Last sunday was my last sail of the year but it turned out to be a good one! The wind was in a vaguely normal direction and while a bit puffy allowed some great sailing.
Former Mothie Alex Knight was visiting in his foiling 600 and I had hoped for a good showdown to see how they square up to the Moth but unfortunately he missed the start of the first race and just blasted around. I couldn't blame him though, as the course was so complicated I had to keep sailing near to the club on the first lap to figure out which mark was next...
The second race was much simpler, but Alex was led astray by a Contender sailing the wrong course and the puffy conditions were not really suiting the 600 - while it was as quick as a Moth in a straight line it really suffers in the manuevers. Its early days though as he hasn't had the boat too long. I think for the near future the handicap for it won't be as quick as a Moth, but can see us racing off the same yardstick as more people get their handling down...
Good ol' BCYC is still racing me off 840 though through a bloody minded will to not start shifting PY's about unless the RYA says otherwise, so I am currently second in the winter series despite only doing three races so far while first place has done 6 now...
Did a bit of mini trimaran foiling after the races too and made the good move of wearing my wetsuit which helped retrieval as it is still over canvassed and doesnt like the big gusts!
Next race for me is the Bloody Mary on the 10th of Jan. Last year had 8 boats - lets see if we can beat that and give the organisers a real headache...
Tuesday 23 December 2008
Monday 22 December 2008
61 knots?!
Sunday 14 December 2008
Return to Foiltown
This weekend was my first trip back to Weymouth since the worlds and after battling through flood ridden Somerset on Saturday morning I arrived to find no wind! Surely its always windy in Weymouth?
After hanging around for a bit drinking tea and eating cake, waiting for the wind to fill in we decided to play with the mini foiler instead. There wasn't really enough wind for that either...
Decided as the forecast was looking better for Sunday to hang around and try sailing on Sunday too which turned out to be a great plan.
Breeze was good, although a bit shifty blowing off the land and gave me the chance to do a few tuning runs with Adam May and Alex Adams while Helen Rollinson was bombing around the harbour practicing her skills. It was all pretty evenly matched really, not a lot to work on other than just going sailing!
We decided to run for cover at about midday though, as the breeze had kicked up and we were expecting 30+ knots (which never appeared!). After a bite of lunch, the breeze was about 15 knots and we decided to relaunch the foiler and see if we could get it working properly.
It then promptly surprised us all, by flying around the marina and while the sail was interspersed with pitchpoles it was all very promising! Everyone is now hooked, and plotting their own versions... Adam took a load of photos too which he's going to upload soon hopefully.
After hanging around for a bit drinking tea and eating cake, waiting for the wind to fill in we decided to play with the mini foiler instead. There wasn't really enough wind for that either...
Decided as the forecast was looking better for Sunday to hang around and try sailing on Sunday too which turned out to be a great plan.
Breeze was good, although a bit shifty blowing off the land and gave me the chance to do a few tuning runs with Adam May and Alex Adams while Helen Rollinson was bombing around the harbour practicing her skills. It was all pretty evenly matched really, not a lot to work on other than just going sailing!
We decided to run for cover at about midday though, as the breeze had kicked up and we were expecting 30+ knots (which never appeared!). After a bite of lunch, the breeze was about 15 knots and we decided to relaunch the foiler and see if we could get it working properly.
It then promptly surprised us all, by flying around the marina and while the sail was interspersed with pitchpoles it was all very promising! Everyone is now hooked, and plotting their own versions... Adam took a load of photos too which he's going to upload soon hopefully.
Monday 8 December 2008
Secret Squirrel for sale
Secret Squirrel is for sale!
Built in 2008 for the Moth Worlds, this is one of the stiffest Moths out there - featuring profiled front wing bars and tapered high modulus rear bars (so stiff it doesn't need a bridle across the back).
This is the nicest Moth I have ever sailed with tons of control and will do foil tacks (if you can!) Top speed so far of 23.5 knots but you can do better...
The Axiom v4 is the lowest freeboard of all the Moth designs for minimum windage.
The foils feature high aspect ratio wings with swept tips on the rudder to reduce drag.
Hyde sail new in October 2008, Aardvark high modulus mast and boom and a full Harken hardware pack. The boat will have a respray prior to changing hands so will be "as new" again. Includes launching trolley, road base is negotiable
I am advertising the boat now, but it will not be available until early February 09, deposit to secure.
I can split the parts up, if you don't want the rig or foils, get in touch for a price.
Country : United Kingdom (The)
Built in 2008 for the Moth Worlds, this is one of the stiffest Moths out there - featuring profiled front wing bars and tapered high modulus rear bars (so stiff it doesn't need a bridle across the back).
This is the nicest Moth I have ever sailed with tons of control and will do foil tacks (if you can!) Top speed so far of 23.5 knots but you can do better...
The Axiom v4 is the lowest freeboard of all the Moth designs for minimum windage.
The foils feature high aspect ratio wings with swept tips on the rudder to reduce drag.
Hyde sail new in October 2008, Aardvark high modulus mast and boom and a full Harken hardware pack. The boat will have a respray prior to changing hands so will be "as new" again. Includes launching trolley, road base is negotiable
I am advertising the boat now, but it will not be available until early February 09, deposit to secure.
I can split the parts up, if you don't want the rig or foils, get in touch for a price.
Country : United Kingdom (The)
Price: £ 7500
Sunday 7 December 2008
Get while the getting's good.
Decided to pop down to the club this morning (after getting rid of the thick layer of ice on the van) to do a bit of fiddling and play toys boats if the weather allowed, but unfortunately this is what we found...
While the fog did lift eventually, no wind materialised so we just sat around drinking tea... I was going to threaten to boycott the UK until the temperature is back above 10 degrees, but that means no sailing for months. Got to appreciate whatever you can get...
Apparently the Mach 2 wont be making its debut at the Bloody Mary anymore - pity really, as someone of Simon's calibre would put in another good show for the Moths (even if we still can't win the trophy).
While the fog did lift eventually, no wind materialised so we just sat around drinking tea... I was going to threaten to boycott the UK until the temperature is back above 10 degrees, but that means no sailing for months. Got to appreciate whatever you can get...
Apparently the Mach 2 wont be making its debut at the Bloody Mary anymore - pity really, as someone of Simon's calibre would put in another good show for the Moths (even if we still can't win the trophy).
Saturday 29 November 2008
Braving the cold!
We had a few visitors at BCYC today. Adam May, Katherine Knight and Robin Wood (sailing Tom Whichers' old Axiom4) joined Alan, Martin and myself for what was intended to be a group tune up but the weather soon put paid to that.
A very twitchy northerly, occasionally southerly, occasionally easterly and mostly non-existant breeze joined by air temperatures under 5 degrees and water temp very similar meant we were all very reluctant to go anywhere near the water. Yet there is something about Mothing that makes the bleakest weather seem optimistic and those brief moments of foiling served as a reminder of why we bothered getting out of bed!
There were occasional moments where sanity was questioned, like the time that Adam and myself were sailing towards each other upwind on the same tack. and shortly after I had to duck and the boat tacked nicely without so much as a twitch of the helm...
Robin Wood is quickly getting the hang of foiling after only his second outing in the boat looking in great control and just having to worry about the corners.
Valuable lessons were learned however - short wands are not very good and a quick dip in the lake with my Gerber was needed to sort that out.
We also learned that in order to get Tom Whicher anywhere near a sailing club on time is to tell him its the previous day and book him a BnB somewhere. He rocked up at close to 4 with his boat in tow, claiming that he had to stop for a nap. He might be back for a sail with me tomorrow morning, but I will just hope he turns up for a cuppa in the afternoon...
I'm still trying to put together some winter dates for training, but this end of the year is shaping up to be a pretty busy time and free days are hard to come by!
A very twitchy northerly, occasionally southerly, occasionally easterly and mostly non-existant breeze joined by air temperatures under 5 degrees and water temp very similar meant we were all very reluctant to go anywhere near the water. Yet there is something about Mothing that makes the bleakest weather seem optimistic and those brief moments of foiling served as a reminder of why we bothered getting out of bed!
There were occasional moments where sanity was questioned, like the time that Adam and myself were sailing towards each other upwind on the same tack. and shortly after I had to duck and the boat tacked nicely without so much as a twitch of the helm...
Robin Wood is quickly getting the hang of foiling after only his second outing in the boat looking in great control and just having to worry about the corners.
Valuable lessons were learned however - short wands are not very good and a quick dip in the lake with my Gerber was needed to sort that out.
We also learned that in order to get Tom Whicher anywhere near a sailing club on time is to tell him its the previous day and book him a BnB somewhere. He rocked up at close to 4 with his boat in tow, claiming that he had to stop for a nap. He might be back for a sail with me tomorrow morning, but I will just hope he turns up for a cuppa in the afternoon...
I'm still trying to put together some winter dates for training, but this end of the year is shaping up to be a pretty busy time and free days are hard to come by!
Friday 21 November 2008
Imitation is the highest form of flattery...
Well, the Mach Two Website has now gone live, and while it's still only renderings at the current stage it does give you a good feel for where they are going... Barbara Streisands younger, slightly dumpier sister by the looks of things. :-)
So then: Cut away transom and forward angled rudder gantry and t foil then... Sounds familiar!
And a longer rudder vertical than the main foil - I've seen that somewhere before too. Nice to know I'm already on the right track so not too much work to do!
I'm loving the dreadnought bow though - Good way of differentiating boat shapes for spectators on the land at least. Looking forward to the Bloody Mary where Si will have a real one on the water and we'll see if it can live up to the hype.
Ongoing imitation in the hardware world also, with Holt releasing a nice range of Sailingbits/Hercules style thimbles....
So then: Cut away transom and forward angled rudder gantry and t foil then... Sounds familiar!
And a longer rudder vertical than the main foil - I've seen that somewhere before too. Nice to know I'm already on the right track so not too much work to do!
I'm loving the dreadnought bow though - Good way of differentiating boat shapes for spectators on the land at least. Looking forward to the Bloody Mary where Si will have a real one on the water and we'll see if it can live up to the hype.
Ongoing imitation in the hardware world also, with Holt releasing a nice range of Sailingbits/Hercules style thimbles....
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Fallout at Mach 2
Well, I don't read it often but Rohan's blog has taken the cake for the week.
Competition is healthy, cheap shots do yourself and your business no good and burning your bridges while fun is not productive. Was that a cheap shot? I'm not sure... :-)
I dont think anyone is under the impression that McConaghy won't have teething issues with the new boats but if the designer of the successful Bladerider hasn't learnt a thing or two about this since his last attempt I will be very surprised. Its time to up the game and the problem for BR is that the brains behind the last raise of the stakes is now working for the other team...
