Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
Here here!!!
Jester Challenge
- Thread starter Sea Devil
- Start date
David_Jersey
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The Jester Challenge is arguably the most important sailing event of the decade - bringing adventure and self sufficiency back to sailing which is in grave danger of being hijacked by electronic companies and the 2nd home division.
[/ QUOTE ]
Spot on.
As for the fella who turned back, maybe once he started it dawned on him that it was more of an undertaking than he thought and just turned back. Nothing wrong with that. He still got further than most of us /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The Jester Challenge is arguably the most important sailing event of the decade - bringing adventure and self sufficiency back to sailing which is in grave danger of being hijacked by electronic companies and the 2nd home division.
[/ QUOTE ]
Spot on.
As for the fella who turned back, maybe once he started it dawned on him that it was more of an undertaking than he thought and just turned back. Nothing wrong with that. He still got further than most of us /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Lynn is apprehensive and supportive for me to do the 2010 event.
My first choice is a Limbo 6.6, but we shall see......
My first choice is a Limbo 6.6, but we shall see......
Lee_Shaw
Well-Known Member
Heres all the runners and riders.
http://www.jesterinfo.org/EntryList.html
home page
http://www.jesterinfo.org/index.html
love this piccy
http://www.jesterinfo.org/EntryList.html
home page
http://www.jesterinfo.org/index.html
love this piccy
bumblefish
Well-Known Member
The Welsh flag?
jamesjermain
Well-Known Member
Tim McCLoy, China Blue, apparently put into Falmouth to propose to his girlfriend. When she accepted, he retired from the race! This must rank as the fastest and most aggressive attack of SWIMBOitis in recent history.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
It's strange not be be able to follow an ocean race - boats really are setting out into the unknown and will eventually turn up or finish or retire or whatever.
If I'm reading the website right, there are 2 boats whose position is known, 3 retired but 4 who could be anywhere, including a 21 footer and two 22 footers.
If I'm missing the right page or their personal websites, I'd be interested to know how they're getting on. It does feel a lot more real though, being out of contact.
If I'm reading the website right, there are 2 boats whose position is known, 3 retired but 4 who could be anywhere, including a 21 footer and two 22 footers.
If I'm missing the right page or their personal websites, I'd be interested to know how they're getting on. It does feel a lot more real though, being out of contact.
Lee_Shaw
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Tim McCLoy, China Blue, apparently put into Falmouth to propose to his girlfriend. When she accepted, he retired from the race! This must rank as the fastest and most aggressive attack of SWIMBOitis in recent history.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well he did say that he was the first Kenyan to enter a long distance singlehanded race so mission accomplished I spose. Good luck to him and hope, one day in the future, he doesn't regret not attempting the crossing.
RupertW, totally agree. All the thrills, spills and yarns of sea monsters, running repairs, hallucinations and rogue waves will have to wait until they have crossed. Old school. Can't wait.
Tim McCLoy, China Blue, apparently put into Falmouth to propose to his girlfriend. When she accepted, he retired from the race! This must rank as the fastest and most aggressive attack of SWIMBOitis in recent history.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well he did say that he was the first Kenyan to enter a long distance singlehanded race so mission accomplished I spose. Good luck to him and hope, one day in the future, he doesn't regret not attempting the crossing.
RupertW, totally agree. All the thrills, spills and yarns of sea monsters, running repairs, hallucinations and rogue waves will have to wait until they have crossed. Old school. Can't wait.
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
I visit the web site daily and am torn between frustration not knowing the positions of the other boats and delight that it is not a media circus...
Good for them doing it for the sake of doing it!
Michael
Good for them doing it for the sake of doing it!
Michael
bumblefish
Well-Known Member
I would welcome a gear report at the end, what failed? what was essential? etc. Any chance of a mag article?
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
In my earlier post about the LOA limit on the Jester Challenge I made a mistake - just received this email from Ewen Southby-Tailyour (Jester Challenge co-ordinator) [ QUOTE ]
I found a 'forum' discussing the Jester Challenge and noticed that someone said that vessels over 30 foot are barred.
