Greetings yachties, thirsty?

2 new features on Yachtyakka are a translation tool on the home page, simply select the language of choice and the whole site is transformed and AdSence, both features by Google and both are designed to give you a better yachtyakka experience, be sure to click on the AdSence so I can keep the lights burning at Yachtyakka.

From the but wait there is more department. Soon you will be able to buy Kill Devil Juice here aswell, more on that later, don’t know what Kill Devil Juice is? Google it Gorgeously Lethal!

DoGzilla

Are you ready to take on the Taliban?

Reducing Surface Friction,

18ft’s – Sydney,

Saito Challenge – Update,

Portugal Ocean Race V Global Ocean Race,

How is Rum Made,

Rolex Middle Sea Race,

Waka – Heading Home,

Shockwave 5 – washed up on Corrimal Beach,

GP42 – Global Cup,

Transat, Mini650 – update,

Ignacio (Nacho) Rogala,

Enjoy

The USA platform emerges from the shed in San Diego – BMW ORACLE Racing”
BMW Oracle Racing © Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

Following three weeks of modifications, the BOR 90 emerged today from the boatbuilding tent at the team base in San Diego.

The latest iteration of the giant trimaran the team will use to challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup boasts new features which will be worked up on shore, before the boat hits the water for more testing near the end of the month.

Most significantly, and in response to the new rules issued earlier this year for the 33rd America’s Cup by the Defender, SNG/Alinghi, the team has modified the BOR 90 cockpit to accommodate an engine. For the first time in the history of the America’s Cup, the Defender has altered the racing rules to allow using an engine to replace human power on board the race boats. Since the Cup’s inception in 1851, and in almost all other yacht racing, only manual (human) power may be used to trim sails and do other work.

On BOR 90, the engine will primarily be used to drive hydraulics for trimming the enormous sails – the mainsail alone measures nearly 7,000 square feet – that propel the boat.

Alinghi’s insistence on the use of engines has resulted in the team having not only to add an engine and related gear, but to redesign the boat’s cockpit on the center hull. With the engine, there is no longer a requirement for the grinding pedestals and sailors (“grinders”) who until now provided the human power for the boat, so the cockpit has been reconfigured.

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Whitbread/Volvo veteran Andrew Cape

Has urged teenage sailor Jessica Watson to reconsider her solo round the world attempt.

Cape, navigator aboard PUMA in the 2008-09 race, has written to 16-year-old Watson to voice his concerns. His warning for his fellow-Australian comes after Watson’s boat Ella’s Pink Lady, collided with a 63,000-tonne Chinese bulk carrier just hours after setting off from northern Queensland last month on a training run to Sydney.

“I do not want to shatter your dreams but to undertake such a voyage requires more experience than you currently have,” Cape wrote in the letter which was published by The Australian.

“Obviously you have to start somewhere to gain experience but to head straight into the Southern Ocean on your own is foolish.”

Cape estimates Watson’s chances of making it around the world at 33 per cent, of damage to boat or crew that “prevents continuation” at 33 per cent, and “33 per cent of total loss of boat or crew. Believe me that when you are at the mercy of the weather it is a matter of probability. These odds change rapidly with experience gained.”

In the letter, Cape compares Watson’s attempt to “growing up on a farm and, upon acquiring a 303 rifle, (feeling) you are ready to take on the Taliban”.

“You would also not climb Mount Everest on your first climbing adventure,” he adds. “The Southern Ocean is an unforgiving place that is always exceedingly cold with winds and waves that are extreme for any sailor that should never be taken lightly.

“Continuous exposure to these survival conditions can be extremely depressing and even more so when sailing alone.”

Cape recommended that Watson complete a shorter passage to Hobart, followed by navigation around the south of New Zealand to Dunedin, then on around the east coast of the country and back to Sydney.

