Run 10 completed
So we made it into double figures in Walvis Bay with Run 10 now completed.
It was a great day on the water and we came so close to pulling off the daily double with two runs. After the first run we went back to the yacht club, carried out some mods on the slipway and headed back out again... but conditions had strengthened so we pulled back.
We had a great group out with us today. Sailrockets designer, Malcolm, arrived shakily last night after being robbed in Windhoek and having his laptop, passport and various other gear stolen. The pricks lined him up and one guy diostracted him whilst the other thieving dog wrenched the goods. Welcome to Africa Malcolm.
Mind you... it could just as well happen in the UK!!! We took Malc out for a couple of beers and a good meal and soon we were laughing about it. It's the only way not to let the bastards win.
It was great that we could get out on the water so soon after his arrival. At first we struggled to get local helpers but by the end of the day we had a RIB full of keen locals. It makes the work lighter and the day more enjoyable for all. Cheers to Des, Terrence and Wally... we really appreciate it.
So all in all the day went well. The problem was that by linking the large slow speed rudder to the flap-rudder on the back of the skeg we had limited the range of the large rudder. This meant that at low speed, Sailrocket was very slow to turn up to the course. In fact it took me the best part of 500 meters just to get going.
Once going she performed well as I went through a series of checklists of various items. I was reluctant to kick up the large rudder as I knew I would need all of it at the fast approaching end of speed-spot. Seeing as I used up so much of the course just getting going, the fast part of the run was over pretty quick. I hit 29 knots pretty effortlessly but the main issues had to do with rudder, mainsheet and flap-trigger ranges. All of these were easy to adjust back on shore and this is all part of the 'dialling in' process.
All of the gear worked well but the data logging is proving to be an ongoing headache. I envy the simplicity of the kiteboarders. In fact, at 11 pm sitting here in the container, Malcolm and Helena are still struggling to work through the complicated programs to download the data off the boat. The gear IS good, but I can't help but feel that we are still fundamental in developing it for this purpose.
So we have made the changes and have a few more small improvements to carry out for tomorrows sailing. The weather looks to be good so hopefully we can pull off the daily-double... or god forbid, the trifecta. It was great to feel Sailrocket lift her skirts again and soon we hope to be able to focus on getting the most out of her.
All good stuff.
Cheers, Paul.
So all in all the day went well. The problem was that by linking the large slow speed rudder to the flap-rudder on the back of the skeg we had limited the range of the large rudder. This meant that at low speed, Sailrocket was very slow to turn up to the course. In fact it took me the best part of 500 meters just to get going.
Once going she performed well as I went through a series of checklists of various items. I was reluctant to kick up the large rudder as I knew I would need all of it at the fast approaching end of speed-spot. Seeing as I used up so much of the course just getting going, the fast part of the run was over pretty quick. I hit 29 knots pretty effortlessly but the main issues had to do with rudder, mainsheet and flap-trigger ranges. All of these were easy to adjust back on shore and this is all part of the 'dialling in' process.
All of the gear worked well but the data logging is proving to be an ongoing headache. I envy the simplicity of the kiteboarders. In fact, at 11 pm sitting here in the container, Malcolm and Helena are still struggling to work through the complicated programs to download the data off the boat. The gear IS good, but I can't help but feel that we are still fundamental in developing it for this purpose.
So we have made the changes and have a few more small improvements to carry out for tomorrows sailing. The weather looks to be good so hopefully we can pull off the daily-double... or god forbid, the trifecta. It was great to feel Sailrocket lift her skirts again and soon we hope to be able to focus on getting the most out of her.
All good stuff.
Cheers, Paul.
Paul Larsen
Mobile: + 44 (0) 794 684 1929
E-mail: paularsen1@aol.com
www.sailrocket.com
Mobile: + 44 (0) 794 684 1929
E-mail: paularsen1@aol.com
www.sailrocket.com
posted by Paul at 10:16 pm
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