Passage To Poole

First stop: Swanage Bay

In a comfy corner to windward of the wheel, I stretched and put the paws up. The perfect location to supervise André the owner, Bernard the RYA Instructor Magnificent*, and the Can Opener as he rocketed about as ‘Skipper-of-the-Day’. 

I’m a low key manager who likes to rule from behind by dint of a nuclear-radiating personality and the occasional swipe to the Achilles’ tendon. A kind of Chaircat of the Board, if you will.

Every minute you spend planning is repaid many times over. We knew this when we were doing the passage planning and chartwork the day before we set off to Poole. But seeing the plan executed really underlined Bernard’s message.

We were up bright and early, breakfasted and doing boat checks while the dew was still on the deck. Tidal calculations were checked and rechecked. The weather report noted and compared for continued compatibility with our plan. We were headed out the famous (and challenging) Needles Channel in a blow, so the plan had to be perfect. All was set to go. And so we went…

Through Needles, the sea state was ‘rough’. The Met Office defines this as about 8 to 12 foot waves. And this narrow channel is bordered on both sides by enormous pointy rocks rearing out of the sea to the east and jagged pointy rocks lurking below the surface forever to the west. 

Of course, you never think to take photos at the time (the Needles photo above is from another calmer day…). You’re riveted on the sailing.

 

The first night of the passage we picked up a mooring buoy in Swanage Bay (see leading photo at top) just south of our final destination. 

The second day, after skills drills allllllllllll day with Bernard, we pulled into the night-calm harbour at Poole. The glorious sunset made it all worthwhile.

 

Destination made: Pulling in to Poole

Could we have packed any more learning into our time with Bernard? I think not. 

Passage planning, berthing, anchoring and mooring practice, even some crew overboard work. It was a fantastic and very full training schedule. And much appreciated. 

The entire team has loads to think about and much to practice going forward.

 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

* Bernard Mitchell works with the Hamble School of Yachting. Ask for him by name. He’s in great demand. Plan ahead.

Spinnaker Drills – Racing vs Cruising

 

Spinnaker Drills – Cruising 

Last Friday I had the Can Opener doing spinnaker drills double time quick on the foredeck of our buddy Cap’n André’s boat. 

The three of us cruised over to Langstone Harbour for the day, put the assymetric up and joyfully tweeked the sail controls all the way to maximise our speed.

A truly fantastic day. Not one thing I’d change about it. No sir-ee.

In the past, the Can Opener’s been skipper more often than not. So finetuning his skills on the foredeck is one of the many priorities I have for him. He worked like a trooper and I must say I was tolerably pleased with his performance.

When we’re out alone, he’ll be the one attending to the sail changes so it’s critical he gets it right… right after he finishes sautéing my fresh-caught fish juuuuust the way I like it.

 

Spinnaker Drills – Cruising vs Racing Performance

 

The number 1 racing spinnaker

On Saturday and Sunday, the Can Opener and I relocated to an ocean racer – delightfully named Cougar – to do a Junior Offshore Group race from Hamble to Poole and back again.

Great to be with a new team of eight, all stalwart men and women with a nostalgia and passion for racing that matches our own. The Can Opener was once again assigned to the foredeck – fantastic! 

Saturday had whisper light winds; Sunday produced a steady 18 knot breeze. I was thrilled that he could get practice in on varying wind speeds and on different deck set ups.

Every time you get on a new boat, you find a different set up. Lines laid differently, winches and fittings configured in new and interesting ways. Lots of new stuff to consider and file away in the old mental recesses for when we are laying out our own deck.

What’s the difference between cruising spinnaker hoists and racing hoists? Speedy, baby, speed.

I videoed the Can Opener hoisting on our buddy André’s boat. When I reviewed the video earlier today, I couldn’t believe how leisurely we approached spinnaker work on André’s boat. 

I guess cruising is all about taking it easy… but everything has a balance. And we’re gonna make that cruising balance a little more racy going forward.

Why? Because cleanly executed sail changes and foredeck work could be critical while cruising in an unexpected blow. 

Might as well get your speed and skill up cruising now for when you (may) need it cruising tomorrow!

The number 2 light racing spinnaker

 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Previously: Spinnaker Drill

 

A Year In Pictures 2013

Best boats of the year!!

All the boats we sailed on in 2013: 

Baltic 35

Cap’n André’s boat!

Hallberg-Rassy 29

Cap’n Davie‘s!

Sigma 38

Sigma racing!

Reflex 38 

Junior Offshore Group racing!

