Fun Sailing in Palm Beach

Blasting thought the Gulf streem in a Northerly is a lot of fun. 18-23 knots on a good TP 52

Very cool

Sweeping up Pumpkins

It is always fun to sail with friends, but to go home and race with friends on a great boat in fun race, priceless…

I traveled to the SF bay area to race the Farr 400, Team Premier in the Great Pumpkin Regatta.  This is a fall, Halloween classic raced out of Richmond YC.  The last one I did was in 2005 with Money Penny Swan 601.  This year they ran 3 short races on the Berkley Circle and on Sunday they had the 1 big Pursuit Race for all the Pumpkins that starts near the YC in Richmond the only marks are Alcatraz and Angel Island.  Which you can go either way. 

This year the weather was perfect, sunny warm, and in the fall when it is like this, there is not so much wind.  I think the weather had a lot to do with 270+ boats entered.  Saturday windward leeward races were short and light.  We were racing in the Sport Boat A division.  The first race was 3 legs, not 3 miles.  PHRF A class started 5 minutes ahead.  We won the start at the committee boat and our powerful sail plan push us ahead and into the fleet ahead near the first mark.  By the time we rounded the bottom mark, we were first boat on the water and went on to win with minutes to spare.

Then we had to wait for 2 hrs for the wind to fill in from the west and pick up.  The next courses were very short but fun.  The first race 3 legs took us 21 minutes to complete, the second 5 legs, 29 minutes.  We won both of these races also.  Great fun, boat was fast and a pleasure to sail for everyone on board.  We raced with 8 people, average age somewhere around 48.

The pursuit race on Sunday, we were to start almost an hr after the first boat for a 12 mile course.  In a race that was 0-15 knots, it took us less than 1:40.  We started and went around Alcatraz first.  The wind was very light from the northwest, we hoisted the Code 0 and sailed low to the closest spot that the westerly will fill in.  Went through a small hole, pulled the jib up and sailed upwind in a fast mode to Alcatraz.  The wind built to a max of 15 knots, the boat was sailing very well, I am sure we passed over 100 boats on the way.

Around the famous Rock

We had a fast reach over both islands and then the wind dropped just enough to put the code 0 up again.  As we approached the north west tip of Angel Island the first boats going the other way were just going around, lots of traffic and we were on port tack.  Changed spins to the A1 and sailed with many boats down the straights.  We played the right side and got a good shift to the north as we exited and sailed around the remaining boats with a better angle into the finish.  About 1.5 miles from the finish line we were the first mono hull.  And so we placed.

The Farr 400 went very fast though all these conditions. Only three big Cats beat us.  We were the fastest by far mono hull on the course.  We have learned a lot sailing the boat and the speeds are starting to improve.  We would have won this event, all boats we sailed against in any rule, IRC, ORC or PHRF, the boat was on fire.  Nothing better than sailing a great boat with a great crew.  Check out the results at http://www.jibeset.net/RYC000.php?RG=T027599622

Dee Smith

Farr 400 sea trails

Here in the land of big buildings, sand and sunshine.  Boat is very new but a lot of fun to sail.  Our first outing in 15-17 knots of wind, just trying to make sure she works.  All I can say is she seems very fast and easy to sail upwind.  Nice a stiff but easy to sail through the chop.  And downwind, loves to take off.  We were hitting wind speed fairly easy.  I would compare it to a small TP type of a boat. or  M 32 that goes upwind…

Sails and Spar look quite good.  Boat is strong and stiffly built.  And the best part is, it came out light in the first weighing.  way under 4 ton in IRC measurement trim.  We will be sailing over the next few days.  Will report more later…

We plan to race this boat in Europe starting in Barcelona in May, then on to St Tropez, Valencia and ending in Palma for Copa del Rey… 

Bella Mente Version 7 goes to Cabo

I am sitting here still on east coast time waiting to get down to the boat which to sail to the start off Newport Beach.  Bella is to0 deep at almost 5 meters to get into Newport Harbor, so we a docked at Long Beach.  7 weeks ago, after Bella finished Key West Race Week, we added 5 feet to the Transom, modified the boom, added 20 sq meters to main and 70 to the spinnakers.  The boat also had to be trucked out from FL and a lot of other work to change it from a around the buoys boat to a CA ocean racer.  The shore group has done a fantastic job with all the changes and the boat is very ready and feels much faster.

Three new members have joined the crew.  Navigator Ian Moore, Volvo race winner Mike Sanderson and Kiwi Daniel Fong.  My job will be to do tactics and co navigate with Ian.  We have worked on many other projects before and won many races along the way.  It has been some time but nothing seems to be different other than he is a father of two now.

