Wow what a day! Today I possilbly had the best day's sail in ages. A constant 12-14 knts and the water was as flat as a pancake in blazing sunshine . Whats not to like?
I also discovered this morning that both the mini Harken Carbo blocks on the mainsheet had exploded. And all this time in Mar Menor I thought Christ I had no strength in my arms anymore. So it was a great relief to discover that Harriet the Chandler had some in stock so I replaced them. Suddenly I can play the mainsheet again and can actually point upwind and do all of the things you are supposed to do. Always the golden rule in these boats is to check everything constantly to make sure it all works .
I also got the ride height working properly at last. I glued some small eyes on to the deck so the string that wraps round the adjuster is fed onto it properly and does not get itself in knots. Again another thing that is a joy to use when it works properly.
The last thing I have become convinced about is the need for an adjustable wand a la Mike Lennon/Philllipe Oligario for stable downwind progress in waves. I spent one afternoon at Mar Menor in a rib when there was a sizeable chop present. Whilst everyone else was going up and down like a yo yo (porpoising in other words and sometimes crashing) Mike kept his wand short and probably was not varying more than +/- 6 inches up and down and was therefore a damn sight faster as a consequence. You could see the wand staying vertical most of the time working at the front of the bow instead of being pushed back. Anyway both Jason and I have ordered the same design as Mike's from his friend Pete. Its going to be a cracking gadget for the Torbay Nationals where, if memory serves, it can kick up waves from time to time.
Also its time to enter some events. I am down to do Parkstone, Weymouth and Torbay and am looking forward to them tremendously. I am not expecting great things but a week at Mar Menor has built up my confidence sufficiently to think I can now do these things.
Weird one re the eyelets for the ride height adjuster. Had them on the Balderider, they worked great. Didn't both on the Mach 2, and it works great!. I think the difference is that I run the control line portion through a small block bungied to the vang control line attachments. Keeps the line system under tension and I've never had a line foul even with out the eyeletes.
ReplyDeleteRe adjustable wand, having an adjustable vang bungee will also work. I'm running same system Amac had set up on his boat. End result is the same, there are times when you need to boat down not up, and a much faster reacting wand will also do it.
Final point, I'm wait to see the Assassin come back re your pictures comments :)
Great blog, good reading