J80  

Red Tabby team racing!

J122

Racing at Cowes Week! – Image Source

 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

 

Home Cruising Grounds

Views of the Solent…

Sooooooo good to be home…

–Captain Cat 

 (transcribed by the Can Opener)

Cruising Kitty Sailing Events List 2012

The Cruising Kitty’s Sailing Events List 2012

Here’s a list of the sailing and cruising events the Can Opener and I participated in in 2012:

Highlights

• yacht delivery from Malaga, Spain to Poros, Greece in a 40 ft catamaran
• Red Tabby Cruising Regatta
• team racing with the Red Tabby Yacht Club
• Cowes Week
• Junior Offshore Group racing 
• Sigma 38 racing
• passages with Cap’n André on Un Tigre Beau
• lectures at the Cruising Association
• RYA courses

Total number of events: 

• exams/courses: 2
• cruising lectures: 25
• cruising and sailing celebrations: 25
• books read: 22
• different boats sailed on: 9
• deliveries: 1
• days team racing: 1
• days on delivery: 21
• days fleet racing: 7
• passage days: 18 

Total days on the water: 47

Sea miles gained this year: 3600

Next year… we‘d love to double it!  

Why count up where we’ve been? You gotta know where you‘ve been to know where you’re going. At least, we figure it can’t hurt. And it feels good too.

Next up: I’ve got the Can Opener working on our Cruising Resolutions for 2013. 

When he’s done, he can have the smoked oyster I’ve got waiting for him, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight here! 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Cruising Kitty’s Lecture List for 2012

The Cruising Kitty’s Lecture List for 2012

Here’s the complete list of the cruising lectures the First Mate and I attended in 2012:

1. London Boat Show: Electrics for Boaters
2. London Boat Show: Diesel Engines
3. Cruising Association: 35 Years of Cruising Sailboat Design with Chuck Paine
4. Cruising Association: Sail Away
5. Cruising Association: Jimmy Cornell Speaks
6. Cruising Association: La Dolce Vita – Cruising the Islands of the Central Mediterranean 
7. Cruising Association: Hostage – A Year at Gunpoint with Paul & Rachel Chandler
8. Cruising Association: Cruising in Oceania
9. Red Tabby Yacht Club: Ocean Passage Making
10. Cruising Association: Mid-Ocean Things That Could Spoil Your Day
11. Cruising Association: Power on Board
12. Cruising Association: Communication At Sea
13. Cruising Association: Victualling and Food Care
14. Cruising Association: Fuel Care – Biocides and Bugs
15. Cruising Association: Grenada
16. Cruising Association: Yacht Preparation and Equipment
17. Cruising Association: Medical Matters on Board
18. Red Tabby Yacht Club: Southern Adventure
19. Southampton Boat Show: On The Water Training!
20. RYA VHF Course
21. Cruising Association: Spain and Back in a Summer
22. Cruising Association: Bora Bora and the Pacific Islands
23. Cruising Association: Cape Horn and North to Alaska
24. Red Tabby Yacht Club: Racing Rules for 2013~2016
25. Cruising Association: Cruising to Arctic Norway

Huh. It didn’t seem like so much at the time, but when you write it all down… it adds up nicely!

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

A Year In Pictures 2012

Best boats of the year!!

All the boats we sailed on in 2012: 

Baltic 35

Cap’n André’s boat!

Hallberg-Rassy 29

Cap’n Davie‘s!

Sigma 38

Sigma racing!

Reflex 38 

Junior Offshore Group racing!

J80  

Red Tabby team racing!

J122

Racing at Cowes Week! – Image Source

Arcona 37

More Junior Offshore Group racing!

Fountaine Pajot 40

The Spain-Greece 2012 delivery

Eleonora

Eleanora, a 90 ft schooner and an exact replica of Westward that was launched in 1910.

 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Cruising Kitty’s Reading List for 2012

The Cruising Kitty’s Reading List for 2012

Here’s what the Captain snoozed on during 2012 
(and that were subsequently assigned to and read by the Can Opener too):

