GGR 22

jlavery

Well-known member
Joined
25 Oct 2020
Messages
645
Visit site
Yes, it's lazy shitshow.

I can't think of any other event which relies on only crap amateurish sound cloud recordings an off the cuff YouTube videos.

I've given up looking for a daily written digest of what is going on.

Apparently the skippers are able to post to Twitter. That's no good for people like me who don't have a Twitter account. Again, a digest of these on the website news section would be informative.

Are they strapped for cash and personnel? Such a pity, as it could be so much better.
 

zoidberg

Well-known member
Joined
12 Nov 2016
Messages
6,348
Visit site
Simon Curwen is playing a blinder 'reading the weather runes' and getting a lot out of his sails.

52456540310_c2aa347b6c_z.jpg


Numbers 2, 3 and 4 have, respectively, less than 30 miles one to the next. Kirsten is putting in some 'southing', probably looking for bigger breeze over the next day or two.
 

capnsensible

Well-known member
Joined
15 Mar 2007
Messages
46,581
Location
Atlantic
Visit site
Yes, it's lazy shitshow.

I can't think of any other event which relies on only crap amateurish sound cloud recordings an off the cuff YouTube videos.

I've given up looking for a daily written digest of what is going on.

Apparently the skippers are able to post to Twitter. That's no good for people like me who don't have a Twitter account. Again, a digest of these on the website news section would be informative.

Are they strapped for cash and personnel? Such a pity, as it could be so much better.
Day by Day

Hope this helps.
 

zoidberg

Well-known member
Joined
12 Nov 2016
Messages
6,348
Visit site
The ancient Mariner Don Jordan has released an article regarding problems and failures of windvane gear - now designated as 'Significant Safety Gear'.

This link may take you there: Windvane discussion

I'd be interested in others' views of the perspectives discussed.
 

dunedin

Well-known member
Joined
3 Feb 2004
Messages
14,054
Location
Boat (over winters in) the Clyde
Visit site
The ancient Mariner Don Jordan has released an article regarding problems and failures of windvane gear - now designated as 'Significant Safety Gear'.

This link may take you there: Windvane discussion

I'd be interested in others' views of the perspectives discussed.
Amusing that due to the volume of wind vane failures in the last race they have electronic autopilots kept for emergency backup. Perhaps be a lot simpler snd cheaper just to carry two electronic pilots and bin all the clutter on the back?
 

capnsensible

Well-known member
Joined
15 Mar 2007
Messages
46,581
Location
Atlantic
Visit site
Amusing that due to the volume of wind vane failures in the last race they have electronic autopilots kept for emergency backup. Perhaps be a lot simpler snd cheaper just to carry two electronic pilots and bin all the clutter on the back?
In my experience, wind pilots continue working in sea states beyond electric pilot on these sized yachts.

An electric pilot may allow you breathing space to repair your wind steering. Plus, of course, their ability to recharge batteries is limited. I've often had to carry a lot of diesel on various yachts on long distance passages just to keep the battery bank topped up.

I had a hydrovane on my own yacht.....fitted after a Caribbean cruise with a broken electric pilot!
 

capnsensible

Well-known member
Joined
15 Mar 2007
Messages
46,581
Location
Atlantic
Visit site
The ancient Mariner Don Jordan has released an article regarding problems and failures of windvane gear - now designated as 'Significant Safety Gear'.

This link may take you there: Windvane discussion

I'd be interested in others' views of the perspectives discussed.
I've used hydrovanes on three yachts....including my own....for ocean passages. No problems at all. But never in extreme southern ocean conditions. So beefing up the gear makes very good seamanlike sense to me!
 

dunedin

Well-known member
Joined
3 Feb 2004
Messages
14,054
Location
Boat (over winters in) the Clyde
Visit site
In my experience, wind pilots continue working in sea states beyond electric pilot on these sized yachts.

An electric pilot may allow you breathing space to repair your wind steering. Plus, of course, their ability to recharge batteries is limited. I've often had to carry a lot of diesel on various yachts on long distance passages just to keep the battery bank topped up.

I had a hydrovane on my own yacht.....fitted after a Caribbean cruise with a broken electric pilot!
I agree that what is needed for GGR is going to be oddball due to the oddball rules and objectives - sailIng slowly round the world without stopping to se any of it.
But for more ordinary ocean cruisers, these days it would be easy enough to keep batteries charged up without diesel - hydro generation plus solar would provide plenty of electricity for sailing needs.
 

capnsensible

Well-known member
Joined
15 Mar 2007
Messages
46,581
Location
Atlantic
Visit site
Yes it can be done. But in many many yachts cruising around, it doesn't seem to be. I see a lot coming through here every year. I would say solar is on the increase. Don't see too many wind generators. Watt@sea is dogs doodles but expensive and difficult to see who has it fitted.

But I'm enjoying the 'oddball' race around the world without the discomfort!
 

zoidberg

Well-known member
Joined
12 Nov 2016
Messages
6,348
Visit site
Just mulling over what's in my 'boat shed'....

....There's an Aquair towed generator, the wind generator to go with it, a Canadian wind generator-on-a-pole, half-a-dozen PV panels with outputs from 10A to 240A.... I have TWO towed logs in their boxes, and a Jordan Series Drogue. Oh, and a Seafeather windvane gear!

It occurs I AM going to get my twisters in a knick! :LOL:
 

zoidberg

Well-known member
Joined
12 Nov 2016
Messages
6,348
Visit site
It seems to me that Simon Curwen must have some 'Magic Dried Druid Seaweed' for sussing-out where the winds are.....

52465820666_4fd6146a5b_z.jpg


He's sailing a blinder!
 

capnsensible

Well-known member
Joined
15 Mar 2007
Messages
46,581
Location
Atlantic
Visit site
Seems that Guy is taking a massive detour to Itajai in Brazil for a hull clean. Is that the end of his race? Barnacles certainly seem to be a big problem.
 

Blueboatman

Well-known member
Joined
10 Jul 2005
Messages
13,804
Visit site
The old expression
‘ ship lost for a h’porth of tar’ needs updating perhaps.
‘ race thrown for want of a lick ’o decent toxin’?
( I would guess that the original race used something a lot better than Shogun- TBT perhaps)


Too busy rushing rushing , getting ready to do the GGR promenade PR to Spain for that vital last minute haul out and recoat of the SINGLE very thing that would win the race , all other things being equal !
Doh
It’s all in the details eh?
Must be very frustrating for this capable racer.
 

zoidberg

Well-known member
Joined
12 Nov 2016
Messages
6,348
Visit site
That Kirsten lass looks as though she might just possibly 'pip' Tapio into Cape Town for second place.

Simon Curwen continues to play a blinder.
 

jlavery

Well-known member
Joined
25 Oct 2020
Messages
645
Visit site
Yes, Kirsten has sailed a good race so far - very impressive. But don't forget she's very experienced.

Simon continues to get the boat in the right place weather wise. This race is, of course, different to the modern boat races - the speed differences on different points of sail on GGR boats are so much less. This means it's much harder to sail a blinder by getting into a different weather pattern. My feeling is that Simon is still reaping the benefit of getting round Finisterre first. And then following the basic maxim of keeping the boat pointing at the destination. Apart from his dive south of course!

I have to admit some bias. As a fellow Emsworthian I'm rooting for him . He's a friend of a friend, met him mountain biking and at supper a couple of times. A great guy. :)
 
Top