It is funny how some days you can have pace to keep ahead and other days you are just off the pace . In light weather I definitely had an advantage, sailing higher at the same speed as others, however in a breeze and chop the boat was a smidge off the pace. A smidge can be the difference between being in the leading pack or just behind and then your problems only get worse from there, limited tactical options, dirty air, avoiding other boats .
Last weekend we were sailing at Datchet in perfect breeze and chop. First on Saturday we had top end A rig conditions and on Sunday, A solid 18 -25 mph of wind and a good work out for the B rig. Upwind I was the same height as everyone else, the boat was well balanced but it just did not have any edge. Downwind I got a hint of an issue with my setup insofar as the bow kept catching waves and not riding over them. Yes I could surf nicely on the big waves and I know how to surf but it was the smaller waves that were giving me issues. The rig was working well and nothing looked out of place. Something was up down below the water, or so I hope.
When I got home I checked out the bulb cant and found it to be near zero degrees. Not quite sure how this came about as when I last measured it it was one degree. Note to self, always check the cant after tightening the bulb bolt. The bottom of the fin is 8cm wide so using the triangle calculator on google I calculated I need to remove a 1mm space from the front of the bulb slot to move the cant to over 1 degree. Lets hope this sparks a return to top performance and just shows the need for precision in setting these tricky boats up. Sometimes I think a standard production boat would be easier but not as challenging to my grey cells.
On a positive note, the new A and B rigs are well stretched in now and ready for the championship in Australia. Nothing broke or showed any sign of wear so we are good to go. The only think I havent used for a long time is the C rig.
Early September is holiday time and then back to training and then an IOM and M ranking weekends and then off to Aus.
Good sailing
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