Hey guys,

I thought I'd post this in the hopes we could all get refreshed, or introduced to sail trim and shape theory.

http://www.sailingusa.info/sail_shape.htm

On Tursiops, we have a vang, traveller, and sheet on the main. The main won't be our main focus as it is loose footed and it isn't our main powerhouse, but needs to be paid attention to obviously. The big job will be in taming that beast of a Genoa - the 150. Al's got the fairlead jib car adjustments and the sheets. The way al's currently got the cars set all the way aft, we'll be losing power. We'll probably want to move those to get about a 45 degree angle of attack on the sheets. The further aft we move those cars, the more wind gets spilled off the top. The further forward we move them, the more we increase the draft of the genoa - hence more power. Anyway, you can read about it all on that site... We'll practice once we're out there, but conditions will determine how we set and adjust things.

Can't wait for the start!

Hi from HOT, HOT, Florida.

Deb and I fly back on Tuesday so I'll be on the boat Wednesday and Thursday. I'll be securing/removing all the unnecessary equipment and plan to sail as much as possible prior to the race.

If anyone wants to get out, send an email and I'll forward my cell phone to make contact. I always have it with me on the boat and am more than willing to meet you at the MCSC docks.

Al


As far as provisions for the trip, maybe we could all bring our own favorite drinks. I'll have the ice box/refrigerator stocked with ice which should last for the race. The stove and oven are available for cooking/heating stuff but it's tough to use in rough seas. The microwave will not be aboard as I haven't built a permanent mount for it yet and don't want it slinging around the cabin.

Easy to eat and prepare food is best. Snacks such as lunchables, chips, cheese, veggies with dip, etc. go good.

I HAVE to have coffee in the morning but I'm OK with instant. We don't have a coffee maker but we could plug one into the inverter or use the generator in calm seas should someone want to bring one.

Wednesday the weather doesn't look so good, but Thursday looks clear.. as of now. I can make a Thursday night practice run.. I think Lance will be here on Thursday as well so we might be able to get him some time in on the boat too.

Al
Wednesday practice would be good for me Thursday evening earlier would work also. I will bring veggies and dip I will also bring cheese and sausage.

Not a coffee drinker but need my caffeine so I'll be bringing Diet Dew/Mtn Dew and a pack of bottled water (all for everyone). I'll be bringing peanut butter and bread, carrots, and some various fruits. I prefer the variety of foods that require as little prep time as possible

I can make Wednesday night too, but the weather just doesn't look so nice. I'm going to pick up some tell tails as we need more on the genoa and main. Perhaps if we can pull down the genoa and get some on there. I'd like to get some wind indicators on the shrouds as well. It's a pain looking up at that masthead vane all the time.

I have a stovetop coffee pot I could bring we wont need to plug it into anything.

I always use a large percolator. ~Gary

Al -- Lance will be here Thursday morning. Will you be on the boat all day Thurs? I took the day off so maybe we could get some good practice and boat prep in.

Hey, just want to say good luck to you guys! Oh and have fun!

Thanks Todd and Gary for the comments.

Chris, Wayne called last evening. We were going to try getting out tonight but I've been wrestling with a broken airconditioner at home.

Sucks that we get back to Wisconsin and find our AC is out and it's just as hot and humid as Florida where the AC was doing a fine job keeping us cool.

My dad and I finally figured out what was going on. We found one blown fuse on the 230v side leading to the condenser unit. It was weird. The condenser fan would come on last night. You could hear the compressor try to start but it cycled off.

This morning neither the fan or the compressor cycled at all. The only thing you could hear was a relay click when the unit was called for.

I have my multi meter on the boat so I had to go out and buy a new one so I could troubleshoot. Another trip to the store.

I found one blown fuse. After yet another trip to the store, I installed two new fuses and flipped the power switch.

YEEEE HAAAAAAAA both the fan and compressor kicked in and we now have our AC back.

It was so weird that the fan was coming on but the compressor wouldn't. We think we may have had 110 through the good fuse which allowed the fan to run but wasn't enough to start the compressor. Now as to why the fan stopped working also this AM. I have no idea.

ANYWAY: I'm going to try to get to the boat today sometime but I don't have time to do much sailing. WAYNE I hope that's OK with you.

Tomorrow I'll be back out on the boat pretty much all day so Lance and Chris just give me a call when you can make it out. Wayne has to work registration for a good chunk of the day but he said he may be able to head out in the evening/afternoon.

Al