I'm looking forward to what Andrew and Simon have come up with and looking forward even more to trying to take it to the next level with them (and maybe past them too!).
Competition is healthy, cheap shots do yourself and your business no good and burning your bridges while fun is not productive. Was that a cheap shot? I'm not sure... :-)
I dont think anyone is under the impression that McConaghy won't have teething issues with the new boats but if the designer of the successful Bladerider hasn't learnt a thing or two about this since his last attempt I will be very surprised. Its time to up the game and the problem for BR is that the brains behind the last raise of the stakes is now working for the other team...
I'm looking forward to what Andrew and Simon have come up with and looking forward even more to trying to take it to the next level with them (and maybe past them too!).
Thursday 13 November 2008
The Mini 40 Challenge
Due to too much wind at the Tide Ride, too much thinking and tea drinking was done. We all threw around some ideas and this was one of the sillier ones but I thought was worth a shot. Build a Mini40 multihull and take it to some Moth opens next year for something to do when not sailing real boats.
For those of you that haven't come across these yet, a Mini40 is based on the old Formula 40 multihulls from the 80's. Its an anything goes radio control boat. Carbon hulls, wing masts, hydrofoils - if you can dream it, build it! Having grown up following the F40 circuit around due to my fathers penchant for building sillier boats than me, this idea quickly took hold in my head.
So my first shot was the obvious one, a Mini version of the French Hydroptere! I dont think it's going to prove itself fast around the course, but it will be interesting to see just how quick in a straight line it could be...
Now I can safely say that it does indeed foil, although it is currently rather unruly and has had me trying to lasso it from the shore to right it after pitchpoling. But, as the saying goes, pics or it didn't happen - trying to take photos with one hand of something that is trying its hardest to capsize while controlling it with the other hand is pretty hard going! Will collar an innocent bystander next time.
Not sure who else is actually building anything, but I dont think I will be on my own...
For those of you that haven't come across these yet, a Mini40 is based on the old Formula 40 multihulls from the 80's. Its an anything goes radio control boat. Carbon hulls, wing masts, hydrofoils - if you can dream it, build it! Having grown up following the F40 circuit around due to my fathers penchant for building sillier boats than me, this idea quickly took hold in my head.
So my first shot was the obvious one, a Mini version of the French Hydroptere! I dont think it's going to prove itself fast around the course, but it will be interesting to see just how quick in a straight line it could be...
Now I can safely say that it does indeed foil, although it is currently rather unruly and has had me trying to lasso it from the shore to right it after pitchpoling. But, as the saying goes, pics or it didn't happen - trying to take photos with one hand of something that is trying its hardest to capsize while controlling it with the other hand is pretty hard going! Will collar an innocent bystander next time.
Not sure who else is actually building anything, but I dont think I will be on my own...
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Moth Open at Corus - Report by Adam May
Seven Moths braved the forecast, and headed to South Wales for the Corus sailing club Moth open. The ‘curse of Windguru’ was avoided and the intrepid few were greeted by a great range of conditions. Corus gave us a very warm welcome and gave us four good races.
Full use of the lake was made with a P style course giving us a start and subsequent gate off the club line, and a selection of tight and broad reaches downwind.
Race 1 saw local hero Dave Edwards lead round the top mark, with Cooke and May in close pursuit. The first few rounds were very close with numerous lead changes at the front until May got through upwind with a high mode that enabled him to lay the upwind gate in fewer tacks. Edwards was looking good for second until a broken mainsheet strop allowed Cooke through.
Race 2 saw the wind drop a lot down to marginal foiling. The first beat was again very tight but soon May pulled away, managing to foil for longer up the beats. Cooke was second again, with Edwards third.
Race 3 was held in more wind again, and solid foiling conditions. DJ was getting stronger and lead early on, but May was able to sail over the top down the second run when DJ sailed just a bit too far into a lighter spot. A little swim by Cooke up the beat while challenging for second dropped him back from the battle for the lead.
In reduced light now, race 4 saw the forecasted breeze start to show, and the fleet numbers suffered. Mike Cooke peeled off shortly after the start with a control rod issue, leaving Dave Edwards, and Adam May to battle it out. With a movement of the first gybe mark there was some discussion down the first reach as to where it had gone! DJ spotted it first and was able to stay low and prevent May from gybing. DJ then covered May well to prevent him from getting his nose through and held on well for the win. Katherine Knight showed the benefit of the Mini rig in the windier conditions, to take third.
With an absolutely shocking forecast for Sunday, the general consensus was to call it a day after 4 good races, and head over the Severn Bridge to home before the forecasted 40/50 knots came through.
This left May with the win, from Edwards and Cooke, with Knight taking fourth overall, and first lady.
Full use of the lake was made with a P style course giving us a start and subsequent gate off the club line, and a selection of tight and broad reaches downwind.
Race 1 saw local hero Dave Edwards lead round the top mark, with Cooke and May in close pursuit. The first few rounds were very close with numerous lead changes at the front until May got through upwind with a high mode that enabled him to lay the upwind gate in fewer tacks. Edwards was looking good for second until a broken mainsheet strop allowed Cooke through.
Race 2 saw the wind drop a lot down to marginal foiling. The first beat was again very tight but soon May pulled away, managing to foil for longer up the beats. Cooke was second again, with Edwards third.
Race 3 was held in more wind again, and solid foiling conditions. DJ was getting stronger and lead early on, but May was able to sail over the top down the second run when DJ sailed just a bit too far into a lighter spot. A little swim by Cooke up the beat while challenging for second dropped him back from the battle for the lead.
In reduced light now, race 4 saw the forecasted breeze start to show, and the fleet numbers suffered. Mike Cooke peeled off shortly after the start with a control rod issue, leaving Dave Edwards, and Adam May to battle it out. With a movement of the first gybe mark there was some discussion down the first reach as to where it had gone! DJ spotted it first and was able to stay low and prevent May from gybing. DJ then covered May well to prevent him from getting his nose through and held on well for the win. Katherine Knight showed the benefit of the Mini rig in the windier conditions, to take third.
With an absolutely shocking forecast for Sunday, the general consensus was to call it a day after 4 good races, and head over the Severn Bridge to home before the forecasted 40/50 knots came through.
This left May with the win, from Edwards and Cooke, with Knight taking fourth overall, and first lady.
Monday 10 November 2008
Calling all South West Mothies
I'm planning on organising a few days over Winter with sailing At Weymouth/Bristol/Corus to try and get some sailing/training/tuning/coaching in numbers as there was some interest in this over the weekend.
I have a pretty good idea who is out there and have contact details for most, but if you are out there lurking and interested in getting in on the action please email me so I can keep you in the loop. I will also post info up here when i have something solid.
Cheers
Mike C
GBR 3371 Secret Squirrel
mike@aardvarkracing.co.uk
I have a pretty good idea who is out there and have contact details for most, but if you are out there lurking and interested in getting in on the action please email me so I can keep you in the loop. I will also post info up here when i have something solid.
Cheers
Mike C
GBR 3371 Secret Squirrel
mike@aardvarkracing.co.uk
Monday 3 November 2008
Sunday sailing
Alan and myself were both out yesterday, braving the cold temperatures and crappy northerly wind. The first race was all over the place, from 5 knots to 20 with wild shifts and a lot of boats to dodge in search of good breeze.
Until halfway through the race I couldn't stay foiling long enough to break away from the pack, luckily the breeze kicked in a bit more and I managed two laps with very little lowriding and managed to take the lead and then lap everyone bar the Fireball and Alan.
We both got warmed up over lunch and braved the cold launch again but unfortunately my prodder wires (holding the stays in) died a sad death and left me with massive mast bend on starboard and I kept getting dumped in to windward. Decided to leave it there and head in as you cant fight these boats - even the smallest of things out of place makes life incredibly hard.
We're off to Port Talbot (Corus SC) this weekend for the final Moth open of the year. I think we should be getting 4 Bristol Moth boats over there and I'm hoping for a good turnout.
Until halfway through the race I couldn't stay foiling long enough to break away from the pack, luckily the breeze kicked in a bit more and I managed two laps with very little lowriding and managed to take the lead and then lap everyone bar the Fireball and Alan.
We both got warmed up over lunch and braved the cold launch again but unfortunately my prodder wires (holding the stays in) died a sad death and left me with massive mast bend on starboard and I kept getting dumped in to windward. Decided to leave it there and head in as you cant fight these boats - even the smallest of things out of place makes life incredibly hard.
We're off to Port Talbot (Corus SC) this weekend for the final Moth open of the year. I think we should be getting 4 Bristol Moth boats over there and I'm hoping for a good turnout.
Thursday 23 October 2008
Wednesday sailing with the Helmet Hero
Lots of Mothies seem to be into the Volvo game - I'm very keen to avoid this, as between blogging/Facebook and reading various internet forums it is hard enough to find spare time!
Got out yesterday with Alan for a couple of hours practice. Getting the tacking thing down properly now and I think I still have a couple of wand related improvements to make which should make life even peachier...
Took the Helmet cam out aswell, and while its tricky to figure out where its pointing I'm still impressed with the quality. Need to try and get some higher quality on Youtube though...
Alan is still struggling to get his gybes consistently, but his tacking is coming on in leaps and bounds...
Got out yesterday with Alan for a couple of hours practice. Getting the tacking thing down properly now and I think I still have a couple of wand related improvements to make which should make life even peachier...
Took the Helmet cam out aswell, and while its tricky to figure out where its pointing I'm still impressed with the quality. Need to try and get some higher quality on Youtube though...
Alan is still struggling to get his gybes consistently, but his tacking is coming on in leaps and bounds...
Monday 20 October 2008
General Mothing
Not a lot of blogging action over the last couple of weeks but this doesn't mean a lack of sailing at BCYC.
Thanks to the windsurfers and their keen-ness the club is staying open for a bit longer on Wednesday afternoons - this has allowed me to get a good few hours extra in on the water and get my new sail properly sorted as it wasn't quite the same as my previous Hyde.
I found at the Tide Ride that I had zero depth downwind until the breeze was up and this lead to me making the move to stiffen up my mast a bit over the top half. This has made a world of difference giving more height upwind through more leech tension and more depth downwind as it powers up much better. Obviously the downside will be in gusty conditions as to whether the spar will depower as well - Time will tell...
The last two saturdays I've managed to get out in a good 10 knot breeze and try and pin down the foil tacking technique. I've also done a good deal of fiddling on Alan's Prowler with foil angles and new wand parts - The result being a vast improvement in ride height stability and much more level flight. It still amazes me how much the tiniest changes can affect things.
