Gone Sailing

Hello Gang!

1st, who’s committed for GMORA races?

Spring is coming so I thought I’d get in touch with everyone. Initially I think we should figure out who is game for a full season of racing. I spoke with Scott and Pete and they are definitely game! Pam may be predisposed racing her own boat this summer so it’s looking like we may need a replacement there (we will miss you!). We officially would like to invite Rita and Greg back for any all and races; this would be sort of like having the wonder twin super hero’s on board (no Rita, if you choose this mission we will not make you wear a cape.) Not sure what Pam S. and Linda S. are up to but we are looking for as steady a crew (seven people) as possible for weekend racing and you two are invited. Once we get some idea of commitments we can start recruiting for more…..If we are to do well, 7 is the magic number. We are also going to be somewhat picky about the recruits….experience isn’t needed, but we need folks who will fit in with the group and are willing to learn and be competitive.

2nd, who’s committed to Thursday night races?

Not me at this point, it will be a busy summer for me, and also committed to Tuesday nights on Pam’s boat if needed. I am also considering coaching/instructing for my daughters school for a small Sunfish fleet and will have to decide on that soon.

3rd, How’s Roach Coach doing?

So far, so good. Check out the pics above. Remember the new bottom I swore I’d give it. Well, I’m in the middle of stripping the old paint off (with soy oil of all things) and it’s halfway off. It is a very messy job, Scott came up to check it out and he can attest to that. He did some scraping underneath to see if we could get some more off but the paint was still gooey from the stripper. Hmm, scary at the moment! BTW Scott it did harden up again! Any way, with any luck we’ll get the rest off one way of the other and get a hard, wet sandable, slippery, lightweight bottom paint on…yahoo!

Next, I’ve got the parts to put on the “Beam of Destiny” and the “Jockstrap”. This will stiffen the boat up quite a bit which was a problem last year. I’m pretty exited to see what difference it will make.

4th, Volunteers?

Certainly not a requirement, mostly for fun and or experience. I’ll be working on the boat this Friday afternoon/evening spreading more soy oil all over the bottom, then covering it with plastic wrap (like in the pics above). Then Saturday, will be scraping/pressure washing it off. Depending on how long that takes, I may start working on the “Beam of Destiny” and or Jockstrap” Saturday afternoon. I’m not if I’ll be working on the boat Sunday. BTW, the barn is warm and cozy…..with a fridge!

5th, Website update! http://roachcoachracing.sailinglog.net/home

Not sure if anyone actually reads it, but it is updated. This year we are going to takes Scott’s advice and pass around a race log book and then we’ll post it! Let me know how your all doing…and let’s think about getting together in Portland somewhere for kicks.


P.S. Scott have a safe drive this weekend!

Roach Coach wins Class C CYC Regatta.

The weather forecast was calling for lots of rain and wind, but our spirits were not dampened as we headed for CYC on Roach Coach. As it turned out, the wind was light and the rain come only in drizzles (of course we were pretty focused on racing, so if it poured, we didn’t notice).

The Start and first windward leg; we knew there would be a crowd at the start so we decided to make it conservative. It is the beginning of the season and several of the group are sailing together for the first time. Also the deck layout is completely new and this race served as a shakedown sail. We ended up in bad air, but luckily we had a clear lane to tack and go right. It then started to look like we were on a favored tack, FIVE was also on the same tack which gave us confidence to stay the course. It worked out and we were one of the first boats to reach the first mark.

First time around the course; we had a few snags getting the spinnaker up as we rounded the mark, but the foredeck crew did the right thing. We saved lots of time and headaches because foredeck didn’t panic and didn’t rush, they thought through the process, worked out the issues and the spinnaker was flying, and we lost very little ground. Sail trim must have been on the mark as well; we had speed on the other boats and passed them one by one. We owe GO DOG GO a favor. The Roach Coach skipper was a little rusty and we almost sailed through the starting line (against the rules). The skipper of GO DOG GO called over and reminded us. Few! Saved! For the rest of the race we played nice and made sure we kept clear of their wind.

