hb1849

From above link "the rescueME MOB1 is automatically triggered the moment the life jacket is inflated". Are the lifejackets auto inflating? Doesn't seem likely given the boats look to be so wet? From this equipment list "Lifejacket – Auto & Harness, complete with Spray Hood & Manual Adaptor Kit" So if he was unable to inflate the jacket, the AIS would never have been activated....? (And even if it did, wouldn't be much use given likely survival time without LJ inflated).

Another issue is that fizzboaters who do 'attempt' to follow the rules often go around at 7-10kts instead of 5, making the largest wake possible.... Change reg to "5kts/No Wake" would maybe make it more obvious??

The main thing I like about Deks Olje (& presumable other similar products) is that it doesn't matter if you leave it too long without maintenance. You can just put more on any time you feel like it -- or not: no risk of having to sand it all back. And application is very easy -- I use an old rag.

Windward foil looks very useful for decapitating rival crew..... Wonder how they'll deal with that....

Err -- except I believe TNZ still has Guillaume Verdier -- one could say he has some experience with foiling monos.

That's right, BA22. Yes, went loose footed. Much better. Apart from that, main changes from the original I made were: - Less roach -- for easier hoisting, and so it doesn't need reefing so early. Also because it was the default roach they quoted on, so was easier - Deeper second reef -- the second reef on the original was very close to the first for some reason. I'll PM you further details.

I paid US$495 for the sail, and was charged NZ$130 duty/GST/clearance fees.

Yeah, it's made the boat immeasurably nicer to sail than the old baggy thing.... Didn't have any issues with it fit wise etc. -- all good. I think I'll try tapering the top batten a bit, other than that I'm happy with the shape. Photo is taken with only a few kts of breeze, hence the bottom looks a bit creasy. Looks nice once the breeze gets up, and the boat now sails OK under main alone in 15-20kts -- it used to basically stop without a headsail before. https://www.dropbox.com/s/0fbq8ek1cn7zeyf/DSC_0183.JPG?dl=0

My main from Far East turned up today, ahead of schedule ( One thing that's a bit off-putting, if not entirely surprising, is the "Clamclcat RACIUG" (sic) logo on the leech line cleats!!

They definitely offer radial cut (etc.) sails -- don't know about laminates though.

Yeah, the 'supporting local' thing is a factor. But it seems the NZ guys just can't compete on sails where cost is a primary factor -- which is fair enough. I'm surprised they can make them in China as cheaply as they do, with wages there as (relatively) high as they are now. Must just be sheer volume. If I were buying a sail for racing or serious cruising it'd potentially be a different story -- but for the old TS it's a no-brainer really, anything will be better than the 35 year old main it has now! Buying a fancy NZ made sail for it would be overcapitalising for what we use it for.

I'll let you know in a few weeks ...... About to push go on a new main from them for our TS.... So far, communications etc. have been excellent.

Yeah, with our Bonito, we paid ~8k plus a new trailer. Had it four years now, and have easily got that value of entertainment out of it already. The way I see it, it owes us nothing. When we sell it to upsize, any money we get for it will be a bonus.

Further to points above -- plenty of fun to be had sailing 'slow' trailer yachts at their top speed. We're happy with our 22' Bonito and we're hardly ancient -- 20's/30's. I wouldn't pay much of a premium (i.e. 30k vs 10k!) for something faster for what we use it for.

In a lot of ways it quickly becomes easier to build a new frame rather than patching too. I ended up doing this with mine -- Cut out, and tack welded the frame together,then took it to a qualified welder to finish all the structural welds. The whole new braked, tandem axle trailer (for a 22' boat) ended up costing ~$4.5k I think, and it's far better made than an off the shelf one.