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3M Coating Aids Yacht In Cup Effort

By JOHN HOLUSHA
Published: Wednesday, February 4, 1987

THE dominance that the American yacht Stars & Stripes has demonstrated over its rival, Kookaburra III, in the America’s Cup finals this week may be anchored in aerospace research and the plastic wood grain decals on the flanks of station wagons.

The hull of Stars & Stripes was recently covered with a new plastic skin designed to make the boat slip through the water with less drag. The surface is covered with thousands of tiny grooves, known as ”riblets,” that tend to smooth the turbulence of the water as it passes the hull, reducing surface friction.

Less friction means that more of the wind energy being captured by the sails is available to push the boat forward, and that means more speed. Officials of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, which supplied the new skin, said recently sailors had estimated the covering has added as much as two-tenths of a knot to the speed of Stars & Stripes – a major advantage in an event where speeds seldom go over 8 knots.

Michael J. Walsh had aircraft, not 12-meter racing yachts, in mind when he began studying the use of riblets to reduce surface friction. ”It was in the mid-1970′s and we were looking for ways to reduce the fuel usage of aircraft,” said Mr. Walsh, a scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center. One way to do that would be to cut down on the skin friction that constitutes one-third to one-half of the total drag on an airplane.

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The 2009-2010 18ft Skiff Racing Season began today when the Australian 18 Footers League staged the traditional Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy race on Sydney Harbour.

Smeg, skippered by Nick Press and crewed by Daniel Phillips and Jim Beck, led for most of the North East course to take line honours by 1m 10s from Bruce Savage’s Thurlow Fisher.

Gotta Love It 7, Seve Jarvin, finished third just 4s behind Thurlow Fisher.

Southern Cross Constructions (Euan Mc Nicol) was fourth, followed by Kinder Caring Home Nursing (Brett Van Munster) and Pure Blonde (James Francis).

The breeze was extremely fickle at the start and the fleet was quickly split into two groups.

Gotta Love It 7, Asko Appliances (Trevor Barnabas), Project Racing (Andy Budgen), Pure Blonde, Kinder Caring, Coldwell Banker New Homes (Mark Kennedy) and Boatmate (Jason Waterhouse) tacked early and led the fleet as they approached Shark Island on the windward leg to the first set of rounding marks.
With the three buoys windward marks in operation, Smeg grabbed the lead from Kinder Caring as each of the two skiffs only had to go to the red (nearest) mark.

Southern Cross Constructions, Gotta Love It 7 and Asko Appliances all had to go to the furthest (white) buoy but still retained their prominent positions.

Smeg continued to lead past the wing mark and was a clear one minute leader from Southern Cross at the bottom mark the first time.

Gotta Love It 7, Asko Appliances, Kinder Caring and Pure Blonde were close behind.

Smeg was sailing beautifully on the second windward leg and doubled her lead as the fleet turned for the next spinnaker run straight back to the bottom mark.

Once again Kinder Caring, Pure Blonde and Thurlow Fisher took advantage of the 3-buors rounding system to round ’inside’ the three backmarkers – Southern Cross, 7 and Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris).

Over the final lap of the course Smeg was untroubled to retain her lead although Thurlow Fisher took time out on the final windward leg.

The final run to the finish line was ‘tight’ and forced some crews to lower then reset their spinnakers.

As the Thurlow Fisher crew went through this process, Gotta Love It 7 powered home under full spinnaker and just failed by 4s to grab second place from Thurlow Fisher.

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Day 374 [Oct. 12/09] Waiting out the gale
Even if he were ready, the weather is not

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W — Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today’s Report [1030 JST]

A late-winter gale has arrived at The Horn, so even if he were ready to leave, he couldn’t. It’s blowing 50-plus knots from the west — the direction he’ll need to go — with seas running 5 to 6 meters.

We’re waiting to hear if radar calibration was carried out over their weekend. Other than that, and final engine maintenance and a new VHF antenna, he’ll shove off, weather permitting.

We’re trying to get his precise route on departure and will send that out ASAP. Thanks to the several people who have asked.

