AZAB race / cruise. Anyone involved?

[cliffdale]

After years of wanting to get involved with this race I finally have the time having taken early retirement.

I'm still pondering whether to do it alone or team up with someone. I will be taking it as a cruising challenge rather than competing with the racing boys!

If you have 'been their and done that' I wouldn't mind some pointers.

What would be considered essential to renew / spend before 2015. Boat is Dufour Classic 36.

So far, I have renewed the navigation equipment and have 3 independent systems on the boat.

New sails and storm jib to fit on the inner forestay.

I have renewed the Autohelm but am considering fitting a wind vane steering system.

I would appreciate any must do or must haves!

Cliff

 

[snowleopard]

Some form of long-range communication - SSB or satphone.

Electricity generation - wind or solar

Adequate water capacity plus separate spare cans

Liferaft, EPIRB and any other kit the rules require.

Adequate gas capacity

Sextant and the means to use it

 

[jdc]

AZAB

I've done it twice, both times in a 'cruising' boat. The RCYC / AZAB web site was always pretty helpful in listing what was needed in the way of mandatory equipment, but it's pretty much the normal RORC list anyway. of course it includes bungs, storm sails, emergency steering and life rafts.

What I found less helpful was the insistance on a storm jib; my cutter rig has a roller furling saysail which I've used in F9 - 10 and considered adequate, but I still had to borrow an orange one plus a trisail. It seems rather a 'tick box' exercise rather than an expert review of seaworthyness. However the RCYC is always extremely friendly and helpful (interest warning: I'm a member), so get hold of them early is my advice.

You have to put letters (sail numbers) on the coach roof, and a bright orange patch. I used transfer letters we had made by one of the sign writing firms on the internet, and a scrap or orange sail cloth I was given by the ever helpful Penrose.

Astro nav is more debatable these days; for my first AZAB it was all we had, so damn well had to work. But it was only glanced at by the examiner in 2007 and the requirement may be dropped soon, if not already. But I actually enjoy it so do it anyway.

I remember that comms were an issue since when I last did it in 2007 you had to have email and send in your position every day, but now they use automated trackers. Nonetheless I think you should buy, hire or borrow an iridium phone and lap-top connection. Ed Wildgoose is the man (mailasail).

What you may find harder to do is find time to go on the various courses needed: sea survival and medical, both have to be done and in-date. The medical one was pointless imho, but the sea survival one really informative (albeit let's hope not actually useful if you see what I mean!).

Go for it - it's fun, sociable and not that hard-corps (sp? hard-core?) but nonetheless an adventure. A 36' boat should be no problem at all. Since I'm in Falmouth you can try a PM nearer the time and I'll show you the equipment I have (and which pased muster).

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I would echo what jdc says haveing done it in a cruising boat just download the RORC requirements and work yor way through them. I spent 3 years preping my boat prior to doing it. There are odd things like storm jib which like jdc having a cutter rig I had to go and buy an orange one and have a trisail track and sail fitted only to find some boats didn't have either and wern't picked up in scrutiny Radar reflectors if you go by the letter of the law some do not comply but their were lots that went past scrutiny.

It's a great experience and the welcome is second to none I would definitely reccomend it. You can now do the 500 mile qualifier by competing in the Falmouth 500 which esentially is a course round the Scillies and Fastnet from Falmouth. Or do your own offshore 500 mile jaunt and send your log for approval, thats what I did.

PM me if you want more info.

 

[cliffdale]

JDC and PeteHB

Nice to hear that you enjoyed the trip!

Did you go alone or have crew?

My boat is in Pendennis Marina and spoke to lots who sailed from there.

I'll complete the Falmouth 500 solo but thinking it may be better to team up with someone to the Azores. I have about 3 years to prepare the boat. Next big job is to triple the batteries and add solar panels and wind generator.

Cliff

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I did it two up, was originally going to do it single handed but mate wanted to go. I had an air x and that took care of all power needs ran the fridge the usuall instruments 24 / 7 switched the plotter on 4 times a day to drop a position on and when I wanted to check with radar what the tuna fishing boats were doing. Other than them we only saw 1 passenger liner and a that was it.
Food was probably the thing that took most planning in the end we took to much but we also ate very well steak & chips a couple of times (vacuum packed meats) fresh veggies lots of pasta and sauces, also took part baked bread although I made some and Nick baked me a birthday cake there is no need to live on dehydrated rations although we took some. There is a lot to be said for the anticipation, discussion, preperation and finally the eating of a good meal allowed ourselves a glass of wine with the evening at lunch meal and a can of beer at lunch time.