3. Who is in control?
Telefonica Black
Lance Shepherd
Tue 21 Jan 2020 02:51
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22.20.606N 020:36.618W - total Gybes: 2 - Distance to
go: 2169 nm
Today started out nice and calm, we had a little sun, a
couple of clouds, 15-20 knots of wind and a slight to moderate sea state. At
1700 we had the perfect conditions to change the J4 jib to the A4 gennaker.
Amazing how much a change of headsail helps with helming the boat at a steady
course.
Contrary to the predictions, like yesterday, the wind
picked up to about 23-25 knots about 1,5 hour after the switch. Right when the
darkness started to settle in.
When explaining the boat to new sailors I often compare
her with a wild horse. Especially with the gennaker up she is testing and trying
the person at the helm constantly. In a gust of wind the boat will literally try
to break free from under you and luff up if you do not pay attention. You also
have to braze yourself because the speed might just wipe away your feet
from underneath you.
Obviously there are chances to correct this, but if your
are a 'newby' that is not as easy as it sounds. Especially when you are
helming at night with no real stars at the horizon for reference (where are they
when you need them??).
Throw in a moderate sea state and all of a sudden an
'easy sail' turns into being full focus at the helm struggling to stay on
course.
The worst thing that can happen when we
luff up extremely? We could broach and this basically means that she will
heal over so much that the deck will hit the water and more importantly, people
in their bunks might all of a sudden find themselves in the
air before landing (hard) on the floor.
On the other hand, if you correct this the boat will
bear away (steer away from the wind). The moment she flattens out is the moment
you should correct back, but that is very difficult because also during this
maneuver she tends to run away from right underneath you and go extremely to the
other side. The danger when this happens? You might end up accidentally gybing
(crash gybe) and believe me when I say that this is really really bad for the
rig. We will not be the first boat to have ripped their sail or even lost their
mast during a crash gybe.
A broach or a crash gybe can happen on any boat. But
because of the speed and the way Telefonica Black helms (almost like a dinghy),
you have to be extra aware. This is why we call her a racing machine. A wild
horse that cannot be given too much freedom. We have to show her who is boss at
all times and that is why we switch over the person at the helm every 20-30
minutes. It takes a lot to control the beast.
'But is it fun you might wonder?' Well, ask any person
on the boat, the experienced or the novice, sailing Telefonica Black is a
privilege, a challenge, a rush and just a great experience! And the crew is just
amazing. Helping, coaching and fine tuning with whoever needs or wants it.
I am simply afraid that those who have never sailed
before are forever spoiled. If you manage to be in control of this
boat, which other boat will challenge you in the future?
Angela
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