Today I sailed the pole race from Manly sailing club which is a seven mile race from Beach to Pole and return.
On the first short reach I was worried I had the battens too tight as there wasn't much wind and the top batten didn't pop, but with a bit of breeze the boat very quickly accelerated and with a bit of centreboard up the TIWAL got on the plane. I held onto the Zephyrs for a while, but in the light patches they pulled away from me. Around the first Mark then upwind for 3 1/2 miles sailing in 6-10 knots. I had the small sail on and I had plenty of power. I was using the controls through the puffs; playing with the outhaul, vang and the cunningham. I sailed towards the shore hoping to find some extra breeze there to make up some ground on the Zephyrs but it was a no go. It looked nice there - flat water but not as much wind. It was a warm, humid NWer with rain clouds that didnt produce breeze, only seemed to suck it away. It was one of those few occasions when heading to the shore wasnt the best course. Of course the local Zephyr sailors seemed to know this - should have followed them! Downwind, unfortunately the wind died to 5 knots so the TIWAL wasnt given the chance to show its lightweight speed but it was pleasing that with each small puff there was a pleasant humming noise and slight vibration as the boat got on the plane. Overall, it was good sailing the boat with plenty of power. I put plenty of shape in the battens before I left the shore which was perfect for the conditions. The adjustable battens will provide me with a bit of learning as I have never played with batten shape like this before.
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Today I took the T3R out for a quick sail in a moderate 6-10 knots. There is a bit more rigging time to adjust the battens for the conditions and to rig the ropes which adjust the sail shape - but I imagine I will get quicker at this. It took me 35mins from boat laid out and the sail already on the boom.
It was around 6 knots and I was out on the hiking bars (at 55kgs that is usual for me) and then I looked up at the sail and had a bit of a wow moment. How can I describe the joy of trimming a really good looking sail? Well, its good! The material is a soft laminate with full battens so it will last a long time. The battens are adjustable so you can choose your sail shape for the conditions. I lined up against a couple of lasers who were racing and to my surprise I held my height with them. Despite more wetted surface of the TIWAL I was able to stay the same height as them. No doubt the longer, well shaped centreboard and rudder helps; as does the stiffer rig and the sail shape. I need to test it in stronger winds yet and I'm looking forward to that! Go TIWAL - we have a product fit for racing now! |
Melinda HenshawI am a New Zealand sailor who learned to sail in the beautiful Malborough Sounds and then went onto represent NZ at the 2000 Olympics. Archives
October 2024
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