By the sounds of things, Martin and Alan both got a race in on Sunday and took second and first, but both still sailing off 840 which will need sorting out...
Thanks to the windsurfers and their keen-ness the club is staying open for a bit longer on Wednesday afternoons - this has allowed me to get a good few hours extra in on the water and get my new sail properly sorted as it wasn't quite the same as my previous Hyde.
I found at the Tide Ride that I had zero depth downwind until the breeze was up and this lead to me making the move to stiffen up my mast a bit over the top half. This has made a world of difference giving more height upwind through more leech tension and more depth downwind as it powers up much better. Obviously the downside will be in gusty conditions as to whether the spar will depower as well - Time will tell...
The last two saturdays I've managed to get out in a good 10 knot breeze and try and pin down the foil tacking technique. I've also done a good deal of fiddling on Alan's Prowler with foil angles and new wand parts - The result being a vast improvement in ride height stability and much more level flight. It still amazes me how much the tiniest changes can affect things.
By the sounds of things, Martin and Alan both got a race in on Sunday and took second and first, but both still sailing off 840 which will need sorting out...
Saturday 11 October 2008
Lowrider for sale
With the current absence of a secondhand boats list I figured I should post this here...
Int Moth GBR 4026
Axeman 6 design
Bloodaxe built carbon hull - watertight and in as new condition Restrung 2008 Carbon wing bars and gantry Bloodaxe carbon sheathed foils - recently refurbished Tru flow camber inducing sail in good condition for age, with Fastacraft carbon mast and carbon boom Launching trolley A stunning boat in beautiful condition £2500 ONO
Contact Chris Bishop, 07096 557538
Wednesday 8 October 2008
Tide Riding
The Moths had their first invite to the tide ride this year and what a weekend it proved to be. With a forecast of mega winds all weekend a surprising number of Mothies showed their support. A select few decided to go for a blast first thing on saturday as the breeze was building and we weren't due on course till 4ish.
This left us to drink tea, eat Helen Rollinson's brownie stash and watch as numerous 800's and 29ers dropped their rigs and the B14's pootled back in under jib. The Mustos put on a cracking display with a good few stacks and a lot of spray!
With gusts touching 40 knots at times the collective Moth fleet had a group huddle to debate things, but when Sam Pascoe went out and came back in again pretty promptly it was decided the bar was the place to be.
Sundays morning saw a good few sore heads and plenty of breeze again but with a forecast to drop by lunchtime hopes were high.
Luckily the wind dropped off to a good 15-20 knots and we hopped to it. We got four races in, in quick succession running really short courses with a split gate at the bottom and generally doing about 4 laps.
The usual faces were up at the front of the field with Simon Payne and Jason Belben battling out for the top spot with Si taking the win. Adam May took third but was given a run for his money by Mike Lennon who was consistently up there in fourth. Boona, Rodders and Alex Adams took the next few places with me following in eighth after having a proper stinker in the last one. I was upside down at the start and after clawing my way back and sneaking in front of Adam at the windward mark I cocked up the bearaway and pitchpoled landing on the mark! Mistakes were pretty costly as there was no room for a discard.
Full results are here...
Event photo galleries here...
Other than a Muppet on the helm, Secret Squirrel was on fine form, with plenty of upwind pace and control. The new sail was a bit on the flat side, but I'm going to attack my mast and stiffen up the top section to compensate. The next event in Corus in South Wales at the beginning of November and should make a good end to the season.
This left us to drink tea, eat Helen Rollinson's brownie stash and watch as numerous 800's and 29ers dropped their rigs and the B14's pootled back in under jib. The Mustos put on a cracking display with a good few stacks and a lot of spray!
With gusts touching 40 knots at times the collective Moth fleet had a group huddle to debate things, but when Sam Pascoe went out and came back in again pretty promptly it was decided the bar was the place to be.
Sundays morning saw a good few sore heads and plenty of breeze again but with a forecast to drop by lunchtime hopes were high.
Luckily the wind dropped off to a good 15-20 knots and we hopped to it. We got four races in, in quick succession running really short courses with a split gate at the bottom and generally doing about 4 laps.
The usual faces were up at the front of the field with Simon Payne and Jason Belben battling out for the top spot with Si taking the win. Adam May took third but was given a run for his money by Mike Lennon who was consistently up there in fourth. Boona, Rodders and Alex Adams took the next few places with me following in eighth after having a proper stinker in the last one. I was upside down at the start and after clawing my way back and sneaking in front of Adam at the windward mark I cocked up the bearaway and pitchpoled landing on the mark! Mistakes were pretty costly as there was no room for a discard.
Full results are here...
Event photo galleries here...
Other than a Muppet on the helm, Secret Squirrel was on fine form, with plenty of upwind pace and control. The new sail was a bit on the flat side, but I'm going to attack my mast and stiffen up the top section to compensate. The next event in Corus in South Wales at the beginning of November and should make a good end to the season.
Thursday 2 October 2008
Tide ride this weekend
I got a brief sail in yesterday, but called it off short after a nice line squall came in along with 30 knots. I did learn that you can make a Moth go sideways upwind while airborne in the bigger gusts when the flow around the daggerboard breaks down. I thought my foil had broken as it was so sudden!
Anyway, The Tide Ride at Hayling Island is this weekend - the entry list is looking good for the Moths first year at the event but the wind is looking like its going to be a bit too full on for good racing and more a question of surviving...
Sam Pascoe is making a welcome return in a borrowed boat although I'm not sure who's as the entry list is saying Alex Knight's and Alex Adams says he's taking his old boat...
Sensible money is on Simon Payne in his last event on the Prowler although Jason Belben always gives him a run in the breeze... I'm by no means fit enough for a windy weekend, but with the Squirrel handling as well as it is it will be interesting to see how things go!
Anyway, The Tide Ride at Hayling Island is this weekend - the entry list is looking good for the Moths first year at the event but the wind is looking like its going to be a bit too full on for good racing and more a question of surviving...
Sam Pascoe is making a welcome return in a borrowed boat although I'm not sure who's as the entry list is saying Alex Knight's and Alex Adams says he's taking his old boat...
Sensible money is on Simon Payne in his last event on the Prowler although Jason Belben always gives him a run in the breeze... I'm by no means fit enough for a windy weekend, but with the Squirrel handling as well as it is it will be interesting to see how things go!
| Moth | 3152 | Chris Anstead |
| Moth | 3207 | Tim Penfold |
| Moth | 3230 | Tom Whicher |
| Moth | 3239 | Sam Pascoe |
| Moth | 3243 | Michael Lennon |
| Moth | 3259 | Simon Payne |
| Moth | 3261 | Gary Ireson |
| Moth | 3327 | Danny Clark |
| Moth | 3366 | Alex Adams |
| Moth | 3370 | Martin Fear |
| Moth | 3371 | Mike Cooke |
| Moth | 3373 | Adam May |
| Moth | 3377 | David Hopper |
| Moth | 3467 | Rod Harris |
| Moth | 4052 | Helen Rollinson |
| Moth | 4073 | Adrian Murphy |
| Moth | 4076 | Tim Boon |
| Moth | 4088 | Jason Russell |
| Moth | 4090 | Jason Belben |
| Moth | 4093 | Ant Chapman |
| Moth | 4094 | Ricky Tagg |
| Moth | 4103 | James Roche |
Wednesday 24 September 2008
I haven't got a clew!
Not any more anyway...
It was blowing dogs off chains this evening, but I went for a blast as I had some new mods to try out. The result was this, but only after Alan Watson went for a blast in the boat and got himself a bit sideways out of a gibe (he nailed the first one!) and took a dive through my nice Hyde sail! Anyone that knows Alan can probably imagine him doing it with plenty of grace and jolly good form.
Nothing a talented sailmaker cant fix anyway, I have a MSL11 lying around somewhere that can probably get me on the water for some pre Tide ride practicing...
Anyway, the result of the mods are that I can now foil tack, and while my success rate is low (1 in 5 maybe?!) at least they are happening... Just in time for the end of the season!
The Powermann race at Poole last weekend was a good laugh (wished I had done my tweaks for that one now, life would have been peachy...). Sailing out in the bay with some biggish swell going was great fun, and something I want to get some more of. Gary was fastest Mothie, but the results don't show that I was second fastest as I got a bit lost out there and couldn't find the windward mark and sailed back downwind for a good few minutes thinking I had passed it! Live and learn...
Rod has posted some pics up here and there is some video of Norm the foiling dog here
Tuesday 16 September 2008
Champagne Sailing - Almost...
I got down to Hayling on Sunday for a bit of time sailing somewhere that doesn't involve forests of weed growing up from the bottom of the lake and it proved to be well worth it.
Axebridge is normally mostly empty of water at this time of year as it is a reservoir for Bristol Water Co, so I dont usually have to worry about the weed as theres not enough water to sail anyway. Yet I keep trying. Hopefully as the weather is starting to cool off now these underwater trees should start dying off and normal service can resume.
So anyhow, sailing down at HISC is great, the launching is pretty easy, there is nice soft sand to rig up on rather than concrete and there is a fleet of top guys all floating around to gauge performance against... Mike Lennon and Jason Russell were both out sailing first thing so we attempted a bit of a windward/leeward race that was going on at the time. Mike and myself were pretty evenly matched for pace in the marginal postitions, both taking off at a similar sort of speed and doing similar angles upwind and down. The race was mostly seperate by which holes you managed to sail into.
Tim Boon came out and joined us, which killed the wind pretty nicely, so we headed in for lunch. After an hour of chillin' out the breeze kicked back in again and we went out to play. Dave from Dynamic sails took my boat out for a spin and started getting his gibes in, although it did reveal from the shore that my boat was flying a little too high and he kept getting the rudder into the air and spinning out!
I got out to make the most of the breeze and my foil tacking is as close as it has ever been now - Just in time for the Powerman Poole bay race next Sunday that Rodders is getting us all worked up about...
Axebridge is normally mostly empty of water at this time of year as it is a reservoir for Bristol Water Co, so I dont usually have to worry about the weed as theres not enough water to sail anyway. Yet I keep trying. Hopefully as the weather is starting to cool off now these underwater trees should start dying off and normal service can resume.
So anyhow, sailing down at HISC is great, the launching is pretty easy, there is nice soft sand to rig up on rather than concrete and there is a fleet of top guys all floating around to gauge performance against... Mike Lennon and Jason Russell were both out sailing first thing so we attempted a bit of a windward/leeward race that was going on at the time. Mike and myself were pretty evenly matched for pace in the marginal postitions, both taking off at a similar sort of speed and doing similar angles upwind and down. The race was mostly seperate by which holes you managed to sail into.
