Sailing the Leewards Video

[Gludy]

Here is my fourth and new video in my pilgrims progress from MoBo to sailing cat.

It covers 13 days sailing in the Leeward Islands.

Its 72 minutes long - so pour yourself a drink first! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Its offered in three qualities in order of quality and hence bandwidth.


Large Version


Standard version


Small Version

If anyone is interested, the DVD version may be available soon if there is enough demand. Otherwise, pour yourself a drink and enjoy.

All comments welcome.

[whipper_snapper]

Interesting. I have to say that the boat's performance looked really disappointing. I wonder what more experienced cat sailors than me think? 6-7kn downwind in 25 kn of wind and a flat sea is not great! I would expect my much smaller and more agricultural cat to be doing a comfortable 10kn under those conditions and under headsails only.

I was looking at the smaller Privilege cats but have never sailed one, so very interested in peoples' thoughts.

[Gludy]

Yes, I understand your point and agree.

What should be understood are the following factors.

1. Mike sailed the boat with as almost standard a double reefed main.

2. He had ordered a new set of sails and ordered the chartered version thinking these were amore durable version only to discover that they were in fact a smaller safer version with much less sail towards the top of the main for example than on the normal sails. So in effect we were using small sails that were reefed in.

3. The last downwind passage - the furled forward sail was rolled well in but even when out we did about 7 knots in 25 knots of wind.So still not any sort of performance to write home about.

Hope you enjoyed the video - ut does take some time to watch [img]/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

[tcm]

Hi, on wap fone so no movie for me. Re speed downwind, clean bum and foldy props needed. Also big parasail, mine due soon. All these unlikely on charter boat?

[Gludy]

I have looked at a parasail for my new boat but am told that they do not work well on catamarans?
It will be interesting to see how you get on with it.

Yes the boat was a charter boat (with skipper) and had taken a fair bit of bashing over its six years of life.

[Salty John]

The performance was a bit pedestrian but it looked like this was due to deficiencies in the equipment. Fear of a potentially jamming foresail and an obsession with keeping two reefs in the main seemed to restrict the potential.
I would have thought that no main and a big headsail would have suited the boat better off the wind.

[sail]

Hi !

I have done two Atlantic crossings with a Parasailor.
Up the sail in Gran Canaria and down in St. Lucia.
Very simple, very effective.
You can feel how they pull the bows of a cat up - exactly what you want.

Cheers

Sail

[tcm]

Also downwind 130deg plus, dont use main on cruisy cat. Lots of fwd laundry. Clingfilm over guard wires worth .5kts

[Morgana]

Excellent stuff Gludy.

Very entertaining.

[Gludy]

Here is the video (not mine) taken of the St Francis doing over 20 knots

Clik here

[kristifercolumnbus]

I would'nt trust one of those two hulled (or even three hulled) things off shore but they sure look fun skidding around the bay.(turn the music up).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWINygISxDE