by Rich Wilson | Dec 15, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk6
Dear Jim, Open 60 Class Rules require there to be 5 watertight bulkheads across the boat, thus making 6 compartments. Also, and this seems to be a very good idea, there is a requirement that there exist, in physical buoyance within the construction of the boat, 130%...
by Rich Wilson | Dec 15, 2016 | Ship's Logs
Last night we endured the warm front and strong winds of this depression. The barograph plummeted, the wind got up to 35-40 knots. We started with 3 reefs in the mainsail and the staysail. At 35 knots, our sail charts say that the staysail is still ok, but borderline....
by Rich Wilson | Dec 15, 2016 | Essays-RichWilson
When we sailed east past Marion Island in the Indian Ocean a few days ago, we were 220 miles further north than when we sailed past here in Vendée Globe 2008. Then, as now, there were course restrictions for safety from icebergs breaking off Antarctica that we had to...
by Rich Wilson | Dec 14, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk6
Dear David, Generally we use True Wind Angle for sailing downwind, and Apparent Wind Angle for when sailing upwind. For the autopilot, these two options involve rapid calculations from the wind instruments, plus if there are waves, and the mast is moving a lot, it can...
by Rich Wilson | Dec 14, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk6
Dear Cassie: Before the start of the race, I packed 15 weeks worth of food. It’s all packed in garbage bags, for easy distribution inside the boat. This system works well, since then, after a week of eating, I can put all the plastic or metal containers back...
