Tri-Axial Force Grid: A Value-Adder?

nailhead

New Member
Hello. Looking for opinions (factual or otherwise) on the Ericson's tri-axial force grid system. For example, does it add strength to the hull and rigging OR is it gimmickey, installed to add sizzle rather than substance to the boat.

Thanks! for your insight.
 

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
The Grid is Good

This prior thread discussed this to some extent.
http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=2959&referrerid=28

Note that the outer hull of all vessels is stiffened by internal:
1) Ribs, 2) an inner skeleton like the TAFG, 3) having all the interior moldings and furniture tabbed to the hull, 4) an inner skin with a core of balsa or structural foam in between... or combinations of these engineering features.

Bless their engineering hearts, Ericson (their own brand and the Olsons they produced in the late 80's) went with solid layup hulls. That's why we are not all battling delamed hull cores after 20 or 30 years like a number of J Boat owners that I know. The TAFG is an excellent way to add rigidity. Ericson also tended to tab in furniture and bulkheads as well. This really pays off when you are maintaining an older model, and ALL of our boats are getting... "older." :rolleyes:

No gimmick, no sizzle.

Cheers,
Loren
 
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