Ding, ding... Round 3 at Walvis bay begins!!!
There's no place like home... or in our case... the container.
Both Helena and I were delighted to 'clunk' the doors of the container open and lay our eyes on all the familiar tools of our trade.
Namibia had recieved alot of rain recently and the inland regions were as green as a golf course. Unreal. I have never seen it like this. As we drove towards the coast it gradually becam drier until we got into Walvis where... as usual... it was still as dry as a bone. the unusual weather had been playing havoc with the wind and the locals were telling us how we had missed very little in our three month absence. I was a little worried that the disruption to the regular winds might continue as our first day here was pretty calm. I needn't have worried as Good ol' walvis bay turned it on over the last two days with world-class conditions.
Yep, it's good to be back.
So we moved into the container... which means that Sailrocket had to move out. She sure is looking a little battle-worn. The varnish on the topsides has had a hard time and everything looks used. Good... so it should. We brought down bags stuffed with goodies to fix and replace all the necessary parts. Thanks to all of our sponsors who once again chipped in SP GURIT, EKSPAN, VESTAS, MARLOW, PI RESEARCH, HARKEN and BAYLISS WARE. The product support alone is great but the morale support is just as valuable.
So what next?
Our first goal is to replicate the last 40 knot run... to prove that it wasn't a fluke. Once this has been done, then we can begin focusing more on speed. this will involve trimming the boat by firstly raking the rig aft and then bringing the beam back. this should reduce the amount of lee-helm. Once this is achieved we will focus on raising the large rudder. I will do this progressively by going to an intermediate rudder first... and then, if all is well, to simply steering with the fixed skeg and its trailing edge flap.
Whilst all of the above runs are taking place I will also incorporate the aerodynamic fairing for the wing 'strut'.
All the while through this we will be kept on our toes by the difficulties of keeping this wing under control during all phases of operations. we are very aware that it can bite at any time.
We plan to bring down an extra set of skilled hands and the sooner the better. I have a few guys in mind who are not only very good boat builders but also pretty 'cluey' sailors as well. I just hope that they can be available.
We are currently at 'war' with the local internet system and borrowing time from day to day until we get our own established. Everyone wants you signed up for life or else to pay through your arse. Ho-hum.
So SAILROCKET is coming together nicely and we should be ready for sailing over the weekend. The first run back will always be a little 'nervey'. I look forward to getting it out of the way. the 'above' is our current plan... now let's see what really happens.
Cheers, Paul.
Both Helena and I were delighted to 'clunk' the doors of the container open and lay our eyes on all the familiar tools of our trade.
Namibia had recieved alot of rain recently and the inland regions were as green as a golf course. Unreal. I have never seen it like this. As we drove towards the coast it gradually becam drier until we got into Walvis where... as usual... it was still as dry as a bone. the unusual weather had been playing havoc with the wind and the locals were telling us how we had missed very little in our three month absence. I was a little worried that the disruption to the regular winds might continue as our first day here was pretty calm. I needn't have worried as Good ol' walvis bay turned it on over the last two days with world-class conditions.
Yep, it's good to be back.
So we moved into the container... which means that Sailrocket had to move out. She sure is looking a little battle-worn. The varnish on the topsides has had a hard time and everything looks used. Good... so it should. We brought down bags stuffed with goodies to fix and replace all the necessary parts. Thanks to all of our sponsors who once again chipped in SP GURIT, EKSPAN, VESTAS, MARLOW, PI RESEARCH, HARKEN and BAYLISS WARE. The product support alone is great but the morale support is just as valuable.
So what next?
Our first goal is to replicate the last 40 knot run... to prove that it wasn't a fluke. Once this has been done, then we can begin focusing more on speed. this will involve trimming the boat by firstly raking the rig aft and then bringing the beam back. this should reduce the amount of lee-helm. Once this is achieved we will focus on raising the large rudder. I will do this progressively by going to an intermediate rudder first... and then, if all is well, to simply steering with the fixed skeg and its trailing edge flap.
Whilst all of the above runs are taking place I will also incorporate the aerodynamic fairing for the wing 'strut'.
All the while through this we will be kept on our toes by the difficulties of keeping this wing under control during all phases of operations. we are very aware that it can bite at any time.
We plan to bring down an extra set of skilled hands and the sooner the better. I have a few guys in mind who are not only very good boat builders but also pretty 'cluey' sailors as well. I just hope that they can be available.
We are currently at 'war' with the local internet system and borrowing time from day to day until we get our own established. Everyone wants you signed up for life or else to pay through your arse. Ho-hum.
So SAILROCKET is coming together nicely and we should be ready for sailing over the weekend. The first run back will always be a little 'nervey'. I look forward to getting it out of the way. the 'above' is our current plan... now let's see what really happens.
Cheers, Paul.
posted by Paul at 2:01 pm
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