While the JC is strictly for 20-30 footers those that are a little larger (providing the skipper is entering for all the right reasons and is in sympathy with the ethos of the event) can take part 'at the invitation of the other skippers'. Two over 30 footers were entries - and one was even a trimaran. Neither started for absolutely genuine reasons. The 31 ft trimaran Tahiti Belle as the skipper could not get a US visa in time and the 32 ft junk-rigged schooner as she was badly damaged in St George's Channel on the way. Both skippers were devastated and both have entered (and been accepted) for the 2010 JC - 50th anniversary of the first OSTAR.
I hope that clears up what may be a misunderstanding.
Of course I could run a similar event for larger yachts but it would not be the Jester Challenge as there is a specific reason for Jester and the under 30 footers crossing the Atlantic once they were disenfranchised from the 'formal' event. It would not be difficult to find another similar, relevant name...?
[/ QUOTE ]
I confess to some self interest - If it is domestically possible I would love to do the next challenge in 2010 but my present boat a Prout 33 is a bit too big under the present basic rules... She is not very competitive = fast = and would prevent me developing the Folkboat stoop!!!!
Is there anybody else out there on the forum in slightly bigger boats who would be interested in 'having a go'? I am not drumming up business - rather curious as how many others, like me, find this Jester Challenge the most important - race/rally/challenge whatever in modern sailing - or is it just me and a few other romantics?
Michael
I found a 'forum' discussing the Jester Challenge and noticed that someone said that vessels over 30 foot are barred.
While the JC is strictly for 20-30 footers those that are a little larger (providing the skipper is entering for all the right reasons and is in sympathy with the ethos of the event) can take part 'at the invitation of the other skippers'. Two over 30 footers were entries - and one was even a trimaran. Neither started for absolutely genuine reasons. The 31 ft trimaran Tahiti Belle as the skipper could not get a US visa in time and the 32 ft junk-rigged schooner as she was badly damaged in St George's Channel on the way. Both skippers were devastated and both have entered (and been accepted) for the 2010 JC - 50th anniversary of the first OSTAR.
I hope that clears up what may be a misunderstanding.
Of course I could run a similar event for larger yachts but it would not be the Jester Challenge as there is a specific reason for Jester and the under 30 footers crossing the Atlantic once they were disenfranchised from the 'formal' event. It would not be difficult to find another similar, relevant name...?
[/ QUOTE ]
I confess to some self interest - If it is domestically possible I would love to do the next challenge in 2010 but my present boat a Prout 33 is a bit too big under the present basic rules... She is not very competitive = fast = and would prevent me developing the Folkboat stoop!!!!
Is there anybody else out there on the forum in slightly bigger boats who would be interested in 'having a go'? I am not drumming up business - rather curious as how many others, like me, find this Jester Challenge the most important - race/rally/challenge whatever in modern sailing - or is it just me and a few other romantics?
Michael
Lee_Shaw
Well-Known Member
I'm in two minds here.
The Jester Challenge is the only organisation encouraging an atlantic crossing in a boat that would be excluded from any other such event. I am not allowed to enter the AZAB, OSTAR Corinthian or any other event like this, not even the ARC which is a holiday, so I love the fact that I am not excluded from this event due to the length of my boat, which is arguably more seaworthy than many vessels the requisite 3' longer. So I'm against arbitrary exclusion.
On the other hand if a lot of larger boats enter the Jester Challenge I think the spirit of the race will be lost and the smaller boats will be deterred from entering or will be a side show to the much faster larger boats, an sad irony.
The Jester Challenge is the only organisation encouraging an atlantic crossing in a boat that would be excluded from any other such event. I am not allowed to enter the AZAB, OSTAR Corinthian or any other event like this, not even the ARC which is a holiday, so I love the fact that I am not excluded from this event due to the length of my boat, which is arguably more seaworthy than many vessels the requisite 3' longer. So I'm against arbitrary exclusion.
On the other hand if a lot of larger boats enter the Jester Challenge I think the spirit of the race will be lost and the smaller boats will be deterred from entering or will be a side show to the much faster larger boats, an sad irony.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
Sorry Michael but I'm with Lee here. There's already a huge difference between a 20 foot boat and a 30 foot boat and to push it past that makes it a much more conventional Atlantic crossing rather than a return to a small boat sailing adventure.
