(I believe it was Captain Ahab...)
For the first time in my life, I broke an oar!! Snapped it clean off where wood meets fiberglass. ARGHHH!!!! Man to Sea!
Great drill to change out broken gear underway in challenging conditions with a swell on.
Fantastic day on the water this morning! All crew geared up and headed out for two hours all conditions; following seas, quartering winds, on the nose, crew changeover.
Here is a shot of the 40 ft. carbon fiber craft that is going to carry our 14 strong crew across the Atlantic.
Another torrential downpour though this time underway!! Wahoo!! What a glorious feeling, heavens open up and douse us as our small ship is tossed about on confused seas. Alive!!!!
Weather delay - Record Breaking conditions loom!! Our departure date has now been pushed to Sunday Jan 30th in anticipation of an enorous high pressure system working its way towards us and setting up for ideal conditions to shatter the world record. If forecast continues as predicted we'll be looking at riding the tidal streams out of Peurto de Mogan sometime on Sunday with a following sea of 3 meters at 9 second intervals and 20 knots out of the northeast to push us southwest direct into the trades and cross-Atlantic current!! Fingers crossed!!
Big low rolled in after our practice on the water this morning and filled the harbour with some serious swell. 4 riggers got all stove up, 3 port and one starboard, on the neighboring boats and an emergency call came out for us to move our craft to a more secure and sheltered mooring. Crew sprang into action all hands on deck!! Quick manouver to shuttle Britannia III across the harbour out of the the reach and swell. Further reparations in order in the morning coincide with the arrival of our supply vehicle. We just need to get to the starting line.
The crew is working as one to shore up the integrity of our ship. Also reviewing rowing technique to ensure that we are getting every bit of efficiency out of our efforts.
Unrowable conditions for the next two days will allow us to take the necessary time to make sure the equipment is up to snuff.
Chomping at the bit and ready to row!
Time for sleep!
Jonathan
I hope that you have a few spare oars because that might not be the last one you break. How many extra do you have? I don't see any hatchets. Probably a good idea so they can be switched between sides (assuming zero pitch).
ReplyDeleteWhat is the loading like on the oars? The boat must weigh several tons fully loaded, a bit heavier than the Joya to say the least. Does it feel really heavy or are the collars moved so that the load feels right? What is your spacing? Maximum speed?
More details please. I am sure once you shove off there won't be much time/motivation for the details that the Great Eight is looking for.
Nick
Well, we've got 8 rowing stations and are equipped with 16 oars. We could break all of them but hopefully no more than 8 to remain efficient in the water. None of them are new so perhaps I can go after Dreissigacker for sponsorship on any future crossings (can you sense madness in that phrase - I suppose I should complete the first crossing).
ReplyDeleteThe oars are 385 cm for the most part with a few variations - stroke oars are loaded slightly lighter/shorter given that the boat was designed with 6 sweep rowing stations and refitted with 8 and space/reach is a bit of an issue (I won't be taking too many full reach strokes). If I remember correctly the boat loaded is 3.5 tons (exclusive of rowers). Loading has the buttons about 2/3 the way to the handles but is a completely different dynamic given the weight of the boat. Doesn't feel too heavy, just a slower pull. The trick is to maintain momentum and I have been working with the crew on the principles of the stroke, notably on trying not to check the boat.,
In order to break the record we are going to have to cover 2550 miles (looking for confirmation on whether these are nautical or statute, I believe NM - skipper's not around at present) on a Great Circle route in under 33 days or 77 NM/day or around 3.2 knots, about 1/4 of the Great 8 top racing speed. Top speed recorded when briefly surfing the face of a 20 ft wave I'm told was 17.5 knots!!!
Conditions are lining up with a projected tailwind of 25/30 knots for the first several days until we reach the cross-Atlantic current which should be good for at least a knot of speed. Tail wind and following seas of 35 ft @ 9 second intervals and we are set up to put a lot of pressure on the standing record!!
Wahoo!!!
Jonathan