Lymington files

[peter_barton]

Having not got out Sept & Oct we managed 4 sails in November from Lym. Unfortunately Whitstable is a bit too far for us. The first 3 were great winter practice conditions with 10-15 knots, then Sunday was the wildest Cherub ride we have had yet....

It was gusting over 20k, with the wind against tide early on, creating some nasty chop. Wild ride downwind bouncing off, over and into waves. Very glad for the T-foil sea anchor hanging of the back...wouldnt like to have been without it. Twin wiring we had a big accel where my front foot lifted and it felt like a few secs before I could get it back down again!
3 laps; 1st run I was a bit shocked (Roz made me gybe .), 2nd & 3rd run I started to enjoy it!

Will - your reaching course on Sunday is great practice for the Bloody Mary. Last year there were 8 legs; 2 beats, 1 run & 5 reaches to stop the fleet crossing itself. We have been doing a bit of 2&3 sail reaching practice for it. Great fun!

[ross_burkin]

Sounds like a good few sessions on the water. What PY are you racing off at Lym? What other boats are you competing with round the course?

[peter_barton]

several RS700s & Musto Skiff, RS800, RS600, MPS, I14, RS500...

I suggested 920 to LTSC a year ago and have been using it there since.

On Sunday we had a close race for line honours with the MPS and an RS700 was close behind. Both us and the 700 had had a capsize.  Our pointing and speed upwind improved relative the the MPS & 700 during the race as the water flattened with the slackening tide. I guess that was the effect of the T-foil starting to work more beneficially? I guess if you are constantlly pitching through waves it must throw the T-foil's flow off and also the bow must hit into waves more forcefully?

[peter_barton]

Fantastic sail at Lymington today. First race of LTSC's Jan & Feb Sunday morning Perishers series. 15-20kn, clear blue skies, very cold air & water but only the toes suffered.

Ronin was kind to us as we (me and Dave Ellis) were a bit rusty but got away with it without being punished in the cold water. We did 2 short w/l 's on the solent with a long various angled 2 sail reach to start and finish with in and out of the river - great practice for the Bloody Mary as there are always a lot of reaches there.

She has been at home in the garage for the past two months; Filled, re-faired and touch up painted the hull. I have put the 4:1 back on the jib, 2:1 was not enough. Sorted a couple of bits of wear & tear and cleared a snagging issue. Launching trolley fully race prepared with new craddles & astro turf padding!

[peter_barton]

Great afternoons cheeky weekday practice for the BM today. A perfect 10-16 knots, +2' felt mild compared to yesterday!Practiced all the angles, as per BM course. I had Ben Paton who is an ex Laser Radial World Champ crewing and is definitely a fast learner re Cherub/Ronin quirks.  Seems like a good likelihood of a nice medium strength Cherub breeze on Saturday. It started to sleet as we packed up which turned to heavy snow as it went dark! But by that time we had run for the hot showers with just a little coldness in the tootsies.

Ronin was working & behaving well, all fettled nicely.

[JimC]

Good luck for anyone going... I live about 15 miles away and couldn't get the bike up the hill outside the house to go to work... Main roads are clear in my area though. Gritting is now A roads only in Surrey...