Looking at the weather it is not going to be too pleasant.  There is a front coming down and will cross the course over the next 36 hrs.  This puts us on the wind shortly after the start and I don’t expect to get spinnakers up for at least 36 hrs in a 70 hr race.  It won’t be too comfortable at all, not to mention the rain.

You can follow the race on the tracker at:http://cloud.iboattrack.com/r/start.php?r=2011_newportbeach_cabo

 

and the race info is at :http://www.nhyccaborace.com/nhyccaborace/Home.html

Just looked at the tracker and the smaller boats that started yesterday have had a good run in plenty of breeze.  It might be hard to catch them…  Well give a good go…

Sailing in Chile

Joc and I have have landed in La Serena, Chile so I can sail with Eduardo S. Ramos on his brand new Soto 40, Fenix. This is the first time the boat sailed with the same basic crew that sailed with last year. We have had two races so far. A 21 mile light air affair down the coast to Tongoy. We had a good start only to be passed by 4 boats in a 8 boat fleet. As we worked out way upwind the wind died and it was time to rock hop around the corner. We were able to get by the others at the turn by staying very close. The distance opened up as we went on to the finish. The picture above is from Matias Capizzano. He has taken many great shots over the last two days of racing. Check out his website on the right to look at more shots of the race and other regattas he covered. Celfin Capital sailed a very good race to take second.

The second race back started with a twice around windward leeward then back to home base. We had another good start to lead around the 4 marks. Then it was a jib reach in 7 knots of wind lifting to a run as the wind came up to a max of 18 knots. It is a lot like sailing in California. Good size swells that run pretty fast. As the wind built it was first stronger in shore but on the way back it built off shore. We had a good plan not to be either furthest off shore or closest. Santander was second and tried to take the inside lane. They slowed and ended 5th. We opened a good lead on the outside boats but the wind lifted a bit more than I thought it would and when they came back we lead only by about 10 lengths. As we gybed in toward the finish everything was fine until we ran over a big patch of kelp about 4 miles from the finish. We were lucky to hold on to second, loosing by about 20 seconds to Mitsubishi. So after 2 we have a 1,2 and Mtsubishi is in second with a 3,1. Tomorrow we have 2 up and downs. Fun racing looking forward to more, this is much better that winter in Annapolis....

Ft Lauderdale to Key West Race, Bella Sweeps

Good to report that all went well on the race to Key West on Wednesday.  Hap won the start with a gybe hoist and right out to where the wind was blowing 2-5 knots more.  Aided by a 15 degree shift, we came back ten minutes later to a mile lead over the fleet.  And so it started, 50 some gybes later about half way around the Keys we started to harden up and the speed came on.  Wind range was 12-23 knots over the race.  We heard report of up to 30 behind and believe we were staying ahead of the main pressure.

The Gulf Stream was pretty far off the coast above Miami.  This let us stay out in the pressure till we got down to Fowey Rocks.  Then it was gybing almost every 5 minutes or so.  Big work for all the grinders on the boat, they worked all the way down.  Sails we used started with the A2 and Spin Staysail.  When the wind came up to 20 knots we changed to the A4.  At time reaching speed of over 22 knots.  Really fun sailing.  We went through the A3 and onto the fractional code 0 we call the Fro.  This sail along with the GS really pushed the BM along sailing over 18 almost all the time at wind angles of 130-120..  The short beat into KW with the J4 and all was goo in 11 hr 11 minutes for an average of 14.38 knots.  Not bad when you count the 50 gybes and the average 1 knot of current against.

After KWRW the big Bella goes to the west coast for the Cabo race in March.  Looking forward to getting back to my roots out there. 

 

Results:

 

Yacht Name

Owner/Skipper

Elapsed Time

Corrected Time

Class

Fleet

IRC A
1	Bella Mente	Hap Fauth	0:11:10:59	0:17:12:38	1	1
2	Vela Veloce	Richard Oland	0:12:42:34	0:17:26:14	2	2
3	Privateer	Ron O'hanley	0:13:00:07	0:17:51:52	3	3
4	Decision	Stephen Murray	0:13:22:15	0:18:17:28	4	4
5	Denali	Michael Damelio	0:14:58:37	0:19:54:15	5	7
6	Bella PITA	Jim Grundy	0:13:47:59	0:20:27:53	6	8
7	Beau Geste	Karl Kwok			8	14
IRC B
1	Tonnerre de Breskens 3	Peter Vroon	0:15:21:36	0:19:07:23	1	5
2	Sjambok	Michael Brennan	0:15:02:26	0:19:40:22	2	6
3	Kalevala II	Tapio Saavalainen	0:20:01:12	0:20:48:02	3	9
4	Rim Shot	Russell Dunn	0:20:44:27	0:20:53:09	4	10
5	Hot Ticket	Jim Hightower	0:18:57:17	0:21:17:10	5	11
6	Santarella	James Scalise	0:19:55:20	0:21:34:32	6	12
7	AMHAS	MacKenzie Davis	0:19:44:34	1:01:58:53	7	13

