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June 25, 2005

On Route to RSYC - part 2

On Route to RSYC - part 2

I am sitting on a train heading towards Southend. We finally got to RSYC at around 0600 this morning. While the morning of the 24th remained as previously described the afternoon of the 24th turned into a bit of an ordeal.

I had just started to sleep when my father called me to assist in a sail plan change. The sky had taken on an odd colour and lightning could be seen hitting the sea in the distance. We popped in a reef, removed the light foresail and put up a small blade. As the frequency of the lighting increased we became concerned given we were the only large metal mast in a wide area. We headed off in a southerly direction in an attempt try and miss as much of the weather as possible. First the rain came and then shortly after, as if somebody switch on a huge fan, the wind arrived. At first we were fine and spilled the excess wind successfully but then we quickly found the boat on its shoulder, we had nothing else left to spill the wind with. Sheets flew and we started to drop the sails.

While we were clambering to gain control of the sails I glanced at the apparent wind speed and saw it log 46knots. On examining MAXSEA's electronic log it also captured conditions during the incident.

The whole thing could not have lasted for more than 30 or 40 minutes but resulted in damage to both the main and blade. A heavier No. 4 was put up and we started to make progress. Moments later it was time to drop the No.4 and go back to full main and genoa.

Our morning in Southampton was spent sorting out the damaged sails. Frank from DOYLES was on hand on a Saturday morning and assures me that the sails will be ready for Thursday afternoon.

All this action and we haven't started yet!

Posted by ninjod at 01:07 PM | Comments (0)

June 24, 2005

On route to RSYC

My father and I are currently on our way to RSYC for the start of the Santander race. Having had NINJOD's hull cleaned we left yesterday afternoon. We were making good progress at a little over 9knots SOG when the wind left us last night. For most of the morning the windspeed has been 0 and as I write this it increased to 4 knots.

Image taken on 24/6/2005 8:49

Posted by ninjod at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)

June 15, 2005

EAORA Janes Cup and Thames Estuary races

I was asked how we got on during last weekends races... My reply is as follows:

"Basically the Jane's cup was the 1st race on ninjod ( www.ninjod.org ) . We were completely fired up and ready to go. Class 3 started and I was feeling good.. Class 2 started and I was feeling ok.. We started ( not a bad start ) and I just overcooked everything. Sail trim was appalling and consequently I stalled the boat in the light airs. As and when the wind raised above 8 knots I caught up a few but then it dropped and I made a balls of it again… It was just a very bad day.. Still not one to give up I finished, got the toot and proceeded to start the engine and head towards Medway YC to get drunk. It was then that we discovered a diesel leak. I called the committee boat and told them that we had issues and were going to resolve out issues in Queenborough. I didn’t want to head down the river in next to no wind with a fuel leak!

We thought we had the problem sorted and got up Sunday morning for the Thames race. Unfortunately we had not resolved it properly, our engine stalled and small amounts of fuel dribbled. The forecast was that the wind was dropping so I made a call to abandon the race and ensure I could get my crew & boat home without incident, at that time I had some wind and tide in my favor! So, relaxed and under little pressure I sped out of the Medway with a kite up reaching towards Blacktail Spit & Maplin. By the time we got to S Whitaker we had 20knots (ish) up the chuff and were fizzing along quite nicely… A bad gybe then caused a monster broach. We recovered the swimming kite, put up a blade and beat back up the Crouch.

I have since read "The big dummies guide to sail trimming" and been to "sail school" and have kicked myself . Oh how I wished I had raced Sunday, Oh how I wished I had not bothered to get up on Saturday.

I am off to do the Solent-> Santander in under a month and after that will be doing more EAORA events. From where I currently am I can only improve !"

Posted by ninjod at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)

June 06, 2005

EAORA Saftey Inspection

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Image taken on 5/6/2005 11:58

In addition to the big race this year Ninjod is set to take part in some EAORA events. For this to happen Ninjod needed to be inspected for safety using EAORA and Category 3 guide lines.

On Sunday the 5th of June we met Bob, a safety inspector for the Crouch yacht club, at the end of the Crouch slipway a little before 10.30. Bob went through his extensive list of questions as we pulled out various bits of equipment. A few hours later we returned home with a signed safety document.

Posted by ninjod at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)