Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

[William_H]

Now I know many forumites have no time for yacht racing but yesterday morning saw some spectacular TV coverage of the start. While 109 yachts started in 3 start lines it is the maxis that present the spectacle. One UK boat competing. There is a trophy for first out of the harbour. So srart and subsequent tacking to the heads is exciting viewing. With 5 100 fters calling staboard and yelling at one another, heart stopping bearing away to cut across a stern. 3 out of the 5 eventually did 720 degree penalty turns just because of doubts about possible infringements.
As I type the big ones are bashing across Bass Straight the skipper screaming blue murder if boat speed drops below 20 knots. Probable arrival early morning Wed while the smaller boats the 40 and 50 fters may take up to Saturday night to arrive. You might find some useful footage and a tracker on this site. ol'will
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2022

 

[coopec]

Sadly the race is a bit of a farce these days as the line honors contending yachts are allowed to use their motors!

"The core problem is the changes to our rules that allowed the use of stored power and moveable ballast. Anyone outside the world of yachting is astonished to learn that the big boats they so admire have to keep an engine running all the way to Hobart to deliver power to their winches, cant the keel and move water ballast around the boat."
Man v. Machine: Are the Supermaxis fair? >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

I wonder if they have refrigeration, an electric galley and air-conditioning too?

 

[zoidberg]

I'm wondering if LDV Comanche - presently leader - will get in before Abhilash Tomy, in 'Bayanat', gets turned around and back out of the Derwent River.

 

[Neeves]

Sadly the race is a bit of a farce these days as the line honors contending yachts are allowed to use their motors!

"The core problem is the changes to our rules that allowed the use of stored power and moveable ballast. Anyone outside the world of yachting is astonished to learn that the big boats they so admire have to keep an engine running all the way to Hobart to deliver power to their winches, cant the keel and move water ballast around the boat."
Man v. Machine: Are the Supermaxis fair? >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

I wonder if they have refrigeration, an electric galley and air-conditioning too?

I'm not into the farce or fairness ideas.

We all use mechanical advantage - simple things like blocks. Is there really a difference in using an engine to power the canting keel, or should we use muscle power. We used to dry sail in HK, and won races, - did we win because we dry sailed - or because dry sailing was part of an attention to detail.

We allow sophisticated use of technology for weather forecast, the lead yachts will carry a meteorologist (normally employed by the Bureau of Meteorology) and the competitors will have accurate charts of the East Australian Current, its speed etc. Is the combination of having a professional forecaster, access to current details and access to weather data fair to the smaller yachts and the less financially endowed?

So much of racing, bicycle, F1, dinghy is about money - but sometimes the amateurs still win. Most professional athletes are sponsored - is this fair to the amateur?

I must admit I'd prefer they had hydro generators as increased use might offer trickle down improvements for the rest of us.

It will be interesting to see how the 2 handed fleet perform, on handicap. Its a pity they don't allow multihulls.

Life has never been fair - get used to it

Jonathan

 

[Sandy]

Personally, I have no time at all for racing. I do stray into the sub-forum when the Vendee Globe is on and the McIntyre Circus, The Golden Globe Race, to see what silly rules have been dreamt up to try and recreate a 'Golden Age of Sailing' that never existed.

Would the moderators please consider moving this thread to the racing subforum.

 

[jlavery]

Sadly the race is a bit of a farce these days as the line honors contending yachts are allowed to use their motors!

"The core problem is the changes to our rules that allowed the use of stored power and moveable ballast. Anyone outside the world of yachting is astonished to learn that the big boats they so admire have to keep an engine running all the way to Hobart to deliver power to their winches, cant the keel and move water ballast around the boat."
Man v. Machine: Are the Supermaxis fair? >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

I wonder if they have refrigeration, an electric galley and air-conditioning too?

I don't have a problem with the IRC0 class - it's great to have a "so what if we could do anything" class. They're hammered on handicap, but provide a brilliant spectacle.

I've raced inshore and offshore for years.

