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SCUTTLEBUTT 3071 - Thursday, April 15, 2010Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today's sponsors: Ullman Sails, Mount Gay Rum, and LaserPerformance. KEN READ - PREPPING FOR ANOTHER LAP (PART 4) PUMA announced last week that it will participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 after placing second overall in the 2008-2009 competition. Led by skipper Ken Read in the last race, Read is again in charge of the PUMA Ocean Racing team, and here in the final installment of this four part interview, shares his thoughts about the team, the lessons learned in the last race, and how they seek to improve for the next race. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * You have said your boat for the 2008-9 Volvo Ocean Race was a very good all-around boat. But the Telefonica boats had an edge in light air, and the Ericsson boats had an edge when reaching. For this next race, are you looking to go more into a design corner to seek an edge? KEN READ: This is another highly debatable subject. I think the bigger question is whether Ericsson 4 was an all-around boat. We know the Telefonica boats weren't an all-around boat, and really had an Achilles heel in the breezy conditions in trying to maintain control. And sure enough, they won a bunch of legs and did badly in a bunch of legs, while we were generally getting seconds and thirds. As for Ericsson 4, were they enough of an all-around boat, or did they happen to just be really good, or did they stick the design into a corner and give up light air performance, as for example, ABN AMRO ONE did? In the 2005-6 race, the winner ABN AMRO ONE very clearly made a boat that had dominant speed on a reach, and had a huge Achilles heel in light air, but it never really showed up in that race. I think it is really a question of whether E4 is enough of an all-around boat for your liking, and then go from there. It just so happened to be pretty nice in a breeze, especially reaching. I am really enjoying the design part of the project. It is fun having these internal debates, and sitting down with smart people and discussing these questions. I am much more involved in the design phase this time because we have a little more time, and it has been good fun so far. * What is not yet known about this next race that you are eager to discover? KEN READ: I am eager to learn whether the old boats will remain competitive, as they theoretically can be, and I think a lot of us hope they will be. Due to the rule changes, the newer boats may not be as stiff, the keel and bulb weights will be lighter, and the boats will be heavier so that you don't spend a fortune on getting every last kilo into the bulb. The last 5% of a Volvo boat costs about 25% of the total boat as you have to work so hard to optimize the weight. However, these rule changes should result in the new boats not being quite as stiff. As far as I am concerned, it is important for the future of the race that boats don't just go around once, so the outcome of this issue may prove to be vital down the road. * Have you heard any specifics concerning the In-Port races? KEN READ: The race management has implied there will be an In-Port race at every stop, including the finish. Full interview: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0411/#4 'BUTTHEAD BONUS: During the interview with Kenny, he mentioned how he was now planning to sell his 2005 Pearson True North 38 downeast power boat. He says it has very low hours, partially since he spent much of 2008 and 2009 lapping the planet in a sailboat. Lying in Newport, RI, details on Ken's fantastic coastal cruiser are here: http://www.spyglassforsale.com/ WIND FARM ON LAKE MICHIGAN? As a suburb to the north of Chicago, the residents of Evanston, IL saw its City Council vote unanimously this week to study a project to build wind turbines in Lake Michigan. The project would take 40 wind turbines and put them in Lake Michigan, 9 miles out from water's edge in Evanston. "The wind is amazing off shore. The estimated speed we think it's about 18 or more miles an hour which is just prime wind. So those are the reasons we think this is a really interesting project," said Nathan Kipnis, Citizens for a Greener Evanston. For the last several years, Kipnis and Citizens for a Greener Evanston have been building a plan for a wind farm in the lake, due east of Northwestern University. It could produce, as envisioned, enough electricity to power 40,000 homes. Lake Michigan is comparatively shallow there, and the spot is wind rich. Offshore wind farms have long operated in the North Sea and other waters off the European coastline, but there are no water-based wind farms yet in the U.S., though there are many proposals. "This is a very active lakefront area with all the boating and the beach people and just everybody enjoying, so it'd be interesting the thought