Simon Nelson also shared an email he received from a penitent James Francis of the 18-foot skiff Pure Blonde, on how not to pin end start an 18-footer. By the way, that’s Pure Blonde in the photo (duh!) and on the left is Simon Nelson’s Appliances Online.
Look at the difference in rig profiles, and just how greedy these 18ers are getting with their batwing roaches on the mainsails. Most of the sailors swear by them, although former 18er and top skiff coach Emmett Lazich reckons there may be an element of the ‘emperor’s clothes’ about these trendy new sailshapes. Fashion statement or not, it’s the way skiff rigs seem to be going these days, as indeed are America’s Cup rigs.
Anyway, here’s what James learned from his Blonde moment during the JJ.
Now that the worlds are over, I thought I’d share with you the secret pin end starting formula.
Here are the steps…
1) Invite friends and family on spectator ferry. Even invite relatives that have to travel a long way (Port Macquarie).
2) Wear Blonde wigs to match the ‘Pure Blonde’ signage on your boat – the only way it could backfire is if you do something stupid like break the start or take someone out… “but that will never happen”.
3) Take note of all the spectator boats, ferries and helicopters who are now going to watch you start because you were sailing around in Blonde wigs. Better not do anything silly.
4) Wait on port tack near the pin as fleet starts lining up for the start.
5) When everyone is set up, plan to tack under whole fleet.
6) Look under boom and realize that maybe you could cross the fleet on port tack.
7) Sail in on port tack lay line at 25 knots.
Excitement builds.
9) At last few seconds realize that there is one boat “that may be a problem” (Panasonic) – decide to hope for the best.
10) ‘Port/ starboard incident’.
11) Start gun goes.
12) Penalty turn.
13) Follow entire fleet in top mark direction.
14) Approaching top mark, Mothy tells you had your second OCS.
15) Sail ashore – mindful of your traveling relatives that are missing out on watching you sail.
16) Pack up boat.
17) Trip over mast. Land on back.
1 Put boat on trailer, as you remember you agreed to take kids out sailing after race. Briefly consider re-rigging boat, but decide that enough damage has been caused today and boat is safest on trailer.
19) Drive to bottle shop to get Panasonic case of beer.
20) Get back to club and try to park in parking spot three quarters the length of your car.
21) Write a note to leave under windscreen wiper of BMW whose number plate you just cracked with your tow ball.
22) Give Panasonic case of beer.
23) SWEAR THAT YOU WILL NEVER START ON PIN AGAIN!
Posted in 18 foot skiff | Tags: 18 foot skiff, James Francis, JJ Giltinan, Pure Blonde
