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Fantastic race, downwind the whole way there and the whole way back! We got a new speed record for the sun fast of 21.5kts just after East Cape. Epic run. Managed to get a 2nd on IRC which I'm stoked with. Really happy with the boat in our first long race. Now 5nm out from the Mercury Islands with poled out jib doing 9-12kts. Good times.

Sorry Kevin I don't agree with pretty much anything you have said in this thread.

What a great response Fish.

I don't think I do. I had one which I gave to Curly who did up the plan B before Ed brought it. I will have a look out the back when I grab the rudder blades this afternoon.

All sorted lads. Got the Crusader sat phone.

I have 2 old rudder blades at home off my old GBE (Rental). They are not overly flash but will get you out on the water. We made new ones off the mould that I borrowed from Bill Barry. Come around and have a look to see if one of them will work. My wife will be glad to see the back yard cleared! I live in Birkenhead phone 0212222143 Cheers Josh

I'm coming in from the shore but if you get caught short I can try and pick you up. My number is 0212222143 josh

Anyone got a sat phone we could rent for the Gisborne race on the Sun Fast? Probably wont get used as we go inside White island so should be in VHF range but its needed for the rules anyway.

First sail too. That's bad luck. Cool looking boat.

This will be a great night and a good cause with all proceeds going straight to James and Somira and their 3 kids. We are trying to help our friends get a new rig in the Anasazi Girl so they can get on their way again. I am organising a Gutterboat regatta (world champs) which will no doubt be a great laugh. Pretty easy 'Shipwreck' dress up theme. They need our help so lets all get involved and make this a good night.

Yup it is really sad. I remember when the boat was brand new, I was very young at the time but I thought it was the coolest boat ever

No problem, glad to help. You can see the clip on the collar which makes it really easy to put on and off. Here is a couple of our cruising videos which might give you a few ideas. The boys are all a bit older in these, 1, 3 and 5 in the first video and 2, 4 and 6 in the Pork chop one but it still gives a good picture of boat life with kids. We are pretty relaxed with our kids on the boat, just like my parents were with us (5 boys living on a boat and doing some big miles). If you let them find their own boundaries then they tend to actually be quite safety conscious and smart. If you

You can get pretty good lifejackets for babies, our one completely came apart on the side so was really easy to put on without needing to put their head through a hole. Here is a bad photo of us in the dinghy with a 4 month old in his life jacket.

We have brought up 3 kids on the boat from when they were babies. We just had a baby lifejacket, it was painfull at first with the kids not liking it at all but they got used to it. We only used it in the dinghy, didnt really need it on the boat as we had a very secure cockpit with leecloths and netting around the rails. Its one of those things, get them into the habit early and it all comes naturally, if you dont do it early then it becomes a chore to get them to wear them further down the track.

Unfortunately Sun Fast 3600 Racing had to withdraw from the coastal classic race with some damage to the Port lower spreader. We were having a great race and were battling it out for line honours in Division 2 with Zealous, High Octane and Nirvana. Nirvana had headed way offshore and Zealous stayed right inshore so there was a big split in the fleet. We worked the middle, staying in pressure and keeping inside of the shift. The inside track looked risky to us, potential short term gains with left hand pressure but with lighter airs and a massive hole to sail through under the lee of Whangarei

I have a whole range if you need to borrow one Nigel.

Im pretty happy with the current forecast, that's our best shot in the Sun Fast 3600.

If you get desperate I will have a look around the loft. We have heaps of carbon batten off cuts but they are not round.

Another factor I think is rudder blade twist. The leading edge start to 'gybe' through the water so it loads one way then the next. I have had this same thing on many smaller boats at high speeds but mostly SR26 and my GBE both capable of high speeds.. I broke 2 rudders on my GBE before building 2 new and very strong somes which helped a lot. the first set of rudders used to twist really bad and then eventually self destructed. I also found it while getting towed at about 17kts one day with no effective helm load. The centreboard was also very critical to the helm load. I agree with you

Unfortunately there is no way I'm going to be able to make the race this weekend. Gutted! My wife has finally put her foot down. 3 young kids need their dad this weekend. With the Coastal, 5.9 Nationals and Gisborne race all coming up (and all involving a huge amount of prep time) I cant really argue... I really hope to be able to do some of the other Solo races though. Good luck guys and have fun.

We don't drink much rum and have been very gentle on the boat Ballystick.... I was down there on the Sun Fast Thursday and Friday but with the wife away coaching the youth girls in Aussie, It's daddy daycare with the 3 kids. Took them though the show yesterday. Other than seeing a huge range of pretty cool boats it was not that interesting. Certainly been mint weather for it!

Fantastic KM, you got the marshal again? I need to get my entry in shortly.

We use it at the loft. Have boxes of the stuff. Don't know where we get it from or how much it is but I can check if you want.

Yup thats the one.

We have rented the Westhaven events berth outside RNZYS for Saturday night. There is no official function planned but you are welcome to berth there or head down and have a few drinks after racing. You are welcome to stay the night in the berth but please vacate before 10am. Please note there is an Alcohol ban in the Westhaven car parks. No drinks shall be consumed outside the pier gates. If you are planning on berthing there and don’t already have an account with Westhaven can you please supply insurance details to josh@nz.northsails.com Please respect the rules of Westhaven while using