is ellen too high tec

[chrisb]

see todays post from web site teamellen .it appears that both generators have needed repairs [diy] as have both watermakers. note previous posts on this site regarding ellens use of power.i have made several posts this autumn regarding renewable energy at sea and have recieved excellent advice from stingo and talbot and others regarding wind and sea driven generators. it seems that ellen has no nature driven backup and does not carry emergency water supplies. seems a pity if the attempt should fail because of the lack of power. perhaps the RAF could drop her a duogen or similar

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[Talbot]

What we as cruisers do is very far from what racing booats will do. although most racing yachts seem to have a large number of solar panels. Weight is the key. Space, less of a problem - whereas the average cruiser has to pay as much attention to space as to weight. The duogen is an excellent piece of kit, but would slow down a racing boat.

Ellen probably does not have a big store of water, and I would expect her to be living on dehydrated food, plus output from the water maker. power for al the electrics, plus power for the long range comms and probably not a lot of battery would mean that without her generators, she is in a world of trouble.

I guess all the pounding she has been doing recently has just been too much for the equipment inside, which says a lot for the hull, and also for ellen's determination. a donf.

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[fireball]

and not so much for the design?

perhaps she should've just got a s/h laptop, handheld gps and suitable radio ... then she'd just need the additional power for the watermaker ...

forgot the radar!

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[Birdseye]

When you see her boat you wonder where all these " not safe without a long keel, heavy displacement, cutter rigged ketch" guys get their ideas from.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[dulcibella]

Ellen needs all that power for the lights and cameras. Reminds me of a Derek Hatton joke, for those who remember Derek Hatton ...

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[bedouin]

When you see her boat you wonder where these guys who think it is possible to cross the atlantic in a boat under 30' without a full strength shore team and a multi-million pound sponsorship deal get their ideas from.

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[Robin]

You mean one like the little microtonner that Ellen raced across the Atlantic in single handed? Have you seen one of these? I wouldn't want to sail one across channel let alone the direct route across the Atlantic! Of course in those days she wasn't as well known and didn't get the bid sponsorship deals.

This is a different scenario, flat out formula one stuff and then some, not the same at all! A Donf Ellen!

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[robind]

Problem is she is being slowly hauled in by her oposition. so she can`t allow her kit to deteriate. She is worried and it can be detected in her voice.
Rob

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[bedouin]

Precisely - not the same thing at all.

Anyone who tries to compare a multi-million pound racing yacht with a safe design for cruising / blue water sailing is .......

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[chrisb]

i question whether the attempt for the record is compromised by the need for publicity. talk of weight restrictions etc must be balanced against the weight of two generators/ water mkers and associated diesel fuel. ie we carry diesel rather than water. is this a genuine record attempt or a publicity stunt.i am quite aware of the need for speed and the characteristics of an ocean racing yacht but i suppose should ellen retire tomorrow the needs of the sponsor would still have been met. i wish ellen well but wonder if the needs of the sponsor have taken priority over the corinthian bid to be fastest

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[gandy]

Her web site seems to show her ahead, and the lead increasing, although 15 hours isn't a big lead over 72 days.

Does anyone know how they're calculating the "position"? Since the courses taken by different boats could be different, comparing distance run could be misleading. They should really base it on distance remaining - but that then assumes the shortest route taken for the rest of the race.

Tony S

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[mickshep]

I recall similar comments being made prior to the Pete Goss Team Phillips adventure. (and we all remember how that ended) I'm sure Ellens boat will cross the Pond or circumnavigate in a fraction of the time of a heavy weight, but what state will it be in 10 yrs down the road? Horses for courses come to mind. Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[Robin]

But credit where credit is due surely! What state would the the archetypal cruiser be in after 10 years intensive use including having gone RTW and through the Southern Ocean (most don't) at even 20% of her speeds? Sometimes it would be nice to find one reason to praise, instead of ten to knock. That boat may be light, it certainly isn't for me but jeeeesuus it sure as hell goes and it can take quite a pounding too it seems.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[mickshep]

Not knocking either Ellen or her boat. What they are achieving is amazing. My point was that if I wanted to cross the pond or circumnavigate in record time I'd go for the ultra high tech modern lightweight, If I wanted to take my time and travel more comfortably I'd go down the heavyweight long keeled path. As I said in the post, horses for courses. Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[Robin]

Re: is Ellen too high tec

Understood of course Mick. But why limit yourself just to long keeled heavyweights for the comfortable cruise? Van Der Stadt designed your current boat I believe, but in later years he was at the forefront of light/moderate fin keel and spade rudder designs, he moved on with the times! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Robin

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>