 Dan Knox Consulting |
August 2007 |
|
|
|
|
A view from the rear . . .OK I promised everyone that we would not put an hydraulic backstay on Luna Sea because I didn’t want to break her. She was not designed for an hydraulic backstay; the mast was designed to stay in column and not to bend. Our sails are cut for the mast to stay in column so why did I ordered one today? Why do I do this? Because the boat is now talking to me and she wants one. Really she has been very upset ever since we bend her boom and even though a new one is one order, I had to show her the deposit, Luna Sea just doesn’t like to go around with a bent boom. Add to that the varnishing project that has been on going on the starboard side for six months and you have a boat that is not very happy with the person currently assigned to take care of her. She is find when we go out for our afternoon sails but when we go out to a race that is when she really acts up. Two weeks ago we did a practice race of the Second Half Opener. We started our round were mark 10 usually is suppose to be and beat out to Point Blunt and then back toward Alameda. We stopped at the Estuary because well that’s another story but suffice to say that Luna Sea is never happy going to a boat yard and there are a few down there. She likes the Open Bay and the Ocean. Anyway it was smooth sailing for the entire practice loop. We were ready and fully prepared to make the big jump to get out of last place. So this past weekend we are out for the Second Half Opener all ready to go (by the way Charles is the best guy on the bay to head a race committee, he actually talks and gives instructions on the radio that people can understand) and even though we didn’t get the big guy course out into the Pacific Ocean things were OK for awhile. We tried the barge the line start method that I learned from my follow I36’s owners and of course no one let us in so after starting poorly (and waving goodbye to Charles as we rocketed by the RC boat at about 1 knot) we headed up on a couple of long beats towards Yellow Bluff (although there is not a marker at Yellow Bluff anymore). The wind was perfect, OK maybe a bit on the high side but perfect for I36’s. We were right in the slot and Luna Sea was very happy. We were leeward of most of the other boats on a port tack for a good long time so no one could see the varnishing project which also helped. While we were making good speed everyone was pointing just a bit higher than us. Not enough tension on the forestay because not enough tension on the backstay! We were right next to Harry and Chris on Pacific High and Tenacious and they were able to point just a bit higher; not much maybe one degree but by the end of each run they were one or two boat lengths windward of us. After rounding the mark and putting up the pole we headed down wind on what should have been a nice relaxing long run and boom the outhaul breaks again! On a run! So that was that for? I probably would have went on in a single handed race but the crew was not into that so we went back to Pier 39, took down all the sails, bagged them up and had a few beers. With no sails on you could see that the boom was really bent. I thought about taking off the boom, just so no one could see it but didn’t. Then we called Myphi, she came and drove us over to Encinal YC where we meet Art, Betsy, John and Nanci and proceeded to drink as many John Melton’s as I could and enjoy the always fine hospitality of the Encinal YC. Bonnie then showed up and after dinner we all went over to Freedom Won to look at the new varnish and all of John’s new toys. That boat is really looking good! John gave Myphi one of those big John bear hugs as we were leaving and thought he had broken her, but I’m happy to report she is fine. So on Sunday we missed Michelle’s Casual Classic race as the boat just wouldn’t leave the dock with one sail on a race day, casual or not with nothing hiding the bend boom. Even though many times we go out with just one sail for a quick sail in the afternoon. (After seeing Rick do it on Vanishing Animal we can do it and still feel like we know what we are doing.) But Luna Sea just said no. She was embarrassed. So I worked on my ongoing starboard side varnishing project for two hours and ask her what she wanted. I then took a nap and she told me to get on the stick and get the new boom ASAP but not only that she wanted a backstay adjuster for all the trouble we put her though. So I said fine . . . what else could I say? I promised Art I would take care of the boat so she gets what she wants. I’m just the care taker and I know who’s the boss. (OK Myphi is the real boss everyone already knows that.) I then called John and heard all about how nice Don’s spinnaker looked on Blue Streak (Don’s boat always looks a bit underdressed without a kite up) and the problems that they had with their spinnaker. I also now know it is possible to get up to 10 knots on an I36 if you count the ones on Freedom Won’s spinnaker. Those Kiwi’s on NZ92 have nothing on our own John Melton when it comes to setting a kite. John also said that Kit’s Cassiopeia went wing-on-wing which is hard to believe after sailing all the way to Hawaii with how many spinnakers on board? Well more than I remember! Still I’m sure they all had a great time and anytime you can see Don and Blue Streak sailing downwind it is a real treat and that all by itself makes for a great day sailing. Anyway we are still in last and we are still having fun. But there is always another race and next time we will have our full crew so look out for us. We are out to get Tom and Captain Hook! I still haven’t ordered Luna Sea that Peter Pan battle flag but as soon as she asks for it I will. --Dan
|
Send mail to
webmaster@danknox.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