Tim Boon came out and joined us, which killed the wind pretty nicely, so we headed in for lunch. After an hour of chillin' out the breeze kicked back in again and we went out to play. Dave from Dynamic sails took my boat out for a spin and started getting his gibes in, although it did reveal from the shore that my boat was flying a little too high and he kept getting the rudder into the air and spinning out!
I got out to make the most of the breeze and my foil tacking is as close as it has ever been now - Just in time for the Powerman Poole bay race next Sunday that Rodders is getting us all worked up about...
Friday 12 September 2008
Flying High
As I'm not getting much sailing in at the mo (either too busy at weekends or can't be bothered to tackle the weed at the club) I have been getting my wind-powered-sport kicks from a touch of power kiting in the past couple of weeks. And it rocks!!
Our friends, Dom and Barry, at UFO Kite Shop have been running sessions on Weston beach every Tuesday evening over the 'summer' and we have finally begun to take advantage of this. It's a touch annoying that the nights are drawing in, as I am now totally hooked on this kiting malarkey and we are quickly running out of evenings to play in.
If you haven't tried power kiting yet, I really think you should. My eventual aim is to go out in a buggy and speed around on the sand in that, but so far I have been getting to grips with four line kites.
Tonight I took my new kite - a fabulous pressie! - down to the beach for the first time. I have got an HQ Crossfire, which is 1.7 square metres, and is quite big enough to drag me around on the beach. After a bit of zooming, Dom decided I was ready to move into a harness, which made the flying soooo much more comfortable. I spent most of the evening grinning!
Apparently I am now ready to move into a buggy.....
What a lot of fun!
Here are some piccies taken by our resident Cookie Monster:
Our friends, Dom and Barry, at UFO Kite Shop have been running sessions on Weston beach every Tuesday evening over the 'summer' and we have finally begun to take advantage of this. It's a touch annoying that the nights are drawing in, as I am now totally hooked on this kiting malarkey and we are quickly running out of evenings to play in.
If you haven't tried power kiting yet, I really think you should. My eventual aim is to go out in a buggy and speed around on the sand in that, but so far I have been getting to grips with four line kites.
Tonight I took my new kite - a fabulous pressie! - down to the beach for the first time. I have got an HQ Crossfire, which is 1.7 square metres, and is quite big enough to drag me around on the beach. After a bit of zooming, Dom decided I was ready to move into a harness, which made the flying soooo much more comfortable. I spent most of the evening grinning!
Apparently I am now ready to move into a buggy.....
What a lot of fun!
Here are some piccies taken by our resident Cookie Monster:
Wednesday 10 September 2008
Wednesday sailing
Wednesday afternoons are still rolling on as the windsurfers at BCYC want to sail even if there is no racing. This means I can have most of the lake to myself and get some practice in.
After a few hours pimping Alan Watson's Prowler with a new wand and ratio changes along with a bit of foil angle changes I managed to get out in the Squirrel for a quick spin. The weed at the club means I have to take my sailing in short bursts as the frustration sets in (Hence the Hayling trip on Sunday). The boat is working really well now and I really want to get out in some waves and see what the score is, along with sailing against the best.
On the Mothosphere front at the moment there is a good deal of chat about the new AMac/Payne collaboration. There is a bit of a negative slant coming from a few people on the topic, mostly aimed at the potential of the build quality. I'm sure AMac will have designed a competitive boat and the question has to be whether McConaghy boats have learned anything from their foray into Moth building with Bladerider.
I'm sure they are as capable of learning from their mistakes as the rest of us and they will produce a fine boat...
Lots of builders, spending lots of money on a class that never sleeps... Gotta keep moving!
After a few hours pimping Alan Watson's Prowler with a new wand and ratio changes along with a bit of foil angle changes I managed to get out in the Squirrel for a quick spin. The weed at the club means I have to take my sailing in short bursts as the frustration sets in (Hence the Hayling trip on Sunday). The boat is working really well now and I really want to get out in some waves and see what the score is, along with sailing against the best.
On the Mothosphere front at the moment there is a good deal of chat about the new AMac/Payne collaboration. There is a bit of a negative slant coming from a few people on the topic, mostly aimed at the potential of the build quality. I'm sure AMac will have designed a competitive boat and the question has to be whether McConaghy boats have learned anything from their foray into Moth building with Bladerider.
I'm sure they are as capable of learning from their mistakes as the rest of us and they will produce a fine boat...
Lots of builders, spending lots of money on a class that never sleeps... Gotta keep moving!
Tuesday 9 September 2008
Weddings and Funny Powerboats...
Not a lot of sailing over the weekend, as Bristol Mothie Chris Bishop was getting married to Laura Hitchcock on Saturday which meant lots of orange juices - (still not drinking, coming up to 6 years now and juice is getting boring...) plenty of cake, air guitar and entertaining speeches.
Most of the people there were sailors, so Sunday saw dribs and drabs of people arriving at the club with big headaches and not much inclination to go sailing. I got a brief sail in the morning to test a new mods (verdict - good). Alan rocked up with a hangover and the intention of sailing just as I was packing up and heading home.
Earthrace (the round the world record breaking powerboat) is currently parked in Bristol docks so I snapped a few shots while I was on a supply run. They were giving tours around the boat but I had to get back to work. It looks sweet, but is a complete rip-off of a Nigel Irens designed powerboat-tri from the 80's called Ilan Voyager which held the round Britain powerboat record. They have done some cool styling bits on it though, which is why I thought it deserved a post...
Anyway, off sailing tomorrow afternoon for a bit, before heading to Hayling for some practice on Sunday.
Most of the people there were sailors, so Sunday saw dribs and drabs of people arriving at the club with big headaches and not much inclination to go sailing. I got a brief sail in the morning to test a new mods (verdict - good). Alan rocked up with a hangover and the intention of sailing just as I was packing up and heading home.
Earthrace (the round the world record breaking powerboat) is currently parked in Bristol docks so I snapped a few shots while I was on a supply run. They were giving tours around the boat but I had to get back to work. It looks sweet, but is a complete rip-off of a Nigel Irens designed powerboat-tri from the 80's called Ilan Voyager which held the round Britain powerboat record. They have done some cool styling bits on it though, which is why I thought it deserved a post...
Anyway, off sailing tomorrow afternoon for a bit, before heading to Hayling for some practice on Sunday.
Thursday 28 August 2008
Norfolk Punt club regatta - Part 2
Back at the Moth worlds, while sitting in a caravan in the rain with the wind blowing its usual nuts off, a plan was formed.
Norfolk resident Andrew Friend had a cunning plan - it involved going to Norfolk and sailing on a funny bit of water, launching in a canal and sailing to a raft in the middle of said piece of water, where tea and cake are consumed, races are done - entered just before at £1.50 a time if you fancy it. Having just spent over £200 for a handful of races over a couple of days this sounded tempting!
Andrew's brief description didn't do the place justice - it is quite possibly the single most mental place you can hope to sail a moth. The courses are short, the wind is a bit shifty, the other river users are slow and have the maneuverability of the biggest bus you can think of. Brilliant!
Saturday didn't see much wind, but gave the chance to consume my own body weight in very fine cake and tea. The sun was out and all was good..
Sunday had a better breeze, but it was raining a bit. Sort of attempted a race, but Andrew forgot to enter and the committee thought I hadn't entered either so we didn't get a finish. Did a bit of boat swapping and had a general play around. Avoiding the White boat fleet turned out to be easier said than done but it was all so light hearted none of it seemed to matter...
Monday was a different pile of kettles of fish, it was breezy and this is where the real fun began, as the gusts were coming through thick and fast and in a boat that really only goes where it wants to avoiding boats was now a real challenge. I had a couple of wipeouts trying to not bear away and land on a passing river cruiser. Only fitted in one race, which was the Bloodbath - this is a race involving every fleet going at once, spaced by staggered starts and all figured out on PY. We had entered the weekend sailing off 900 as the wind had been light and we were being overtaken by 200's and the like - with the breeze up I managed to win it and nearly got away with some silverware until the 200 took offence and asked for a harsher handicap. They settled on 850 instead, which put me second with - surprise, the 200 in first...
I'm going to push for an open here next year. With a raft to stand on for spectating and a generator and some floodlights we could sail all night... Rent in a couple of cruisers for everyone to sleep in and it would be awesome!
More Tea vicar?
Norfolk resident Andrew Friend had a cunning plan - it involved going to Norfolk and sailing on a funny bit of water, launching in a canal and sailing to a raft in the middle of said piece of water, where tea and cake are consumed, races are done - entered just before at £1.50 a time if you fancy it. Having just spent over £200 for a handful of races over a couple of days this sounded tempting!
Andrew's brief description didn't do the place justice - it is quite possibly the single most mental place you can hope to sail a moth. The courses are short, the wind is a bit shifty, the other river users are slow and have the maneuverability of the biggest bus you can think of. Brilliant!
Saturday didn't see much wind, but gave the chance to consume my own body weight in very fine cake and tea. The sun was out and all was good..
Sunday had a better breeze, but it was raining a bit. Sort of attempted a race, but Andrew forgot to enter and the committee thought I hadn't entered either so we didn't get a finish. Did a bit of boat swapping and had a general play around. Avoiding the White boat fleet turned out to be easier said than done but it was all so light hearted none of it seemed to matter...
Monday was a different pile of kettles of fish, it was breezy and this is where the real fun began, as the gusts were coming through thick and fast and in a boat that really only goes where it wants to avoiding boats was now a real challenge. I had a couple of wipeouts trying to not bear away and land on a passing river cruiser. Only fitted in one race, which was the Bloodbath - this is a race involving every fleet going at once, spaced by staggered starts and all figured out on PY. We had entered the weekend sailing off 900 as the wind had been light and we were being overtaken by 200's and the like - with the breeze up I managed to win it and nearly got away with some silverware until the 200 took offence and asked for a harsher handicap. They settled on 850 instead, which put me second with - surprise, the 200 in first...
I'm going to push for an open here next year. With a raft to stand on for spectating and a generator and some floodlights we could sail all night... Rent in a couple of cruisers for everyone to sleep in and it would be awesome!
More Tea vicar?
Norfolk Punt club regatta...
In no particular order...
- Emma, chillin' on the tea raft/committee raft/mooring raft
- The Tea hut, complete with old school kettles...
