2016 Scuttlebutt Cherbourg Cruise

colhel

I can't PM you as I think you're full. Thanks for the offer of a berth but I'm struggling to get away from work on friday am and wouldn't want you holding a berth of your pal is interested. Thanks again for the offer.
 
Likewise, I have not received the spreadsheet??

I did post Monday eg today. Been collating the odd bits of info. Will finalise it tonight and post on here when issued.

Obviously info from series of posts and much from previous years.

Once issued please review and let me know any corrections. Biggest thing I need is to get best guess of numbers for wine tasting and evening meal.
 
colhel

I can't PM you as I think you're full. Thanks for the offer of a berth but I'm struggling to get away from work on friday am and wouldn't want you holding a berth of your pal is interested. Thanks again for the offer.

Thanks for letting me know. Maybe join me for a daysail in the future. PM box now cleared, unfortunately we get no notice when we've reached our limit.
 
I've just had a question from my crew, are there any dress regs for Saturday night? I assume smart jeans and T Shrits are OK?


Haven't you heard? It is fancy dress - everyone must come dressed as a pirate. I've got the appointment tomorrow with my local vet to have Polly microchipped, and I'm having my prosthetic (chair leg) fitting later.

Arrrr me hearties. :rolleyes:

Actually, no. No dress code. Smart jeans is fine (assuming we're in L'Equipage as usual). :)
 
Still not much agreement on the weather, but if it is more Southerly than we'd like and if leaving from Poole, can we point further East and then tack Westwards when the tide ebbs about 17.00. Any advice appreciated :)
 
Still not much agreement on the weather, but if it is more Southerly than we'd like and if leaving from Poole, can we point further East and then tack Westwards when the tide ebbs about 17.00. Any advice appreciated :)

The combination of tides and wind is a tricky one. Lee-bowing the tide forces the apparent wind around in a manner which enables the boat to point higher. The effect can be magnificent in lightish winds and strongish tides; not so much on a blustery day close to neaps, which is what we look to have on Fri. It is still a factor though.

The other main factor in getting to windward quickly is playing the wind -- lots of tacks in the tiddly 5 deg shifts (best left to those with racing crews;)) and more importantly getting the big shifts right. On Friday the wind looks like it will be coming from the SW in the morning, swinging to the South around 1:00 pm.

Putting this little lot together (if this forecast comes to pass):

1. Set off from Poole on stbd tack with the ebb under your lee bow (HW Portsmouth 4:00 am).

2. Bash away right through the ebb until the wind shifts to the S around 1:00pm at which point you tack to port and leebow the tide again (stronger on the French side).

3. Adapt plan and constantly consider a breakout strategy should you find yourself ahead/behind plan.

4. There'll be a clatter of boats (inc me) coming out if the Needles so Ch 68 is always there for a chat :rolleyes:

And finally: get your mainsail nice and flat from the start. Outhaul tight, cunningham/halyard twingy tight, kicker whacked on and if a fractional rig (I don't think yours is) wind the backstay on tight. It will make the boat much much easier to sail.
 
Nice advice on passage making, Dom, thanks.

What about Genoa cars, though? I never seem to get those right.

Looking at Passageweather.com COAMPS is showing a lot lighter but more southerly than GFS and It tends to be a bit more accurate, in my experience. I prefer to wait for WRF, the most accurate of the 3, before making final plans as it has more manual intervention.
 
Nice advice on passage making, Dom, thanks.

What about Genoa cars, though? I never seem to get those right.

Looking at Passageweather.com COAMPS is showing a lot lighter but more southerly than GFS and It tends to be a bit more accurate, in my experience. I prefer to wait for WRF, the most accurate of the 3, before making final plans as it has more manual intervention.

Firstly sorry didn't complete spreadsheet last night, left computer at another house - saga moment.

Re Genoa cars easiest way is to exaggerate them out of position. If to far forward the angle of the sheet results in the foot of sail is loose and leach is tight. If too far back the foot of Genoa is tight and the leach is loose. Correct position is when both are equally tight when sheet is pulled in. Obviously easier with well cut sails and more difficult with old baggy sails.

Last point by tightening halyard you can alter the curve of the sail and pull the centre of effort forward. If beating you need the sail flat but no vertical creases indicating its too tight.

Now having given this advice don't look at my boat for perfection as my 10 years old sails of heavy material to last on the charter market are past their prime but on our Wayfarer that we race they will be set right. If you want to learn sail trim I really recommend crewing on a dinghy in a one class race. Seeing an identical boat sail past you as its sails are set perfectly is a good way to learn.
 
Thanks Roger. I've sailed lasers so get the main, just never really understood Genoa cars, despite reading a lot. I tend to leave mine in the cntre, but as my sails are over 10 years old it probably wouldn't make much difference.

I like the tip on trimming the halyard, I'll have a look next time I'm close hauled.
 
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