This weekend's racing was back on Strewth for the Typhoon Series. I was backup trimmer - my couple of races involved cutting sheets, grunt work on kite gybes, and ensuring the cockpit was tidy. Unfortunately this means I have no real concept of what was happening tactically, so not a great deal to share. I did notice a couple of things though, mainly in the quiet periods on the starboard approach to the line!
The fleet is split into IRC divisions that group the fast 40ft-ers with the 52ft-ers, so it's quite a wide range of boats on the startline. With two W/L races, everyone was keen to get perfect starts and hence were grouping at the biased committee boat. Absolute carnage appeared to ensue! We avoided by being a little bit late...
I've always felt that relying on a gap to open up on a crowded start line is a slightly risky strategy, as the likely result is a slow start on the second row. However, good decisions from the back of the boat seemed to result in two starts that were actually reasonable. I think my impression of a bad start is still influenced by being able to accelerate very quickly (i.e. dinghy/small boat sailing) whereas being up to speed before the start in a big boat is very beneficial. We managed to shoot through the committee boat end gap in the first race, and found one mid-line in the second.
However, the most exciting part of the day was the "new" 3DL mainsail on the boat. It had a very large roach, but given its shape it looked like a delight to trim. It always surprises me at how versitile the new sailcloths are - the roach of this sail would twist off in a gust (gust response helps the boat maintain course and speed in large variations of wind strength) but then the sheet tension could be increased to bring the roach back in and create a flatter sail shape. All with the same initial lightweight sail shape! The other remarkable thing was that this sail could be picked up by one person on their own. Amazing stuff.
So all in all, a good day - we finished with two second place finishes and one line honours gun. I also felt a little better about last week's trimming performance when it was discovered that all the batterns in the jib had been put in the wrong way round...
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Wednesday 21 July 2010
"Do stop giggling like a school-girl"
Because I have a new boat, and therefore am physically required to sail it at every available moment, we took it out for another cruise on Saturday. With me this time were Greg and Kien, both of whom had had a bit of experience of sailing dinghies. However, this was a little step up in excitement...
A nice force 3-4 and bright sushine meant there was some comical sunburn afterward. Destination was again Pak Ah, for food and a swim. Swimming off the beach was like getting in a bath.
One lesson we learnt was on the sensitivity of the keel to stall - I had to take two attempts at coming up to the dock at lunchtime. Given that it only has a chord length of about 8 inches, as soon as you stop the flow over the keel you start to go sideways. Running into wash at low speed (with only the jib up) was an admirable way to do this! I managed it eventually.
I've still got a list of jobs to do on the boat, but it's gradually getting smaller. A few bits of line in key places, a self-return system for the pole, and (still!) an engine service. The major change will be the new name and new decals, which will be announced soon...
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| Giggling like school-girls. (c) DFK |
A nice force 3-4 and bright sushine meant there was some comical sunburn afterward. Destination was again Pak Ah, for food and a swim. Swimming off the beach was like getting in a bath.
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| Note tongue out, concentrating on not spilling any beer. (c) KH |
One lesson we learnt was on the sensitivity of the keel to stall - I had to take two attempts at coming up to the dock at lunchtime. Given that it only has a chord length of about 8 inches, as soon as you stop the flow over the keel you start to go sideways. Running into wash at low speed (with only the jib up) was an admirable way to do this! I managed it eventually.
I've still got a list of jobs to do on the boat, but it's gradually getting smaller. A few bits of line in key places, a self-return system for the pole, and (still!) an engine service. The major change will be the new name and new decals, which will be announced soon...
Monday 19 July 2010
RN2: Shenanigans, or how not to cross the start line...
Saturday was the first race in the new boat, and it was a day of mixed results. There are lots of areas to improve on!
The two races were being run by Hebe Haven Yacht Club, as part of their regular club racing. The particular difficulty with this series is that all fleets start at the same time, which means anything from 25ft (i.e. us) to over fifty are looking for the same part of the start line. This wasn't my first experience of it, but it was my first attempt at a good start in such a fleet. Unfortunately, it defined the races for us.
