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TechnologyThe kick with the kink

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 14.11.2010

Technology: The kick with the kinkPhoto: YACHT/M.-S. Kreplin
Smoothly levelling Chine: Sun Odyssey 409
Just marketing or a real winner on cruising yachts? Transom edges are a trend - designer Marc-Oliver von Ahlen explains what they do and how they work

Sunbeam 36.1, Sun Odyssey 409, Sense 50 or Moody 45 DS - all have more or less pronounced edges in the stern. They are designed to provide more stability and at the same time create more space in the aft chamber.

But what can the Chinese really do? After all, the chine edges were developed for planing racers and they also save some weight. They provide better dimensional stability in a certain window of heel angles. The kinked hulls originate from boats such as the Volvo 70 or Open 60. Racing yachts have always influenced the design of cruising boats, even if not every measure made sense. Now the kinks. Marc-Oliver von Ahlen on the idea, function and effect of chine edges

Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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