We sailed this Sunday & Monday and for the first time did not break anything! The boat and team is finally coming together. Birch and I really finally getting time to think about the race and sailing instead of the boat. As for the race, the friendships and competition is what we’re looking forward to the most. What will our class be like? Randy w/ Sizzor and Lumpy with the Tornado have sailed well in the past and can be expected to be great again. What about the A Class Cat and the other Hobie 18 and 16ing and Sir Tack Alot w/ the newly painted tri? What fun this will be!

The new rudders worked perfectly… balanced right out of the box. Nhe new spinnaker also was perfect. We still need to make adjustments to the pole bridle but feel it is solid and sound. Performance went thru the roof.

This team is getting closer to being prepared and ready to compete for first to finish. I wish I knew more about our competition and their programs. Randy Smyth w/ his Sizzor design by far the more experienced sailor and optimal design… but as a single handed entry, we’re hoping me may have advantages in certain conditions. Which conditions is still unknown.

Today we’ll go out and try to break something again. Funny that is how we eliminate the weak spots. Hopefully by race time we will have a dependable, reliable and winning boat and team…. all because of this philosophy.

Today we will relaunch the Magnum to test the new rudders and spinnaker! The count down has begun.

Yesterday received word that a friend from Annapolis was driving down I95 at Palm Beach. Got word to him just in the nick of time to stop and pick up our spinnaker and 12′ pole… everything is arriving this afternoon! We’ll get it rigged and sailing this weekend. Wuppie!

Yes, we have made the commitment and ordered a new spinnaker. Now all the components are in place for a successful attempt to not only finish the Challenge but maybe even win it. Who knows…just a few weeks to the start.

The new rudder heads arrived and now installed, the complete rebuild of the mast and reattachment of all mast fittings with new S.S. rivets and rebuild of the traveler car. Still on the list looking for a suitable used Asy spinnaker to rig,

Today we comfortable with our sailing of the Hobie Magnum and now just concentrate on getting the boat and equipment ready for the long hard slog to the finish.

With luck  we will find a used spinnaker or someone to loan us one for the race.

A beautiful sailing day, 15kts out of the North with a fleet of 50+ boats that include several large schooners, Corsair Tri’s and one other Hobie 18 w/ spinnaker. The race was downwind w/ the other Hobie using their spinnaker was first in fleet. We still do not have a spin or schreecher… damn. Key West Magnum 2nd in class.

Now only a beauitful upwind sail home… until a side shroud stud/chainplate sheers! With a loud bang the mast gentle floaed into the sea. After stowing the sails and lashing the spar a J80 came along to tow us back to the Key West Harbor.

Repair list after one 6 mile race; replace side stay studs, one tiller, one jib haylard and oh I forgot we cracked a centerboard too.

Did I say we’re still having fun? Yep we are crazy.

Drysuit or wetsuit?

I have been having a great debate with what best serves a catamaran sailor. I just am not a fan of drysuits and like the better mobility of the wet suit. A sealed seamed cuffed full wetsuit should provide the necessary water barrier. In the daytime I can wear a simple swim suit and our just drop the upper body for temperature comfort. If the weather is cold and wet stay vipped and warm. Neoprene cap, boots and gloves completes the cold barrier and of course I can pee as I please.

It is hard to believe that this simple 6 mile race out to reef from Key West is something I am looking forward, I’m even anxious for it to begin. Getting ready for the EC so far has been personal challenges for myself and Birch. On Sunday we will line up with 100′+ schooners, large monohulls and even  several quick multihulls as well. Hopefully we’ll match up and give them all a good race.

Getting our boat, gear and ourselves ready for this challenge is getting expensive. We still need dry suits and a hooter and of course various safety gear. Time to buckle down and get it done. This weekend a simple fun race here in Key West called the Wreckers Race. Out to the reef and back to the bar. Reef and bar here we come!