The first race was a two lap windward/leward race. I started somewhere in the middle of the line, but was a little late pulling the trigger so was quickly buried by some bigger/faster boats, and struggling to get clear air. So we tacked off to the right hand side of the course.
Saturday's tides and wind in Port Shelter. With apologies to GoogleMaps.
Unfortunately, this meant we were in tide for much longer than those that went hard left. They punched through the tide (and also got a little more pressure) so rounded a little way ahead of us. We were sixth out of eight, and it stayed like that!
Race two, and I had a spectacularly bad start. We decided that the only way to get to the favoured left hand side was to win the pin. I know, kind of arrogant for only my second start in a fleet of 40 yachts! There were two of us out there, both with the same idea. The other was the eventual winner (Black Magic) so at least it was the right place! I was a little early for the start, luffed a little, slowed too much, and was suddenly below the layline. Right - time for a quick tack. Tack - oh bugger, now I'm on port with three forty foot yachts bearing down on me. I tack back, failing to complete in time and hence fouling Avantgarde. Then I ran into the pin.
Time to disentangle myself from the anchor chain and do some turns! We managed to gain one place in the race, but ended with a seventh.
However, far from being a total tale of woe, there were lots of good points. One was my crew - it was pretty top notch, with Ollie, an ex- 18ft skiff sailor, being the new addition. Secondly, downwind speed was good, and once we'd made the first mistake with the tide we were generally going in the right direction at the right times. It was a shame that once we realised that it became a procession - there was really only one way to go (upwind and down) and therefore very few passing lanes. The other great point was that there were 8 Magics sailing, with two to three regulars still on the dock. Hopefully that will continue next season.
Same again in two weeks time. I have a similar crew, so here's hoping that I discover some starting skill in the meantime!
The two races were being run by Hebe Haven Yacht Club, as part of their regular club racing. The particular difficulty with this series is that all fleets start at the same time, which means anything from 25ft (i.e. us) to over fifty are looking for the same part of the start line. This wasn't my first experience of it, but it was my first attempt at a good start in such a fleet. Unfortunately, it defined the races for us.
The first race was a two lap windward/leward race. I started somewhere in the middle of the line, but was a little late pulling the trigger so was quickly buried by some bigger/faster boats, and struggling to get clear air. So we tacked off to the right hand side of the course.
Saturday's tides and wind in Port Shelter. With apologies to GoogleMaps.
Unfortunately, this meant we were in tide for much longer than those that went hard left. They punched through the tide (and also got a little more pressure) so rounded a little way ahead of us. We were sixth out of eight, and it stayed like that!
Race two, and I had a spectacularly bad start. We decided that the only way to get to the favoured left hand side was to win the pin. I know, kind of arrogant for only my second start in a fleet of 40 yachts! There were two of us out there, both with the same idea. The other was the eventual winner (Black Magic) so at least it was the right place! I was a little early for the start, luffed a little, slowed too much, and was suddenly below the layline. Right - time for a quick tack. Tack - oh bugger, now I'm on port with three forty foot yachts bearing down on me. I tack back, failing to complete in time and hence fouling Avantgarde. Then I ran into the pin.
Time to disentangle myself from the anchor chain and do some turns! We managed to gain one place in the race, but ended with a seventh.
However, far from being a total tale of woe, there were lots of good points. One was my crew - it was pretty top notch, with Ollie, an ex- 18ft skiff sailor, being the new addition. Secondly, downwind speed was good, and once we'd made the first mistake with the tide we were generally going in the right direction at the right times. It was a shame that once we realised that it became a procession - there was really only one way to go (upwind and down) and therefore very few passing lanes. The other great point was that there were 8 Magics sailing, with two to three regulars still on the dock. Hopefully that will continue next season.
Same again in two weeks time. I have a similar crew, so here's hoping that I discover some starting skill in the meantime!
