Jester Azores 2016

[Jim Schofield]

Hello,

Is there a start date set for Azores 2016 ? I have entered for the Baltimore Challenge, as a first solo event, so I might be getting ahead of myself !

Jim

 

[welkman]

Having prepared a 'She 27' for this about five years ago and running out of cash, then having a false start with an achilles 24 I am finally in a better position to do the 2016 event. I haven't purchased a boat as yet and am thinking of several options. One option is to re purchase the she, another is a maxi 84, possibly a fast boat such as a Mustang 30 or a traditional long keeled boat.

In the past I have done Transatlantic on a Nauticat and spent the whole trip wishing I was on a racing boat!

Ideas anyone?

James

 

[Gargleblaster]

Having prepared a 'She 27' for this about five years ago and running out of cash, then having a false start with an achilles 24 I am finally in a better position to do the 2016 event. I haven't purchased a boat as yet and am thinking of several options. One option is to re purchase the she, another is a maxi 84, possibly a fast boat such as a Mustang 30 or a traditional long keeled boat.
Ideas anyone?
James

Perhaps a look at the lists of finishers of the various Jester events may give you an idea of which boats seem to successfully handle the conditions. Don't get caught up by the Sailing Magazine articles and the youtube videos which both largely feature boats that hqf3 not completed the various Challengers. Although there are a few exceptions.
The Jester Chalenge site is here: http://www.jesterinfo.org/

 

[Gargleblaster]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Contessa-...ng_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item3cf0757703
Saw this Contessa 26 last night on Ebay. It might suit you but you would need to check a few things of course. Firstly as I understand not all Contessa 26's had a self draining cockpit and that might be considered essential before venturing out into the North Atlantic.
Secondly it has a QM Windvane steering. I have from only one source a negative comment on this system. You may want to look at whether it is up to the job. More DNFs are caused by the failure of the auto steering systems than any other in my limited observation. The most successful Windvane steering system in the Jester Challenge has been the Windpilot Pacific Light.

 

[welkman]

Thanks for that. I am hoping to look at a cutlass in brightlinsea which does sound promising. Do you know where you can find dates for the jester Azores ? Also would that be a good time of year to sail to the med afterwards ? Thanks James

 

[Gargleblaster]

Thanks for that. I am hoping to look at a cutlass in brightlinsea which does sound promising. Do you know where you can find dates for the jester Azores ? Also would that be a good time of year to sail to the med afterwards ? Thanks James

I just had a look at the Jester Website http://www.jesterinfo.org/ but the dates for 2016 are not listed yet. I can't remember if they have been published on the Jester Yahoo Forum, but I doubt it if they are not the website. Generally the Jester Azores Challenge starts early to mid June. Which means you should be arriving in mid to late June. Say you spend two weeks in the Azores [barely long enough] it would be an ideal time to head for the Med. Although there might be a lack of wind as there would likely to be if you were to return instead to the UK.