Here’s the way it looks right now:

Wind Chart

From ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 contributing sponsor

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Portugal Ocean Race V Global Ocean Race. New statements.

The battle to create the preferred round the world race for the Class40 continues. The original race, once called the Portimao Global Ocean Race, has now been renamed the Global Ocean Race and the upstart competitor is called the Portugal Ocean Race. So that’s clear for all to understand. The competitors, sponsors, media and fans will be able to work that out.

There is no doubt in our minds that the Class40 is a great platform for a round the world race. It fits nicely into the offshore hierarchy as an ‘affordable’ stepping stone to the elite Open60, but can (should) the class support two races of this type?

A couple of weeks back, the Class40 Association gave their endorsement to the Global Ocean Race founded by Josh Hall. Today, the Portugal Ocean Race has released a statement quoting several offshore sailors in support of their event.

Grant Dalton, Roger Nilson, Skip Novak and Cam Lewis all have great credentials to talk about offshore racing. Lewis, the Portugal Ocean Race’s Technical Director, who has worked with race founder Brian Hancock and CEO Larry Rosenfeld on the Team Adventure project says:

I would like to say that I think that the Portugal Ocean race is one of the most innovating and interesting new events to come along in quite some time,’ he said. ‘It’s true that offshore ocean racing is becoming increasingly expensive and the boats so technically advanced that it requires years of training at the highest levels to master some of the powerful new designs, but you can have just as much fun and adventure in a Class 40 whether you race solo, doublehanded or fully crewed around the world.’

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Sailing – Rolex Middle Sea Race

While going through long-forgotten correspondence, photographs and other documents, I recently came across a significant manuscript.

This was dated 1977 and referred to an interview I had then with a marvellous gentleman whose brainchild enhanced the local nautical scene with an outstanding event and placed Malta among the distinguished venues that hosted classic international regattas.

I am referring to Jimmy White and, with the 30th Rolex Middle Sea Race less than a week away, it is refreshing to recall how White himself had described his involvement and contribution to make it happen.

Reviving old memories, this story was published in the 1977 edition of my publication Spinnaker, then recognised as ‘the Journal of the Royal Malta Yacht Club’. It was printed on the occasion of the 10th Middle Sea Race.

Narrated by Jimmy himself… definitely an unforgettable and pleasant story.

I retired from business in 1966 and I planned to spend the next few years with my yacht Sandettie in the West Indies.

more here

more from Scuttlebutt Europe here

HOW RUM IS MADE

The devil’s brew

The Jamaican Excise Duty Law, No 73 of 1941 defines rum as “spirits distilled solely from sugar cane juice, sugar cane molasses, or the refuse of the sugar cane, at a strength not exceeding 150% proof spirit”.

To make rum, molasses, the thick syrup resulting from sugar cane juice crystallised by boiling, is allowed to ferment. The resultant “wash” has approximately 6% lcohol, which after distillation produces rum as a sharp-tasting, clear, colourless liquid with about 80% alcohol. White rum (popular on the local arket) is basically this product diluted to 40% alcohol. Golden rums come from the ageing of the clear liquid in oaken casks and the
absorption of the liquid from the oak. The darker, heavier Jamaican rums come from combinations of molasses and skimmings from the sugar boiling vats stored in oaken casks. The fermentation of other substances in the molasses can enhance a rum’s flavour and aroma.
Jamaican and other full-bodied rums are matured in large casks (111.6 gallons) called “puncheons” and distilled between 140º and 160º proof in pot stills ­ a practice that dates back to the 17th century. Today the more modern light column stills are used. Full-bodied rums rely on natural or what is called “wild” fermentation rather than the cultured yeast inoculation (the yeast comes from the air and the raw material) used in light-bodied rums.

