Grafham files

[ross_burkin]

Seeing as we have Whitstable and Lymington files I though I'd start Grafham files. Fuzzy is currently sitting in the dinghy park 99% ready to go sailing. I just need bungs and a rudder pin (both getting sorted) and we're off! 'Taking Liberties'  is also based at Grafham and a certain Strawberry covered boat will soon be joining us. LFC is there but I don't know about membership status. I'm looking forward to some serious blasting (and maybe a little racing  ) in the coming months.

[ross_burkin]

Picture for y'all folk who may be interested. Main was missing two battens. One of which is at home, the other has gone walkies...

[rich_cunneen]

Glad you finally got there Ross.

Did you see Libs? We're in the third block of boats from the Clubhouse, about halfway up from the water. Where's Fuzzy living?

We were up there yesterday and met up with Malcolm (of Little Fluffy Clouds) who did some quite spectacular capsizes while single-handing.

Looking forward to some blasting!

[Will_Lee]

Hi Ross,

Look in the other batten pockets - it's quite common for people to take out the top two battens when rolling and stick them in other batten pockets along with the proper batten!

[ross_burkin]

Will do, thanks Will! Are you and Lucy coming up next weekend or are going to Whistable?

[Will_Lee]

Whitstable - if Lucy's knee-scrape is better after she feel off her bike..

[joe_moore]

We're in the second block along. Rich can't count. LFC are fully paid up members.

This year is looking to be pretty ace.

[simon_jones]

Will , if you need a crew on sat, I may be up for it as Dean currently has loads of coursework which he is trying to do before Rutland.

[Will_Lee]

Sounds good. Would you be happy to sail in Loco?

(rather takes the pressure off me to get all the jobs done before wednesday, when I have to go to Prague for work, back Friday night....)

W

[simon_jones]

That would be great, we need to take her back to the club anyway, as Dean can't do Rutland and we have our club duty on the sunday. The race starts at 11 lets hope for weather like today with a nice force 4
I hope Lucy is not too injured?

[Will_Lee]

That is sounding a teeny bit like a plan - confirm by phone on Friday?

[simon_jones]

O.K. I'll call on friday afternoon.

[Will_Lee]

Please text - I'll be in Prague.

[ross_burkin]

Today was the very definition of the phrase 'A baptism of fire'. We turned up expecting 10-13 knots but it was white caps most of the time! We finnished of a few things and launched. This is the first time either of us have sailed a proper boat in breeze since the nationals. The first capsize was a spectacular upwind pitchpole.  These were full on arse over tit, down the mine style. This happened several times. We were trapezing quite far back so could this rig related or just terrible helming (I was pretty crap today!)?

The kite system borders useless (sorry Smilie!) so needs some refinement. The cuni and kicker systems need slight adjustment but they worked well. We lost a tiller extension but the boat it's self seems good and solid. Decks are easily damaged by trapeze hooks though  .

I'm really happy with the rig I have. The Fyfe was perfect for the conditions and predictably just looks 'right' with the C-tech when it has some wind in it. The opposite could be said for us today. We definitely didn't look  'right' and we're not perfect for the conditions! The less said about wind the better... The Batt jib is powerful!

I have a few modifications I want to do, mainly to make things more ergonomical and hopefully save a bit of weight. The first major upgrade is a T-foil but that will be a while yet. Once we can keep the thing upright in a bit of breeze.

[ross_burkin]

Breeze on. Stu and I are going sailing.