(One of my favourite moments is having Leopard dip us by 2m as I helmed through Hurst in the 2015 Fastnet. Their foredeck and I made eye contact way off, and he called them past. Awesome)

 

[Neeves]

Most yacht racing is totally incomprehensible to most people, not knowing the rules nor handicaps. Its as exciting as the grass growing and paint drying - foiling multihulls and the start, or this one at least, offered some close quarter excitement in machines that cost millions. In few other sports are mistakes potentially so expensive. And every year the Sydney Hobart provides a spectacle - don't knock it. (Or knock it if you must, and maybe I understand why, but many people love it - just look at the spectator fleet).

Its not over as I type - it has maybe 6 hours to run - and the Line Honours is still a lottery - anything can happen

Awesome is an understatement.

Jonathan

 

[coopec]

I'm not into the farce or fairness ideas.

We all use mechanical advantage - simple things like blocks. Is there really a difference in using an engine to power the canting keel, or should we use muscle power. We used to dry sail in HK, and won races, - did we win because we dry sailed - or because dry sailing was part of an attention to detail.

We allow sophisticated use of technology for weather forecast, the lead yachts will carry a meteorologist (normally employed by the Bureau of Meteorology) and the competitors will have accurate charts of the East Australian Current, its speed etc. Is the combination of having a professional forecaster, access to current details and access to weather data fair to the smaller yachts and the less financially endowed?

So much of racing, bicycle, F1, dinghy is about money - but sometimes the amateurs still win. Most professional athletes are sponsored - is this fair to the amateur?

I must admit I'd prefer they had hydro generators as increased use might offer trickle down improvements for the rest of us.

It will be interesting to see how the 2 handed fleet perform, on handicap. Its a pity they don't allow multihulls.

Life has never been fair - get used to it

Jonathan

Well I prefer traditional type sailing yachts. I used tp have a keen interest in the "Americas Cup" racing but lost all interest when they introduced multi-hulls. (That is not racing)

 

[Sandy]

Well I prefer traditional type sailing yachts. I used tp have a keen interest in the "Americas Cup" racing but lost all interest when they introduced multi-hulls. (That is not racing)

and you need a Civil Aviation Authority Private Pilots Licence to helm the WIG aircraft

 

[jlavery]

Well I prefer traditional type sailing yachts. I used tp have a keen interest in the "Americas Cup" racing but lost all interest when they introduced multi-hulls. (That is not racing)

There are many flavours of boat racing, including Oppies, gaffers, multihulls, foiling monohulls, "lead sleds" and more.

Each has its nuances and attractions. The current AC is racing, just different. I have to admit I preferred the "old" AC too, though!

 

[Neeves]

There are many flavours of boat racing, including Oppies, gaffers, multihulls, foiling monohulls, "lead sleds" and more.

Each has its nuances and attractions. The current AC is racing, just different. I have to admit I preferred the "old" AC too, though!

Don't forget Moths.

Which 'old' AC racing.....?

The AC has been developing for decades there is no 'old' AC racing - or maybe there is old, older and very old.

Jonathan

 

[coopec]

and you need a Civil Aviation Authority Private Pilots Licence to helm the WIG aircraft

Are they racing flying boats now?

 

[coopec]

 

[Stemar]

I'm no racer, I've always been built more for comfort than speed and so have my boats, but why should I let ignorance keep me from having an opinion?

I tend to the idea that a racing sailing boat should rely on wind and muscle. If it can't be run on that, it's getting beyond pure sailing. Your canting keel needs to be switched? Either lower a turbine into the water or put the winch gorillas to work. If you have to start an engine, I reckon you're motor sailing. Running a genny on the ARC to keep the beer cool is another matter, but pure racers should be pure. Yes, if you're going offshore, you should have an engine, but if you start it, you retire.

 

[zoidberg]

Sadly the race is a bit of a farce these days as the line honors contending yachts are allowed to use their motors!

"The core problem is the changes to our rules that allowed the use of stored power and moveable ballast. Anyone outside the world of yachting is astonished to learn that the big boats they so admire have to keep an engine running all the way to Hobart to deliver power to their winches, cant the keel and move water ballast around the boat."
Man v. Machine: Are the Supermaxis fair? >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

I wonder if they have refrigeration, an electric galley and air-conditioning too?

