In case anyone is interested, there is a Hunter 410 "Windsong of Mornington" racing in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race starting on Boxing Day. You can keep track of her progress on www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. Good luck, "Windsong".
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Invaluable lessons in heavy-weather sailing
I am not particularly interested in ocean racing but have always followed the Sydney Hobart race with special interest because of the often extremely rough conditions this race has been sailed under. Besides the fact that any mention of the Australian West Coast tends to evoke memories of "Rivendel II" struggling against a 4-day gale off the Northern part of that coast in May 2000, I am always eager to learn how the skippers of the participating medium-light production boats handle heavy weather conditions. If only more of them would put their knowledge and experience in writing....! Ever since a Hicks 35 ("Midnight Rambler") won the infamous 1998 race, in which several sailors and boats were lost during a severe storm episode, I have been fascinated by the report that "Midnight Rambler" did not heave to or run off like most of the other boats but kept jogging slowly against wind and seas under a very small sailplan. From my own brushes with heavy weather offshore, though never more than gale-force, I had already come to the conclusion that this may be a better tactic for a lightly built finkeeler with large spade rudder, e.g. by avoiding the crushing blows on the rudder when taking heavy seas on the port or starboard quarter while running off. Unfortunately, I have never been able to find a complete report from the skipper of "Midnight Rambler" (Ed Psaltis) in which he provides a detailed account on the way they battled the storm. Perhaps emboldened by the success of "Midnight Rambler" more and more medium light production boats appear to be entering the Sydney Hobart race every year. This year there are no less than 8 Beneteaus registered, 6 First 47.7s, one First 44.7 and one 42. In fact, a Beneteau First 40.7 won last year's race! Just imagine what all could be learned about heavy weather sailing from these skippers! Perhaps Phil could try and invite one of them to be a guest on this board? Flying Dutchman "Rivendel II", Legend 43
I am not particularly interested in ocean racing but have always followed the Sydney Hobart race with special interest because of the often extremely rough conditions this race has been sailed under. Besides the fact that any mention of the Australian West Coast tends to evoke memories of "Rivendel II" struggling against a 4-day gale off the Northern part of that coast in May 2000, I am always eager to learn how the skippers of the participating medium-light production boats handle heavy weather conditions. If only more of them would put their knowledge and experience in writing....! Ever since a Hicks 35 ("Midnight Rambler") won the infamous 1998 race, in which several sailors and boats were lost during a severe storm episode, I have been fascinated by the report that "Midnight Rambler" did not heave to or run off like most of the other boats but kept jogging slowly against wind and seas under a very small sailplan. From my own brushes with heavy weather offshore, though never more than gale-force, I had already come to the conclusion that this may be a better tactic for a lightly built finkeeler with large spade rudder, e.g. by avoiding the crushing blows on the rudder when taking heavy seas on the port or starboard quarter while running off. Unfortunately, I have never been able to find a complete report from the skipper of "Midnight Rambler" (Ed Psaltis) in which he provides a detailed account on the way they battled the storm. Perhaps emboldened by the success of "Midnight Rambler" more and more medium light production boats appear to be entering the Sydney Hobart race every year. This year there are no less than 8 Beneteaus registered, 6 First 47.7s, one First 44.7 and one 42. In fact, a Beneteau First 40.7 won last year's race! Just imagine what all could be learned about heavy weather sailing from these skippers! Perhaps Phil could try and invite one of them to be a guest on this board? Flying Dutchman "Rivendel II", Legend 43
Read Ellison's book...
on his experince in that race. (Larry Ellison of Oracle fame along with another writer. It's a great read and it's bonechilling what these guys went/go through in that race. Not sure if it's here at HOW, but link to Amazon is below...
on his experince in that race. (Larry Ellison of Oracle fame along with another writer. It's a great read and it's bonechilling what these guys went/go through in that race. Not sure if it's here at HOW, but link to Amazon is below...
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