We just got back in from speed-spot where we encountered some ideal conditions just before sunset.

We were all dead keen to see 50 knots. The new fences were on the foil which were added to prevent ventilation. This is where air gets sucked down the 'suction' side of the foil and the foil stalls. This is very draggy and slow. We had one problem however. What angle should we set the fences at considering we have a lot of adjustment for the foil angle. One angle for the fences won't suit another angle of the foil. We went out today with the foil pitched slightly up and this meant that the fences were slightly pitched up.

We launched VESTAS Sailrocket 2 and got her rigged at the top of speed-spot in pretty quick time. we are getting to be a well practiced team now. It was a beautiful afternoon and conditions looked fantastic. Strings of Flamingoes flew overhead going to a lot of effort to give our own winged beast a wide berth.

We now rig VSR2 on the beach but release it from the rib so that we are out in deeper water when the main foil is locked down into place.

I was really looking forward to this. I just know that she will chew through 50 and spit it out if given half a chance. In the winds gusting to 26 knots, VSR2 leapt out of the water when the wing was eased. I sailed her at around 25 knots in towards the flat water near the beach before sheeting on and bearing away. Almost immediately I felt her accelerate and then seemingly slow down. I knew straight away that we were ventilating and that the main foil was stalled.

NOT QUITE AS PRETTY A PICTURE AS IT SHOULD BE!

The boat was digging a huge ditch in the water and the drag was holding her back like an anchor that she couldn't shake. I looked aft and could see all the spray. Damn it... but lesson learnt I guess. The amazing thing was that we had the horizontal wing extension fitted to the bottom of the wing and even at these relatively low speeds (35-39 knots), the outboard end of the boat was flying high.

GOOD TO SEE THE LEEWARD POD FLYING...

SURE LOOKS QUICK... BUT THE SPRAY OUT THE BACK ISN'T!

MAKING THAT MUCH SPRAY SURE TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY.

The whole boat felt a lot different. It wasn't as solid as the previous 40 knot run. The foil was 'gulping' away at the air and moving through various states of lift and drag. This was causing the back of the boat to fall and rise... which in turn pitched the rig fore and aft... which in turn changed the angle of attack of the outboard horizontal wing extension... which in turn caused the beam to fly up and down. It was all a bit loose and certainly didn't feel fast.

I don't think we hit 40 knots. The funny thing is that the high 30's was also the limit for our first boat when we encountered stalling on the main foil. We couldn't break through into the 40's until we solved it with a full boat re-alignment. The only significant thing we had changed in this configuration from when we effortlessly hit 40 knots last time was to add the fences. I'm pretty sure ( well until I go through all the evidence and consult with Malcolm anyway) that it was the angle of attack of the fences that was causing the problem. If they are wrong then they can cause more ventilation than they prevent.

We were all a bit annoyed that we couldn't make the most of the perfect afternoon... but hey, we had tried something new and seen some new tricks ( leeward pod flying in 35 knot trim)... so all is not lost and it all helps paint the big picture. Right now I'm thinking that we should return the main foil to its neutral axis . We had pitched it up to help lift the rear float clear of the water after it hadn't done so after the 30 knot run. If we return it to its standard setting then the fences should be on the correct orientation. We know that ventilation will be an issue without fences so it is just a matter of getting them right.

We only have two days left now. We are going to try and sail on Tuesday even if it means we are packing up the container through the night. We want that 50 knot bottle of Champagne.

Cheers, Paul.

p.s. we saw of Martin, Henda, Mari and Hannelie this morning as they left Walvis Bay and set sail for Europe on the good ship 'Sea Jade'. A lovely family living the dream. We were all envious to see them start off on a whole new way of life. Bon Voyage.