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Waka rolling downwind to the finish ahead of Peter Gilmour

This draws our tour to an end for Waka Racing. We were satisfied with the result but a little gutted with missing out on the top 8. Waka sailed well this regatta, being the first time in Bermuda and in boats that were difficult to manoeuvre. We adapted really well to the old, slow and unorthodox characteristics of the IOD’s and managed some really good wins against tough competition.

The team is now looking forward to heading back to the comfort of home. After 6 months of travelling and sailing we are excited about getting back to Mum’s meals and a good bed! Thank You for all your support over the trip and we will send a full summary report when we get back.

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Photo: Peter Andrews

‘Carbon fibre from Shockwave 5, washed up on Corrimal Beach with Towradgi Point in the background. Flinders Island is seen on the horizon, just under the sunlit storm clouds.’

Illawarra beaches were forced to close from Saturday as debris from the Flinders Islet yachting disaster washed up on shore. The 24.5 metre (80 foot) carbon fibre yacht PriceWaterHouseCoopers (Shockwave V) was smashed to pieces on the Flinders Islet shoreline, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra director Gerald Davies said debris started arriving on mainsland shore on Saturday afternoon, 12 hours after the first distress signal was sounded about 3am.

‘We’ve had pieces of the boat wash up on beaches from North Wollongong all the way up to Coledale,’ Mr Davies told local media. Much of the splintered, carbon fibre hull was washed into swimming zones and on to beaches, driven by a strong southerly swell.

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All set for the official training day

GP42 Global Cup 2009, 12 10 2009 © Carmen Hidalgo/ GP42 Global Cu

The GP42 Global Cup official programme of activities commences tomorrow in Puerto Calero with the official training day.  Racing will start in Lanzarote on Wednesday 14th and run through to Saturday 17th.  This afternoon the eight boats that have confirmed entry are all moored in the Puerto Calero marina.

The GP42 Global Cup, organised by Puerto Calero and World Sailing Management will take place in Lanzarote.  Eight teams from five countries will take part in the event which is considered to be the World Championship for the GP42 Class.

Three Spanish teams, two Italians, one Portuguese, a Swedish and British team make up the fleet.  The Spanish contingency is led by the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit champion in the GP42 Series, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, owned by José Antonio Calero (ESP) and which is skippered by José María Ponce (ESP); Caser Endesa (ESP) owned by Javier Goizueta (ESP), with Juanlu Páez (ESP) at the helm, and Turismo Madrid (ESP) owned by Olympic champion sailor, José María van der Ploeg (ESP).

Two teams sail under the Italy flag; Roma (ITA) owned by Filippo Farufini (ITA) and Airis (ITA) owned by Roberto Monti (ITA).  The Portuguese entry, Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 (POR) owned by Gonçalo Esteves (POR) counts with the Spanish Felipe Regojo (ESP) at the helm.

Finally, two new campaigns make their debut in the GP42 fleet: the British entry, Península Petroleum (GBR) owned by John Bassadone (GBR), with Spanish sailing star Iñaki Castañer (ESP) on board and the Swedish Team Nordic (SWE), helmed by Magnus Olsson (SWE), a person familiar to Puerto Calero as Ericsson 3 Round the World Race helmsman.

The different teams have been training off the Lanzarote coastline today in preparation for the start of the competition.  Tomorrow, Tuesday 13th, the Official Training Race is set to start from 14:00.  Competition starts proper on Wednesday with windward-leeward courses. Racing in the GP42 Global Cup concludes next Saturday.

José María Calero, owner of Islas Canarias Puerto Calero explains today “we have been out trying in approximately 15 knots of breeze and had up to 17 knots.  Since Cartagena we have sailed on another team boat, an RC44, but today we have really found out GP42 in shape.  We are looking forward to competing once again and doing it at home as best we can.”

You can follow the GP42 Global Cup in Puerto Calero through the official website here

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Canadian company to develop “green” marine engines

By IBI Magazine

A Canadian manufacturer of engine components says it plans to expand into the marine industry. Neohydro Technologies Corp. of Alberta says it sees strong opportunities in the US market as US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on marine engines get tougher in coming years.