- The White boat fleet - also known as travelling road block
- Andrew Friends Punt, giving me a lift to my moored Moth
- Me, pootling about on the Saturday in not a lot of wind
- Me, saluting on my now mudweight moored Moth
- The committee hut
- Swimming back from the Moth
- Andrew in his Bladerider
- A White boat, and a Shed - not sure if they are actually called Sheds, but everyone referred to them as such!
- Mooring raft action
- 3 Moored Moths
- Fudge
Saturday 16 August 2008
Foils for homebuilds
While I hate doing the shameless advertising thing on this site, I thought I would post this here..
Foils for homebuilds
I've made a few sets of foils for people doing their own thing and this should be encouraged. I'm also going to try and do a technical breakdown of how linkages and various bits all work on the current boats - its amazing how far these things have come in just a few years and the older converted boats can be made into different beasts with a bit of tinkering...
Foils for homebuilds
I've made a few sets of foils for people doing their own thing and this should be encouraged. I'm also going to try and do a technical breakdown of how linkages and various bits all work on the current boats - its amazing how far these things have come in just a few years and the older converted boats can be made into different beasts with a bit of tinkering...
Falmouth
Not much going on at the moment - everyone seems to be taking a bit of time out to do things other than sailing! And who can blame them, the weather over here is still shocking with torrential downpours and large amounts of wind coming through.
Tim Laws (new owner of Jamming with Edward) and Myself made our way down to Falmouth last weekend for a couple of days worth of Falmouth week to check the venue out. Got down there pretty late on the Sunday missing the racing, although it was pretty damn windy by all accounts. Falmouth Town is really nice, plenty of good pubs and restaurants/bars etc - the Sailing water is pretty sweet too, with plenty of options from protected estuary, going right out to sea. Would make an awesome worlds/nationals venue!
We both hit the water on Monday with very marginal breeze to start with, only foiling for a few minutes of the first lap, but it soon picked up giving some great rides and the chance to scare the fast handicap fleet until I carried on to do another lap when I should have gone to the finish! Oops!
A shackle holding my shrouds on let go on the second start line causing my rig to fall off so I packed up with help from a very capable rib and headed to shore to enjoy the tea and cake of Restronguet SC. Wind really picked up though - some excellent wipe outs from Tim who is still getting used to Moth sailing - especially in waves....
I'm starting to get myself back together again to work on fitness and boat handling - i'm confident in the Squirrels abilities now and just need to make sure I'm happy with mine! Just ordered a new MTB from Giant bikes to make use of the great riding nearby when the sailing at BCYC backs off - Should allow me to keep active rather than internet Mothing all winter.
Si Payne is over in the states right now at the North American nationals - Best of luck - is it really that windy over there?!
Tim Laws (new owner of Jamming with Edward) and Myself made our way down to Falmouth last weekend for a couple of days worth of Falmouth week to check the venue out. Got down there pretty late on the Sunday missing the racing, although it was pretty damn windy by all accounts. Falmouth Town is really nice, plenty of good pubs and restaurants/bars etc - the Sailing water is pretty sweet too, with plenty of options from protected estuary, going right out to sea. Would make an awesome worlds/nationals venue!
We both hit the water on Monday with very marginal breeze to start with, only foiling for a few minutes of the first lap, but it soon picked up giving some great rides and the chance to scare the fast handicap fleet until I carried on to do another lap when I should have gone to the finish! Oops!
A shackle holding my shrouds on let go on the second start line causing my rig to fall off so I packed up with help from a very capable rib and headed to shore to enjoy the tea and cake of Restronguet SC. Wind really picked up though - some excellent wipe outs from Tim who is still getting used to Moth sailing - especially in waves....
I'm starting to get myself back together again to work on fitness and boat handling - i'm confident in the Squirrels abilities now and just need to make sure I'm happy with mine! Just ordered a new MTB from Giant bikes to make use of the great riding nearby when the sailing at BCYC backs off - Should allow me to keep active rather than internet Mothing all winter.
Si Payne is over in the states right now at the North American nationals - Best of luck - is it really that windy over there?!
Sunday 3 August 2008
Weekend warriors
This weekend has seen the most sailing I have done for ages! Saturday was blowing 15-17 knots and both Martin and myself were out blasting and practicing maneuvers. Martin set the pace for the day with a 23.5 knot speed early on in a big gust of wind on the Morocco Mole which is his new personal best.
My morning session saw only 21.5, so had to get back out there in the afternoon and get him back. Had a few downwind works with some nice puffs and had only managed 22.7 and just as I was about to call it a day got a monster gust and pelted off downwind. I didn't get a chance to look at the GPS again until I was ashore. I had to have a little chuckle to myself when I did though, as I'd matched Martins' exactly, setting a new personal best for myself in the process - Beating my best speed from the Silver Samurai of 23.1 on its tiny foils.
Tim Laws (new owner of Jamming with Edward) was up and he took the Squirrel out for a spin while I did some camcording. I did have the headcam out for the morning session but forgot to start it! Will check out the footage and see if any of it is any good!
Helen was down the club reassembling the Blue Mouse after Weymouth and we did a bit of fiddling with new wands and bits.
Sunday saw a good 10-15 knot breeze and the chance for my first club race of the season which went pretty well, until the wind dropped halfway around the last lap.
The second race saw me lap pretty much everyone twice and had caught 9 minutes on the RS200's in half a lap. Need to go fishing for the race times somewhere and work out a handicap. Helen got out a bit later testing her new set up and seemed to be flying well and Alan has rematerialised at the club with a nice new CST mast and MSL 13 although he didn't get on the water today.
Thursday 31 July 2008
Wednesday sailing
Finally I got a good sail in! I've been loitering around since the worlds trying to get on the water and get a good few hours in and this Wednesday it was my time. There was a nice 10-12 knots of breeze and hardly anyone on the lake bar some windsurfers allowing me all the room in the world to get some tacking and gybing practice in and then mess around doing some speed runs during which I clocked up 22 knots which wasn't bad considering the lack of breeze - nearly double the windspeed! Need to work on my foil controls a little for the weekend and then get back out there and get this foiling tack thing nailed...
No other moths about this week though, Alan is down in Falmouth (practicing for the open?!) and Helens boat is in my shop having its wingbars sorted out post Portland flying mission. Emma was going to go out and have a play in the newly refurbished FBG but unfortunately she had a run-in with her skateboard so took it easy instead.
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Headcamming
I've had several headcams over the years, starting with an Oregon ATC1000 (which they never made the waterproof case for - damn them...) and ATC2000 and a crazy little wireless jobby but have always been disappointed with the picture quality.
I was in my friendly local kite shop last week picking up some carbon rods and came across one of these : GoPro Helmet Camera
The picture quality is pretty damn good and its even waterproof to 100 feet - I've got a wide angle lens on the way so it should get most of the moth in shot from either end of the boat! Its got a load of funny mounts and straps to so for my first mission with it I strapped it on my head and tried to keep up with Em in the Squirrel in Leo's lowrider (my first moth build!)
I was going to try and upload the video here uncompressed but Blogger didn't like that so I've put a short clip on on Youtube
Saturday 26 July 2008
A little bit of not-so-secret Squirreling
Fat Bottomed Girl is currently in the workshop, getting new trampolines (which fit!) and a new rig, so today I went sailing in the Squirrel. And jolly nice it was too.
It was a lovely sunny day at BCYC, with just enough breeze to go foiling. I was a touch nervous, as I had not been sailing for quite a while, but my nerves were soon proven to be superfluous. I hopped in the boat and blasted off across the lake with no worries whatsoever.
I *love* the Squirrel. She is sooooo smooooooth! The transition between lowriding and foiling feels so natural - the boat just wants to fly. The ride when on the foils was also extremely smooth and I think, if the Squirrel were a car, Jeremy Clarkson would be rather impressed.
My sail was cut short by a drop in the wind. Short but sweet, I would say.
During the week Mike had bought a new waterproof headcam thingy, which he took out whilst sailing his old lowrider (thanks Leo) and followed me around. Unfortunately, as I was so super speedy, he couldn't really keep up with me. He will be putting up what footage he did manage to get though, as I think he wants to show off the enhanced picture quality, or something...
Maybe we will get FBG back on the water for Wednesday. That would be nice.
TTFN,
Em
It was a lovely sunny day at BCYC, with just enough breeze to go foiling. I was a touch nervous, as I had not been sailing for quite a while, but my nerves were soon proven to be superfluous. I hopped in the boat and blasted off across the lake with no worries whatsoever.
I *love* the Squirrel. She is sooooo smooooooth! The transition between lowriding and foiling feels so natural - the boat just wants to fly. The ride when on the foils was also extremely smooth and I think, if the Squirrel were a car, Jeremy Clarkson would be rather impressed.
My sail was cut short by a drop in the wind. Short but sweet, I would say.
During the week Mike had bought a new waterproof headcam thingy, which he took out whilst sailing his old lowrider (thanks Leo) and followed me around. Unfortunately, as I was so super speedy, he couldn't really keep up with me. He will be putting up what footage he did manage to get though, as I think he wants to show off the enhanced picture quality, or something...
Maybe we will get FBG back on the water for Wednesday. That would be nice.
TTFN,
Em
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Post worlds comedown
Its been a few weeks now and things are slowly getting back into their usual swing. I've been busy doing a few tweaks to the Squirrel including making a new daggerboard with a few tweaks in (and the shocking pink colour again...). As long as the fine english weather provides me with some wind I should be getting back out on the water tomorrow.
Not put any pics up of the new boat yet, so heres a couple:
Em has been busy with the Fat Bottomed Girl too, we've got a new mast on her and a secondhand Hyde sail and a nice little list of pimps to get her sorted.
Not too many events to look forward to this year, but Falmouth should be pretty cool along with a mission to the Norfolk Punt club (Andrew Friends home club) for tea, cake, a sailing club on a raft and mudweights to anchor the boat with!
Friday 11 July 2008
The worlds that never were...
Well, I thought I would let you all know what the hell is going on down here. Its pretty damn windy and 4 races were got in yesterday, along with however many they can fit in today. I managed (in the loosest sense of the word) to get one race in.
I was bombing around with way too much lift on as one of my rods had run out of thread and I couldn't do a thing about it, stacking repeatedly in the 20 knot breeze between coughing fits and nursed myself home into 54th position before heading in to get it sorted - missing out the second race in the process. My misfortune didn't finish there, as I've also had a allergic reaction to the antibiotics for the chest infection, resulting a sore and swollen hands and feet - great for sheeting and hiking...
