R4: To Saltworks And Back

The weather didn't look like it was going to be very pleasant - however with a wind that was meant to be around 20 knots, and the wind direction was with the tide (so not too choppy) Sam and I headed out for an afternoon on the harbour.

The Crew

John (Captain), Sam crew - just us.

Course 8

From the start line to Saltworks Buoy (S), Bean Rock Buoy (S), Resolution Buoy (S),to finish line. 11.5 NM. Saltworks is out by the lighthouse, well not quite that far - but it seems like it. Then back to Bean Rock against the wind and the tide.

The Start

A shocker... we were stranded on the northern side of the channel trying to get across to the starting area, and the tide was extremely strong, so we were going sideways, seemingly faster than we were going forward. We finally got across the channel, giving way to what seemed like the whole fleet... and then had to tack to get around the buoy. At least we didn't hit it.

Progress

With the tide and with the wind. A good way to start, and our momentum carried us down the harbour, albeit in last position. We passed two boats by the time we reached Saltworks, and seemed to have kept them at bay to Bean Rock. The course to Resolution was very tight and we were outdone by our poor pointing, having to tack to get to the mark. We were gaining again up the harbour but did not make up places as we had hoped.

Result

We were back in the clubhouse by 3:30, had a beer and stayed until the prize giving. Not luck but we had a couple of nice çrafties' on the water and a very enjoyable sail - in some wind, no less.

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Cheers, johnhs

R1 Winter: We are K

Our first outing in a Winter Series for Richmond, Sam and I took to the Waitemata Harbour for a days sailing. Also the first outing of the new headsail.

The Crew

John (Captain), Sam - just the two of us.

Course 15

M-A-B-J-K-X From the start line to Flax Point Buoy (S), Bean Rock Buoy (S),Torpedo Buoy (P), Resolution Buoy (S), Bayswater Buoy (P),to finish line. 12.5 NM. That is we are K and not E this series, with a purple flag. I got the flag right... We sailed another course.

The Start

We headed up the harbour to have a few practice tacks and gybes as there were just the two of us, and Sam has not had a lot of time on the boat sailing. All good, and a bit of a routine seemed to be coming together. Then the boom just swung away - the mainsheet block had come away from the traveller. The shackle on the block had let go, and so with 8 mins left to the line, we had no main... I did have another block downstairs, which I salvaged the shackle from, and managed to refit it while underway - head-to-wind. We arrived at the line a few seconds after the gun - actually not bad after all.

Progress

Heading down the harbour in flukey breeze, we decided we needed to pole out the headsail. Having got that up finally, the wind went southerly and I had to drop it, and we didn't need it again. We were progressing down the harbour, but labouring under the impression that we were in division E no-extras when in fact we were in division K no-extras. So we sailed the incorrect course. I radioed to the tower to confirm the course number - "affirmative" was the reply - at least we had the number right.

Result

Noticing that the other boats in our division were not to be seen, I got the website up on my phone and established that we were indeed on the incorrect course, and so we radioed in to the tower and pulled out. Hence the DNF. Better to be sailing on a beautiful day in Auckland than not at all ;-)

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Cheers, johnhs