Archive for September 2018
Passion X lifted for annual antifouling treatment
Passion X missed the last two races of the season at RANSA due to crew missing in action in the Laser Masters in Ireland and the last race on the day we returned was abandoned due to expected strong wind. We are very happy with our result and much appreciate being back in Division 1 where we belong. We finished with a handicap of around 1.03 compared to Hanni, Joli and Amanti who finished with handicaps around 1.05. On one occasion we did finish with a fastest time from Allegro and had one second fastest behind Joli but in general we were around 5th or 6th fastest in the fleet. We do not have any more in the tank so to speak as the hull had been pretty clean all season and on lifting for the annual antifouling this week was in excellent condition and a great credit to the team at Harbour Dive Services who have kept the antiouling going for 18 months.
Congratulations to the Greenwich Flying Squadron team that had a great performance at RANSA. In Div 2, Hast la Vista lived up to its name and came second overall, missing by just one point. In Div 1 Agrovation was successful from Izzi with Joli one back in 4th place. I though the handicapper was being a bit tough on Joli during the season but then she did get a 2nd place in the last raced event of the year and shows how much she likes the windward works.
As always the racing at RANSA was well organized even if in now takes two men to do the work of one lady. (Sorry guys but a compliment to Janet) We were a bit disappointed that two of the races were abandoned due to strong winds. On these two occasions we sailed the course alone without any issues with the maximum gust just a short 32 knot burst but in general too little wind for a double reef and No 3 jib. In the last race the Middle harbour fleet sailed that day and most struggled with full mainsails. We did hit 11.4 knots in one strong gust but were searching for more wind given the rig we had up. By contrast last year when we were in Division 1s we were sent out to Manly in stronger conditions on three occasions and used our No 4 jib to advantage. Sadly the almost new No 4 has not seen sunlight this winter and won’t unless the race officer gets a little braver.
With daylight saving around the corner we are preparing for the Greenwich Flying Squadron twilight series. Since last season we have a few very small changes including a slightly larger No 1 genoa. The main reason for the increased size was to get the foot to clear the shrouds as the genoa off Passion is a little short on the foot and when sheeted hard rubs against the shrouds. The extra 4 m2 will come in handy on the lighter nights. We also have a longer whisker pole for the large genoa so that might be useful downwind. Our Achilles’ heel is our windward working in stronger breezes and we have yet to get the best out of Passion X in this department. She is quite tender and after 18 months of sailing we still have not found the right formula for getting her up to the velocity prediction program speeds run by the ORCi team. My current thinking is that we need the mainsail to be more automatic in the gusts with the leech of the sail freeing up more in the head. A lot of gust induced twist should reduce the heeling and keep the speed up. In the very light airs we have noticed how straight is the leech and have tried letting the boom sit on the solid vang with some success.
Touching up the Interprotect on the sharp edge of the delta bulb
Looking up the wind readings on Sydney Harbour from the Wednesday RANSA race left me with the feeling it was a good one to miss.
While the fleet was battling light conditions I was journeying to Ireland for the World Laser Masters regatta and regretting that we would be missing two important races at the end of the RANSA regatta.
Allegro and Joli did not make up much ground on Passion X on the leader board but for all of us the horses have bolted and our previous positions near the top have been taken by Agrovation and Izzi.
Hanni did well on the day and deserved a better result but the handicapper has her pretty well nobbled to continue the horse metaphor. The handicapper has still not relented on Joli’s handicap and it appears that spending any time on the podium results in a persistant bias to the upside.
At this stage of the season the only honour we can rescue will be a high handicap representing our standing in the fleet as a fast boat.
We will return for the last race hoping that our fellow GFS members, Agrovation and Izzi, stay at the top.