Tuesday 8 December 2015
Raced By
So that was how 2015 raced by. We sailed in 14 of the Club's Wed evening races, 3 of the weekend long distance races (results here: http://www.holyheadsailingclub.org.uk/index.php/sailing/racing/offshore-racing/nhc-results), the ISORA series, Lyver Trophy, VDL Regatta, Royal Dee Offshore Championship, Welsh IRC Nationals and attended the Greystones Regatta. All in all we sailed about 1800NM and had a lot of fun.
Monday 7 December 2015
Last ISORA 12 Sep
Having positioned the boat from Holyhead the day before, the final ISORA was direct start to finish, Pwllheli to Dun Laoghaire. With only 3 onboard, we made a poor, but safe, start. Approaching Bardsey, the wind was WSW 5-7 and the Sound was horrible - I have seen the sea and over falls bigger, but I have not seen them so confused. Nevertheless, as we emerged from the Sound, we were still in touch with the Js, a position we maintained until they set their Code zeros to cross Bray/ Kish Bank. We stayed higher to round Codling with the aim of setting the Asymetric, which we did with some success, but we were unable to make good the loss before we hit variable winds off Bray (again) and lost out with our slow sail changes, an inevitable consequence of being short-handed. The results can be found here: http://isora.org/images/2015/OverallResults/OverallResults.htm
ISORA To Greystones
After a windy week, a reduced fleet of just 3 boats set off from Pwllheli bound for Greystones and their regatta weekend. The course was to leave South Codling to starboard and finish just outside Greystones harbour. Pipedreamer, with just 2 onboard, made a very conservative start, but made up a position by St Tudwalls, only to lose it again in Bardsey Sound. The crossing was uneventful in a steady SW breeze, but as is often the case, flukey conditions awaited just off the Irish coast, which led to a frustrating finish.
The wind was very light on Sun and racing was eventually cancelled for the day. Nevertheless, our thanks go to Jenny Hanafin for joining the crew at short notice and swelling the number to 3! Thanks also to the organisers for a great day. The transit to Holyhead the next day was uneventful, though it never fails to amaze me how shallow it is over Bray Bank! We arrived home to find the Old Gaffers weekend winding up.
The wind was very light on Sun and racing was eventually cancelled for the day. Nevertheless, our thanks go to Jenny Hanafin for joining the crew at short notice and swelling the number to 3! Thanks also to the organisers for a great day. The transit to Holyhead the next day was uneventful, though it never fails to amaze me how shallow it is over Bray Bank! We arrived home to find the Old Gaffers weekend winding up.
Spinlock IRC Welsh Championships 2015
So to the National Championships in Pwllheli, 21-23 Aug, hosted in the new Plas Heli centre and on the new pontoons. Pipedreamer's crew changed during the weekend - 6 on Fri, 7 on Sat and 6 again on Sun. Overall, we came 12th, never really pushing any of the leading boats. Somewhat frustratingly we sailed 9 out of 9 windward/leeward courses, which is not usually our strength, but with this much practice may become so! The only remarkable thing recorded in the log was the amount of rain and the fact that the wind instruments stopped working, probably as a result of the deluge and becoming waterlogged.
Friday 4 December 2015
Round Anglesey
We slipped at 1545, 14 Aug, from the Holyhead fuel pontoon, having taken on 20 litres, to position Pipedreamer for the Round Anglesey race the following day. We made good time and were rafted up on St Georges pier by 2200, in time for a pint. The forecast for the race was for fair conditions and f3-5 wind backing from NW to SW and so it turned out. We made an excellent start and, despite a couple of scares (clearance both above and below) and seeing a number of groundings, we had a good leg through the Strait. By the time (1308 from the logbook) the wind had backed as far as W and we were well up with the leading boats. We set the symmetric spinnaker off the Stacks and stayed in close to avoid the worst of the tide. However, this necessitated a few gybes in a following sea and we managed to push the pole through the kite, which cost us time to repair and allowed Bada Bing (eventual winners) to catch us. We managed to fly the repaired kite across the north of the Island until Pt Lynas, where a combination of wind and heading change made further progress with the kite counter-productive. The final leg from Puffin to Menai Bridge saw us short tacking in company with Kerageous and Bada Bing, both of whom ran out of water (albeit briefly) - a fate we only narrowly avoided at Gallows Point. It was all looking good with 200m to go to the line when we lost the breeze (and possibly the race), resulting in a frustrating hour or so fighting the tide, until a kind puff pushed us over the line at 21:45.
We dropped most of the crew off on St Georges pier before Huw and I took the boat through the Swellies to Port Dinorwic for the night, ready for our delivery to Pwllheli the next day. The trip south was pleasant enough. We lost the wind in Bardsey Sound and motored most of the rest of the way, glad we had had the foresight to put the extra fuel onboard. During the run up the south side of the Lleyn, we were concerned by changes in the engine note, which coincided with RPM gauge failure and a drop in voltage. We concluded that the voltage regulator on the alternator was playing up and so it proved when we managed to have it repaired a week or so later.