I cant fault the Squirrel though, she's super fast upwind and the new Hyde rig with the skinny Aardvark mast is working well. New foil shapes are sweet and takeoff is nice and early - no doubting that with some time to get myself back healthy and the boat nicely fettled that she will be able to take on the best.
I've got plenty of photos taken, and will keep adding bits and bobs over the course of the week when I have the time.
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooored
I am bored bored bored. But apparently there is going to be a speed challenge shortly...wonder who will go out and risk boat-breakage.
Ho hum, I'm off to twiddle my thumbs.
Ho hum, I'm off to twiddle my thumbs.
Fun pics so far...
In order:
Howling seas at Portland Bill
Bladeriders "Camp Epoxy" in the hangar
Helens poor little Citroen after being attacked by her Hungry Tiger - wind blew boat with roof racks off the car...
Garys trailer after being attacked by vandals
Emma, making the best of the bad weather
Cheeky tea drinking seagulls - one of them stole some sandpaper earlier in the week!
Still sitting around
Borderline sailable today, but committee on the cautious side. Gust up to thirty knots, averaging well over 20 though...
Apparently the BR FX went sailing last night with Pilot Bora on board, in thirty knots of wind and the predictable result occured, resulting in more than one piece of boat being brought back in again. Its quite amazing how BR's camp epoxy is still going strong in the hangar despite not having anyone sail since Friday - Maybe they took the Chiz's advice on preventative maintenance a little too literally!
Sunday 6 July 2008
Blown Away!
Well, so much for the light winds worlds that were predicted around the globe! Yesterday's practice race was blown off, with massive gusts hitting the harbour. This proved a good thing for some, particularly Mr. Thomas A. Whicher, who came on holiday with no clothes but those on his back. I took him on a mammoth shopping trip in the afternoon and he is now fully kitted out, although he did put back the wife-beater vest emblazoned with the words: 'If found please return to the bar'. Disappointing.
The evening saw a nice bit of grub at the academy's opening ceremony and we were even treated to a cringe-worthy speech by Bristol's very own Alan. The shame!
Overnight it felt as if the weather would get the better of the caravan, but we awoke to find it still in one piece. We were also greeted by pelting rain and more high winds. After an initial postponement, the racing was canned all together, due to more heavy winds. The rain cleared up, though and the sun put his hat on and came out to play. Hoorah.
Mike and I headed over to Portland Bill this afternoon and were awed by the amazing waves. We were particularly impressed by the cheek of the seagulls, who appeared to have embraced the British mothie spirit and were enjoying a nice pot of tea! Photos will follow....
Today's special mention must go to the Cookie Monster, who managed to lock his keys in his van this morning. Soooo embarrassed when calling the AA...what a t*t!
The evening saw a nice bit of grub at the academy's opening ceremony and we were even treated to a cringe-worthy speech by Bristol's very own Alan. The shame!
Overnight it felt as if the weather would get the better of the caravan, but we awoke to find it still in one piece. We were also greeted by pelting rain and more high winds. After an initial postponement, the racing was canned all together, due to more heavy winds. The rain cleared up, though and the sun put his hat on and came out to play. Hoorah.
Mike and I headed over to Portland Bill this afternoon and were awed by the amazing waves. We were particularly impressed by the cheek of the seagulls, who appeared to have embraced the British mothie spirit and were enjoying a nice pot of tea! Photos will follow....
Today's special mention must go to the Cookie Monster, who managed to lock his keys in his van this morning. Soooo embarrassed when calling the AA...what a t*t!
Friday 4 July 2008
Camp foiltown
Weymouth is shaping up to be one hell of an event - nearly 100 boats entered so far, plenty of people in with a chance of winning it and plenty of shiny new kit floating around.
I've been out in the Squirrel for a few hours now and shes shaping up nicely - I've been taking it easy this week as I still haven't shaken my chest infection and am off to find some antibiotics later on.
Martin has now made it down with the Morocco Mole and is looking nicely fettled - will be interesting to see how he gets on with it over the next week...
Will try and do random posts and get some photos up over the next couple of days.
Cheers
Cookie
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Manic few weeks
The Squirrel got its maiden outing at BCYC on Saturday after a manic few weeks of building - everything went pretty well and it was nice to get back on the water.
We are now camped up in Weymouth, assembling boats, bimbling away and getting everything fully pimped - yet to go sailing down here but it was looking pretty nice today - plenty of others out getting practice in.
I'm still yet to fully shift a chest infection which I've had for a few weeks now, so I'm taking it easy for a bit and making sure I've got everything I can get in order. Either way, I'm unfit and out of practice! not ideal prep, but there we go...
Saturday 21 June 2008
Your mission, should you choose to accept it...
Is to build two International Moths, including making your own tubes, spars, foils and tramps, in 3 weeks.
Sounds a bit silly really, but this is what I've been up to lately, i was planning on having my new boat on the water at the beginning of June and then go sailing a lot. As it turns out I only really started them both 2 weeks ago. A few 14 hour days later and they are both due on the water on Wednesday...
Morocco Mole (3370) is the first of the two and is being made for Martin Fear at BCYC. This is the base boat and is basically an Axiom v4 with bonded wing bars, high modulus rear bars and a new skinny Aardvark spar.
Secret Squirrel (3371) is my new boat and is the same as the above, but with a few neat touches on top - how many depends on how much spare time I have before heading for Weymouth next weekend for a week of chilling out and a bit of sailing...
Thanks to Harken for coming good with the hardware as usual, Hyde for the shiny new sails which arrived on Friday and my team helping out with the mammoth mission, Emma, Martin, Sharon and Terry....
Friday 13 June 2008
What went wrong?!
Work has been getting in the way a bit this last week and now my last major preworlds project is
out the door I can get back to the serious business of mothing... (more importantly, building the SS - Secret Squirrel)
So then, Weymouth...
Race one, came off the line fine went about 100 yards and went down the mine - upwind. Not had that happen before... Hmm, as I was now pointing the other way I went out right in search of clear air - tacked, got going again and went down the mine again... Not good, twice on once beat... I wound a turn of lift off and Edward was behaving again, obviously the small chop was too close to my max ride height for comfort as she was much better after that and I sailed up the fleet to 7th.
Race two, lining up for a pin end start but couldn't quite make the buoy so went for a gibe around with 15 seconds to go and got a massive puff, leaving me a long way downwind by the time I'd got going the right way again... Seemed to sail every shift wrong and ended up 8th.
Race three - wind got up to 25 knots and I nearly totalled myself at the wing mark and had to have a lie down on the side of the boat for a few minutes to get my breath back. Turned out I had flung myself into the mainsheet bridle using my ribs as brakes, taking the bridle out altogether in the process - day over...
Sunday was much milder, but my control rod ends had decided to give up the ghost and popped off pretty much every time I pointed the boat downhill - I was around the front pack at the time and hanging on to them too so I'm pretty happy with speed and early foiling was on par with everyone else. Anyway, called it quits after that...
Well done to Si Payne, Jason gave him a good run for his money. James Roche gets the bloody well done award - hes come a long way, been putting in loads of time both on and off the water and I think will scare a lot of people at the worlds in 3+ bit weeks time.
Eeek, better get on with my boat then...
out the door I can get back to the serious business of mothing... (more importantly, building the SS - Secret Squirrel)
So then, Weymouth...
Race one, came off the line fine went about 100 yards and went down the mine - upwind. Not had that happen before... Hmm, as I was now pointing the other way I went out right in search of clear air - tacked, got going again and went down the mine again... Not good, twice on once beat... I wound a turn of lift off and Edward was behaving again, obviously the small chop was too close to my max ride height for comfort as she was much better after that and I sailed up the fleet to 7th.
Race two, lining up for a pin end start but couldn't quite make the buoy so went for a gibe around with 15 seconds to go and got a massive puff, leaving me a long way downwind by the time I'd got going the right way again... Seemed to sail every shift wrong and ended up 8th.
Race three - wind got up to 25 knots and I nearly totalled myself at the wing mark and had to have a lie down on the side of the boat for a few minutes to get my breath back. Turned out I had flung myself into the mainsheet bridle using my ribs as brakes, taking the bridle out altogether in the process - day over...
Sunday was much milder, but my control rod ends had decided to give up the ghost and popped off pretty much every time I pointed the boat downhill - I was around the front pack at the time and hanging on to them too so I'm pretty happy with speed and early foiling was on par with everyone else. Anyway, called it quits after that...
Well done to Si Payne, Jason gave him a good run for his money. James Roche gets the bloody well done award - hes come a long way, been putting in loads of time both on and off the water and I think will scare a lot of people at the worlds in 3+ bit weeks time.
Eeek, better get on with my boat then...
Sunday 8 June 2008
Doing it my way
Righty, I thought I would publish this here so that people can stop questioning/interrogating me about whether or not I will be competing at the Worlds next month. The answer is: no, I wont be. My reasoning for this decision is as follows:
1. I have sailed no more than 7 times since the Worlds in Garda last year.
2. That sailing has not all been in my own boat.
3. My boat is not a ready-set-up foiler that I can just jump in and fly - it is something entirely different to everything else that is out there and I have not yet managed to get it working to its full potential.
4. I do not yet feel that I have enough control to be on a race course with 10 boats, let alone 80.
5. I am not that keen on racing and never really have been. I enjoy sailing for sailing, not for competition. Maybe this will one day change, but it hasn't yet.
6. I would like to race for the first time when I feel ready, not when everybody else is telling me I should be.
I may well be in Weymouth for the week of the Worlds, and I may well have a boat with me, but I will not be competing. I will be continuing to learn and develop at my own rate of knots and having a bloody good time.
That's all for now...FBG goes sailing again next weekend!
Em
1. I have sailed no more than 7 times since the Worlds in Garda last year.
2. That sailing has not all been in my own boat.
3. My boat is not a ready-set-up foiler that I can just jump in and fly - it is something entirely different to everything else that is out there and I have not yet managed to get it working to its full potential.
4. I do not yet feel that I have enough control to be on a race course with 10 boats, let alone 80.
5. I am not that keen on racing and never really have been. I enjoy sailing for sailing, not for competition. Maybe this will one day change, but it hasn't yet.
6. I would like to race for the first time when I feel ready, not when everybody else is telling me I should be.
I may well be in Weymouth for the week of the Worlds, and I may well have a boat with me, but I will not be competing. I will be continuing to learn and develop at my own rate of knots and having a bloody good time.
That's all for now...FBG goes sailing again next weekend!
Em
Thursday 5 June 2008
Nationals this weekend
Not much going on lately due to poor weather and far too much work to do in the real world...
