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grantmc

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Posts posted by grantmc

  1. I used an inflatable one in the wave pool in that "how to be rescued" course, my over riding memory is that it was bloody uncomfortable, ten times more so than the old vest thing I used to wear racing dinghies a couple of centuries ago. And it was nearly impossible to propel yourself wearing it. I guess it means you lie passively and hope like hell to get rescued.

    I did that same course recently and shared that same experience. The inflatables aren't nearly as effective in the water, but the reality is that people are far more inclined to wear them than they will wear traditional bulky life jackets.

     

    I certainly agree about the crotch strap, without one you'll be strangled. Consider an emergency light too. The Spinlocks have a light as standard (but they're 3-4 times the price). 

  2. Proving that down here in windy Welly our Council are making the right decisions with our money. Today sees 2,400 tonnes (about $400,000 worth) of new sand arriving at Oriental Bay beach. Packed in 45 containers, it's from a quarry in Dunedin, where it was especially crushed and sieved, ensuring just the right consistency. Only the best for our neighbours in Oriental Bay.

     

    And what about Wellington's other beaches? 

  3. A few photos of the amazing cat parked up in Wellington. Sorry about the bloody crane parked beside her.

     

    She is the biggest catamaran in the world at 44.2m long with a 16.6m beam.

     

    She's available for charter at US$260,000 per week plus expenses of about another 30%.

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  4. Is an old style halyard, (pulling up a hanked on sail) that needs replacement. It is a combination wire rope at bow spliced to braid about halfway.  

    Why are jib halyards made this way? Is it still common practice?

     

    Is replacing with spectra a valid alternative? Would the old sheave get quickly buggered with spectra? The mast head sheave of course is quite narrow because it only handles the wire.

     

    Thanks

  5. isn't that what used to happen?  If you didn't get a WOF at one garage you could try another and might pass?

    That's my point. And ok it still isn't perfect. But those poor practices were pretty much stopped in the motor industry by clear rules, inspector education and as a result we have consistent inspections. But yacht inspections seem stuck in the 1980s. 

    • Upvote 1
  6. I suggest you talk to another inspector, one who understands ply boats. You are free to ask about their experience.

    The variability and inconsistency between inspectors makes the system somewhat of a farce. Imagine if we just ran round as suggested with our cars until we found a garage that would provide it with a WOF. But this seems to be the practice with yachts. It's caused of course because so much of the regulation is open to interpretation because it lacks definition. Also as pointed out earlier the rules are now so far out of date.

     

    It's not even clear what category an event should be given the rules use vague and non specific words like; very extended, heavy storms, serious emergencies, self-sufficient, extended duration, relatively warm, close to shorelines etc etc.    

     

    I crewed on a boat that did the Auckland to Suva race last year and of course had had a cat 1 certificate issued immediately before the race. Yet there were numerous infractions from the rules. I wont list them all here, but some basic examples. Only had a single anchor that was stored deep at the end of a quarter berth (rules 10.0), no radar reflector (9.11), only 2 x 1kg extinguishers (9.1), no toe rail (7.24 ©). 

     

    And to be fair to the inspectors, the rules are all about racing. Having to get a cat 1 for some frumpy old tub to get to Fiji or Tonga is far far different than the same trip in a race.

    • Upvote 1
  7. At least two more containers have been blown off the Centre Port Wharf today. One has beached itself on Oriental Bay beach per photo. This is only 200 mtrs from the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour for yachts. At least one other container is floating around in the harbour somewhere and ships have been warned to keep a look out.

     

    One can only wonder what is going on at Centre Port. This is the second occurrence in as many months and the company isn't even sure how many containers have 'blown away'. 

    Container_Oriental_Bay_10June2015.jpg

  8. Man that flies.

    I guess no matter how bad the seas, you still get a smooth as ride.

     

    Also interesting to read the pdf brochure.

    It's written in Chenglish.

  9. A new ferry - Strait Feronia - will join the Bluebridge fleet at the end of the month, replacing the Santa Regina.

     

    The latest addition to Bluebridge's fleet cruised into Wellington late last week after a 45-day trip from Sweden.

     

    Strait Shipping, which owns and operates Bluebridge, bought the new vessel - the Strait Feronia - in January to replace the Santa Regina. 

     

    The ferry, which previously sailed the Sweden to Germany route, will officially join the Strait Shipping fleet sailing from the end of June. She will be the longest ship on the Cook Strait route when it enters service.

     

    The 186-metre freight and passenger ferry is larger than the Santa Regina and has the potential to carry 2150 lane metres worth of vehicles and 400 passengers. Passenger facilities include a movie lounge, cafe and bar, children's play area, and drivers cabins.

    A few more pics and vessel details here.

    Feronia1.jpg

  10. What will it be clockwise or anti clockwise?

    In November 2015, RAYC will send a fleet of boats to Wellington for the inaugural Auckland to Wellington Race. In the 1970’s and 80’s Devonport Yacht Club ran a similar race to Picton and Nelson. A lack of resources forced the club to stop holding the race, and only two handed crews have raced to the Cook Strait from Auckland in the last 10 years. RAYC are working in conjunction with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, to rekindle the journey south from Auckland to Wellington via East Cape. There will also be a short-handed division for crews of 3, which could appeal to those wanting to do the SSANZ Round North Island in 2017.

    Copied from their press release.

  11. Whats wrong with singlehanded? Anyway, I could probably find some mug to go with me!! November in Wellington is likely to be NW gales...

    I may be interested....

    This should be an awesome event. Am really hoping that some Welly boats will go up and race too.

     

    But IT you're certainly on the money expecting gales that time of year. Here's Roger Folley's report about the 2014  Brother's race that started 1 November. Can Jaffa boats handle Cook Strait on a windy day?

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