Cowes Week

[colhel]

Looks like the 2nd day of racing to be cancelled this week and seems, to me anyway, becoming the normal Cowes Week weather. Looks okay for the fireworks atm though.

 

[Hermit]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
Cowes Week - Cowes Week Friday Night

 

[colhel]

I wonder if there'll be a last minute reprieve (as in previous years).
This used to be a much bigger event, will it ever get back to those days?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I wonder if there'll be a last minute reprieve (as in previous years).
This used to be a much bigger event, will it ever get back to those days?

It's very quiet this year. Maybe partly because of the weather. I must admit we have’t felt like painting the town red after virtually 4 hours on the water in 20-25kn of breeze, in an open dayboat. Enjoying a day at home today, our biggest gust here has been 44kn so far.

 

[Wansworth]

It's very quiet this year. Maybe partly because of the weather. I must admit we have’t felt like painting the town red after virtually 4 hours on the water in 20-25kn of breeze, in an open dayboat. Enjoying a day at home today, our biggest gust here has been 44kn so far.

Do you reef x boats?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Do you reef x boats?

Not in the last 60 years, since the current rig was adopted. The bigger crews therefore power through when it‘s windy. They’re pretty safe up to about 25kn, then, like most boats, upwind is safe ish but hideously uncomfortable. The amount of flying water, and the discomfort of being slammed about whilst sitting out hard over the raised coamings. Reaching, we 3 sail it even at 25kn. You’ll be at the back of the fleet if you don’t. Spinnaker poles break, and stressed parts start failing. Downwind, you have to guard against the death roll. Ease the guy, avoid dead runs if possible. Sitting on my sofa now, I’m not quite sure why we do it.

 

[Wansworth]

Not in the last 60 years, since the current rig was adopted. The bigger crews therefore power through when it‘s windy. They’re pretty safe up to about 25kn, then, like most boats, upwind is safe ish but hideously uncomfortable. The amount of flying water, and the discomfort of being slammed about whilst sitting out hard over the raised coamings. Reaching, we 3 sail it even at 25kn. You’ll be at the back of the fleet if you don’t. Spinnaker poles break, and stressed parts start failing. Downwind, you have to guard against the death roll. Ease the guy, avoid dead runs if possible. Sitting on my sofa now, I’m not quite sure why we do it.

Thanks,nearly bought a converted x boat…..back in 1972,seemed a good weekender