I did manage to get out on the water for a couple of hours yesterday in a nice 12 knot southerly which is pretty much how it should be, Edward was behaving beautifully and was letting me get lots of tacks and gibes in in preparation for the nationals at Weymouth this weekend. It's looking like a big turnout with all the hotshots getting in some practice at the worlds venue.
Will update over the weekend with all the latest gossip!
I did manage to get out on the water for a couple of hours yesterday in a nice 12 knot southerly which is pretty much how it should be, Edward was behaving beautifully and was letting me get lots of tacks and gibes in in preparation for the nationals at Weymouth this weekend. It's looking like a big turnout with all the hotshots getting in some practice at the worlds venue.
Will update over the weekend with all the latest gossip!
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Dogs off Chains...
This was what was awaiting me on Monday at the club... Needless to say I went back to work instead!
Sunday 25 May 2008
Foiling tack practice...
After letting Emma loose in Edward on Wedneday afternoon I got out for a bit of tacking practice. It's getting pretty close now and Emma caught one of my worse efforts at the end of the sail on camera...
While I'm definitely touching down mid tack, the boat isn't stalling on most of them. Just need to get out a bit more! Unfortunately the weather is doing the same thing it has for months now and blowing northerly so a bank holiday weekend is wasted at BCYC...
While I'm definitely touching down mid tack, the boat isn't stalling on most of them. Just need to get out a bit more! Unfortunately the weather is doing the same thing it has for months now and blowing northerly so a bank holiday weekend is wasted at BCYC...
Thursday 22 May 2008
Some More Jam
Wednesday came around again, this week with a more sensible breeze. 10-12 knots and sunshine - lovely. Mike had made a few tuning changes to his boat, so went for a spin to check the set-up before I took the helm.
When I first got started this week, I had a few troubles remembering how everything worked, but once I got sorted I went for some brilliant blasts across the lake. I think I was lasting a lot longer before crashing this week and, on occasion, crashed only because I had reached the other side of the lake!
I decided, though, that this was not the best option and it would be much more sensible to actually attempt to learn how to change direction. So, I did some tacking practice. While my tacks are neither very fast, nor terribly graceful, I am pleased to say that they get round now. This is a big yay for me, as I never really got the hang of them in lowriding FBG, due to her excessive bum buoyancy. So, I was pleased. I also managed one very exciting bum-in-the-air gybe (and I am no longer talking about the boat's bum). This new style of gybing may not yet have been embraced by mothies around the globe, and may not be as fast as their more conventional techniques, but I think it should get points for style at the very least.
Anyway, I was pleased with the day's progress and even hit a new top speed:
Next week I hope to take my own boat out. For starters, she has righting lines, so it won't take me ten minutes to get the rig out of the water after every capsize. We have also done a bit more work to the control system, so as to lose less lift in the system, so hopefully she will be behaving well. I will, of course, let you know.
Em
When I first got started this week, I had a few troubles remembering how everything worked, but once I got sorted I went for some brilliant blasts across the lake. I think I was lasting a lot longer before crashing this week and, on occasion, crashed only because I had reached the other side of the lake!
I decided, though, that this was not the best option and it would be much more sensible to actually attempt to learn how to change direction. So, I did some tacking practice. While my tacks are neither very fast, nor terribly graceful, I am pleased to say that they get round now. This is a big yay for me, as I never really got the hang of them in lowriding FBG, due to her excessive bum buoyancy. So, I was pleased. I also managed one very exciting bum-in-the-air gybe (and I am no longer talking about the boat's bum). This new style of gybing may not yet have been embraced by mothies around the globe, and may not be as fast as their more conventional techniques, but I think it should get points for style at the very least.
Anyway, I was pleased with the day's progress and even hit a new top speed:
Next week I hope to take my own boat out. For starters, she has righting lines, so it won't take me ten minutes to get the rig out of the water after every capsize. We have also done a bit more work to the control system, so as to lose less lift in the system, so hopefully she will be behaving well. I will, of course, let you know.
Em
Tuesday 20 May 2008
Weird ol' Weston
For some reason, I have yet to attend an open at Weston that has decent breeze - This year was no exception. 5-10 knots and all over the place was the recipe for Saturday and we all got a showcase of early foiling by Mr Vials. I however managed to hit the wrong corner pretty much every time and barely escaped with a couple of 5ths, managing to be last at the windwark mark at least twice...
James Roche played host on Saturday night with the highlight of the weekend, a BBQ full of goodies which went down very nicely.
Sunday had more breeze, but still pretty marginal at times. A minute off the start line and I was in the water trying to tie my kicker back together again, 5 minutes later and I was off again. upwind pace was good and by the second windward mark I was up to 5th and just behind Alex Adams in his new M3 mod.
Unfortunately for me, I went out looking for wind on the run and came downhill too close to the zapcat course where their support rib had the good manners to gun it right infront of me causing a nasty stack and a broken control rod... Day over - by the time I was back in most of the second race was done and no time to get out for the third.
Anyway, pace was good, more tuning options underway and the Nationals is the next event. Roll on Weymouth
Heres a couple of pics of Alex's new boat - Name suggestions included Skeletor and Scary Pirate Swingball, which while not relevant has to be the most entertaining name for a boat ever...
James Roche played host on Saturday night with the highlight of the weekend, a BBQ full of goodies which went down very nicely.
Sunday had more breeze, but still pretty marginal at times. A minute off the start line and I was in the water trying to tie my kicker back together again, 5 minutes later and I was off again. upwind pace was good and by the second windward mark I was up to 5th and just behind Alex Adams in his new M3 mod.
Unfortunately for me, I went out looking for wind on the run and came downhill too close to the zapcat course where their support rib had the good manners to gun it right infront of me causing a nasty stack and a broken control rod... Day over - by the time I was back in most of the second race was done and no time to get out for the third.
Anyway, pace was good, more tuning options underway and the Nationals is the next event. Roll on Weymouth
Heres a couple of pics of Alex's new boat - Name suggestions included Skeletor and Scary Pirate Swingball, which while not relevant has to be the most entertaining name for a boat ever...
Thursday 15 May 2008
Foiling Form
I'm quite chuffed today.
Scott Babbage has listed me with a worthy mention at the bottom of his form guide! This is something of a shock really - pretty much everyone on his list has an Olympic campaign behind them or some pretty serious sailing history. I did alright in the National 12 fleet once upon a time but barely have any big fleet racing experience...
Either way I have left it far too late to start the crash diet and just can't resist the double choc cookies.
Its going to be pretty interesting to see how it all pans out in July at Weymouth and to be honest I'm not really putting my money anywhere, plenty have a shot - it will likely be the English weathers' unpredictability that decides the scores.
Scott Babbage has listed me with a worthy mention at the bottom of his form guide! This is something of a shock really - pretty much everyone on his list has an Olympic campaign behind them or some pretty serious sailing history. I did alright in the National 12 fleet once upon a time but barely have any big fleet racing experience...
Either way I have left it far too late to start the crash diet and just can't resist the double choc cookies.
Its going to be pretty interesting to see how it all pans out in July at Weymouth and to be honest I'm not really putting my money anywhere, plenty have a shot - it will likely be the English weathers' unpredictability that decides the scores.
Wednesday sailing
Turned out a bit crappy really. The wind has been all over the place for ages now and we had a really shocking northerly, blowing right over the hill and down the gorge with gusts of 25+ knots and lulls of 5 making any useful sailing go right out the window.
Emma and I had gone down to do a bit of tuning on Fat Bottomed Girl, which should now be working loads better after some cable sorting with the plan being for me to take her out and get her tuned up with Emma sailing Edward. With the weather doing what it was we decided against and I just took Edward out for a brief spin to make sure she is sorted for the weekends open at Weston.
5 boats out though, and four of them foilers! Wouldn't have dreamt that this time last year!
Emma and I had gone down to do a bit of tuning on Fat Bottomed Girl, which should now be working loads better after some cable sorting with the plan being for me to take her out and get her tuned up with Emma sailing Edward. With the weather doing what it was we decided against and I just took Edward out for a brief spin to make sure she is sorted for the weekends open at Weston.
5 boats out though, and four of them foilers! Wouldn't have dreamt that this time last year!
Wednesday 7 May 2008
Skinny-Bottomed Foiling: wings well and truly earned
I did it!
Today I took out Jamming with Edward and I flew....like, really.
We got to the club at about 2pm to find bright, beautiful sunshine and an 8-10knot breeze - perfect conditions my first real flight. Before I launched I was pretty nervous, as this boat is Mike's baby. I was scared of breaking her or, for that matter, hurting me. But I couldn't chicken out, the conditions were just too perfect.
So, off I went, and boy did I go! It was amazing just how much less effort is required to get flying in that boat than in mine. You just sort of sheet in and pop up - incredible! It took a few blasts across the lake and some frustrating capsizes before I got the hang of it, but with a bit of grit and determination I got there.
I don't think there are words in the English language to describe that feeling. It is just magical. I think the silence is what makes it so special; you just glide along and make no sound. Except, of course, for the whooping. There definitely was whooping.
And there were crashes - pretty impressive ones at that. Unfortunately the last left me with a dead arm and I had to abandon ship and be rescued by my rib-driving knight. But that was after the most awesome sail of my life. I think the grin will last for days!
No GPS, so no top speed, but here is some evidence:
Now to get FBG going properly...unless anyone has a foiler they wish to donate, of course ;-)
Today I took out Jamming with Edward and I flew....like, really.
We got to the club at about 2pm to find bright, beautiful sunshine and an 8-10knot breeze - perfect conditions my first real flight. Before I launched I was pretty nervous, as this boat is Mike's baby. I was scared of breaking her or, for that matter, hurting me. But I couldn't chicken out, the conditions were just too perfect.
So, off I went, and boy did I go! It was amazing just how much less effort is required to get flying in that boat than in mine. You just sort of sheet in and pop up - incredible! It took a few blasts across the lake and some frustrating capsizes before I got the hang of it, but with a bit of grit and determination I got there.
I don't think there are words in the English language to describe that feeling. It is just magical. I think the silence is what makes it so special; you just glide along and make no sound. Except, of course, for the whooping. There definitely was whooping.
And there were crashes - pretty impressive ones at that. Unfortunately the last left me with a dead arm and I had to abandon ship and be rescued by my rib-driving knight. But that was after the most awesome sail of my life. I think the grin will last for days!
No GPS, so no top speed, but here is some evidence:
Now to get FBG going properly...unless anyone has a foiler they wish to donate, of course ;-)
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Moth Open at BCYC
The 26th and 27th of April saw the second Moth GP event of the season at Bristol Corinthian YC.
