Full batten mainsails for cruising sails
Whether you sail a modest cruising sailboat or a large yacht, having the right rigging will make sailing easier. This article discusses the things you need to consider when thinking about full batten main sails.
Bermuda 1-2: Class 40 crew de-brief
The Bermuda 1-2 is the oldest short-handed race on the East Coast. Held every 2 years on the odd year, it was first run in 1977. It is a solo race from Newport (R.I) to Bermuda and then a double-handed race back to Newport. Sailors from this race, and the O.S.T.A.R., gave birth in the early 1908’s to the then named B.O.C which became the Around Alone & is now the Velux 5 oceans and so the Bermuda 1-2 might also be rightly known as the spiritual Grand father to the Vendee globe.
Adjustable Backstays: Rigging a fast (acting), light, simple and non-hydraulic backstay adjuster
And I ‘I'll bet it was cheap to build: Last summer I was in the UK doing a delivery and I ended up in Lymington. While strolling the docks, I came across a Contessa 32 with what I thought was a great modification/addition to the boats standing rigging in the form of a fast acting, light, simple and hydraulics-free backstay adjuster.
Bowsprits: Even a modest sprit can make using the cruising chute easier.
A bowsprit need not be too long, too complicated or too super-duper expensive. Utilizing one will however almost certainly make using the cruising 'chute easier. This first part will discuss the problem in general show and some solutions at the top end of the price range. Following parts will discuss more economical solutions.
Solent Stay: Offshore sailing rigging
Regular readers will be familiar with my interest in the “solent” stay, particularly for those sailing offshore, short-handed. A couple of nights ago I borrowed some new, lightweight, strong and inexpensive Antal thimbles from Euro Marine Trading in Newport and rigged up the demo shown below.
Jessica Watson: Australian Transport Safety Bureau preliminary report
Any one reading this website will be familiar with the Australian Teenager Jessica Watson, who, while on her first departure (aiming at a solo non-stop circumnavigation) from Queensland, on Australia's east coast, was involved in a collision with a bulk carrier.
J-105 Double-handed: The Greenport Ocean Race
Regular readers will recall my participation on the Greenport Ocean race this time last year: We were one of two Double-handed entries, and we won. This year we were sailing against 5 other boats including another J-105 rating the same as us--a 90 mile match race, double-handed in what became 25-30 knots.
J44-Offshore rigging refit
This post discusses some of the details I saw on a J 44 that had originally built for the then named BOC, single handed round the world race in the late 1980’s. The boat seems to have changed hands but is still outfit for the ocean.
J-105-Offshore sailing modifications
Regular readers will know I have spent some time on a J 105 doing distance races. This post discusses some of the issues that pertain to a J 105 (or any boat frankly) when contemplating going offshore. The fact that we are going double handed makes the ideas used even more important to the average cruising couple I reckon.
J44-Offshore rigging
Readers of a certain age will remember a J 44 named Zafu entered in the BOC, precursor to the Around Alone now the Velux 5 oceans. I saw this boat at Brewers Cove Haven boat yard in Barrington, Rhode Island earlier this week. There were some interesting things to note I thought.