Today saw butter flat conditions at Worthing and gusty winds from 8 – 18 mph. It was a great day for Marcus to launch his new boat and get a gentle introduction the world of mothing. After setting up the boat, both Jonnie and I gave it a good going over and spotted a few bits and pieces that would need changing like beefing up various shackles and pins. Apart from that it all went together nicely and we finally had three moths rigged by the water’s edge ready for a sail!
With a few pointers Marcus’s first session turned out great with far less swimming than either Jonnie or I had last year around the same time. Unfortunately, his session was cut short with severe tramp failure with full length rips in three places and other small rips scattered about. Straight away he headed in as it was offshore winds. When we got back in we checked them over and realised the wrong type of cloth was used for the tramps, far too lightweight and zero resistance to any sort of pressure. Marcus will be getting a replacement set made up this week hopefully in time for next week.
Jonnie and I got back to foil tack practice and in the flat water water we were both getting close to it. Also due to the flat water, my gybing was a lot easier although I was having problems early on with rudder ventilation. I wound off the lift and that stopped the problem.
I was also experimenting with a paddle again after speaking with Rod Harris and Jason Russell at Hayling Island who swore by them. I agree that it was much better. Much more responsive and the boat was riding really nice and high. I will be changing the 8mm glass wand for an 8mm carbon one as the glass one was a little too flexible and was making a racket on the side of the hull much to Jonnie’s amusement!
All in all a great session with endless tacking and foil gybing going on without the additional chop and ground swell we are so used to here on the open sea. I forecast that Marcus will be up to speed much quicker than we were and with any luck we’ll see him at some events next year.
