The Poole GP14 Open Regatta this year was forecast to be strong winds. The forecast proved accurate, so there was a fair proportion of capsizes, including ourselves.
For myself, the objective of the day was to gain some experience of high winds and tides, in preparation for the Nationals next week. The first decision was whether or not to use the new EXE sails, which had been specially purchased for Looe. The sails were ready, so we kept them on. Why hold back?
Winds were forecast at 17 knots, gusting 21 knots. It hit us as we left the harbour, and we planned on a reach towards the racing area.
We were late to the starting area, so were behind the fleet for the first race [lesson one: try to get to the starting area on time!]. Nevertheless, I was pleased with our progress up the beat.
At the first windward mark, the two lead boats were flying spinnakers, and the rest were planning on just two sails. We decided not to fly the kite this time.
It was great to have such a huge sailing area, and the chance to get a "feel" for a GP14 at (relatively) high speed [lesson two: use the kicker to control sail shape when on a fast reach]. Gybes were exciting to start with, until we got into a rhythm and could flatten the boat in good time as the boom went acrosss.
There were boats capsizing all around us, so it was encouraging to realise that we were still sailing onward. We finished the first race with a huge sigh of relief - we had survived and were still upright!
After a quick snack on the water, we were into the second start. My assessment was that the line was fairly square (no obvious bias upwind on one side or the other) so we made a timing start to the middle of the line. We were among a gaggle of boats heading left, so we tacked into clear air onto the right hand side. We recognised a couple of good boats on that side of the course, so we weren't doing too badly. As we went up the Beat, we kept close to the centre line, and were in a mid-fleet position at the first mark.
More fast reaching - more salt spray in the face, and more thoughts of "oops, that's not a good idea", as the wind and waves combined to push us off course.
Gybing at the wing mark, we corrected, only to find that the boom had fallen out of the goose-neck, so we had to hove-to and fix it [lesson three: tie the boom to the mast in high winds, or put on sufficient kicker to hold in the boom]. Then we were off again.
Going downwind in strong waves can be great fun - it's perfectly legal to position the boat into a wave front and get a boost from the wave power. I don't often get a chance to practice this, so it was a valuable opportunity.
On the next Beat we were within a few boat lengths of the windward mark when it happened. We were tacking onto starboard, but I ignored the fact that the Jib was still cleated [lesson four: give the crew time !]. Capsize !
Lucy was over the windward side in a flash, as I tried to retrieve the rudder, which was drifting off in the direction of Poole Yacht Club [lesson five: get a special clip for the rudder before Looe next week ]. Although Lucy got the boat up quickly, the problem with the rudder meant that we drifted downwind as I struggled to re-fit it, and disentangle the mainsheet. We had lost half the Beat by the time we were stabilised. And the lead boats were a lap ahead and threatening to overtake us. It felt like time to give up. We were both tired. It was no shame to have capsized in those conditions. So we retired and headed in, still struggling with a lifted rudder that refused to behave itself.
Heading back to dry land, the wind was getting stronger, and it appeared that the last race would be called off. In the end, the third race was run, but with only six boats, as gusts of up to 30 knots were recorded at the clubhouse weather system.
Should we have done the third race? Maybe. But at the time we needed a rest. I guess my final lesson to myself is to remember that there may always be another race...
We had had a great time. Lots of lessons for the future, and a real encouragement in the lead up to the GP14 Nationals next week.
Can't wait !!!
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