This boat almost too much character. However, you can tell from the fittings this is a loved boat.
Spending the night aboard SR. Sunny and warm and calm here in Gisport.
The Varmint
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Category Archives: Sailing Research
A Knockdown
Fun video that shows that even Puget Sound can be rather fun and active:
Interesting recommendations from Paul Heiney
As I was developing my winter work list, I came across Paul Heiney’s blog about his recent sail to South America in a Victoria 38. I had just finished his book “Last Man Across the Atlantic,” so it was good to read about his recent voyaging:
To note for us Rival owners is his “winners and losers” list about gear. Based on his info, I’ve added the following to the winter work list:
– replace my CAV fuel filter with a Racor spin on (sounds much easier and safer in a seaway)
– add some LED lights to the cabin (we already really like our LED anchor light)
– investigate the Walden boom brake, which sound very nice when short handed
–tune up the Monitor wind vane and finally learn how to use the thing
–ponder a watermaker location if we ever get the chance to go long distance
Fun reading.
The Crash Test Boat Series
Yachting Monthly is arguably the best yachting mag in the UK, and if you haven’t seen their Crash Test Boat series of videos on Youtube, you should check them out. A donated Jeanneau was put through a range of misadventures (holing, capsize, fires, lost mast, gas explosion) along with expert tests of different tools and responses to the disasters. Very revealing– especially the tests of different ways to plug a holed hull and different ways to cut downed rigging.
Here’s one example– the rest are on their Youtube channel:
Remarkable single-handing report
The following is a thought-provoking video series about a difficult single-handed trip to Bermuda. (Westsail 42s are not small boats.):
We also enjoy Drake’s other videos, such as his crewing on Fiona.
Original film from “Once is Enough” by Miles Smeeton
I’ve just been reading Once is Enough by Miles Smeeton, a famous account of a Cape Horn attempt in 1956 by three in a 46 foot wood ketch. There is one or two surprises.
Once Is Enough (Sailor’s Classics): Amazon.co.uk: Miles Smeeton, Smeeton Miles: Books
There are main references in the book to John Guzzwell shooting film in a cine camera during the trip, including from a dinghy towed behind Tzu Hang, their ketch. If you are curious, fair examples of that film are shown here:
ITN Reporting 67: Cape Horn: Sailing Round the Horn
It’s a great book– a classic.
Round the Island Race 2011
This is fun:
The Isle of Wight Race had over 1,900 entries and some quite strong winds (and dis-mastings) at the start this year:
J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2011 – Latest newsRound the Island Race 2011