That's a wrap I'm afraid... so away she goes!
Tue, 31 May 11 16:57
Well, I'm standing here in a half peeled Musto drysuit. Unfortunately it is coming off rather than going on. We have been on full 'booted and suited' standby with Jeff over on speed-spot giving wind reports via the VHF. The whole base camp has been pulled apart and only VESTAS Sailrocket 2 sits out there intact... but not for long. We are about to descend on her like a bunch of insects and dismember her for storage.
We did all we could to have one more shot but the wind didn't play ball and the 50 knot bottle remains corked. There's nothing we can do about the weather other than be here fully prepared for when the good stuff comes.
On the up side... we have survived the first full testing session fully intact. We have made nothing but solid progress and have introduced the second true '40-knot sailboat' into the world.
This isn't the windy part of the year so these 'soft' days are pretty much the norm. For the same cost we can come back when the wind is pumping and get more full-on days for our dollar.
So that's it for now folks. The next sailing day will be in September. The team will have changed. There will be some old and new faces joining us although I have no idea who it will be right now. It depends who is available. This team has been great and we have had a lot of fun. It really doesn't feel like work despite the silly amount of hours we spend around the boat.
Thanks for all your comments and e-mails of support. They are all read and all appreciated.
Ok, we have a lot to do so I will leave it short.
I'm happy.
Cheers, Paul
New profil
Submitted by gurval on Fri, 06/03/2011 - 09:02.Hi paul.
It's amazing to see how fast is the progress of your new boat. Congratulations. If you still have problems of ventillation with your main foil you could have a look on this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTPf6JwI49o
It's a new profil made to create a controled ventilation. This video show an exemple for a 45° foil like on hyrdroptère. If you thing it could help you, it will be a real plaisure to give to you more informations.
Sorry for my english,
See you.
Well done guys
Submitted by rodders on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 09:24.Its been great following all the exciting events well done to you all and the very best of luck in September
Rod
End of first stint
Submitted by Uwe Sieg on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 14:42.Hi Paul
I have been following your test runs with interest and would like to congratulate you and the team on your progress. It brings back memories of us creating our own timing system at the first ever speedweek at the speedspot. What a rush when things come together.
C u on the water again in September.
Take care
Uwe
Issue with draggy fences
Submitted by orca99 on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 03:02.Paul
Fantastic work down there - I have enjoyed you blog most days.
One comments regarding the problems you have told about with fences on the rear foil, and not knowing what angle to set them at.
Do the fences have to be at a fixed angle? Would they not do their job, if they were allowed to pivot around a point near the front of the fence (perhaps fitted on an pin through a hole in the foil). This would allow the fence to change the horizontal angle depending on the angle of incoming flow on the foil, and should minimize the drag - I would guess.
Anyway - good luck with the project, fantastic progress so far.
Orca99, Thailand
Great effort - going to miss the excitement!
Submitted by leebrogden on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 01:07.Well done to the team - shame about the weather!
I find it so interesting and paradoxical that you have to do so many things so slowly to have to go so fast!
This obviously takes enormous patience.
Well, I hope you have some excellent time off and come September, I'm sure we are going to see some new bottles opened!
Best wishes
Lee Brogden
Well done Paul and the team
Submitted by richardr on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 21:54.Its been a real pleasure reading the daily reports and seeing a well planned project unfold as it should. 40kn in a few weeks work with a new boat. That's fantastic, and you have just scratched the surface I suspect. Congratulations to the team and keep the news rolling. Looking forward to seeing what you can do in September. Best wishes Richard.
Unlucky guys.
Submitted by morgan on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 17:07.What a shame. Bring on September. This boat WILL achieve your goal for you!!