Let's Get It Started

First Melges 20 regatta done........ Tick!

The Section 16 team entered the San Fran Melges 20 event last weekend.  My first regatta in the boat and as we didn't have the usual crew up yet sailed it with Jonathan McKee and Chris Lanzinger.

So how'd we do? ......  Awesome!  Got a second scoring 2,4,2,2,2 vs the Samba Pa Ti guys.

So how'd it go?...... Wild, 5 races in 20 - 28 knots of pressure and steep big waves.  As Jonathan said " that's the windiest you'll ever sail the boat in"!

So how'd ya find the going? ..........  Hadn't really been in a boat since Feb when we left SoCal so was a bit rusty.  Came out to sail on Wednesday from Europe.  Matty had boat in water so it was of the plane, change in car park and a quick 3 hour sail to get tuned up.  Whats it the say about jet lag? Oh yeah a little light exercise helps you.  Well lets just say I slept fine that night!  Our couple of days in the boat back in June helped but Jonathan gave some expert coaching on how to sail in heavy pressure and in waves and I gained confidence with every day and with confidence came the aggression to push the boat hard.  Had a few issue on race 2 with a mechanical with the rudder causing several spin outs, hard to take but a good learning experience! Boat worked great although after the abuse of the weekend will need a new race jib!  Well on our way to creating our own set of training sails! But that said we got a great set of tuning numbers, have plenty of speed, and looks like Matty built us  a good un!  The support we also get from Gill racing is second to none and the kit we chose worked really well in the face of a full San Fransisco onslaught

So whats next?......  Boats gone into dry storage in Tiburon and I'll be back out start of Oct for the Nats. This time our full crew will be up with Charlie McKee and Matt Pistay.

Can wait.......

Over and out from London

Splash

Taken a couple of weeks to get back to the blog, had a bit on with work. Anyway we splashed Section 16 at Lake Geneva (Wi not Sui) with Matt Pistay and Jonathan McKee.  didn't really get more than about 8 knots of breeze but had an epic time and some great training.  We got just about everything sorted, wrote a list of things to do about a mile long, which Matt has done a great job of wrestling to the ground.  Boat was just beautiful to sail even in light winds.  Had great fun trying to start the little outboard until we realised there was no gas in it!  We didn't get planing but it was good light weather training.  The kit we've bought or been sponsored with worked out great.  The Gill sponsored race clothing worked great in the hot weather, and we're using the "Race Collection" technical shirts, shorts and foulies.   New Quantums powered the boat and set great straight out of the bag.  

Cant wait for some more breeze in San Fran and our next outing is Melges Race Week in Mid August

Over and out from rainy London

The New Adventure Begins

No car, no home, but now we've got 2 boats!

Still working out of London through October, but the new race team is taking shape including the boat.  Took the plunge and have a Melges 20 built, photos from Matty at Melges above.  Decided to call the race team Section 16, as with my new job Im now considered a Section 16 Officer by the US Govt, and as job pays for the boats and race team, well my wife would call it addiction, hence the name.  Boat will get splashed at Lake Geneva at end of June where we'll have a training weekend.  Our team has Matt Pistay up front and a combination of the McKee brothers in the middle, with Jonathan for August Melges race week and US Nats in Oct.  Both boats will then head off to Miami for the winter regattas.

Excited!

Over and out from London

The Last Waltz

Epic day in Long Beach town. Ian came down to pick up trailer and we were rewarded by 15 - 18s, pretty choppy as it was wind over tide just awesome. But warm and just so much fun. Boats now packed for 6 months storage. Any of my UK friends out there who want to charter me a boat for the odd event please ping me. Otherwise the deposit's paid for the M20 and looking forward to the Section 16 campaign.

Final over and out from Long beach

What's the Story, Morning Glory

A lot happening, a lot happening! So here's the story. Decided to change jobs, which is going to mean a brief move back to the UK to sort through my visa, then US Immigration willing, back to the US late summer. But not to our beloved SoCal, but this time to Chicago. Not only that but also decided that during all this change, starting a Melges 20 campaign would also be a really good idea..... yes Liz also has a few words to say on this, but it can be done with the right attitude honey!

Deus ex Machina will be in storage here in US for a few months, which means I'll miss most of summer regattas, but should be back to do M20 in San Fran in August, Nationals in Oct and then Moth Pac Rims in mid Oct. With John Harris and Matt now in mid West wondering of we can link up with the Bora / Bear juggernaut and start to build a mid West Moth fleet. During stay in UK I'm going to see if I can charter a boat for a couple of events locally. Been a while since I've sailed in UK, see the black and white photo from 1976! 2012 will be a little disjointed but it can be done.