of looking out at 40 turbines," said Andi Wich, Evanston resident. -- Full story: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7382920 MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF QUALITY SAILS & SERVICE The Ullman Sails group is proudly unique, bringing together individual sail lofts from all over the world that specialize in serving their local markets. With a rich combination of skilled designers and master sailmakers, we work together to ensure every Ullman Sails customer benefits from our international collaboration. We're ready to answer your questions and customize a plan to fit your budget. So whether you're contemplating an addition to your racing wardrobe or the best furling mainsail for your cruising boat, make an investment in your performance. Contact a local Ullman Sails loft and visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com THE GREAT ESCAPE By Dave Perry So that perfect start didn't work out so perfectly. No worries... Fortunately, they give the scores out at the finishing line. There are still plenty of opportunities to climb back into the race. Here are some tactical tips for recovering from a bad start. 1) Avoid Denial. In most situations, you know if your start is going to be good or not by the final minute before the gun. The sooner you can realize you aren't going to break on through to the front row; the sooner you can tack and head for the right, while looking for a better hole or a lane on port tack in clear air. Remember, no one can go anywhere before the gun, so use all the time before the gun to find a better position. 2) Clear Air = Fast. You need clear air as soon as possible. Usually the majority of the fleet stays on starboard tack for the first few minutes after the gun, so normally your best road to clear air is on port tack heading to the right. 3) Duck to Escape. If you are on port tack heading right in search of clear air, avoid the temptation to leebow a starboard tacker! Unless you will be tacking into a clear air lane that you can hold for at least a minute, the tack to starboard is normally more costly than ducking the starboard tacker. Remember, if there is a port tack boat overlapped to leeward of you that is about to duck a starboard tack boat, she has to give you room to duck as well (see rule 19.2(b)). -- Read on: http://media.ussailing.org/US_SAILING_Media_Home/Latest_News/Perry__5.htm TEAM RACE CIRCUIT PREVIEW By Brendan Healy The summer dinghy team racing circuit is right around the corner and this year promises to be far more exciting and eventful than many previous years. With the addition of one new regatta to the schedule and the resurrection of a classic event in Boston, I know that several teams, including my own, are antsy to get the season started. Having sailed most of the events on the circuit with team Big Whoop!, I've assembled a highlight reel of each of the upcoming regattas. The first regatta on the schedule this year is the Charles River Team Race over the weekend of June 12 and 13. This event is a classic that is being brought back to life this year after a brief hiatus. The Charles River Team Race is held out of the MIT boathouse in Boston, MA using supplied boats from both Harvard University and MIT. From there the calendar has the following: Marblehead V-15 Team Race, June 19 - 20. 2v2 Random Pairs Team Race, June 26 - 27. Midsumma's Team Race, July 17 - 18. Larchmont Team Race, July 24 - 25 New York YC Vanguard-15 Team Race, August 28 - 29. Showdown at Fogland, September 4 - 5. Hinman Trophy/ U.S. Team Racing Championships, October 1 - 3. Full details on all events: http://tinyurl.com/y3tnpeg ON TOP OF A 70 BOAT FLEET The 16-foot MC scow is one of the largest fleets in North America, with 70 boats competing last month in the class midwinters on Lake Eustis near Orlando, FL. Hailing from New Jersey, Rob Seidelmann won the title and shares some comments here: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * How much time do you spend sailing MCs each year? ROB SEIDELMANN: We don't have any MC fleets in New Jersey, so we sail all different kinds of boats to keep sharp. I sail Lasers as much as I can and I also have a 26' PHRF boat that I race in our local Wednesday night program. I always go to regattas a day or two early to get in some practice. This is a great way to get ready for a regatta and also helps me get more time in the boat. We have a small group we call "Team Red" that travels to regattas and helps each other with speed secrets. Team Red is what we call anyone who uses a Moorhouse Sail. We travel as much as we can and make it a point to have as much fun as possible, so there is never any pressure on the results. We attend 8-10 regattas a year and try to pick a few new venues every year to visit. * How is one-design sailing doing in New Jersey? ROB SEIDELMANN: One design sailing in New Jersey has taken a huge hit during the past few years