 

Farr 400 intro

Check out the boat at:

http://farr400.com

 

PRESS RELEASE
Premier Composite Technologies to launch new FARR 400
 Premier Composite Technologies and FARR Yacht Design to launch new FARR 400 in Spring 2011.
 Design utilizes the latest composite materials and infusion techniques to create a high performance, grand prix style one design racing yacht.
 Design allows for cost effective and easy transportation due to design elements that mean the hull can fit a standard 40ft flat rack container.
 Pro-sailor Dee Smith on board as Project Consultant.
Premier Composite Technologies, Dubai, Thursday 6th January 2011: Premier Composite Technologies (PCT), the leading global supplier of advanced composite components for the Marine and Architectural markets is collaborating with Farr Yacht Design to design and build a next generation, all carbon, one design 40ft racer. The 40ft, high performance design that has heavily involved pro-sailor Dee Smith as project consultant, will be launched from the PCT headquarters in Dubai in Spring 2011 with early orders to be delivered in late Spring/Summer 2011. The standard package price is from $395,000.
Built by the team of PCT who have proven experience in crafting one design yachts including the FARR 40, FARR (Mumm) 30 and Laser SB3’s, the FARR 400 has been engineered to push the boundaries of modern design and utilize the latest building practices to create an aggressive one design racer that is technically consistent, ensuring absolute equal performance across the whole class.
 All major geometry is created by precision 5-axis milling ensuring complete accuracy.
 The hull has been carefully modeled with a powerful fore body to increase dynamic lift reflecting the latest CFD research.
 A wide stern with a partial chine reduces drag and improves high speed handling.
 The deck layout is a proven arrangement developed from experience with the GP42 and TP52 fleets.
 The huge cockpit provides unfettered space for a crew of 8 and a standard pedestal. The pedestal will drive the primary winches allowing for high speed hoists, gybes, and douses (when using the inboard take down system.) The pedestal will also control the high aspect ratio lifting keel (2m/up and 2.9m/down).
 This keel arrangement provides maximum righting moment while still allowing access to shallow venues. With a ballast ratio of nearly 60% and sail areas to match, the Farr 400 delivers exceptional upwind performance in all conditions with exciting speed downwind and reaching.
 The Farr 400 is an all carbon/advanced composites construction that will be built using epoxy infusion methods to create the highest standards of quality. The vessel will be built and designed to Category 2 off shore regulations.
 The growth of Premier Composite Technologies and its competitive buying strength, ensures that the quality and value of the FARR 400 is unique.
Modern one design fleets require that the FARR 400 can be easily and cost effectively transported to locations around the globe. For this reason, special attention has been paid to both trailer transportation and container shipping. The trailer arrangement has been designed to eliminate the need for expensive trailer permits. With an overall length of 11.8m (with the 2.2m bowsprit retracted) the Farr 400 fits inside a container footprint without any major disassembly. The mast has also been designed to separate into two sections, effectively allowing the entire racing program to fit into a single flat rack container.
“This is going to be a very exciting class with a lot of performance for the cost: fun to sail with a crew of 8, a lifting keel for harbor access, and easily transportable between regattas. In Premier Composite Technologies, we have an experienced partner from whom we expect a high quality product”. Bruce Farr, FARR Yacht Design.
-Ends-
For further press details see www.farr400.com or contact:
Samantha Keen Hannes Waimer
Marketing Manager Managing Director
Premier Composite Technologies Premier Composite Technologies
+971 509 766 138 +971 504 405 577
sam@pct.ae hannes@pct.ae
www.farr400.com www.farr400.com
For FARR 400 Sales Agents please contact:
Farr Yacht Sales RBK Yachting
+1 410 267-6550 +49 89/673460-40
info@farryachtsales.com info@rbk-yachting.de
Boat Sales International AustralAsia
+44 2380 457966 +61 414 500 047
info@boatsales.co.uk salesausnz@farr400.com