Here’s a quick update from Fujin in the NYYC Multihull Regatta. It was an interesting day yesterday to say the least. We were again postponed for two hours at the dock. Again, the race committee did a good job finding a place to race where there was wind as we went north from Newport further into the bay. A northerly filled in shortly after we arrived at the racing area and quickly built to the higher teens by the time the race started.
Views from onboard.
We had a shorter windward-leeward type course this time around with a total distance of about nine miles. Our start was nearly identical to yesterday’s with us starting nearer the pin end with Gunboat 62 Elvis ahead and below, the only boat closer to the pin. The race can only be described as really good fun! I haven’t experienced anything quite like it. There’s something about sailing a 53-foot catamaran flying a hull going to weather at speeds approaching 16 knots, with a 62-foot cat doing the same thing less than a boat length away.
It was again a very tight race with Fujin and Elvis leading the way for the rest of the fleet. We are very closely matched in boat speed and swapped places a couple of times during the race. At these speeds laylines and mark roundings came quickly and we had to be on our toes and thinking ahead to the next maneuver. Our top speed on the second run was 26 knots! Fujin barely hung on to correct over Elvis by a mere 15 seconds.
The race committee wisely chose to call it a day as strong thunder storms were heading our way. On the hour-long motor back to the dock it rained hard with plenty of lighting and thunder. Evidently Elvis has rum on tap and they were kind enough to share, by mixing some in a 2-liter bottle with a bit of coke then the bottle over to us while under way. Little did they know that we were staying close to them on the assumption that any lighting would hit their taller mast not ours!
The forecast is for rain near the starting time, but the breeze should be blowing enough to allow for an on time start. Boat call is 0900 and it’s 0825 now. Time to wrap it up.
Ed. Note: Thanks again Brad. Keep it going PNWers! Regatta web site here. Results so far are lovely.