Conference unifix::sailing

    Grant, I've been watching this note with interest to see if anyone
    else was going. Almost afraid to answer for fear of being inundated
    with requests for crew slots. I currently have a crew of five (all
    DEC) with potential slots for one or maybe two more. Without any
    attempt at trying to fill these positions we've built a list of
    ten or more alternates who are willing to do race or return. However,
    would still give top consideration to someone with recent 12 meter
    or SORC sail trim experience who likes to cook.

    The logistics can be mind boggling, with ORC category 1 requirements
    to be met (translate that to $$$ plus boat modifications), ratings
    (IMS and/or PHRF this year) especially in our case where the Sabre
    42 is a new design and the hull measurements haven't been done yet,
    crew familiarization, and boat qualification for a recently launched
    model.
    
    Boat ships from the factory this Fri and will be commissioned by
    Burr in late March. Have to wait for the floating docks to go in.
    Tony Knowles (USYRU measurer from Newport) tells me that he has
    27 requests for boats to be done in Marion this spring. Better to
    be in asap and beat the rush. Hoping to have a slight edge with him
    as I was able to get Sabre to request his services for the standard
    hull measurements which he seemed anxious to do. The IMS certificate
    is unnecessary this year as the race committee will accept a PHRF
    rating. However, if you're into polar plots, VPP's and target boat
    speeds then IMS is still the way to go.
    
    We plan a number of early, day sails followed by at least two
    offshore overnighters (at least 250 miles total). Would like to
    fit the Whalers race in if there's not a conflict with M-B. 
    Doyle is going to help get our sail trim ironed out.
    
    ORC requirements got more expensive this year with some additional
    safety equipment listed. It'll cost over $300 for an approved
    flare kit.  Wish I didn't already have an investment
    in a Jim Buoy strobe MOP. Looks like one of STC's MOM's would
    be better suited to the requirements. I still haven't figured out
    how I'm going to modify the companionway so that the boards and
    hatch can be locked and opened from inside and out. Have some ideas
    from Practical Sailor.
    
    Long way to go... and that's before the 1300 mile trip.
    
    John_R
    

    Just received verbal confirmation from the race committee that our
    application had been accepted. Almost wasn't. Seems that the 
    guidelines had to be altered to allow us in. They use the following
    formula to determine stability:
    
    Stability = (Displacement/2240)/(.01*LWL)**3
    
    Anything under 220 is rejected. Sabre 42 = 218

    Because they felt that previous Sabres in the race had demonstrated
    sufficient capabilities and after discussing the design with the
    factory engineers they decided to let us in. I guess they're also
    going to review another couple of entries that had been rejected.
    There certainly won't be any ULDB flyers entered. Alan, you must
    be somewhere in the high 300's?
    
    Anybody else out there going? I've heard rumors of other DEC entries
    but haven't any names.

    Almost had heart failure when I got my insurance quote. Only company
    my agent could find who would write coverage was INA. Cost $350
    plus another $150 higher than my original normal coverage. Ouch!
    I have heard that it may be possible to purchase separate coverage
    for just the race from Lloyds but I'm having trouble tracking it
    down. Anybody ever deal with them?

    John_R

    John,  Whats that formula ?   I get Displacement (in pounds), LWL
    (in feet).  Not quite sure what **3 means mathmatically. 
    
    Walt

    ^3

re .2:

John, I'm insulted! Valiants are fast, medium displacement cruising
boats. You must have been thinking of Westsails. The stability formula
you quoted is actually not a stability formula. Rather, it is the
standard displacement/length ratio (which is 300 for a Valiant 32) 
formula.

re .3: 

That's displacement (in pounds) divided by 2240 (long ton in 
pounds) and that divided by (.01 times the waterline length) cubed.


For anyone interested in the question of seaworthiness, I'd like to
suggest "Seawothiness, the Forgotten Factor", the latest book by C. A.
Marchaj (my thanks to Ross Faneuf for bringing this book to my
attention). The thesis of this quite technical 365 page book (which can
be nonetheless understood with only a minimal knowledge of mathematics)
is that the racer/cruisers of recent years are unseaworthy. This is an
extremely sobering book that discusses in great detail the design
characteristics that make a boat seaworthy, and anyone who is thinking
about buying a boat or sailing offshore should read it. (It is published
by the International Marine Publishing Company, Camden, ME, $29.95.) It
may not affect your choice of boat, but you will at least understand the
consequences of your choice. 

Seaworthiness is a very complex subject and is not just a matter of how
strong a boat is. Among the points that Marchaj makes is that the motion
of a heavier boat is less violent than the motion of lighter boat of 
equal length. Hence the heavier boat will be much less tiring for
the crew and will be less likely to induce seasickness. Also, a lighter 
boat is more likely to be capsized in bad weather. But then lighter is 
faster. Like I said, complex and sobering.

Alan

    Sorry for my loose usage of 'stability'.
    
    Really Alan, I wasn't thinking of insulting you. I knew your
    displacement but I was guessing your water line length to be in
    the 25-26' range which would result in a number in the upper 300's.
     
    Not bad company when you compare it to some other entries in
    the race like Swan, Hinkley, Alden, Little Harbor which will all
    produce much higher numbers than my Sabre. Not to mention that they're
    also faster AND more comfortable too.
    
    This is a good time to go back and review that note which discusses
    the Practical Sailor article on 'righting ability' (Was that the
    term?).

    re: securing companion way boards
    
    John, next time at Burr, take a look at ROLLICK's boards.  A small
    deadbolt is on the top one.  The yard had to braze a wing nut on
    the reverse side so crew in or out can operate it.  Also look over
    the external bilge pump handle and hatch board retention cords.  Oyster
    makes a serious attempt to follow the Fastnet Enquiry recommendations,
    so the boat came this way.
    
    Good luck with the preparations!!