19th Sept 2014

after an early start from home we got to Swanage and operation mutley was underway.
bring him back for winter and be safe. the wind was predicted to be very blowy so i didnt get MBM7424 ready and also Richard wasnt feeling upto it after some grafting the day before.
With new plans in mind for 2015 this is one of the jobs ticked of the checklist.

13th Sept

an early start and on the water for 0805 am  the wind was east to north east and crashing in on the beach  launching was fun as i had to get the boat off the trolley and then some how move it higher up the beach because of the low tide. the boat was being picked up and thrown around.
eventually it was done and i launched forgetting to put the rudder down. i though i was going to be thrown on the beach again but got away with it.
after a few tack s i was out past the boats and hitting some fairly confused waves.
one minute leaning out  next minute scabbling to keep the boat from falling over on it self.
i stayed out for over 1h 20 mins asa cup/fun race was due to take place at 11am
i was pleased with how i sailed in the conditions and preferred the laser to the cat in such conditions.
its nice to ride a big wave and crash down on a laser and control it better. as long as you can balance the boat its ok. more work needs doing on the tacking and down wind gybes as a few were all most capsize jobs. once again my gps failed to track so must look into that.

 

IST RACE FOR 4 YEARS ON A LASER

after the trip on MBM7424 bournmouth pier i did the Bent cup race for single handed in the afternoon at 2pm.
the cats were in the macdonna cup sailing single handed fully rigged. mass start and it was a challenging light wind race for one lap gradually increasing as the race went on. i was with rob seal in the raidal and tried to stay with him to get  measure of what i was doing wrong etc, he had the edge on me as my tacks were all fingers and thumbs crossing over the tiler. my reach legs were ok and made ground.
a squall came thru with some rain and it was hiking out time and a little overpowered on the beat.
on the 4th ;lap i could se rob was gaining on the next few lasers and going to number 4 we were all within a minute and a half.
i was last laser but that was only to be expected, normally i never sail a standard but gave it ago.
the boat went ok and no problems.
time 1h 2m 8m  8.5 miles approx  on handicap overall for both fleets as a mas start i also beat all the catamarans as well RESULT

    

sailing log 2014 for laser 173741

1. 26th july first sail with david bryant
2. 8th august 2nd sail solo  6.5 miles 1h 24m
3. 23rd august  Bent cup race 8.6 miles 1h 02m  
4. 13th September training session (easterly winds 12-18 knts)  1h 20m

2nd sail 173741 8th august 2014

well a 2 day friday/saturday turned into a damp sail on the laser on friday late afternoon
it was raining and the sea was calm and the sea was warm . sailed for over and hour and 20mins getting used to the controls and handling. caught on headcam as well all be it 35mins.

6.50 miles 1h24

first sail on mutley 173741

26th july i traveled to swanage early am to do a duty however with the race not run i quickly rigged the boat with dave byants help.
we went out in light winds to get back into the swing of sailing a laser again.
it was good fun and glad i had bought mutley

Mutley173741 arrival at Swanage

after sailing mutley for the first time

it felt strange but felt very connected to the boat, i didnt capsize so that was good. we sailed for over an hour a few things to sort with  the rigging but otherwise very pleased with the boat.

173741 collection

well today after a 2 1/2 hr drive to lyme regis i finally collected laser 173741 from Nicholas Marks.
he had the boat a year and before that it was from castle cove in wymouth.
very pleased with the boat, 2 rigs  standard and radial and a road trailer.
 left home 2pm got home 730pm did a wander around the cobb  got some fish and chips and a
coffe ice cream  NICE.  sophie had her chips stolen by the seagulls, they must know they were good.

new boat soon

as things are getting better during 2014 i have decided to spend the burning hole in my pocket that HMRC has given me and in the process of getting a laser again  173741.
i will be collecting  the boat on friday from Sunny Lyme Regis