“The marine industry is perfect for our technology,” Michael Kulcheski told IBI. “We feel that we can at least double fuel economy, so it will be very significant for powerboat manufacturers.”

Neohydro focuses on the automotive, transportation, and power generation industries with a patented turbo hybrid system. Kulcheski says it has initially focused on the light and heavy-duty trucking industry.

“Using the GIHS 5.3 liter V8 engine as an example, in the Chevy Silverado we are able to attain 128 per cent increase in fuel economy and a 58 per cent increase in horsepower,” says Kulcheski. “Improvement in fuel economy won’t be as dramatic on boats, but we expect powerboats with our equipment to have double the range while cruising at higher speeds, due to the increase in horsepower. It will also reduce hydrocarbon emissions.”

Kulcheski said that, once the technology is boating-friendly, the company will pursue OEM and even aftermarket business. “We see another six months before we launch in the boating industry,” he said. “But we do see a big potential market there.”

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Ricardo Apolloni – Pierrick

With over 2 500 miles done on the theoretical direct route in the wake of the protagonists leading The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50, there is no serious verdict for the rankings of the day. When at the same moment, the solo sailors prepare themselves to face the feared Doldrums. Large manoeuvres for some, conservative wisdom for the others, have not yet help us to find out an undisputed favourite to be crowned in Bahia. So, Charlie Dalin (Cherche sponsor-charliedalin.com) for example, author of a western option since the start from Funchal, and which has long enjoyed a high credit of miles on his immediate pursuers (Series class) is now not in such a good position. Bertand Delesne (Entreprendre durablement), impressive leader fpor prototypes in the trade winds, just observed armless the thunderous return of Thomas Ruyant (Faber France). While – in a distant roar of the storm – the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone is approaching.

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Argentina’s Nacho Rogala unbeatable in Junior Gold Cup

By Laurie Fullerton

Just as a new king was crowned at the Argo Group Gold Cup, 15-year-old Ignacio (Nacho) Rogala of Argentina became the new champion of the Renaissance Re Junior Gold Cup, an event that brought 34 young sailors to Bermuda from 16 countries, ranging in age from nine to 15, to compete in Optimist dinghies.

“These kids are amongst a fleet filled with talent,” said Bermudian Paul Doughty.

“It is amazing that the children at this age have developed mentally into such talented sailors. It is like a chess game on the water and so many of them have already figured out how to play.”

Siese, 14, has been a member of Bermuda’s World Team and sails out of the Sandys Boat Club in Mangrove Bay. He is one of a generation of emerging Bermudian sailors who have been sailing on the international level for a few years now.

“For this event, my aim wasn’t to win and I didn’t really expect to beat Nacho,” said Siese.

“But I sailed as well as I could and I am really happy with the result and it has been fun. I think the funniest part is the feeling you have when you do well and when all your friends call out to you to tell you that you did a great job.”

All of the Bermuda sailors in the Junior Gold Cup have gone through the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy programme and although sailors like Siese have been able to travel the world in competition, some of the younger sailors who raced in the event were only nine years old and were racing in their first major event.

“What impresses me most about these kids is the age range as there have been nine-year-olds out there racing against 15-year-olds,” said Charles Tatum, the principal race officer at the event.

“For the nine-year-olds to keep up with the 15-year-olds is pretty tough but very impressive. The Bermuda Opti programme has been doing magic things with kids and it really gives them a lot of self confidence.

“They have opportunities to travel and sail all over the world. The opportunity that good young sailors have today is amazing.”

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This post is tagged - Global Cup, bmworacle racing, dogzilla, Global Ocean Race, GP42, How is Rum Made, Ignacio (Nacho) Rogala, Kill Devil Juice, Mini650, Minoru Saito, Portugal Ocean Race, Reducing Surface Friction, Rolex Middle Sea Race, Saito Challenge, Shockwave 5, Transat, waka