Bright sunshine and a beautiful 12-15 knot breeze and plenty of sunburn was the recipe for Saturday’s sailing with an impromptu foil school session from Bristol Mothie Mike Cooke. Foiling gybes and some windward/leewards were the order of the day, with a splash of video debriefing so we could all cheer on the best crashes.
Sunday had everyone sitting around waiting for the breeze to fill in, allowing some boat fettling and a GPS recovery session, after Poole Moth Squadron leader Rod Harris lost his during a swimming race, luckily he had some goggles in his car and it was retrieved from 15 feet down in surprisingly good working order! It was complaining that it couldn't find the satellites underwater though and was asking if it was indoors...
The breeze came in after lunch and started to settle, allowing race one in a good 15 knot wind. This gave Mike Cooke in his Axiom v4 the chance to stretch his legs and take a convincing win from Chris Anstead from Queen Mary in his Bladerider and Rod Harris in his M3 in third place.
The second race was sailed in a very patchy 10 knot breeze, allowing for some big gains to be made by sailing around the moths that could be found parked in holes! Chris took the gauntlet, closely followed by Mike and these two traded places until the final run, where Alan Watson in his Prowler nearly foiled past them both. Mike got a lucky puff and made a beeline for the leeward mark while the others were forced higher. A photo finish at the line saw Chris not quite laying and forced to tack and letting Alan through to second.
Overall results:
1st Mike Cooke 3191, Axiom v4, BCYC
2nd Chris Anstead 3152, Bladerider, QMSC
3rd Alan Watson 4091, Prowler, BCYC
4th Rod Harris 4092, Mistress 3, PYC
6th Helen Rollinson, 4052, Hungry Tiger, BCYC, First female
8th Katherine Knight, 4056, Axeman, PYC, First Lowrider
Monday 28 April 2008
Fat-Bottomed Frustration
FBG and I went sailing with lots of other Moths on Saturday, when 10 moths hit the water for some pre-open-meeting training at BCYC. The sun was out and there was a beautiful 12 knots of breeze, so a great day for some more boat-testing.
Mike and I had made a few changes to the foil system in the morning, as there was just too much play in the control rod with it going through the boat. This is due to the fact I have an early set of foils on which the flap is pushed by the rod rather than pulled. My carbon push rod had been flexing far too much when pushed, leading to a lot of lost lift, so we have now converted to a teleflex cable running on the outside of the boat (like on the Prowlers).
My blast around the lake was mostly good fun, however I am beginning to feel quite frustrated at how much tweaking is involved in trying to get a completely new boat to work properly. I am still having to work extremely hard to get the boat to take off; it's not just a smooth transition when I hit a certain speed. I also struggle as the boat is currently set up to foil pretty low, so I wasn't even aware that I was flying when I was! Thankfully I was filmed doing so, so I can actually believe it happened! (I'll post the film when I have it) Plus I hit 14.8 knots, which has got to mean something was going well.
The plan now is for me to have a go in Mike's boat, maybe on Wednesday, so that I can see how I get on in a moth that is actually fully set-up and working. I am hoping that this will boost my confidence in my abilities, as I am beginning to doubt myself sailing in my own boat. That said, I do not intend to give up on FBG just yet. Mike is going to take her out for a spin and will try to figure out exactly what needs changing to improve her performance and we will go from there.
I have to keep reminding myself that noone finds these things easy straight away and that what I am doing essentially is a development programme on an entirely new boat. And considering my helming experiences prior to this project were in Puffin Pacers and pottering about in Toppers, I am doing pretty bloomin' well!
You've not seen the last of me yet....
Em
Mike and I had made a few changes to the foil system in the morning, as there was just too much play in the control rod with it going through the boat. This is due to the fact I have an early set of foils on which the flap is pushed by the rod rather than pulled. My carbon push rod had been flexing far too much when pushed, leading to a lot of lost lift, so we have now converted to a teleflex cable running on the outside of the boat (like on the Prowlers).
My blast around the lake was mostly good fun, however I am beginning to feel quite frustrated at how much tweaking is involved in trying to get a completely new boat to work properly. I am still having to work extremely hard to get the boat to take off; it's not just a smooth transition when I hit a certain speed. I also struggle as the boat is currently set up to foil pretty low, so I wasn't even aware that I was flying when I was! Thankfully I was filmed doing so, so I can actually believe it happened! (I'll post the film when I have it) Plus I hit 14.8 knots, which has got to mean something was going well.
The plan now is for me to have a go in Mike's boat, maybe on Wednesday, so that I can see how I get on in a moth that is actually fully set-up and working. I am hoping that this will boost my confidence in my abilities, as I am beginning to doubt myself sailing in my own boat. That said, I do not intend to give up on FBG just yet. Mike is going to take her out for a spin and will try to figure out exactly what needs changing to improve her performance and we will go from there.
I have to keep reminding myself that noone finds these things easy straight away and that what I am doing essentially is a development programme on an entirely new boat. And considering my helming experiences prior to this project were in Puffin Pacers and pottering about in Toppers, I am doing pretty bloomin' well!
You've not seen the last of me yet....
Em
Wednesday 16 April 2008
Fat-Bottomed Freefall
So, Wednesday came around again, along with the sun and another lovely breeze. Having been suffering from an evil cold/chesty cough for the last few days, I was unsure as to whether or not sailing was a good idea. But, obviously, it just had to be done!
I left the shore feeling confident that today was the day I would get some 'proper' foiling in. And it was, to a point. Having stiffened up the push-rod system so that it couldn't flex and lose lift, the boat felt a lot happier getting out of the water. It was when she was out it all went wrong! Currently, FBG appears to fly pretty low and I am having to sit a long way back to get the boat to fly and stay flying. I am finding this a very awkward position to be in, as it is easy to over-commit, leading to some rather unceremonious splats into the water. I did find, on most occasions, that I was getting the hang of pulling in the main to get me going again, even when most of my body was submersed in water.
On one occasion, however, I was flung from the boat and am pretty certain was in freefall for a couple of seconds before hitting the water. Usually, this would be all well and good, but not this time. The problem? FBG is quite keen on this sailing malarchy, so decided not to bother waiting for me. She had sailed by herself a good 100+ meters before Mike arrived in the rib to pluck me out of the water.
This little incident led to an early return to shore for both boat and me, as the splat had left me somewhat winded and spluttering in a non-ladylike manner. The water, I discovered, is still flippin' cold!
So, an early night for the FBG (in her newly-acquired bed in the boatshed), but I think a lot of learning was done. While my flights were still pretty brief, I was certainly staying up longer than last week and I have learnt that less is more on the ol' tiller when the boat is in flight. I have also learnt that I could do with some more lift from the main foil, so perhaps a bit more tinkering before next week...
New top speed: 13.8 knots (and I am pretty certain I was actually in the boat at that point).
Em
I left the shore feeling confident that today was the day I would get some 'proper' foiling in. And it was, to a point. Having stiffened up the push-rod system so that it couldn't flex and lose lift, the boat felt a lot happier getting out of the water. It was when she was out it all went wrong! Currently, FBG appears to fly pretty low and I am having to sit a long way back to get the boat to fly and stay flying. I am finding this a very awkward position to be in, as it is easy to over-commit, leading to some rather unceremonious splats into the water. I did find, on most occasions, that I was getting the hang of pulling in the main to get me going again, even when most of my body was submersed in water.
On one occasion, however, I was flung from the boat and am pretty certain was in freefall for a couple of seconds before hitting the water. Usually, this would be all well and good, but not this time. The problem? FBG is quite keen on this sailing malarchy, so decided not to bother waiting for me. She had sailed by herself a good 100+ meters before Mike arrived in the rib to pluck me out of the water.
This little incident led to an early return to shore for both boat and me, as the splat had left me somewhat winded and spluttering in a non-ladylike manner. The water, I discovered, is still flippin' cold!
So, an early night for the FBG (in her newly-acquired bed in the boatshed), but I think a lot of learning was done. While my flights were still pretty brief, I was certainly staying up longer than last week and I have learnt that less is more on the ol' tiller when the boat is in flight. I have also learnt that I could do with some more lift from the main foil, so perhaps a bit more tinkering before next week...
New top speed: 13.8 knots (and I am pretty certain I was actually in the boat at that point).
Em
Thursday 10 April 2008
Wednesday Sailing
Its good to be able to make the most of the Wednesdays now and get out sailing. After helping Emma get herself foiling for the afternoon I got out and got some practice in, with Em on the camcorder.
Its good to be able to watch yourself and see where you are going wrong!
I tried going for the race, but there wasn't really enough wind and the rope holding my ratchet block onto the boom failed - dumping me unceremoniously into the lake... Always next week!
Its good to be able to watch yourself and see where you are going wrong!
I tried going for the race, but there wasn't really enough wind and the rope holding my ratchet block onto the boom failed - dumping me unceremoniously into the lake... Always next week!
Wednesday 9 April 2008
Fat-Bottomed Flying
This afternoon saw sunshine and a lovely 10-12 knot breeze. Beautiful, and perfect for another go at foiling my fat-bummed lady.
And cripes, what a difference the foils make! While I was having trouble getting foiling completely (a few tuning and technique tweaks to be made), the boat really felt so much better. I got in a some really good blasts across the lake and did manage two 'pop ups' where the whole boat was out of the water. I was also getting to grips with tacking, which had always been a problem for me without the foils.
Unfortunately my photographer (aka Cookie) was not adept at steering the rather dodgy rib and taking pictures, so we have nothing to show you. It's a shame, but I now have the bug, so I am sure there will be plenty more opportunities for pictures in the very near future!
Anyway, here is evidence of my new top speed (it won't be top for long, mind):
I finally understand what you folks have been so excited about all this time: foiling rocks on with its socks on, that's for sure!
TTFN,
Em
PS - that manky thumb is not mine....
And cripes, what a difference the foils make! While I was having trouble getting foiling completely (a few tuning and technique tweaks to be made), the boat really felt so much better. I got in a some really good blasts across the lake and did manage two 'pop ups' where the whole boat was out of the water. I was also getting to grips with tacking, which had always been a problem for me without the foils.
Unfortunately my photographer (aka Cookie) was not adept at steering the rather dodgy rib and taking pictures, so we have nothing to show you. It's a shame, but I now have the bug, so I am sure there will be plenty more opportunities for pictures in the very near future!
Anyway, here is evidence of my new top speed (it won't be top for long, mind):
I finally understand what you folks have been so excited about all this time: foiling rocks on with its socks on, that's for sure!
TTFN,
Em
PS - that manky thumb is not mine....
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