File - Canadian Wayfarer Association

With the mast fully chocked at deck level we had approximately 2 cm (¾”) of pre-bend. On the
breezy days we took a 6mm (¼”) chock out. The mast was very solid sideways at deck level. Our
spreaders measure 51,4 cm (20.25”) from the mast and we use about 19 à 20 cm (7.5-8”)
distance from the back of the mast to the straight line spreader tip to tip. I’m really not too
dogmatic on these sort of measurements, preferring to make sure that the mast fits the sail.
We use the (classic) “rule of thumb” on deciding kicker tension, i.e. that the last 15 cm (6”) of
the top batten and the boom should be parallel.
Starting: On almost every start, including some where you were badly buried, you seemed to be
able to dig your way out and establish clear air and appreciably better speed than those around
you. What is your general policy for good starting and also your favourite “escape route” when
things are not looking so good?
Our starts were generally not too bad apart from the last day when I got it completely wrong.
The decision on which end to start includes consideration of the bias on the line, how many other
boats are around, and which way we have decided to go up the beat. I never start right at the
actual end of the line, preferring to be a few boats along, hopefully hidden by a bulge. Normally,
I approach on port tack and hang around until a hole appears near the area I want to start in.
However, this is a bit risky and so at Hayling we went for a conservative type of start, gradually
trickling up to the line on starboard near the favoured end.
“Cordon Rouge” points really well and so, even if there was a boat close to leeward, we were able
to ease out after a while. At this time, it is absolutely vital that the boat is perfectly upright,
a to keep our rig away from the boat to leeward;
b to direct dirty air from our sails into those of the boat to windward.
The first beats were long and so it was relatively straightforward to get clear air reasonably
quickly after the start. We knew we were fast to windward and so could afford to duck a few
sterns in order to go the way we wanted to. I never, ever commit myself to one side of the
course or the other until it is obvious which is the paying side. This meant that, unless it was
very windy, we were behind other boats until at least half way up the first beat. In fact we were
never well clear at the first mark and often rounded 2nd or 3rd, but better that than running
the risk of taking a flier up the first beat. So, our speed enabled us to go for safe, conservative
(Simon says “boring”) starts.
The Crew: You have been blessed with a talented crew in Simon Townsend for several years. For
a helm who is trying to identify a crew for a campaign, what would you say are the ideal physical
and mental characteristics to look for?
I am very lucky to have such a good crew as Simon Townsend. He is the best spinnaker stower I
have ever sailed with! We get on very well in the boat, and he has never ever grumbled at me, no
matter how badly I have sailed. He’s also got a great temperament and when I get uptight, he
“switches off” and lets me whitter away to myself. This nonchalant stoicism is in fact a total
sham. He is very, very competitive and very much wants to win. He’s also tall and tells me that
he’s classically good-looking - cast in an heroic mould. Be that as it may, his size keeps those
nasty wet malignant waves away from me.
We’ve been sailing together for 5 years now and the teamwork is quite good. I like our tacking
and much of the success in that is due to Simon’s sense of balance, for the boat never comes
over on top of me when I sit down. Knowing that you can tack out of trouble if necessary helps
one’s confidence no end. This is especially so at the start where we may have to tack several
times in very quick succession.
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