It does mean I'm going to step down as the US Moth class president, but we have a replacement, the regatta schedule is set for 2012, and I'll be back in time to support the Hawaii Worlds. Its been a gas but having the US President as a Brit, now based out of Britain is probably stretching it to far. See the US Moth web site for more info. Blog could be a bit sporadic for a while, but will have last Moth on Saturday with the Go Pro so looks out for one last video,

Over and out form Long Beach

When 2011 ends, how you gonna come, with your hands on your head or the trigger of your gun....

So when 2011 ended, I came out with my hands on my head. 3 days of tooling around above 11 000ft and I had HAPE..... I didn't think this was even possible (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), although the Docs that treated me assured me it was very very possible and the reason they live in Telluride is they get to see it and treat it at an "too often rate" rate. Anyway, I've discovered that slowly drown in your own fluids is not fun, it gives you a headache you can only dream of in your post new years eve day after. Never felt anything so bad. To cut a bad story short, ended up in the local hospital where 4 hours on pure oxygen got rid of the worst. I think it was Ian Andrewes who I said I tended to go out big when sailing the Moth, this sets an all time record.

Reflecting back on the 2011 season thought of some thoughts:

1) We got a pretty full seasons in with several great events, but generally poor turn out. That said, I think I attended all the regattas with the exception of HPDO, and each w=one was a blast for their own reason. Seems strange that it was less than 12 months ago we were pre Aus Worlds and embroiled in "Wing gate". Would love to know what Mothistas want as a regatta schedule.... you know how to hit reply.

2) Great to see new youngsters coming in like JP, especially as they challenge the "world order".

3) Awesome to have another Brit in the fold with Simon Propper arrival at ABYC. As the new West COast Mach 2 dealer and having a demo boat available, I'm really looking forward to 2012 as the year we take off and march down "Road to the Hawaii Worlds 2013.

4) Its been a breath of fresh air to have Anthony Kotoun and Matt Knowles driving the East Coast with the Miami Grand Prix Series. First series was done mid December with a very innovative series hosted in Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Beautiful place, great breeze and again a club that couldn't make us more welcome. Loved the innovative AC style course which had us reaching in to top mark, before usual up wind down wind. Had the effect of compressing the fleet, tighter racing and if your a weekend warrior like me, kept you with the big boys longer. Cant make the next event, but can't wait for the March event 16th and 17th so mark you calendars! Only disappointment was to see only 3 East Coast boats there.

We've a great 2012 race schedule built, take a look at the Class web site. The number of boats are growing slowly, some nice Mach 2s appearing on the second hand market allowing a cheap upgrade. But to make our Class thrive here in the USA, we need participation, especially from the working stiffs like me! Come on guys and girls, this is our class, if we want it to thrive, we need to turn up and participate. Its fun believe me and little effort to ship the boat around. Lets all commit to doing one more travel away regatta than we did in 2011 and it'll make a huge difference to numbers, participation and fun!

Over and out in 2012 and see you in Miami in March

Das Boot

No racing Saturday due to lack of wind, but an awesome day today. Everyone up early with a 10am start, out on water by 9:15, straight into foiling. With an 8 races scheduled it was always going to be a full on day. We got to use our AC style course, with a reach into to the turning mark, a down wind, then upmwnd, twice. Races were very exciting, fleet pretty much together at least to leeward gate? Apart from having brain fad end thinking we were doing windward leewards on first race, I really enjoyed it. Very different but very fast paced. And yes we crammed in 8 races. I started to get into the groove, then about race 5 started to struggle. It wasn't till part way through race 7 I realized I'd lost my breather tube out the back of the boat, and was starting to make some good submairine impressions. Could just about get on the foils but very bow up, then as water moved forward, yup massive nose dives. As or sailing into a marina, hmm, any way thanks to the collection of powerboats who helped me before I sunk completely. Boat took well over an hour to drain and I'm guessing back tank was full near enough.

On the racing side it was Bora all the way, from Anthony, then Matt Pistay. Really solid regatta, great location,

Happy holidays over and out......

Miami Vice, slalom version

We're in Miami for our first winter event. Friday was slalom with 11 boats here and 2 more promised for the weekend. Great conditions, warm, some chop and 8 tightly fought slalom races before breeze died away. Magnus set the slalom course of all time, definitely our best yet. Tons of lead changes few different winners but Bora came out on top. Great day and a great start to Miami.

I used slightly different settings and was really happy with my speed and manoevers, yes the Hayling rig settings were working well, thanks !

We've also got our usual ethnic mix with a Brit and 2 Aussies (Ben and John), so may be we should have the ashes, although their sailing is in a different league to mine, so need a few more from the home land to join me next time. Warm water, fun area socially, good breeze, what more could you want.