We dropped most of the crew off on St Georges pier before Huw and I took the boat through the Swellies to Port Dinorwic for the night, ready for our delivery to Pwllheli the next day. The trip south was pleasant enough. We lost the wind in Bardsey Sound and motored most of the rest of the way, glad we had had the foresight to put the extra fuel onboard. During the run up the south side of the Lleyn, we were concerned by changes in the engine note, which coincided with RPM gauge failure and a drop in voltage. We concluded that the voltage regulator on the alternator was playing up and so it proved when we managed to have it repaired a week or so later.
Thursday 3 December 2015
Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta
Pipedreamer stayed in Dun Laoghaire for the week, ready for the VDL Regatta. For us, the Regatta comprised 4 coastal races around Dublin Bay in a variety of conditions, including 30+Kts. The racing was great fun as was the 'craic' - the VDL generates a really good atmosphere, with all the waterfront clubs getting involved. Pipedreamer put in a reasonable performance in the middle of the fleet, though with only 5 onboard, we were always going to struggle a little in the more testing conditions. Our section of the Regatta was won by a Farr 42, Wow, with a particularly impressive series, which, I think, also won them 'Boat of the Regatta'.
2015 was the bi-centenary for the Royal Dee Yacht Club, so they commemorated this by sponsoring the Royal Dee Offshore Championship, which was made up by combining the Lyver Trophy and the Offshore section of the VDLwith no discards. By dint of having competed in both competitions, Pipedreamer VI managed a creditable 5th in a strong fleet. The Trophy went to Mojito, one of the ISORA regulars, who also deserve a special mention for an outstanding performance in the 2015 Fastnet.
The return trip to Holyhead was completed under asymetric spinnaker in a record (for us) of 7hrs 20mins, breakwater to breakwater.
The return trip to Holyhead was completed under asymetric spinnaker in a record (for us) of 7hrs 20mins, breakwater to breakwater.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
2015 Racing By
So, about that racing start.......
The plan had been to fit a retractable bowsprit, ready for a code zero, and have new sails for the beginning of the season. Of course no plan survives first contact and although the bowsprit was fitted and proven to be effective with the asymetric spinnaker, the new sails had not arrived in time for the first race. No matter, going into the final race of the first Club series we had an unassailable lead. All we had to do was turn up........Clearly the crew had looked at the forecast and decided racing would be cancelled. Gaz and I contemplated sailing 2 handed, but eventually decided we could not leave (or return to) the berth safely in the gusty conditions.
Our first ISORA was 9 May Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead - new sails still not arrived. John and I slipped at 0705 on 8 May to catch the tide for our delivery trip to Dun Laoghaire. Conditions, were light ENE, but that did not save the old mainsail, which soon developed a 2m tear. We still had a phone signal and asked the remainder of the crew who were coming over on the ferry to bring the even older cruising main, so we could complete the race home the next day. Needless to say we were not very competitive and to make matters worse we were still carrying our old, much higher, handicap!
Our second ISORA was Holyhead to Douglas, Fri 22 May, evening start. The new mainsail was fitted immediately prior to the start, but the headsail was still in transit, so we were carrying the old genoa and hence handicap. The start was a drift, but a breeze soon filled in and we made good use of the tide to be close to the lead by Victoria Bank. The night saw a tactical battle in light and shifting breezes. However, the morning found Pipedreamer in a hole with the remainder of the fleet sailing round. We finished last at 1400!
Our third ISORA was Douglas to Dun Laoghaire on Sun 24 May. This turned out to be a better race for Pipedreamer and when the wind did drop we managed to sail round the worst of the holes and catch the leading pack - halyard tension?! The transit home on 25 May was uneventful in light airs.
June arrived and so did the new (smaller) Genoa. Pipedreamer immediately felt more responsive, appeared to point higher and promised much for the future, particularly as we would now be able to use our new handicap. The first test was a windy Liverpool Regatta on 27 Jun and Pipedreamer won the day with a scratch crew. Sadly, we were not able to put a crew together for the Sun and finished second overall for the regatta.
And so to the Lyver Trophy. The 100NM course was set via 2 virtual waypoints and took us from Holyhead up to the west of the Isle of Man and then south to Dun Laoghaire. The start was in an E'ly 3-4, but the forecast was for ESE 5-7 with gusts over 40 Kts. The start can be seen on YouTube and the race progress followed on Yellowbrick. Our plan was to start at the pin end on a starboard gybe and to stay on the SW side of the fleet, allowing for the flood tide. This led to a slow start, possibly stemming more tide than really needed, though we avoided the risk of having to gybe for the mark. We set the Asymetric as we hardened up at the first mark and, with the wind increasing, we flew down the next leg until a series of broaches led to us lowering the spinnaker, though that did not slow us much as we continued to surf down waves unseen in the dark. We reached the northernmost point of the course at 0205 in rough conditions and in company with a number of other boats. For a while we sailed a lower than ideal course to take the sting out of both wind and waves, but after a couple of hours we were able to set a higher mode, direct to The Ben of Howth. At 0600 we had about 25NM to go and were quite well placed in the pack with the wind now decreasing and veering, but with the tide turning to the N. This made the Ben something of a challenge with some close quarters tacking against wind and tide. Once through, the fetch to the finish was relatively straight forward. We finished just behind Mojito and just ahead of Tsunami and Bada Bing - 8th overall on handicap. As we approached the National Yacht Club pontoon, we found Kerageous already there, but bow down, having taken on considerable quantities of water. We were later to hear Stories of broaches, a Chinese gybe and halyards being cut - as exciting as it had been, our crossing was relatively uneventful. Congratulations are due to Jacknife for their impressive win.