C'mon! How else are they going to sell all those expensive watches?
It's just marketing - all of it.

 

[Aja]

Most yacht racing is totally incomprehensible to most people, not knowing the rules nor handicaps. Its as exciting as the grass growing and paint drying - foiling multihulls and the start, or this one at least, offered some close quarter excitement in machines that cost millions. In few other sports are mistakes potentially so expensive. And every year the Sydney Hobart provides a spectacle - don't knock it. (Or knock it if you must, and maybe I understand why, but many people love it - just look at the spectator fleet).

Its not over as I type - it has maybe 6 hours to run - and the Line Honours is still a lottery - anything can happen

Awesome is an understatement.

Jonathan

I thought the Sydney/Howard start was the biggest spectator sport in the World?

 

[Neeves]

Running an inboard diesel on a racing yacht is no different, but seriously less efficient, than running a gen set. Maybe some have not noticed but it is quite possible to run an auxiliary inboard diesel without the propellor turning.

I have no idea but I suspect the big yachts actually run gen sets, for the power, and have excessively small inboard diesels. If having the ability to generate electricity independent of a prop is not 'proper sailing' then your solar panels, Honda suitcase gen set and wind gen mean you don't sail 'proper' either. I'll bet people motor sail when their boat speed drops below X knots - not proper sailing, nor proper sailors either.

Coopec considers his yacht a 'proper yacht' bet he will motor sail, at some time.

Jonathan

 

[coopec]

Running an inboard diesel on a racing yacht is no different, but seriously less efficient, than running a gen set. Maybe some have not noticed but it is quite possible to run an auxiliary inboard diesel without the propellor turning.

I have no idea but I suspect the big yachts actually run gen sets, for the power, and have excessively small inboard diesels. If having the ability to generate electricity independent of a prop is not 'proper sailing' then your solar panels, Honda suitcase gen set and wind gen mean you don't sail 'proper' either. I'll bet people motor sail when their boat speed drops below X knots - not proper sailing, nor proper sailors either.

Coopec considers his yacht a 'proper yacht' bet he will motor sail, at some time.

Jonathan

Our yachts are not racing yachts so we make our own rules. If we decide to use auxilliary motor, wind generators, gen sets, solar panels, or powered winches that is our business.

The Sydney/Hobart yachts can't use engines for propulsion as the prop is "sealed" but they are used to transfer ballast, power winches. Are they allowed to use the power for refrigeration, HWS, microwaves, TV, air conditioning etc ?

 

[coopec]

Our yachts are not racing yachts so we make our own rules. If we decide to use auxilliary motor, wind generators, gen sets, solar panels, or powered winches that is our business.

The Sydney/Hobart yachts can't use engines for propulsion as the prop is "sealed" but they are used to transfer ballast, power winches. Are they allowed to use the power for refrigeration, HWS, microwaves, TV, air conditioning etc ?

Sydney to Hobart

January 17, 2016

"Congratulations to 2015 Sydney to Hobart winner, Comanche, on its incredible race success. After some challenging weather conditions which caused damage to running gear, Comanche made it across the finishing line.Amazingly, all three vessels use an SE

STEYR Motors Diesel engines for auxillary power and were supported by local STEYR Motors authorised Hume Marine. Well done to the boys from Hume Marine for their professional support"

Sydney to Hobart | Steyr Motors Australia

 

[William_H]

Well that kicked up a hornets nest of opinions. My aim was to provide some entertainment for my friends hunkered down for winter. I would not advocate or decry these massive yachts. Perhaps we mortals should be grateful some very rich people think it worthwhile to spend money on super yacht design.
I do find the argy bargy of a yacht race start and early on the wind competition for a place to the first mark as fascinating. I enjoy it to a small extent on my little boat which is quite agile. How much more challenging for those 100 fters doing "the mating dance of the lead bottomed money eaters". ol'will