Proper racing starts today, over and out from Miami

I Fought the Law and the Law Won

Guess you learn every day. Got pulled over on the way to Long Beach by the 2010 versions of Ponch from CHiPS. What do you know, I get a ticket for driving in the wrong lane. I didn't think that was possible but guess it now is. I personally think it was a case of racial profiling, Welsh guy, driving a Japanese car, towing a boat made in China that flies. It's all falling into place!

Sailing was fun, bit marginal. Tried to compare mast rake with Simon but as both our mast are different lengths, (McK vs CST) it poses tonight's Maths problem.

Have at it!

If Richard and Simon are looking to have the same mast rake but Richards mast is longer than Simons, What length does Richard forstay need to be to achieve the same rake as Simon?

Simon Mast is 3455mm

Richard Mast is 3488mm

The J ie forstay to mast stump is the same at 969mm for both boats

Turkey Town

Finally, Finally we have wind for a regatta! It the usual ABYC Turkey Day regatta, about 200 boats and 8 Moths. Yesterday we had a gusty shifty 15 - 18knots, PRO fired off 4 races, huge legs (will need to speak to him about that!) and a to of fun. Eric is showing some really awesome speed taking out 3 of the 4 races run, who Zack taking the other bullet. Anthony and Matt travelled from the East coast and are being rewarded! Geoff came down with his home build from Park City (cant wait to have our first regatta there) and got part of his foiling issues sorted out.

Overall a couple of things really came together:

1) we got the demo Moth going which is a great omen for the future

2) Anthony sailed Charlies boat.

All makes me believe there is a market for having a few boats on each coast for charter, the US is a big place and if we're going to really build the fleet could be the way to do it. Tons of logistic issues of course, but a call to arms for our two Mach 2 dealers.

More wind forecast today, probably with rain and an unusual direction for us...... Final results later in day

Over and out from Long Beach

2012 Worlds dates and ;ocation now fixed

You heard it here (plus Int Moth Web site!)

As such I hereby announce that the 2012 Zhik Moth Worlds will held as follows:
Venue: Vela Club Campione, Lake Garda, Italy
Dates: 18--‐26 August 2012 (with an Italian Championship on 16--‐17 Aug)

Book now!

I was made for loving you

This is what this weekend's racing should have been like, only it wasn't! 10 boats on the start line Saturday and all we manage to get in was 2 low riding races before we all ended up getting towed home! Never seen Long Beach that calm before. Definitely a weird year wind wise. Thanks to all who traveled so far, still the curry Saturday night was memorable.

Small front foil is finally fitted and as of last weekend felt very fast. Ride height all working well so now looking forward Turkey Day then Miami.

Looking ahead to next year, there's the Worlds in Garda, when we finally get a date, then back for Hawaii Pac Rims and the "Road to Kaneohe" or our Worlds in 2013. We've some great regattas starting line to line up, so gt your self a boat, plenty of Mach 2s now entering the second hand market, as well as active dealers on both Coasts.

Over and out till Turkey Day

The Right Profile

Nice photo from Da Woody at this weekends Coronado Yacht Club Fall Sports boat regatta. You know the one, used to be ISAF, Sailing Anarchy shindig. We only got 4 boats there but was pretty mellow racing ie turn up at start line once the wind had built, 3 full foiling races, sail home and on to the rumbos. The club couldn't have made us more welcome and they clearly have a soft spot for us Mothistas. All boast from FT10s to us racing on same course made for some very interesting moments especially some of the mark roundings, but everyone played nicely and it was only the Tigers that seemed to have an affection for hitting each other.

I managed to wind on so much mast rake that although fast, I now can't get under the boom without getting stuck which had its moments. I now need to decide to work on more flexibility, or loose more weight......

Nah.... just wound off some rake going more upright!!

Adam won, after going for it in the boat park with a hacksaw, chopping 20mm off his main foil, Eric sailing his new M2 showed us why he has been winning the Bladerider Cup where he took Adam to the tie break and count back. Jimmer went on to win the Bladerider place, tying the series with Nige. Nige will need to turn up at the next 2 events or looks like Jimmer will be an easy winner.

On a final note, has the AC45 coverage been awesome or what!!!

Over and out

Two Faces

All in all its been a pretty good few days on the Moth, if you can can excuse the body damage. 23 knots to stop and your body doesn't stop till it hits the shrouds. One black eye, two cuts and a bent shroud pin from my troubles. For an 11ft boat with only 8m2 of sail they sure can bite very hard if you get it wrong. Long Beach has been classic over the last few weeks, turning out a 20 - 25 knots on Sunday and a 15 - 18 on Tuesday. Big chop driving harder and harder, no compromise on the gybes and tacks and you do get to wipe out........ often....! Add on to that testing my new ride height adjuster and wand / flap gain doodah and it makes for an interesting session. As it was pretty much on the limit Sunday couldn't get too much input on changing the ratio, but upwind felt like winding off ratio brought the bottom end speed up and smoothed out the ride. Down wind was faaaast but needed to be real careful on the gybes as the boat is much less forgiving especially with our notorious LB chop. It sure feels like there is a ton of boat speed possible but developing this slowly.

