Stumbled across an interesting resemblence

Hammy the foredecky also known to appear in movies such as "Over the Hedge". You know the hyperactive one!

Results

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I think we won. Just.

The Cape Vlamingh race that wasn’t to Cape Vlamingh

Another race another good performance, and more tuning time and lessons learnt. We were looking forward to the race to see how we would stack up against OP and Sue Sea both being the same boats. Match racing on 50 footers now that’s fun!

The budding meteorologists on board predicted correctly. The wind turned out to be a light north easterly tending north easterly to nothing.

A better start, still 10-15 seconds late but in clear air and away to be first around the day bouy. OP were very late for the start and I don’t recall what Sue Sea were up to as I was still trying to pick which flags were up for the course. Course 2, damn, short course just to Rotto and back.

Had my head in the tablet and trying to find the day bouy with bugs watching the puffs trying to pick a bear away or jybe set. Bear away it was big kite up and gone.

A couple of jybes to get through windwills, still haven’t got the angles right and need to work on laylines. Found the day bouy it was near Rotto after all, not near Subiaco as listed in the yellow book. Can’t follow anyone when we are in front, this is different and perhaps a little too close to the Quokkers arms for many thirsty rebellers, still there was no mutiny as the motley crew were still on intravenous rum and we continued on our way.

Out to Fairway with a short dig, no3 kite up to head back to windmills, A radio sched, a little late due again to being out in front, and despite I told all 13 crew to remind me!!! But managed it well before we got to windmills. Dropped the kite around the mark and home. Did I meantion the prawning? (whoops!) keep that one quiet, no damage done.

We made good use of the wind before it dropped out and led all the way in 7-10 knots of breeze to the finish. We arrived back in the bar at around 2pm in Freo to a very unfamiliar scene. Well there really wasn’t a scene as were the only ones there. Will take some getting used to this big boat stuff..! Not only that but need at least 4 jugs before you get a beer. Now I know why the RO drinks wine.

When other crews did finally arrive the news was that wind died completely and most were parked for a great deal of time. Goods news for us I guess. We didn’t suffer this but the wind did drop down to 4-6 knots for a period just before the finish.

Now waiting for corrected results, Monday night at east freo.

Freo race 8

Pictures: Vanessa Cornwall FSC

The morning was spent getting Charlotte ship shape and getting all those sails ready to go.

Then out for a small play before the start of the FSC Round the Bouys Race 8. A cautious start (another name for late) but not to worry with the waterlength now to power ahead in small chop. One reef and no3 in 18-26 knots of breeze and naviguessor spitting out numbers to find those little sticks the big ocean. (not as much time to sort things out now).

Popped the masthead kite on the last run and hang on.....as we reached warp speed with acceleration.

Finished two legs in front of the next boat. Great fun. First and fatest just to top it off. The learning curve has just begun.

Training Weekend

The motley crew had a slick trip down to Mandurah on the weekend to test systems and get familiar with the new babe and she’s gorgeous. My wife says there are now too many women in my life!

Didn’t take long to break the delivery record to Mandurah. We actually shattered it without even trying in tame conditions with a self furler up. It now stands at only 3hours and 10 minutes.

Skipper alias “Joe” is the new boat mascot. He even sometimes takes over the helm when we need a rest, has been found sleeping with the crew and guards the boat when we are not around. Judging by the damage to O damn’s ankle he is an expert at self defence.

From the top of the mast

Well Charlotte is in the water, rig is in and today we underwent sail trials. She is one sweet thing. instrument commissioning and setting up the sail computer along with the first sail hoists and sail tests. An absolutely perfect day with 9knots of breeze (doing 7 knots) and no swell to speak of. Perfect for calibrating instruments setting sails and tuning of rigging.

Is that the time, last I looked it was 8am and the day is over already. Time flies when we are having fun.

Boys were up the mast (hence the photo) for marking spreader patches, most instrumentation is now set and calibrated, just fine tuning to go. We flew the no 1 kite just because we could and we wanted to see how big our houses really are in sq meterage. Only after when packing does it it hit home just how big it is. Takes 5 minutes just to stuff it in the bag! Plenty of sail area.

Discovered that the autohelm can tack the boat so we dont really need a helmsman! And I am a bit worried about the buttons on the display up the back. Should only be one toy in the playpen.

The crew is now eagerly anticipating the weekend for the planned training sail to Mandurah on Saturday.