2017 Trials & Successes
After the forced, early end to 2016 because of the problems caused at the Hansa Worlds in Holland and the lack of success of us trying to modify a replacement mainsheet motor and my main boat tech-hand being diagnosed with epilepsy late 2016 and moving, the 2017 season didn't get off to the start that I had hoped for.
It was only this July that myself, my fiancee and Dan (my boat tech) started to iron out the problems. |
After the mainsheet pulley was back in the boat, the sheet was still slipping. Dan & I was about ready to throw the mainsheet system into the lake. I got Dan to drop the mainsheet system and operate it. i noticed the guide runners were lower than the main pulley. We fitted longer bolts and spacers to raise the guide rollers up so they were in line with the pulley. This helped but still didn't have much grip.
We found a kicker rope in the sailability storage container about 5mm thick but attached to a 303 mast, so we laid the mast across my liberty and fed the rope round the pulley just to try.
Success......... it was pulling in and out.
We put the mast back and went to three different chandleries, one was shut, another had no sailing sheets and the final one had what we needed but was end of the roll, 6.5 meters. Ideally we need 8.5 / 9 meters but we took it anyway.
We went back and fitted it but as suspected, the boom wouldn't go out 90 deg. to the boat so I would have a disadvantage downwind.
On the Wednesday, Dan was at hospital and I had to take Angie for her appointment at the eye clinic. Luckily by the time we arrived at the sailing club, Dan was already there setting the boat up and looking for a mainsheet, Terry (our brilliant guy who runs Sailability) gave Dan a new mainsheet but we could see it would be too thick without even trying it.
We got the masts up and launched Dreamcatcher. First time in 11 months that she had had a wet bottom.
By the time I was in the seat and did the final checks, the first race had started but I thought, "Go for it, I've nothing to loose." I crossed the start line 10 minutes after the start. 9 buoy was a millpool and when I rounded that, I floated backwards, sideways & sat there. I managed to grab a bit of wind in the sails and get to 8, then started to motor. Not as much as I did in Holland last year, but Holland was slightly, "Hold on and pray."
After a lap, I had just about caught the back markers, I crossed the line after 4 laps in 5th position, so after the adjustment, I'll probably finish in around 7th or 8th place.
Success was all we could had hoped for and didn't get a DNC on the first race. (DNC = Did Not compete)
This week, with longer mainsheet and on the start line, I hope I can get the place I need and keep finishing far enough ahead so I can regain the trophy that I had to give up last season due to being unable to compete.
Keep an eye on the Race Program 2018 page for my results.
One happy bunny, thanks to Dan and Angie.
We found a kicker rope in the sailability storage container about 5mm thick but attached to a 303 mast, so we laid the mast across my liberty and fed the rope round the pulley just to try.
Success......... it was pulling in and out.
We put the mast back and went to three different chandleries, one was shut, another had no sailing sheets and the final one had what we needed but was end of the roll, 6.5 meters. Ideally we need 8.5 / 9 meters but we took it anyway.
We went back and fitted it but as suspected, the boom wouldn't go out 90 deg. to the boat so I would have a disadvantage downwind.
On the Wednesday, Dan was at hospital and I had to take Angie for her appointment at the eye clinic. Luckily by the time we arrived at the sailing club, Dan was already there setting the boat up and looking for a mainsheet, Terry (our brilliant guy who runs Sailability) gave Dan a new mainsheet but we could see it would be too thick without even trying it.
We got the masts up and launched Dreamcatcher. First time in 11 months that she had had a wet bottom.
By the time I was in the seat and did the final checks, the first race had started but I thought, "Go for it, I've nothing to loose." I crossed the start line 10 minutes after the start. 9 buoy was a millpool and when I rounded that, I floated backwards, sideways & sat there. I managed to grab a bit of wind in the sails and get to 8, then started to motor. Not as much as I did in Holland last year, but Holland was slightly, "Hold on and pray."
After a lap, I had just about caught the back markers, I crossed the line after 4 laps in 5th position, so after the adjustment, I'll probably finish in around 7th or 8th place.
Success was all we could had hoped for and didn't get a DNC on the first race. (DNC = Did Not compete)
This week, with longer mainsheet and on the start line, I hope I can get the place I need and keep finishing far enough ahead so I can regain the trophy that I had to give up last season due to being unable to compete.
Keep an eye on the Race Program 2018 page for my results.
One happy bunny, thanks to Dan and Angie.
Hopefully my new power switch for my electrics.
Twist "On" & push down for "Off" thanks to Dan.
Should stop any issues when things go wrong like in Holland and save anymore motors burning out.
Once this is fitted and working, our next project is to get me a 5 minute, countdown timer that I can set & start, for easier race starts.
Twist "On" & push down for "Off" thanks to Dan.
Should stop any issues when things go wrong like in Holland and save anymore motors burning out.
Once this is fitted and working, our next project is to get me a 5 minute, countdown timer that I can set & start, for easier race starts.