One of the best coaching points I heard was from Chris Rast who helped me with.....

"Set it up to go fast even if it's very difficult to sail. Then learn to sail it!"

Much more to go and really looking forward to the flatter waters of South Bay Diego this weekend

Over and out

Rehab

After several attempts earlier in the year to get my new Sailing Bits ride height and gearing adjuster working properly, I have now had yet another go. Well, OK , the first two attempts don't count as I hadn't really thought it through, but no sailing over weekend and time to kill allowed me to spend some time fiddling with the boat, current JP ride height adjusters and foil. First thing was stick the foil in and to measure everything so I could accurately recreate my favorite settings, both high and low modes. I then managed to get to the same place with the new RHA but it was jamming on the combing surround of the foil case. Out with the Dremel and ground it down till it all fitted and wand was friction free. Then tons of measurements and adjustments and finally got back to my start point. From there it was really a case of testing out the gearing adjuster. What was really a surprise for me was at max ride height on my old RHA, how little wand movement there really is.

The big test will be this weekend when I go sailing. I'll have the Go Pro and its time to test the new set up in some serious Long Beach chop. Forecast looks good.

Over and out from LB

Transmission

Pretty crappy piece of video of a pretty awesome system. Yes Karl had "Virtual Reality" out again today. It flies high, it flies level, it flies fast, then he got a ticket from the harbor patrol, so games were ended early. It's a much better approach then the previous, its well sorted, seems to have little friction and is definitely a different way to think if a foiling moth. Lets face it with Nathan sailing 300 days a year, its going to take something more to beat him. May be this is it and a resurgence of the DIY Moth. Not sure I'm going to cut the bottom out of the Mach 2 just yet, butI'm just sayin'.

Other than that full on Long Beach day. Wind over tide again with decent standing wave at harbor mouth. But yes had a great day, full control, tons of speed, till I ran out of steam about 2 1/2 hours in. Came back with a smile though!

Crazy Train

My Little Demon

Finally worked it out today...... Building breeze, peaking at 18 - 22, class Long Beach day. Went for it and yes finally remembered how to gybe and even tack. Had a blast, enjoyed it, I'm back! Seems like it was a long summer of frustration, too much work too much travel and not enough sailing, but today made up for being washed up on the beach last weekend when the breeze was on.

I see the new Mach 2.1 is now available. Nice line of upgrades. I'm starting to wonder the phasing of a new boat, before the Garda Worlds or before the Hawaii Worlds? Also interesting to see it now comes in colours. Well that's going to change things! Sky blue anyone?

Over and out from Long Beach

Ghost in the Machine

At last weeks Moth Madness I saw some pretty sweet numbers on the max speedometer (ProStart). Quick investigation of the track down load showed this. So to believe my 33.6 knots average speed I think I have to believe a 43 knots and a 35 knots. I was shifting in some big pressure on relatively flat water, but is too long a stretch for me. So unless any of you techy mindset mothistas out there can interpret this differently I'm calling a "ghost in the machine". I can guarantee that it wasn't from being frustrated and throwing my Pro Start! Shame as it was quite exciting for 24 hours.

Reflecting back on the Gorge, hadn't been in the boat for a while, and when it blows there, that place gets into my head. Lesson is to strap on your big girl panties, harden the f#ck up and send it.

Beyond that it was very interesting how much I had to wind off the ride height going down wind at high speed (28s). When I forgot to wind it back on upwind, I was really riding low. It always amazes me how sensitive the boat is to a half turn on the ride height.

I'm going to get the SoCal Mothistas going again with a couple of training sessions (Long Beach and Coronado) as well as focus on Halloween and Turkey day regattas where we should congregate next.

Over and out from LA.

Back in Black

Wow, 3 months since my last blog!!! I knew I had been busy but there some limits. Work in last quarter was crazy as we bought 2 new Companies in Brazil, so Liz and I decamped to Sao Paulo for most of May and June, only coming back to do the US Nats at Long Beach. Numbers were back up to 12 with Karl guesting in "The Pearl" and new guy JP showing us all how its done in light airs. It was a good regatta, won by Dalton, but the predominently light airs and South Bay chop did many a head in...... Matty were talking about you !!! Still good regatta with about 12 races run.

Were just back form the Gorge, which roared then coughed the fell silent. Friday was awesome at 20+. Howver my sailing really left quite a bit to be desired. Seemed to have moved back a few moths making all the same old mistakes. At least I finihsed every race, didnt come last in all them, and generally did much better than last year. But its a tough place to sail and can really get in your head. However when you get it right its just awesome.

Next regatta coming up. Newport on Aug 21st 22nd

Over and out