Rondar National 12 - Paradigm 2

INTRODUCTION
The Paradigm 2 is a ground breaking design for the National 12 Class. It is fundamentally different from other contemporary boats in a number of ways and yet demonstrably able to compete against the Feeling Foolish, Numinous and Final Chapter designs which have dominated in recent years. The basic concept of producing a 12 with enough rocker to be fast for heavier crew weights in light airs, has won through.

The Paradigm 2 is a development of Gavin Willis' Paradigm design, first launched back in 2004. Notably the Paradigm 2 has much more freeboard than contemporary 12s as well as more rocker, flatter “U” shaped sections forward and slacker sections aft. The boat tacks very quickly and is ideally suited to inland waters. For more open water a “T” foil rudder has been developed which aids performance in all directions.

You would not normally expect a boat with a lot of rocker to be as quick as straighter boats in a breeze but the “T” foil rudder creates lift at the transom, which the forward “U” sections support. In a breeze more lift equals more speed. However in light airs, to reduce drag, the rudder can be retracted so the “T” foil clears the water but still leaving sufficient rudder in the water to be able to control the boat comfortably.

The rudder’s “T” foil is similar to the ones used in International Moths. The rudder sits in a cassette within a custom made rudder stock and by pulling on a control line the angle of attack of the “T” foil in the water can be changed to generate the amount of lift required. However unlike the International Moth the foils are not designed to lift the boat clear of the water.

2008 PARADIGM 2 CREDENTIALS