with youth sports such as soccer and baseball really taking kids out of our programs. These two sports have really grown in NJ and are year round sports for the top kids. Years ago, the Jersey shore had the best Laser and Optimist team in the country. Complete interview: http://tinyurl.com/y4284ee SAILING SEASON PREP THAT ISN'T "TAXING".... The easiest way to get your leading sailing gear for this season is ordering with Pirates Lair, the official Mount Gay Rum gear and apparel supplier. Be the first to have the newest Mount Gay Rum burgee, a 12"x18" classic, with the legendary logo. Look for the new two-tone Soft Shell jacket that is a "must" for this season. Check out all the new items - apparel, gear and more - in the Mount Gay Rum line. Order by calling Pirates Lair at 888-724-5286 or shop on-line at http://www.pirateslair.com/store/index.html Remember to visit the Mount Gay Rum website at http://www.mountgay.com NEW YORK TO BARCELONA TRANSOCEANIC RECORD New York, NY (April 14, 2010; Day 7) - W Hotels continues to be successful at eating small, hard won miles from the lead of Estrella Damm and with these little gains the hope that the Mediterranean, and the stretch for home to Barcelona, may provide the team of Pachi Rivero, Tono Piris and Peter Becker with a tactical opportunity or a chance to use their strengths in light to moderate airs to nail victory in the first New York to Barcelona record challenge. After nearly 2000 miles of hard racing against their Farr designed sistership, W Hotels' co-skipper Rivero concludes that their opponents have a slight speed edge in the stronger winds but the W Hotels trio is doing a good job of staying resolutely within range. They are already looking at the weather models for what might happen in the Mediterranean where they might be able to press home any advantage. Both crews are preparing for the next two or three days of big seas and big winds, which are forecast to reach 40 knots at times, before they can gybe downwind into the Straits of Gibraltar. The two IMOCA Open 60's are expected to reach Gibraltar on Monday depending on how they fare with this slightly complex low pressure system. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/y2462q6 Positions report (as of 16:30 UTC): Estrella Damm - 2027.2 nm from NY; 1639.3 nm to Barcelona W-Hotels - 2007.8 nm from NY; 1658.8 nm to Barcelona SAILING SHORTS * Sailing World's College Rankings as of April 14, 2010 finds Boston College back on top in both the coed and women's polls. St. Mary's also pulls in two top-three rankings. Full rankings: http://tinyurl.com/y4een5z * The 2009 Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) Bay-Wide One-Design Race Committee of the Year Award has been awarded to Hampton Yacht Club and the Hampton One-Design 75th Anniversary National Championships Race Committee. The members of the award winning race committee are: On the Signal Boat: John McCarthy (Principal Race Officer); Scott Almond (Scorer); Lin McCarthy; Dick Boykin; Sue Stephens; Len Peddy. On the Weather Mark/Finish Boat: Dave Hamilton; Suzanne Hamilton; Bill Samuelson; Karen Hoffman. On the Leeward Mark/Pin Boat: Bill Gibbings; Dave Gibbings; Rob Stephens. On the Wing Mark Boat: Glenn Giles. -- http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9610 * In honor of Earth Day (April 22, 2010), Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, will join forces with SailProud, an outdoor apparel company that produces high quality, innovative performance clothing from eco-friendly and recycled materials sourced in the United States, to remove more than 180,000 cubic inches of United States' landfill space near coastal communities and prevent the release of almost three tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. -- Details: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9612 * CORRECTION: If you had problems with the SailFast link in Scuttlebutt 3070, you were not alone. If you are still seeking some tax day relief, here is the correct link: http://www.isailfast.com EIGHT BELLS David Luckenbach, who owned and operated the Sailing Texas website, passed away on February 23rd. A memorial sail for David Luckenbach will take place on May 16, 2010, at McNair Park on Lake LBJ, 50 miles west of Austin, Texas. David spent much time running Sailing Texas, which provided a collection of online resources, including classified ads, forums, and various services, in addition to teaching sailing. Sailing Texas is nationwide and worldwide. David was the Texas centerboard champion in 2004 and won numerous regattas around Texas and other US states. Memorial RSVP: 512-968-4911, davidluc@earthlink.net Sailing Texas website: http://www.sailingtexas.com CATCH THE LASERPERFORMANCE BUG, AND GET OUT ON THE WATER The versatile LaserPerformance Bug has a Dacron sail for easy furling when storing or in heavy wind sailing. A race Mylar sail with power curved top