Fastnet 2007 – Fastnet Supermen

August 16, 2007   

From Sailing Anarchy forum….

Marine Blast View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member’s Topics Find Member’s Posts   Aug 15 2007, 11:59 PM Post #1
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 Thought this was worth a new topic as I think it is truely incrediable that they are still out there, battling it out on their way home. Whilst it’s all the big super maxi’s and Open 60’s that are getting the headlines, I think what these boys have done is simply pure magic and outstanding, who would have thought that two J105’s would still be out there with Alfa Romeo jacking it in because of the weather (not that there is anything wrong with that) but what a life changing experience it must be for them both, two J105’s VOADOR and JUNEAU. Fuckin supermen? story and alot of praise here
 

 

Omer View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member’s Topics Find Member’s Posts   Aug 16 2007, 01:42 AM Post #2
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 Yes.I totally agree. There is nothing to say to that.
But i also think, in an open sea, where wave period gets large enough, larger
boats may get a worse beating by slamming into the next wave or dropping off of
a wave, whereas a smaller boat may find it easier to ride over and around them.
Bigger is not always better when the going gets tough.
 

 

amperrin View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member’s Topics Find Member’s Posts   Aug 16 2007, 03:18 AM Post #3
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 I agree with both your posts.When I was 19 I raced doublehanded round britain and ireland on a 34 footer called QII she was custom built for singlehanding. One of the original water ballasted boats. That race was the hardest thing I have done almost 50,000 miles of racing later. The start was in Plymouth and it was similar conditions to what we were seeing in Fastnet this year except that it was a dead beat to lands end and then a reach to cork. By the time we had reached Cork 32 of the 57 boats that started the race had retired. With stop overs the race took us 21 days mostly beating close into shore. I am not writing this all to show off only to tell you where I am coming from on all this!Two years ago I delivered a J105 down the coast from st petersburg to key west and the wind got up to 25 knots and it was again a dead beat. By the time we took shelter the sky was the blackest I had ever seen it and with bare poles we were heeling over a good amount it was gusting in the low 40’s. J105’s aren’t that bad if you seal the front hatch with rope and tape and you seal the pole really well. The furling headsail is a bonus as you don’t have to choose between sails and don’t have to go up on the pointy end.

This year I was on Yeoman XXXII the boat I have looked after for the last 6 months. Last year I had the honor of doing bow on a Z86 but not in any major seaway or wind so I can’t tell you how it would have dealt with the conditions we had this year. Although Alfa Romeo is a lot larger than Yeoman she is also carbon and has a similar hull shape/design ethos. Both boats are extremly fast boats for their size. The problem with these type of boats in comparison to a J105 or the 34 footer I took round 10 years ago is that you have to slow them down so as not to fly off waves. IF you don’t slow them they pound heavily. The pounding will kill the boat very quickly creating structural issues especially as carbon doesn’t give like fiberglass does. So what I am saying is that the way you sail the two boats is very different and that the Omer is correct in that the sea conditions can favour small boats over the larger boats.

I have a lot of respect for the J105 still out there and wish we had been able to enjoy the ride back from the rock but I think the same respect should be given to all the crews who finished the race and kept their boats together. I will say I do understand the frustration of being a small boat not getting the same press as the big guys and being ‘forgotten’ about.

All that being said I think the J105 guys are hardcore nutters and deserve quite a few beers for their efforts.

 

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