The plan had been to fit a retractable bowsprit, ready for a code zero, and have new sails for the beginning of the season. Of course no plan survives first contact and although the bowsprit was fitted and proven to be effective with the asymetric spinnaker, the new sails had not arrived in time for the first race. No matter, going into the final race of the first Club series we had an unassailable lead. All we had to do was turn up........Clearly the crew had looked at the forecast and decided racing would be cancelled. Gaz and I contemplated sailing 2 handed, but eventually decided we could not leave (or return to) the berth safely in the gusty conditions.
Our first ISORA was 9 May Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead - new sails still not arrived. John and I slipped at 0705 on 8 May to catch the tide for our delivery trip to Dun Laoghaire. Conditions, were light ENE, but that did not save the old mainsail, which soon developed a 2m tear. We still had a phone signal and asked the remainder of the crew who were coming over on the ferry to bring the even older cruising main, so we could complete the race home the next day. Needless to say we were not very competitive and to make matters worse we were still carrying our old, much higher, handicap!
Our second ISORA was Holyhead to Douglas, Fri 22 May, evening start. The new mainsail was fitted immediately prior to the start, but the headsail was still in transit, so we were carrying the old genoa and hence handicap. The start was a drift, but a breeze soon filled in and we made good use of the tide to be close to the lead by Victoria Bank. The night saw a tactical battle in light and shifting breezes. However, the morning found Pipedreamer in a hole with the remainder of the fleet sailing round. We finished last at 1400!
Our third ISORA was Douglas to Dun Laoghaire on Sun 24 May. This turned out to be a better race for Pipedreamer and when the wind did drop we managed to sail round the worst of the holes and catch the leading pack - halyard tension?! The transit home on 25 May was uneventful in light airs.
June arrived and so did the new (smaller) Genoa. Pipedreamer immediately felt more responsive, appeared to point higher and promised much for the future, particularly as we would now be able to use our new handicap. The first test was a windy Liverpool Regatta on 27 Jun and Pipedreamer won the day with a scratch crew. Sadly, we were not able to put a crew together for the Sun and finished second overall for the regatta.
And so to the Lyver Trophy. The 100NM course was set via 2 virtual waypoints and took us from Holyhead up to the west of the Isle of Man and then south to Dun Laoghaire. The start was in an E'ly 3-4, but the forecast was for ESE 5-7 with gusts over 40 Kts. The start can be seen on YouTube and the race progress followed on Yellowbrick. Our plan was to start at the pin end on a starboard gybe and to stay on the SW side of the fleet, allowing for the flood tide. This led to a slow start, possibly stemming more tide than really needed, though we avoided the risk of having to gybe for the mark. We set the Asymetric as we hardened up at the first mark and, with the wind increasing, we flew down the next leg until a series of broaches led to us lowering the spinnaker, though that did not slow us much as we continued to surf down waves unseen in the dark. We reached the northernmost point of the course at 0205 in rough conditions and in company with a number of other boats. For a while we sailed a lower than ideal course to take the sting out of both wind and waves, but after a couple of hours we were able to set a higher mode, direct to The Ben of Howth. At 0600 we had about 25NM to go and were quite well placed in the pack with the wind now decreasing and veering, but with the tide turning to the N. This made the Ben something of a challenge with some close quarters tacking against wind and tide. Once through, the fetch to the finish was relatively straight forward. We finished just behind Mojito and just ahead of Tsunami and Bada Bing - 8th overall on handicap. As we approached the National Yacht Club pontoon, we found Kerageous already there, but bow down, having taken on considerable quantities of water. We were later to hear Stories of broaches, a Chinese gybe and halyards being cut - as exciting as it had been, our crossing was relatively uneventful. Congratulations are due to Jacknife for their impressive win.
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Holymed
Pipedreamer is once again back in Holyhead. The sun is shining and the season is off to a racing start (sic). That said, the weather is still throwing the odd curve ball - fog on Easter Sun and last Sat, despite the brilliant sunshine, the charter crew (you know who you are) found 32kts ENE waiting for them in the marina. Fortunately, there was a lull and we managed to slip for a glorious sail to Llandwyn and back.
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