Second time around; Second time upwind we held our speed (credit to spectacular trim
and keeping the boat flat). We turned the windward mark and we were off and running again. We even had the fun experience of passing a 45 footer (rating 75) on speed alone!

Finnish; Around the leeward mark and we chased a J 109 (B fleet) to the finish line and crossed only seconds after. We then enjoyed a nice sail back to the mooring, and then drove to Centerboard Y.C. We literally walked in the door just in time to here Roach Coach announced as 1st place for Class C!

Roach Coach restoration; Here is a report on some recent activity.

DONE;

1) Paint and non-skid applied (sprayed on and looks great)

2) Deck hardware installed …....cool stuff, halyards have cam cleats on the mast/ foreguy lead at mast base/ jib tracks moved to cabin top/ primary winches are on
cabin top/ harken jamming foot blocks for Genoa/ harken spinnaker leads and ratchet blocks/ custom raised main traveler (courtesy of me)/ new ultra light
outhaul/new backstay configuration and Ronstan block/ pony horse shoe ring (light)........somebody stop me….please…...

3) Tuff-luffis now installed….much lighter than our furling system…also has a luff guide and runs up much more easy.

TO DO

1) Install new rudder bearings (still waiting for order to arrive)..............never mind, I just got a call from FedEx for directions!

2) Wax topsides.

3) Paint bottom. Unfortunately the bottom did not get stripped and faired….so it is going to get a coat of single season ablative. I did manage to
get a layer or two of old paint off (I was surprised to see how many layers are on there), so if anything the bottom will be slightly faster. Next
year…..the bottom is the priority.

4) Boat launch. Handy’s will hopefully be getting the boat in the water the week of the 5th. This is late, but it was the best date I could get given
the shape the boat was in a week ago.

RACING SCHEDULE;

1) Weekend regattas; The first regatta is June 10th, and as long as the boat gets in the water the week of (or before) the 5th…we’ll do this
race.

2) Thursday night races; Thursday night races start on the 25th, we obviously won’t be ready for this but we will for June fifteenth. If we’re
very lucky, maybe the boat will be in the water and ready for an impromptu Thursday night on the 8th (but I wouldn’t hold your breath).

CREW;

1) Points East crew party. I have a list of folks who want to temp on weekends. No full timers, but this list should provide us with
some extra rail meat…..some may develop more interest later…..the beer was tasty too.

2) Reta Nappi, We have a keeper…....Reta and I raced together for several years on Haymaker, a j-29. She has also been racing on other yachts
since. It was a smokin campaign. She has plenty of experience and is great company, she’ll fit right in. She gave me a call and is committed
to weekend racing. Glad to have you aboard Reta!

3) Shannon Fitzpatrick, Hi Shannon! Shannon sounds like she has plenty of experience and wants to go out on a couple of Thursday nights. Sounds
like maybe she could help us figure out what direction to go in. That would be a bonus!

Talk to you soon!

Roach Coach restoration; We are in the home stretch on getting the boat together. I’ll send pictures soon, but here is what’s happening in a nut shell;

DONE

1) The boat is at Falmouth Boat Works getting two coats of epoxy primer on the deck and then some epoxy glossy paint. It should be ready for me to take home
this coming Tuesday.

2) I have decided on a deck layout (after consultation with Will and Bruce and my alter ego) and equipment which will be ordered this coming week, I think your going to
like it.

3) Pete has taken measurements of the forepeak cushions and the bunks. He is working on some new red ones to match the rest of the boat.

4) Winches have been completely torn down, cleaned and regreased.

5) I have sanded csc paint off the bottom….it’s ugly. I also have the dent in the keel fixed and is fair. The nice slick bottom will have to wait till next year though as it
will take more time than thought to get it right. That will be next winters sole project as I’d like to do it only once and get it perfect. The bottom will be slightly
better than last year as it is a little lighter and there’s no dent to contend with. Next year though….a new bottom should prove to be a big improvement.

6) the mooring is all set to go in and all fees have been paid…..I’m looking for the PHRF cert. in the near future.


TO-DO