Mmmmm... not quite!

So we headed over and conditions looked ideal. We set up at the start of the course and prepared to raise the wing. I noticed that there was a knot in the 3 mm mainsheet bridle. These lines can be pretty highly loaded especially now that we are aiming for higher speeds. A bowline knot effectively reduces the strength by half. I had to drop the wing in order to get to it.

All this took about half an hour but in that time the wind had built. I was watching the Tacktick instruments as I pulled Sailrocket out into deeper water. I was beginning to see alot of twenties and then the odd 21. I really wanted to sail. I almost pretended not to see the instrument flash 22... but then the 23 rang the alarm bells. Oneday soon perhaps but not quite yet.

Damn it. The conditions were otherwise perfect. we had lunch in the timing hut and then canned the day. It rarely drops off until dark. The beach was awash with jellyfish.

If it's not too little wind then it is too much... or the wrong direction or the wrong tide. All outright speed sailing craft need very particular conditions to perform and waiting for these conditions is a huuuuuge part of the game. It gets tiring always having to tell people that it's a 'no-go' but then you can't get pressured into the wrong decision when you know better.

So we came back across a very bumpy lagoon channel where waves were breaking over Sailrocket as if it was a submerged reef. No probs... tough as nails.

So we wait. At least we are getting out on the course on a regular basis. We will be there again tomorrow.

As the number plate on my Wuyang says... '50 or bust'

Cheers, Paul.

 

Paul Larsen
Mobile: + 44 (0) 794 684 1929
E-mail: paularsen1@aol.com
www.sailrocket.com