Hi Sailors!
The Sailing Weekly Roundup brings you the latest in sailing news, trends, gear, events, and training. Every Friday we’ll send a curated list and analysis by Capt. Teresa and Ben Carey. Instead of sifting through a ton of articles and videos each day – let us do the work for you.
Analysis:
I watched some of the latest Project Atticus videos and couldn't help but chuckle at how common their problems are. Any "new to you" boat will have more problems than expected, and the best-intentioned surveys barely scratch the surface. I've sailed many boats, and I've learned that same lesson many times. Only Chamois and Daphne – our two Nor'sea 27's were trouble-free out of the gate. Coincidence? Probably.
But the issues with Atticus 2 remind me of when we bought Rocinante our Norseman 447 in Bocas del Toro, Panama. To say she was neglected would have been a gross understatement. The previous owners had parked her and walked away. They left their razor on the sink, an open can of beans in the galley, and dirty laundry in the hamper.
Cleaning the boat was less than half of the fun. The previous owners also left a roller furling jib furled the wrong way, basically sunbaking the sail. They left the watermaker unpickled and a vice grip holding on a bolt for the main traveler, among a few other treasures and "creative jury rigs."
We spent a few weeks in Bocas del Toro working on the boat, learning her ins and outs, repairing a few things, exploring, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.
But we never could have been ready for the first few days of our passage north. Our 3000nm shakedown sail was one we'll never forget. Just for the record, I don't recommend anyone do a 3000nm shakedown sail. Ever. Especially up the windward passage – which is notorious for the accelerated trade winds and high seas.
On our second day out, we encountered those infamous winds that blow off the coast of Columbia. They were howling! It was a steady 30-35kts and gusting, with 12-14' seas for the next four days. We gave the boat the most serious shakedown possible. It was downright scary. The boat leaked seemingly everywhere. Water was running down the inside of the hull at every chainplate and stanchion. The mast creaked, the floorboards groaned, the head smelled. We wondered if this boat was going to make it. Everything became a worry.
We swore many times over that we would sell this boat as soon as we got back to the states. That was seven years ago. Since then, we've rebed every piece of hardware, replaced the rig, replaced the head, replaced, replaced, replaced. Rocinante is practically a new boat now. We even renamed her. And we are so glad to have the boat we currently have because we fixed every creak and know how reliable she is.
~ Ben
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Don’t forget to check out our sail-training expeditions at MorseAlpha.com.
From Morse Alpha:
Two berths available on our August 15-20th Maine Coastal & Offshore Expedition
We have 2 spots left for this challenging course. Our expeditions are jam packed with lessons, drills, scenarios, planning, and navigation. One day we’ll head out to sea and sail overnight. The trip starts and ends in Rockland ME.Six Things We Love About Our Norseman 447
We are just about 2 years into ownership of Rocinante our Norseman 447. In that time we’ve sailed her just about 8,000 nm and we’ve gotten to know her a bit better. She sails and handles wonderfully in all conditions we’ve experienced so far.
Now for the best of the web...
News:
Huge Spike In Shipping Containers Lost At Sea
Containers piled high on giant vessels carrying everything from car tires to smartphones are toppling over at an alarming rate, sending millions of dollars of cargo…Lost containers and the 2021 Transpac
With nearly 60 boats entered for the 51st edition of the biennial Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpac Race, there is a lot to think about before setting off on the 2225 nm Pacific Ocean course in mid-July. Such as how to avoid floating containers.Antigua Sailing Week Announces Women’s Mentorship Program
In partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Marine Association, Antigua Sailing Week is launching a mentorship program to encourage women and girls to join the sport of sailing.Video: SailGP Japan collision with USA SailGP on Leg 3, of Race 4 - SailGP Bermuda
SailGP Japan collision with USA SailGP on Leg 3, of Race 4 - SailGP Bermuda. Nathan Outteridge helming SailGP Japan on port tack was on a collision course with USA.The Easier The Better
Mast-mounted instrument displays that are touch-screen and customizable; the appeal of B&G’s new product Nemesis is easy to see from any angle. In the age of touchscreen phones and tabletsHundreds of Tons of DDT Potentially Discovered off Catalina
There may be a lot of DDT sitting at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Marine scientists at the University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography just discovered approximately 25,000 barrels potentially containing the toxic chemical near Catalina Island in southern CaliforniaNewport Bermuda Race Names Cruising World and Sailing World as Official Media Sponsors
The magazines will design and produce the official Bermuda Race program, publicize the race through their print and digital channels, and support sponsorship sales efforts.
Educational:
Spinnaker sleeve, all you need to know
The spinnaker sleeve, also known as the spinnaker sock, has changed single-handed sailing. It was not until the mid 80s that Etienne Giroire setup ATN and started producing a system that truly worked.Towing risks damage, so plan the process carefully
'Consider, Communicate and Connect' when towing, particularly when under sail, and reflects on lessons learned from six incidentsBoat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist
Check all your standing rigging connections. The mast cap is out of sight, out of mind 99% of the time, but serves multiple functions: backstay, forestay, cap shrouds, radio antenna, nav lights, halyard sheaves…How to Paint Smooth Curves
This cool little trick works on all sorts of paint tasks where masking or varnishing tape must be applied on a curve.Max Ebb on Docking: Walk the Walk
Max Ebb, Lee Helm, and a retired pilot discuss prop walk. “Docking a big boat is all about confidence.”A guide to steering without a rudder + Video - a must read and watch!!
Lost your rudder at sea? Michael Keyworth perfected a way to steer using drogues. To engineer this solution, he removed the rudder from his own boat(!), and experimented with different method, and has summarized his technique in this terrific article.
Lifestyle:
Project Atticus: We definitely were NOT expecting this...
We hit a couple of road blocks this week as we struggle to get to know our new sailboat and try to get it ready to leave the dock. We deal with our diesel heater and fridge failing, we complete some difficult engine work, and we ask ourselves if we made the right decision in buying this boat...Experience: A Badly Snagged Prop in Haiti
Suddenly one of the men cried out, “Reverse, reverse, reverse now!” To me this could only mean one thing—we were about to hit a coral head–so I shifted into reverse and revved hard to stop the boat as quickly as possible
Gear:
Walder® boom brake
Jibing remains a delicate and dangerous maneuver for even the most experienced sailor. To eliminate the dangers inherent when jibing, the WALDER® boom brake controls the horizontal and vertical movement of your boom – allowing it to sweep gunwale to gunwale with complete safety.Icom M94D Handheld VHF with AIS
The new M94D from Icom is the first handheld VHF with a built-in AIS receiver, enabling boaters to track AIS-equipped vessels on the radio display for greater safety on waterways with a high amount of boat traffic.Harken Gizmos
The engineers at Harken have been busy of late putting the detail touches on the first pieces of their new through-deck fittings, gear akin to that offered by its one-time international distribution partner, Ropeye.Do-it-Yourself: Preparing for an Offshore Race
Preparing for an offshore race can be a daunting challenge, with hundreds of tasks involving boat preparation, crew training, sail selection, last minute haulouts, and so forth.Edson Marine Compact Manual Offset Drive Pump - Aluminum
Very sweet Manual Bilge pump for your cockpit. This newly improved version features a removable handle and completely flush mount.