Boating chit chat thread.

neris wrote: »

New AC75s for the next cup. Foiling monos. Anyone care anymore

Agreed it can get a bit dull at times but I care because after centuries, we haven't moved that far from square riggers. Foils are one of the major innovations in decades and as they develop, and become more practical/versatile, maybe we'll all be cruising smoothly at 20 knots clear of the waves in a few years.

The boredom factor is increasing for sure as multihulls/foilers open gaps so fast, unlike displacement hulls, there's no coming back from even a minor error. Then YAWN. Of course we shouldn't wish for it but a few foil tangles at the marks will definitely add some interest to the series

dolphins with the boat. watch to the end
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjooJXKW7Lk

I can't believe wild oats tried to defend that move.
The skipper comes across very badly bitching about the result and the fact that a protest was even made. What a dick!

Nicked this off facemuck. Happened in Westport during the storm earlier in week

Daibheid wrote: »

Ouch! you'd really worry about the structural risk to the hull when 5-10 tons of boat crashes on to a gunwale!

I'm amazed this doesn't happen more often given how little support some boat yards put under boats up on the hard.

Think it's a regular thing globally just a matter of the local weather. Happened in howth few years ago and big time this year after Storm irma

This is mad and scary as ****. There's video on the article to watch

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2018/01/chilling_video_fisherman_jumps.html

Sad News from Volvo Ocean Race last night.. Bitter sweet finish in HK after Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (Hong Kong Team) takes the 1st place

http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/10854_Fatality-confirmed-of-fishing-vessel-crew-member.html

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

On the face of it, it does seem kinda nuts sending boats racing under sail into a mega-busy harbour where (apparently) half the craft are unlit and not on any sort of tracker system.

Is there an argument they should have finished them out at sea?

I don't know the answer to that, have never been near HK harbour, but that's the feeling I'm picking up as this story develops online.

RIP to the poor fisherman.

The incident was in open water, 25 miles outside the harbour so I don't think harbour traffic was in any way an issue.
Inside the harbour probably would have been safer as every inch is covered by radar and port traffic control.

^^

A similar thing happened way back in the early 90’s where 2 guys in their recently purchased Beneteau First 32s5 (First Tri), ran it up on the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire, sinking her with 3 huge holes on he starboard side, the biggest being about 1m x 1.5m right at the Nav Table/Station.
They were luffing up in a stiff breeze, and never spilled the main to regain steering, and she went around on the rocks.

Alas my father bought it (as a write off) and over the course of about 18 months we fully restored her to her original glory and had the pleasure of owning her for about 5 years.

The first owners (Dingy Supplies owners in Sutton), raced her well and she had a stunning set of McWilliams Mylar headsails, the only damaged Sail was the mail which we replaced with a Watson & Jameson Dacron.

When she was sold, I was bought a Ron Holland Quarter Tonner which I succcessfully raced for about 6 years out of Poolbeg in the river Liffey.

Ah memories.....

When I bought the quarter tonner from Cork in around 1995 she was called “Will O The Wisp”

I renamed her Wildfire and we sprayed her navy with green spars and green anti fouling.