VESTAS SAILROCKET is back on the water.

Hi all,

So another page turns as we put the design and build of the new steering system behind us. Yesterday We  got up before dawn to conduct some towing tests. It was a real pleasure to be pulling on the Musto drysuits rather than a white dust suit.

The RIB was launched and VESTAS SAILROCKET followed. As with all new systems, the devil was in the detail. Whilst the main body was largely finished a week ago, we spent another week making sure we got the quality and precision we wanted at the start. The new setup looks fantastic but the proof will be in the testing!

Here you can see how the new rudder is tucked under the new extended aft planing surface. This should greatly reduce the onset of ventilation. The aft planing surface is tapered towards the back to give a slightly softer ride and provide a more 'pressed' foot print in the water so as to help prevent air from reaching the foil. It will not be as efficient as the wider, higher aspect planing surfaces but we will get to that later. The priority is on control.

So the tow testing went well and our attention to detail paid off. We had some issues with the correct bridle system for the tow but generally I found the system a pleasure to use. The new steering concept relies on a unique method where the one action gives a ramped response to the rudder. In the central position, + or - 4 cm of action fore and aft on the hand/foot steering will only move the rudder about 2/3rds of a degree. As we leave that range fore and aft, the response gets ramped up so that at + and - 10cm of range we get 30 degrees of rudder response for low speed manouvering. I will wait to see how it performs in the arena before I go on too much about how this was achieved, needless to say.... nothing is easy.

I am pretty happy with what we have achieved in a relatively small amount of time and many people deserve thanks. George has done an immense amount of work and the quality of the finished product is a direct result of this. the guys at Brumar Turning Services here in Walvis have been brilliant as was UWE Jasperson at JAZ Marine in Capetown.

Here we are doing a run down the speed course in somewhat lighter conditions. We are doing around 25 knots.

Paul, George and Hiskia.

After the tow testing we moved on to static load testing where we applied around 225 kg of side load to the system from both sides. Whilst I know it could take a lot more... it really shouldn't unless something goes wrong and it needs to drag us out of danger in a hurry.

So after all these boxes were ticked we used the new jig and laser system to verify that all the dimensional accuracies were maintained from our initial setup after a full dynamic and static system workout. Everything was fine.  We went for a beer.

A funny thing happened in our local bar/restaurant last night when an old friend just walked in. None other than Tracy Edwards. It was through Tracy's Maiden campaign that Helena and I met. When Maiden parked up back in 2002, I focused all i had on building Sailrocket. Tracy helped us out a lot with accommodation in Southampton back in those early days. It was a freak encounter and great to see her.

Today we began reassembling the wing. It began blowing early and hence was obvious that we were going to be blown out. I decided to leave the wing inside the container for another day. Our time will come. The boat is ready but we will try the new system out on milder days initially. It offers so much promise and improvement that it makes me nervous. I don't like to think too much about it so as to remain impartial to what is to follow.

The next couple of days are also set to be windy... but we will see. We are all very keen to see the fruits of our labour. It was with great pleasure that we packed up early today and headed home to do the office work. I fell asleep and sleapt throughout the afternoon. It's the first fully relaxed time we have had since the crash.

So we are effectively back in action. the kiters look set to have a couple of big days ahead of them in Luderitz and Hydroptere is back in the water in the Med. Haven't heard a peep from Wotrocket but a little birdy told me that the Macquarrie Innovations boys will be back in action soon... so it's all go.

Cheers, Paul.