1. Maiden Voyage, by Tania Aebi
2. How to Sail Around the World, by Hal Roth
3. 20 Small Boats to Take You Anywhere, by John Vigor 
4. The Racing Rules 2008-2012, by Bryan Willis
5. Psychology of Sailing, by Michael Stadler  
6. Care and Feeding of the Sailing Crew, Lin Pardey
7. World Cruising Survey, by Jimmy Cornell
8. Sell Up & Sail: Taking the Ulysses Option, by Bill and Laurel Cooper
9. RYA VHF Radio text 
10. The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat, by John Vigor
11. Day Skipper for Sail and Power, by Alison Noice
12. Yachtmaster for Sail and Power, by Alison Noice
13. RYA Day Skipper course book
14. RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster course book
15. RYA Weather Handbook, by Chris Tibbs
16. The Reluctant Mariner, by Joana Hackett 
17. Come Hell or High Water, by Clare Francis
18. Come Wind or Weather, by Clare Francis
19. Cruising in Seraffyn, by Larry and Lin Pardey
20. Against the Flow, by Dee Cafari 
21. Taking on the World, by Ellen MacArthur 
22. The Racing Rules of Sailing, by Paul Elvestrom 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Rules, Rules, Rules!

Goodbye 2008~2012, helloooooo 2013~2016!

One of the books always on the First Mate’s bedstand is The Racing Rules of Sailing, by Paul Elvestrom. And last week at the Red Tabby Yacht Club, at the racing section’s most recent lecture, this was exactly the topic of the day. 

So I spruced up the Can Opener, climbed up on his shoulder and steered him downtown to the club. (My ears are still stinging from your firm grip on them, Furrball!)

The discussion, led by a most able and illuminating umpire old cat, focused on what‘s new in the rules for 2013~2016.

So what’s the big deal? 
As usual, there are some significant changes coming down the pipe. And it’s not just that there’s new rules to learn.  It’s that the interpretation of these rules takes a while to iron out. It’s not a speedy process or all cut and dried. It‘s a seeing and doing on the race course. 

How hard will your competitors push the rules? How will the umps interpret them this time? Will the umps in other countries play them the same way? Or even the umpires at the next yacht club…

Once things settle down and there’s some kind of precedent established then you can really get down to figuring out how to use these rules to best advantage tactically. 

So what’s new?
Some highlights:

• inclusion of a new section on environmental responsibility
• new definition of boats overlapping
• changes to definitions of mark room and room to round it – again
• ‘ownership of the zone’ is gone
• clarifications on ‘room to hail’, responsibilities, hailing at the finish line and hand signals added
• more clarifications to the definitions and implementation of ‘un/seamanlike’ conduct 

The new The Racing Rules of Sailing 2013~2016, by Paul Elvestrom is already on sale. The Rules in Practice 2013-2016 by Bryan Willis goes on sale Friday. We’ll be honing our boat handling skills next year on racing boats as well as cruising boats so I am requiring the First Mate to zip online today and order new copies of both.  

This is detailed stuff to absorb and he‘ll need the winter to absorb it. 

Have you got your new copy of the rules? Mmph? – not yet??  That new toy rodent may be good, but these rules take ages to sink in… Time to get cracking and assign it to an adoring and motivated underling like I did.

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Racing In The Solent

Image Source

Sigma 38 Racing

Why do we keep getting pulled into racing when really we are dreaming of cruising?? 

Because we keep meeting such gosh darn nice people that persuade us to join them, that’s why.

We spent Sunday crewing on a a Sigma 38. As jib and general trimmer to be exact. And it was a great day.

Once again we learned tons by being on a new team on a new yacht design with a new set up. 

And there’s nothing like racing to usefully underline how critical knowing when and where the tide is. 

Learning more about tides
Watching the other boats pull ahead (thanks to the effects of the tide) is both instructive and devastating. Watching them fall behind (for the same reason) is fantastic. 

And all this underlining happens when you are far from shore, marinas and most other nasty stationary obstacles that crop up with such regularity when you are cruising.

My First Mate, being from the other side of the pond, has never had to deal with tides before this year really. Here in the Solent, it’s something that affects your every move. It’s still not instinctive for him and he’s learned a LOT. This season great strides have been made.

Thinking about yacht design research
Now all these racing boats do tend to be fin and skeg designs under the water. Not the ideal seaworthy long distance cruising design at all, we agree. 

Still, getting to ride different types of yacht designs – even racing designs – is extremely informative. Loads of good learning to be had.

We’ve got to start trying out some classic cruising designs again, however, to further our design research which we must say, has fallen a tad by the wayside recently.  

This past season, we have been focusing on on-the-water training. Now with the winter closing in on us, we need to shift gears and pound out some good design research in the dark months ahead. 

Then having honed our cruising design list yet again, we’ll rig up a new plan to seek opportunities to somehow get on/ get near/ get familiar with those targeted cruising designs… to bring us the next step further towards our goals.

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)