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
I do not disagree - crossing the northern part of the Atlantic as opposed to the Trades Wind Route single handed in a boat up to around 30ft is a very special challenge.
But the concept of a single handed race/rally/challenge for ordinary people in ordinary boats without any 'sponsorship' with no rules other than a 'gentlemens agreement' is still attractive to owners of larger boats (in my case 3 foot larger)...
The Benateau Figaro which (appears to be) is doing so well is of modern design and was made for this sort of event and has a hull speed much greater than a long keel folkboat or Twister ... So this is not a purist event for old designs rather than a return to the 'fun - challange' of single handed long distance sailing on a non commerial basis. (It is also possible to pick up a Figaro 2nd hand quite cheaply)
Thinking about doing it I have been surfing around looking at Folkboats, Twisters and so on that I could purchase quite reasonably and 'do up' just for the event... As I battle with new head linings - skin fittings and jackstays on my new old boat I wonder if there could be a 'class' in the same event for say 30 to 35 ft boats??? Same 'gentleman's rules' and perhaps a separate prize of say - a 'half pint' -???
I am probably quite wrong and do not want my enthusiasm for this event to spoil it in any way.... I wonder how the others are doing???
Michael
But the concept of a single handed race/rally/challenge for ordinary people in ordinary boats without any 'sponsorship' with no rules other than a 'gentlemens agreement' is still attractive to owners of larger boats (in my case 3 foot larger)...
The Benateau Figaro which (appears to be) is doing so well is of modern design and was made for this sort of event and has a hull speed much greater than a long keel folkboat or Twister ... So this is not a purist event for old designs rather than a return to the 'fun - challange' of single handed long distance sailing on a non commerial basis. (It is also possible to pick up a Figaro 2nd hand quite cheaply)
Thinking about doing it I have been surfing around looking at Folkboats, Twisters and so on that I could purchase quite reasonably and 'do up' just for the event... As I battle with new head linings - skin fittings and jackstays on my new old boat I wonder if there could be a 'class' in the same event for say 30 to 35 ft boats??? Same 'gentleman's rules' and perhaps a separate prize of say - a 'half pint' -???
I am probably quite wrong and do not want my enthusiasm for this event to spoil it in any way.... I wonder how the others are doing???
Michael
RupertW
Well-Known Member
I think that's entirely fair, and the concept of a separate class for Jester plus seems sensible and will add to the number of boats doing it - and no need to get too bureaucratic either.
Lee_Shaw
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Thinking about doing it I have been surfing around looking at Folkboats, Twisters and so on that I could purchase quite reasonably and 'do up' just for the event...
[/ QUOTE ]
There's what looks like a really nice deep fin hurley 22 for sale on YBW at the mo probly get it for about £3250 would only need a few bits and bobs doing. Nice ones and similarly (un)suitable boats for a north atlantic crossing are coming up all the time.
Thinking about doing it I have been surfing around looking at Folkboats, Twisters and so on that I could purchase quite reasonably and 'do up' just for the event...
[/ QUOTE ]
There's what looks like a really nice deep fin hurley 22 for sale on YBW at the mo probly get it for about £3250 would only need a few bits and bobs doing. Nice ones and similarly (un)suitable boats for a north atlantic crossing are coming up all the time.
halcyon
Well-Known Member
Shouldn't be a problem, our Halcyon 27 has done two trans-Atantic crossing, ( previous owner )using Hassler steering gear. It is interesting though the mods done before, and during it's cruise, a lot of planning and work is needed.
Brian
Brian
David_Jersey
Well-Known Member
I can understand why folk would want to increase the size of boat, but as I think was already said, this does kinda miss the point.
From what I have read / my understanding it is a "race" for small boats that have been excluded by organisers elsewhere for Commerical / Health and Safety reasons, (albeit the "racing" aspect not being the point / taken overly seriously). It is NOT a "Cruise in Company". For me the attraction of a "small boat" is that it IS financially acheivable by many, even if they never actually go ahead (the Power of Dreams, to coin an Advert /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) Plus with a smaller boat the "challenge" is intrinsic to the size of vessel coupled with the challenge really being against oneself, not the "competitors". I know someone could do it anyway, but something like this creates a "reason" to actually do it and stop dreaming for a lucky few.
