Quote:
Originally Posted by LoBlo
BubbleHeadNuke mentioned in a post before (I forget the thread) that it wasn't really the motivation for the bow planes in the 688i however. The motivation was greater control or sub pitch in the case of a stern plan casualty. The better tolerance to ice was a convenient plus.
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Actually, the ability to surface through the ice was one of the reasons, just not THE reason, for the shift to bow planes.
A pre 688i COULD surface through the ice. It WOULD destroy the fairwater planes was well as the mast and scopes. The 688i's had a 'ice cap' that the mast and scopes could be lowered below to protect them. The overall strength of the sail was increased as well to make it more resistant to damage.