in light winds has to do with momentum. If you can get the boat moving, then it can cruise through the lulls. Again, you might have thought, it's a heavy boat and would be slow in light winds. The Star has a disadvantage in light winds. When the Star sits upright (no heel) it's flat (hard chines) present a large surface area to the water. That added drag probably slows it down compared to the EC-12's rounded hull. Perhaps the idea of EC-12 "momentum" isn't the real reason. An interesting performance characteristic of the Star 45 is the vastly different underwater hulls shape when upright vs. heeled over. Sail trim is important to balance the boat for the wind conditions. BTW, I love the Star 45. It is a super fun boat to sail, as you point out. A great performer. I believe we have 15 Star's in our club. Promotional Item! The 2025 Star 45 National Championship Regatta will be held in Manteo, NC at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum on September 27-28. Manteo is a charming small town on an island in Croatan Sound within sight of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks.
Makes me want to build one!
They are nice.
We've been racing EC-12 and Star 45 boats in one fleet at the Triangle Model Yacht Club in Raleigh NC for about three years. The boats compete well against each other. However the EC-12s have a definite advantage is very light winds and the Star 45s are faster in heavy winds.
That’s interesting, I would have thought the opposite, thanks!
@@sailwars The Star's advantage in heavy winds include the potential to plane downwind. I'm not sure if the Star is advantaged to windward in heavy winds, as you say, we might have expected the opposite. We believe the EC-12's advantage in light winds has to do with momentum. If you can get the boat moving, then it can cruise through the lulls. Again, you might have thought, it's a heavy boat and would be slow in light winds. The Star has a disadvantage in light winds. When the Star sits upright (no heel) it's flat (hard chines) present a large surface area to the water. That added drag probably slows it down compared to the EC-12's rounded hull. Perhaps the idea of EC-12 "momentum" isn't the real reason. An interesting performance characteristic of the Star 45 is the vastly different underwater hulls shape when upright vs. heeled over. Sail trim is important to balance the boat for the wind conditions. BTW, I love the Star 45. It is a super fun boat to sail, as you point out. A great performer. I believe we have 15 Star's in our club.
Promotional Item!
The 2025 Star 45 National Championship Regatta will be held in Manteo, NC at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum on September 27-28. Manteo is a charming small town on an island in Croatan Sound within sight of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks.
As far as did Bart tune it properly, I have to give a thumbs down. I couldn't hear any tunes coming from the boat at all! More Tunes!
Seriously though, it seems to tack, track, and turn just fine.
Yes. Beautiful boat!