Yesterday we went sailing again in similar conditions to the first day. We sailed conservatively with speed once again not being the objective. I tried doing a run with the wing more eased to see how the boat responded. We are basically trying to verify our predictions and simulations. If we can trust their accuracy then we can predict where we are about to go and what will happen when we get there. Yesterday VESTAS SAILROCKET locked in to the course nicely. We only peaked at a lowly 30.6 knots... but we did a 500 meter average of 29.8! What was nice is how the new steering system locked onto a course. There is zero feel at high speed but then that is a good thing in a craft that is rarely seeking a neutral helm. Once I turned onto the course and sheeted according to a desired rudder position... that was it for the rest of the run. You have to remember that the new system is an 'exponential' one in that it is incredibly fine initially and then very coarse towards the ends of the steering input. Our aim is to have the boat sitting in a particular area of this curve when at speed. We have decided to re-initiate a weather helm set up so that I am steering in the region of the curve that causes VESTAS SAILROCKET to bear away. This action cannot initiate the dreaded 'round-up' towards the beach. If I want to come up closer to the beach then the steering will pass through the gentle 'dead-band' of the curve where 8cm of movement only turns the rudder 0.6 of a degree.

There are a number of ways we can do this, we can sail with the rig eased a little or we can rake the beam, rig or both aft. That is what we will do today. The whole beam and rig will come aft be half a meter. If we run down the course sitting in the predicted 'safe' area of the steering curve... well... then we can put the bloody hammers down.

No joking party people... I sense we are very close to getting the control we always dreamed of and what is possible after that... well we will see. I'm hoping for a big week this week. So far things are looking good. Malcolm will be with us tonight and I think he will be pretty impressed with the work we have done over the past month since he left.

The tides and winds both look great for the week.

It's hard for me not to get excited.

Cheers, Paul