Month: April 2010

Another look at the 1964 summer

Looking back from today’s perspective makes the gear and sails in particular look primitive. I is hard to imagine that the 12 meters of the era were the cutting edge of sailing.  Look at the boom vang in the earlier post. The mainsheet winch, practically the smallest winch on the boat for the largest sail; and four parts. Just think what that must have been like at the leeward mark.
    Hanks were still used on headsails. I believe an argument could be mounted defending hanks, tactically, look at the photo of the bow of “Constellation”, Buddy Bombard is standing in the forward hatch, a jib would be stopped and hoisted through this hatch; sheets attached, at a leeward mark, a boat could carry the spinnaker right to the mark, breaking out the genoa at the last possible moment.
     Wooden boats built to lloyd’s scantlings. Designers and builders did what they could to save weight. I would not be until 1974 when aluminum would be allowed and 1986 when the first fiberglass 12 meters came into being.
    Weather, was not much beyond the farmer’s almanac. Statics accumulated over time were the only analysis available.
    Ash blocks with bronze bearings were still common. Lines were still large and heavy. Change came slowly

America’s Cup 1964

      With each new challenge the design race increased. “Constellation” the newest Sparkman&Stephens design was only second best entering the August trails. “American Eagle” the Bill Luders design and build, was up  21 and zero, appearing unbeatable and in the difficult position of not having lost a race; not knowing what if anything to change.
       Eric Ridder stepped aside as skipper of “Connie”being replaced by Bob Bavier. Along with a few other changes and she went on to be selected to defend. Leaving Bill Cox the skipper of “American Eagle” stunned.
      The American trials were the highlight of the summer, the English challenger “Sovereign” was hopelessly outclassed.
     Olin Stephens, I believed, liked to make small incremental changes, As the season of 1967 would show; “Constellation” exhibited some of the genes that would become “Intrepid”.
       The energy and enthusiasm ratcheted up with each challenge. The world was emerging from World War II, coupled with that was the easing of Taxes on the rich. America was truly on top of the world; and feeling that way.
     There are more stories connected with the summer of 1964 and this challenge deserves more time.

The Pillars of Hercules

The Pillars of Hercules, created by Hercules when completing his tenth labor, to capture the oxen of Geryon. For the curious read the 10 labours of Hercules,
      Since I was very young I have enjoyed the Greek mythology; sailing through the straits of Gibraltar, was a sort of dream come true. Not unlike the W boats which are encountering diminishing wind as they enter the Mediterranean, we arrived with 25 knots at our back, sliding smoothly at 5 in the morning, and the wind died with the rising sun.

TRANSATLANTIC 2011

        The Transatlantic race  has been announced starting from Newport in June, 2011 finishing in Cowes, IOW, England. I expect the plan is to encourage boats to later sail Cowes week and the Fastnet race. For those who would then like to continue sailing, get the boats to the Mediterranean, for the Middle Sea Race in October.
  I have already heard from several people who intend to compete. Those who love to go to sea. There is quite a difference between a 3-4 day Bermuda race ( 24-36 hours for the really big boats including the Volvo 70) and a 14-18 day transatlantic race.
    
      For those who just want to have fun I had attached the file below. This is real LA. what more is there to say.

Estralla Damm sails 450 miles in 24 hours

The W 60’s still have their collective foot on the accelerator. However I believe they are a little further north than they might wish to be. As the saying goes: “what goes up, must come down”. Depending on the weather, they might have boxed themselves into a corner. They need the wind to back so they can jibe. If it heads, they can work down, but they would much rather be freed up than on the wind. Equally, they will be sailing extra distance, which is fine if they can keep up this pace.

Weather in the Northeast

Emerging from a winter that I personally found hard, despite the fact I have lived through worse. Winter ended with what seemed to be endless rain, here in the northeast. Anyone who has followed the news has seen the damage  too much rain can reek. Like the flowers, we turn our faces to the sun anxious to absorb her glorious rays.
    The rivers in Rhode Island, attracted early industry as they provided power and transportation proved to be the undoing of so many people living near them.
   Spring seems to be about three weeks “early”in stark contrast to last year when we seemed to abruptly have gone  from winter the summer, leaving spring out of the equation. I am already wondering if this mild spring will lead to warmer water leading into the fall and therefore  the possibility of a hurricane. We have dodged this manifestation of nature in recent history, only adding to the potential probability.

196 Entries for the 2010 Bermuda Race

196 entries is a healthy number any time, for a race like the Bermuda Race. 635 nm in distance at a magnetic course of 162  degrees. The start is June 18th, therefore the weather will be what the weather will be.  Add to that the Gulf Stream as a race course feature. It is not always possible to take full advantage of both.  The Gulf Stream is like a barrier or fence in the Ocean that you have to climb over to get where you are going.
  Kitchen Shoals is your landfall/turning mark, before finishing off St. David’s light

Estrella Damm & W Hotels are off

The Two W 60’s have set off from New York heading to Barcelona The 500 mb forecast shows promise.  these boats are quick enough to keep up with the system at least for a while. It is always an advantage to be able to choose your departure time; never-the-less I envy Peter Becker and Stan Schreyer.

     These two boats will have to cross the Gulf Stream, again unlike the Bermuda Race participants it works in their favor.