Not much to say about this one other than it felt like a step back in time repeating old mistakes probably caused by not sailing my boat enough. To be fair my focus is on helping Craig design a top IOM. A report will be going up on the Datchet Radio Sailing web site.
The highlights or lowlights on Saturday
In the second B Heat race I rounded the last leeward mark in an ok position and then the boat decided to do a 360 sending me to near last place before I regained control. Being a bit thick and not having much time to get in the next heat, I did not look in the radio pot. Had I done so I would have seen water and the receiver lying in it. Now I had previously soaked the receiver in Corrosion X but obviously not enough. The next two races were OK but nothing special and then when I went to launch the boat for race 5, the rudder ceased to function and had to miss the race. The problem was solved with more Corrosion X and that got me through the whole weekend. So with a near last place and a retired with the remaining mid fleet results my overall result was disappointing.
What I am most annoyed about is I did not sort the radio pot out. Usually I velcro the battery and receiver in the radio pot so they stay out of the water. I should have replace the silicon lining in the lid with 2 mm craft foam as I know this will keep the water out.
Having sailed so little I need to work on the swing rig to get more speed out of it. Currently I am struggling but that is probably me.
Sunday was a much better day
We sailed with B intially then C and then C 3. Marbleheads are outstanding under a C3 rig. The F6 was fast but I had three contacts in three races during the day and what should have been a top 5 result was marred by a 10th and a couple of 11's. One penalty turn and you are dead in this fleet. On the plus side I easily won a B heat race which is a first for me. So 4 meetings down, I can see progress and potential.
There was only one issue and that was a slipping bowsie on the jib luff tension cord which on reflection was a bit thin. Easily fixed but maybe I should have known better before the weekend.
So what do I think of the F6 after this weekend. It is a great boat with lots of potential and fantastic in a breeze. The whole boat (and this goes for any Marblehead design) requires thorough checking before sailing. I find that one small fault can have serious repercussions in terms of optimum boat speed. The nut on the end of the tiller also needs more practice so I am looking forward to the next event being the Nationals in July.
The race team did an amazing job given the conditions and my thanks to all.
Best of luck to all those going to the worlds in France. Whatever happens the food and wine should be good.
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