Captain's Log

November 2, 2002

Hello all,
 
I know that the word oxymoron may not be the most familiar word in the dictionary, but in the sailing world in general and the solo sailing word in my frame of reference they crop up all the time. Some examples......
 
Waterproof : I am sorry but in the marine industry water proof is the most often told lie. Handheld waterproof VHF, yeah right. Waterproof instruments ditto
Stainless Steel : Well that's a good one. Check out some of the stainless on my boat.
Reliable Autopilots : Do date, not a problem on BTC Velocity, but what would Tim or Graham say ??
Self priming pump : so why do you always have to add water first
Self amalgamating tape : a bit more obscure, but why is it always unraveling ?
Great tasting freeze dried food : some is, some is not.
 
and today's favourite........
 
NE Trades: I am sure that if I had a sailing almanac on board the definition would read something like this " an area of consistent NE winds from 20 - 30 kts spanning latitudes 15 - 30 North "
 
Hmmm. It IS blowing from the NE. If you consider fluctuations from 030 to 065 degrees ' consistent '. 20 - 30 kts, sort of, but the ranges from 16 - 28 kts make for infinite sail changes and often as soon as one is made its time for another. Sort of like Bruce looking at his computer for 30 minutes to decide whether or not to gybe. I have a 10 minute rule. If the conditions are the same for 10 minutes, then make the change you were thinking about. The Trades have figured me out though, they have established a 15 min rule just for fun !! It goes like this " wait for Alan to wait 10 minutes, then wait 5 minutes as he is making the changes and alter the wind strength and direction just for fun !! "
 
The last oxymoron for today, I direct to all the sailors in Bermuda who are lucky enough to race on the Great Sound and around our beautiful island where with minimal waves we can fly full sail plans and often surf across the sound.
 
One reef and the spinnaker : Yes its true. A die hard racer in Bermuda would never be seen with a reef in their sail and would be positively embarrassed to have the spinnaker up with a reef in; however, I have Code 5 , ' STW Fixed Income Management '  2.3 oz bullet proof kite up and she is pulling beautifully. Boat speeds are ranging from 8.5 to 12 kts in lovely surfing conditions. Well done Doyle Fraser. The reef in main is unusual but keeps BTC Velocity upright when the sea state takes the stern through 25 degrees and tries to lay us flat.
 
Life is good on BTC Velocity
 
Alan
60 miles east of the African coast of Mauritania ( how many of you know where that is ?? )