Offshore yacht racing
Discussion
Anybody into this?
Been doing it for the last year or so, mostly cross-channel races, often at night. You don't know what sailing is until you've had to change a foresail in pitch blackness whilst beating into a Force Seven and solid waves are trying to wash you off the foredeck as you chuck your guts up whilst tying a bowline by feel and your gortex clothes seem as thin as wet tissue paper.
Been doing it for the last year or so, mostly cross-channel races, often at night. You don't know what sailing is until you've had to change a foresail in pitch blackness whilst beating into a Force Seven and solid waves are trying to wash you off the foredeck as you chuck your guts up whilst tying a bowline by feel and your gortex clothes seem as thin as wet tissue paper.
Done a bit but requires lots of commitment and flexible employers or lots of holiday time. Also when you are paying to maintain a boat, sailing on someone elses isn't that logical.
I was thinking about doing the fastnet, maybe in 2009. Or I might to the AZAB next time round, that a nice double hander race.
I agree with you though, when working the fordeck doing a headsail drop at night in similar or worse conditions is good fun, well worth getting wet!
I was thinking about doing the fastnet, maybe in 2009. Or I might to the AZAB next time round, that a nice double hander race.
I agree with you though, when working the fordeck doing a headsail drop at night in similar or worse conditions is good fun, well worth getting wet!
Absolutely live for it. Did RORC & JOG offshores for about 9 years running. I was lucky enough to win JOG Junior Champion in 1992 & then the boat I raced on won our class in the Fastnet Race in 1993 (7th overall out of all classes, including the Admirals Cup boats!!), as well as our class for the whole of the 93 season. I carry some great memories from those times - Touching 17kts in a Sigma 38 with the kite up in over 35kts of breeze in the middle of the night on the run back from the Fastnet Rock is one I'll never forget!!
Still get out about twice a month, but tend to do more round the cans stuff in the Solent with the odd JOG coastal nowadays though as I just don't have the time to commit to a full offshore campaign.
Still get out about twice a month, but tend to do more round the cans stuff in the Solent with the odd JOG coastal nowadays though as I just don't have the time to commit to a full offshore campaign.
Edited by Schmalex on Friday 6th July 22:13
Edited by Schmalex on Friday 6th July 22:32
Schmalex said:
Absolutely live for it. Did RORC & JOG offshores for about 9 years running. I was lucky enough to win JOG Junior Champion in 1992 & then the boat I raced on won our class in the Fastnet Race in 1993 (7th overall out of all classes, including the Admirals Cup boats!!), as well as our class for the whole of the 93 season. I carry some great memories from those times - Touching 17kts in a Sigma 38 with the kite up in over 35kts of breeze in the middle of the night on the run back from the Fastnet Rock is one I'll never forget!!
Still get out about twice a month, but tend to do more round the cans stuff in the Solent with the odd JOG coastal nowadays though as I just don't have the time to commit to a full offshore campaign.
I'm doing most of the offshore JOG and some RORC, culminating in the Fastnet. St Malo this weekend!Still get out about twice a month, but tend to do more round the cans stuff in the Solent with the odd JOG coastal nowadays though as I just don't have the time to commit to a full offshore campaign.
Mahatma Bag said:
Schmalex said:
Absolutely live for it. Did RORC & JOG offshores for about 9 years running. I was lucky enough to win JOG Junior Champion in 1992 & then the boat I raced on won our class in the Fastnet Race in 1993 (7th overall out of all classes, including the Admirals Cup boats!!), as well as our class for the whole of the 93 season. I carry some great memories from those times - Touching 17kts in a Sigma 38 with the kite up in over 35kts of breeze in the middle of the night on the run back from the Fastnet Rock is one I'll never forget!!
Still get out about twice a month, but tend to do more round the cans stuff in the Solent with the odd JOG coastal nowadays though as I just don't have the time to commit to a full offshore campaign.
I'm doing most of the offshore JOG and some RORC, culminating in the Fastnet. St Malo this weekend!Still get out about twice a month, but tend to do more round the cans stuff in the Solent with the odd JOG coastal nowadays though as I just don't have the time to commit to a full offshore campaign.
What boat are you racing on?
An Arcona 370.
No whales unfortunately.
Upwind, squally with lumpy seas all the way.
Didn't stop in St Malo - crossed the line, turned around and headed straight home.
15th out of 58 in class, so a bit disappointing.
Some interesting boats took part, including an Open 60 (who we slaughtered on corrected time).
No whales unfortunately.
Upwind, squally with lumpy seas all the way.
Didn't stop in St Malo - crossed the line, turned around and headed straight home.
15th out of 58 in class, so a bit disappointing.
Some interesting boats took part, including an Open 60 (who we slaughtered on corrected time).
Mahatma Bag said:
An Arcona 370.
No whales unfortunately.
Upwind, squally with lumpy seas all the way.
Didn't stop in St Malo - crossed the line, turned around and headed straight home.
15th out of 58 in class, so a bit disappointing.
Some interesting boats took part, including an Open 60 (who we slaughtered on corrected time).
Bet you are 'kin knackered right now!! Those offshores where you turn round in sight of the bars are the absolute worst. I seem to remember that cigarettes got VERY expensive on the trip back home if I hadn't brought enough for this contingency!!No whales unfortunately.
Upwind, squally with lumpy seas all the way.
Didn't stop in St Malo - crossed the line, turned around and headed straight home.
15th out of 58 in class, so a bit disappointing.
Some interesting boats took part, including an Open 60 (who we slaughtered on corrected time).
GuyS. said:
J.T. said:
GuyS. said:
I raced a Prima 38 for 4 seasons, good times. Mostly inshore but we did a handful of RORC and JOG races. Hello to anyone who remembers Kylidh at Cowes, Cork week or the Bell Lawrie.
Guy
Hello Guy
hey ho......
Offshore's Mmmmm, RORC's , ISORA , Round Ireland's, Fastnet's , Atlantic RORC's.
Yes getting a distant past now with child around .
Oh well Sigma 400's where one of the best boats for this kind of stuff good at all points of sail, strong and inspired confidence giving you the ability to press hard when the going was the same .Oh and a crew of 12 plus who had raced together for over 20,000 miles is a bonus. I quiet boat ,though not on shore .
Once the Annual RORC report of 98' reported we had averaged 11.6 Knts for 26 hours up the west coast of Ireland, which was taken by the the position at the radio checkpoints South and North. Not bad for a caravan style boat lots of 17-18 knots .
Best of luck to those doing it now its the best sport to find out who you are and who your friends are .
'Keep On Smiling '
Yes getting a distant past now with child around .
Oh well Sigma 400's where one of the best boats for this kind of stuff good at all points of sail, strong and inspired confidence giving you the ability to press hard when the going was the same .Oh and a crew of 12 plus who had raced together for over 20,000 miles is a bonus. I quiet boat ,though not on shore .
Once the Annual RORC report of 98' reported we had averaged 11.6 Knts for 26 hours up the west coast of Ireland, which was taken by the the position at the radio checkpoints South and North. Not bad for a caravan style boat lots of 17-18 knots .
Best of luck to those doing it now its the best sport to find out who you are and who your friends are .
'Keep On Smiling '
Edited by Rum Runner on Saturday 4th August 10:16
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