Motivational Piece... Recent adventures

[Rob Blackburn]

Just to keep everyone focussed on the real reason for this site...

Strong wind warning out on Saturday with 25-30knot blustery southerly blowing here. Sunday am things were quietening down so Col (from our expedition to Fraser Is) and I towed the CS 20 up to Wardell a little town about 20km up the river. Launched out into the ebbing tide and raised sail.

Picked up speed as we got out into the river more and settled down for sandwiches and coffees. We continued a couple of km and then got into a long reach with the wind right on the stern. Over about 10mins the pressure increased and before we knew it we were wing and wing and going like hell. Fantastic sailing conditions. Boat was stable as a rock, tea sitting on the seat untroubled, us lolling around and marvelling at our progress.

The "Benelong", a local cruise boat came into view. We spent the next 20mins trying to outrun it and she eventually caught us in the lee of an island that we went around. After they got past you could see that they backed off the throttle which was edifying, they were out to get us.... We gave them a good run.

From there the wind picked up more as we got closer to the ocean and by the end of the run we were bloody flying downwind.

Then went to try the mizzen in the reefed position but the plug had swollen and we could not get it out at all. Tried a bit of brick, some driftwood as a club... everything. So then just furled the main and sailed around like that. This was good as it showed you could weather a bloody gale if need be with the mizzen alone.

Then back to get the trailer and home.

Next time we are going to take the GPS in a plastic bag and get some numbers. We HAD to be planing on the last leg down the river. The performance was really satisfying.

So, keep glueing.

Rob

[thebob]

Nice one Rob, this is exactly what I want to hear.

Pooring over plans and hiding away in a garage building boats is fun, but as you so rightly indicated, that is not why we are building boats is it.

Sounds like an awesome run can you ask the Benelong's captain how fast he was going? Might be a number in the phone book, and I'm sure he will remember you.

Anybody got a clocked fastest speed for a Core Sound 17/20 ?

This is why I want a CS. To Fly.

[thebob]

Hey Ray

Did anyone say iceboat?

[Rob Blackburn]

Winter is a funny thing here. If it gets down to 12-14 deg c during the day, we all feel as if we are in the movie Ice Age.

Nights below 0 deg c are very unusual, maybe one  or two per year.

We don't get the intensity of season though. We could always do with more rain too.

Rob

[thebob]

I have a different technique to deal with the winter.

I leave and spent my time in the Philippines.

Christmas will be

Turkey roast on an open fire on a white sandy beach, local rum at $1 a bottle, dusky maidens...

Only ice I want to be involved with will be clinking in my glass.

[Richard Whitney]

Rob

Loved your Fraser Is. pictures.  I have been working so much in Oz that the boat building here in NZ has suffered.  Was in the Hunter Valley last week where it was 33 degrees C.

I have started to undercoat the inside of the CS17 - had hoped to have it ready to take away for Xmas holidays - but will have to wait till Feb/March