section and larger sail area for higher performance is also available. Accessories for the Bug include oars, wheel kit (no dolly necessary) and engine bracket. Check it out at http://www.laserperformance.com/bug/home * LaserPerformance, a long-time official sponsor of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, has increased their support as a Bronze Partner to become a new Silver Partner of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics (USSTAG) and US Sailing Development Team (USSDT) through 2013. LaserPerformance will strengthen their commitment to the teams by providing direct funding and, in addition, donating two ready-to-sail Laser sailboats annually, which will be auctioned at future fundraisers. The proceeds will directly benefit Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. -- http://tinyurl.com/y2oxpde CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Is your event listed on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar? This free, self-serve tool is the easiest way to communicate to both sailors and sailing media. These are some of the events listed on the calendar for this weekend: April 15-20 - Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - Antigua, West Indies April 16-18 - 4th Annual Coral Reef Cup - Miami, FL, USA April 17 - The Miami to Key Largo Race - Miami, FL, USA April 17-18 - Ahmanson Cup - Newport Beach, CA, USA View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, 'The Curmudgeon'). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Donald Brewster: (re, story in Scuttlebutt 3069) The donors for most sailing trophies intended their gifts to promote some aspect of sailing, whether for sailing performance or personal behavior. In some cases, the group or association to which the trophy was originally presented assigned it (or suggested to the donor it be assigned) to a particular limited class of boats or group of participants. As a donor of a trophy (to my college yacht club), I can say for myself that this was driven by my interest in promoting the "fun" of sailing - overall. Sadly, many donors of more prestigious trophies have deceased, but I feel certain most (probably: all) would like their trophies to live on, not be retired permanently to the back and dusty corner of a glass case in some club's hallway. Trophies are supposed to recognize actions, not old gifts or dead donors. So, in the spirit of "greenness," re-purpose those old cups, bowls, plinths, and hard-to-polish silver monstrosities ... and make them fun to win. I am sure the original donors would be pleased. -- Forum, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9633#9633 * From Jamie Brickell: (re, letter in Scuttlebutt 3069) As Arthur Knapp's nephew, I am sure that he would be thrilled that a trophy he donated in the early years of collegiate sailing is still in use today. Perhaps a brief description of why any 'aging' perpetual trophy was donated and bibliography of the donor would be appropriate at the awards presentation ceremony. -- Forum, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9634#9634 * From Steve Orosz: (re, letter in Scuttlebutt 3070) Howard Bentley asks and answers "Where does it all end? In death!" Of course it does. Life is a terminal disease and nobody gets out of here alive (with apologies to Jim Morrison). That there are still a few willing to risk it all shows the rest of us that the human spirit isn't dead yet. So yes, sooner or later someone will die in a foolish quest to be the oldest or the youngest at some trivial record and it will be a tragedy to all who knew them. But is a risk-free life really longer or does it only seem that way? The beauty of the human experience is that each of us gets to decide, for good or ill, what risks we are willing to take and whether it is worth it in the end. The few who dare to take the big risks serve to inspire and enrich the rest of us who don't. * From Jim Mahaffy: (re, letter in Scuttlebutt 3070) I couldn't agree with Howard Bentley's comments more! I have been saying that to all interested parties ever since this "youngest" all started. * From Colin McGowan: (re, photo gallery in Scuttlebutt 3070) PhotoBoat showed an essential part of exciting sail racing (in picture 9 of Scuttlebutt's Charleston Race Week coverage): While we're all here about equal, what can I do to let you to have a really good day while my crew cross the line first? There is nothing quite like it...! (gallery: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0413a/) * From Jeff Spearin: (re, story in Scuttlebutt 3070) The response in this issue on how to remove VC-17 seems to be a bit aggressive. VC-17 can be removed with Acetone and a couple of rags. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors and miss. (JK.happy U.S. tax day!) Special thanks to Ullman Sails, Mount Gay Rum, and LaserPerformance. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
