VSR2 introduces herself to the new guys

So we took VESTAS Sailrocket 2 out onto the water for our first sail of this, our 8th session in Walvis Bay. We have three team members, fresh off the plane, who are new to the ways of this boat.

For Alex Adams, this is his third time to Walvis but his first time with this boat. For Nick and Adam, the whole experience is new.

We jumped right into it by pulling the wing up and down in the boat park in the morning and then launching and heading across the Lagoon to 'Speed-Spot' as the wind built in the afternoon.

It was my first time over there this time so it's always good to see what shape the timing huts are in. They are our only sanctuary from the relentless wind so we are quite fond of them. Nature is taking its toll and bit by bit the beach they are sitting on is being reclaimed.

I decided that we should put the wing up despite the wind starting to gust to 24 knots. It would be atotally different experience to do it in wind as against the morning calm of the Yacht club lawn.

Everything went relatively smoothly. I then decided that we should go through the launching sequence and do a short run with the boat followed by a retrieval to familiarise us with the whole process. Once again, this all went well. I did a short start up run with the boat. VESTAS Sailrocket 2 wanted to go. I didn't have much room as it was low tide and the end of the course was too shallow... so I didn't get carried away and stuck to the plan.

The boys came alongside VSR2 and we towed her ashore.

The wind was now over 25 knots. We set about getting the wing down. One of the pins that locks the lower sections of the wings together was hard to reach so I suggested we lower the wing a bit and get it later. It was as the wing was about half way down that a combination of things lead the overall lift being generated by the wing to be greater than the weight of the wing and beam.

Result?

Lift-off!

Some quick action by Alex to jump onto the forward beam stay combined with some rotation of the whole boat brought it all back down with a splash.

I explained how totally intimidating newcomers by giving them a sense of vulnerability and lack of both control and understanding was Sailrocket's little way of saying "hello". Even for me it was a totally new trick. With everyones heart in their mouth we got her under control, back across the lagoon in the very strong winds and back under her protective canopy beside the container.

All in all it was a very productive day. Considering these guys just got off a plane 24 hours ago and had no experience with this boat, well, they have already come a long way.

This morning we checked over a few of the details from yesterday just to make sure some bits and pieces weren't damaged and made a few modifications to some areas that weren't quite right. It's already very windy and we won't go out today. It is a good chance for everyone to settle into their jobs and get more familiar with the boat off the water based on yesterdays experiences on the water. They know a lot more about why things are the way they are.

I feel I could have gone for a good sail yesterday. VESTAS Sailrocket 2 got going quite easily even with the draggy ventilated/cavitating foil. I only did 19 knots but then I was only basically sailing it back into the beach after the RIB let me go. I'm confident I can go a lot faster than I did the first time we tried it four odd months ago. Maybe the breakthroughs will come sooner rather than later. I don't know. We'll soon find out.

The wind is really blowing today. It has been four days of solid, industrial strength, Walvis Bay wind. She's sure delivering the goods compared to earlier in the year. That's why we're here now.

We will be ready to hit the water again tomorrow to get on with the sailing.

Cheers, Paul.