Are there water tight compartments designed into the boats? In a serious collision will they be able to stay afloat until a rescue is affected?

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%...

How do you decide whether to set your autopilot to TWA, AWA, or a compass course?

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...

We know that you don’t put any trash into the ocean. Where do you put all of your trash?

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...

Do you drink water from the sea? What do you carry your water in?

by Rich Wilson | Dec 12, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk6

Dear Sarah, Romina, and Iker:  No, we do not drink water from the sea, since it contains too much salt for our bodies. There is a famous stanza from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner that goes: “Water, water everywhere, and all the boards did shrink,...