I stand to be corrected on this understanding.
PS does 30 foot include bowsprit??? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
From what I have read / my understanding it is a "race" for small boats that have been excluded by organisers elsewhere for Commerical / Health and Safety reasons, (albeit the "racing" aspect not being the point / taken overly seriously). It is NOT a "Cruise in Company". For me the attraction of a "small boat" is that it IS financially acheivable by many, even if they never actually go ahead (the Power of Dreams, to coin an Advert /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) Plus with a smaller boat the "challenge" is intrinsic to the size of vessel coupled with the challenge really being against oneself, not the "competitors". I know someone could do it anyway, but something like this creates a "reason" to actually do it and stop dreaming for a lucky few.
I stand to be corrected on this understanding.
PS does 30 foot include bowsprit??? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
halcyon
Well-Known Member
The yachts still 27 foot, but I have 1/2" polycarb windows bolted to the outside of the boat, there is no water tank, only containers, every cubic inch of boat is now storage, there is a heavy locking mechanisum to hold hatch and wash boards in place, it goes on and on, mainsail is triple stiched with leather patches alluminium headboard, it has a flat cut reefing geonoa, I am told it would carry this upto a F7 before reefing, in trans-atlantic trim she had a ton of extra equipment on board.
During the trip, the deck at the bow lifted, now points up at 10 degrees, cockpit flooded, took normal drain over 1 hour to drain, deck under mast deflected. We now have heavy stiffening in bow, two 4" dia cockpit drains out through transum, heavy deck support in heads to support mast.
It took a lot of work before they went, it took work on route, and when they got there. In fact I think only the hull and deck moulding, plus two bulkheads remain from the yacht that Offshore built.
To the previous owners, there was no challenge in doing the trans-Atlantic crossing, because they had total faith in the boats ability, they were just sailing to the USA and West Indies. Then coming back via the Azors, Gib, Med and up through Biscay.
Brian
During the trip, the deck at the bow lifted, now points up at 10 degrees, cockpit flooded, took normal drain over 1 hour to drain, deck under mast deflected. We now have heavy stiffening in bow, two 4" dia cockpit drains out through transum, heavy deck support in heads to support mast.
It took a lot of work before they went, it took work on route, and when they got there. In fact I think only the hull and deck moulding, plus two bulkheads remain from the yacht that Offshore built.
To the previous owners, there was no challenge in doing the trans-Atlantic crossing, because they had total faith in the boats ability, they were just sailing to the USA and West Indies. Then coming back via the Azors, Gib, Med and up through Biscay.
Brian
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
Not sure if anyone else is much interested ???? but Eric ANDLAUER in his 'Sterenn'
Beneteau Figaro One has almost made it across the Atlantic to Newport. He is one of only two of the entrants who are able to report back their position so he may not be first but I get the feeling his is, by far, the fastest boat.
There is a clever gizmo on the Jester web site http://www.jesterinfo.org/ which if you click on the little < thing at the bottom left then click on one of the two marks that appear you can follow his entire track in daily chunks - interesting to see his planned route and the days he had awful head winds - sometimes going backwards...
The info on the site does not appear to be updated much - I wonder if there will be anyone to 'meet' the first boat in or if it will park up - clear customs and then go to the yacht club bar and order a beer - then wait for the others.... somehow I prefer that scenario to 'hooters and champers' - but I am very old fashioned!
Michael
Beneteau Figaro One has almost made it across the Atlantic to Newport. He is one of only two of the entrants who are able to report back their position so he may not be first but I get the feeling his is, by far, the fastest boat.
There is a clever gizmo on the Jester web site http://www.jesterinfo.org/ which if you click on the little < thing at the bottom left then click on one of the two marks that appear you can follow his entire track in daily chunks - interesting to see his planned route and the days he had awful head winds - sometimes going backwards...
The info on the site does not appear to be updated much - I wonder if there will be anyone to 'meet' the first boat in or if it will park up - clear customs and then go to the yacht club bar and order a beer - then wait for the others.... somehow I prefer that scenario to 'hooters and champers' - but I am very old fashioned!
Michael
