Today developed stronger than we expected although we were ready to get out there. As the wind started to whistle we switched from data processing to 'gig's on' mode.

Obviously the results from the previous session has been on our minds as it showed that we have some big issues to resolve... but we also have a heap of data to point us in the right direction.

Take these two pics for example...

There is just an immense amount of info in these two shots. They are taken in very similar conditions at very similar speeds... with two totally different main foils plugged in. The top one is the with the cavitating, wedge shaped foil and you can see how close the foil is tracking to the bubbly, ventilated wake of the rudder. It's almost in it. The lower photo is with a conventional foil and it is travelling well clear of the wake. The rear pod is flying in both and the fixed angle (but self retracting) rear skeg  in the back float is just kissing the crests. You can see the wave impacts of the front float as it jumps across the crests. The fact is that the Cav foil is built with 3 degrees of angle in it as it was always assumed it would be travelling in a fully ventilated/cavitating mode. these shots show that it clearly is not. The flow is most likely fully attached back to the base of the foil and... it's performing quite nicely. The trouble is that it's now subject to the standard foil issues and that won't give us that glorious sonic 'boom' that we crave. All good evidence.

The rudder loads were similar for the two runs with low loads around 5-30 kg. This would suggest that loss of grip at the front/rudder was unlikely. What is interesting is how submerged the main foil is in both instances. VESTAS Sailrocket 2 should be riding on her transition. This is the curved section of the foil. Instead she is sitting much lower with a large part of the 'first foil' (the upper more horizontal foil) submerged. This suggests that the foil is pulling down too hard... or we have stood the rig up too much to stop the leeward pod from flying and thus reduced the net up lift... blah blah blah. I could go on... really I could. I hate to cut it short for you technoheads out there who are no doubt getting right into this... but that's how it goes when the wind starts to blow and you have to drop everything, make a quick call on what changes will be best to try out and then get out there.

That's what happened today. I was calling Chris and Malcolm whilst climbing into a MUSTO drysuit and discussing options. I had already reduced the incidence of the main foil and pitched it up slightly. This should reduce the downforce and create more lift on the upper horizontal foil section. I discussed wioth Malcolm the possibility of quickly 'whipping off' the bottom of the foil... but we had no time.

We got over to speed-spot. Conditions were gusty and shifty. We had wind peaks to 27 knots but lows to 17 and the angle was changing. I knew it wasn't record breaking conditions so didn't spend ages with the details of the boat. It was going to be a day for collecting more data and trying things out. Helena's seat was fitted in the back. many of you have mentioned the fact that we went faster with two people on board. It doesn't make sense... but we can't discount it yet.

I did the first run one-up. I didn't feel that previous horrible vibration although the run wasn't that fast. There were some big holes in the wind. I noted that the foil seemed to be travelling higher. I did the full run. It wasn't strong conditions.

FOIL IS DEFINITELY RIDING HIGHER. WE ARE NOW RIGHT AT THE START OF THE TRANSITION RADIUS HERE... EVEN IN LIGHTER CONDITIONS.

We tried a second run with Helena onboard.

It really was such a pleasure to be finally sharing the experience with her. Christ she has put in some work... and faith in this project. We didn't get going as the wind began to fade but in a way it really didn't matter. I really enjoyed that and we will share the speed later.

So a lot more was learned. Data was gathered and we are coming to understand certain aspects of what we have on our hands a lot better.

I love reading all your input. I can understand how hard it must be from the readers perspective not to have all the data we have to form an opinion on. The thing is that the picture is constantly changing and one opinion can fade with a new bunch of data or by slightly adjusting the timeline which changes the order of things. 

I still believe that we can do this. The boat itself is awesome and it constantly takes us up to the record door for us to knock on it. One day we'll get the combination, burst on in and trash the joint.

I love this laboratory.

The weekend looks pretty windless. It might be time to get away for a day or two before we go mad. The wind will come next week. VESTAS Sailrocket 2 is in great shape. The brains trust are at it back in the UK. Today was a bonus and I think we made an improvement. all is good.

Cheers, Paul