We ha been going trough an extensive e-mail exchange with Robert. A lot of learning of english sailing terminology: not easy!
The two main arguments are
- Copkit width
- Rudder
The copkit in the original Dix drawing is 110-120 cm wide. Now this is too much for serious sailing unless you add some central feet support. And it is not wide enough to think of placing a central table as separation.
Davide being a Med person was in favour of a wide copkit. Robert pushed for 70cm. We had arguments on where one would spend most of the time, wirth of the seat, influence on the aft cabin ceiling and so, so so.
Final decison 80cm!
The rudder. I have always a fun of skeg rudders, they give you confidence. But owners of other Dix 43 with an original skeg changed the rudder and retrofitted a spade rudder. The 110mm shaft on the Dix is certainly strong, but we know that the rudder is always the weakest part, coral reef (a dream), floating objects. This argument could go on for ever. Robert to make me happy also proposed a partial skeg rudder with a sacrificial part. But then came an accident report of a boat that sunk because of the skeg that penetrated in the hull at impact.
Final decision: better without rudder that with a blocked rudder or a damaged hull.
I know Davide will criticize this decision, but at the end the point is that you must be "confident" on your boat and sleep well with what you have underwater!
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