Tuesday 13 July 2010
RN1: Trimming lessons on Strewth
One of the other boats I sail on currently is Strewth, a first generation TP52 (formerly Trader). Having previously never raced anything over 38ft*, it is a big step up in terms of loads, complexity, and crew work. She is currently being worked up for the Hong Kong-Vietnam race, and then (maybe) the whole calendar of blue riband Pacific offshore races in 2011.
I'm very new to the boat, and so am taking whatever chances are thrown at me. This weekend included a huge (and probably un-merited) promotion to main jib trimmer, and as one of two downwind trimmers. The adrenalin was pumping as I took the kite sheet for a tight reach down to Basalt Island!
Upwind trim is where I have most to learn. Points to remember:
I'm very new to the boat, and so am taking whatever chances are thrown at me. This weekend included a huge (and probably un-merited) promotion to main jib trimmer, and as one of two downwind trimmers. The adrenalin was pumping as I took the kite sheet for a tight reach down to Basalt Island!
Upwind trim is where I have most to learn. Points to remember:
- Oversheeting = slow. We only started hitting our target numbers once the jib was cracked off to the 3rd mark on the spreaders. In my defence, it's difficult to trim a jib that big and that new at first glance! However, it did mean we lost a lot of time on the first beat to the Ninepins
- Percentage calls help tell the driver how near he is to being in the grove. 100% trim should only occur when you're at target speed, at target headings, and at a constant boat speed. Once it does, trimmer is probably best up on the high side until something changes. At which point, he'll probably be shouted at!
- In-haulers close the slot. Sheet must be eased at the same time, or see 1.
- Jib car forward reduces twist and adds power to the foot. Use as breeze gets lighter.
- Jib car back flattens sail, and increases twist. Use as breeze builds.
- The back of the boat is always right.
Downwind:
- Face backwards to talk to grinders or they can't hear.
- Code 0 trim is like a jib with a flexible luff - be prepared to let it roll.
- Having a good foredeck means the back of the boat think nothing of sail changes.
- Inside gybes and outside gybes need to be communicated, and speed of turn altered.
Other things to note are:
- There was a massive lift and better pressure under Table Island and the CWB Golf course.
- Suncream needs reapplying at any quiet moment, otherwise your nose gets a layer of skin shorter.
Sorry, no pictures on this post. Maybe next time!
*Incidentally, the difference in length (14ft) is just about the length of the first boat I ever owned - a leaky Laser, purchased for all of 50 pounds sterling. It seemed like a lot of money as a student, but wasn't all that bad value given it was sold for a profit!
Racing Notes
Another thing I might use this blog for is my notes on what I've learnt from the various races that I do. These will be considerably less interesting than the general interest posts - apologies! Blame Stewart Walker and Jamie Mac - jolly good sailors with an encyclopedic record of their races. I have no illusions that recording everything will make me anywhere near as good, but I may as well try.
My enthusiasm might also wane, so blame this preparation on good intentions!
My enthusiasm might also wane, so blame this preparation on good intentions!
Monday 12 July 2010
New boat, new blog
So, I've finally started a blog. Who'd have thought? Not entirely sure what to write about (hence, of course, the title) but will probably chart progress on my new boat, and maybe a few bridge pictures and reviews. Mixing business with pleasure!
So, the new boat.
So, the new boat.
Photo credit: unknown, but via JP. Let me know if it's yours.
We (Elisa and I) have just bought Magic 25 hull number 62. Called Shenanagins (a very odd spelling, with an unknown vintage) she seems to have been sailed extremely well in Hong Kong for the last decade or so. Four Class Championship wins, Round the Island Record holder... This boat has a pedigree. Which was part of the appeal, as well as being well maintained and nicely set up. She doesn't seem to have been sailed for a while, so there are a few little niggles to work out before she is in racing trim.
We took her for a maiden sail on Saturday, just to try out the cruising sails and enjoy the perfect Hong Kong summer weather (southerly force 3-4, sunshine). Destination - Pak Ah for icecream and beer. Here is a photo of me looking pleased with myself.
Photo credit: Fran Knight
The next steps include refitting the pole, servicing the engine, and getting her certificated. And then (hopefully!) we'll take her out for a first race. We have someway to go before we can hope to match her previous results!
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