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Thread: What Worked? What didn't?

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    Santa Barbara Sometimes
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    167

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    FWIW, I have found it very useful to compare my barometer reading to what I download, FAX or GRIB. This gives me an idea of how accurate the current and forecast synoptics are, especially if the wind speed/direction don’t seem to jive.

    Some 'weather' books that I have found to be useful:
    - USA Today Weather Book, http://www.randomhouse.com/book/1911...-jack-williams
    - Bowditch, American Practical Navigator, ch 34 etc. Freely available from http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.por...2&pubCode=0002
    - This is good for understanding 500 mB charts: Mai-Lai Chen & Lee Chesneau, “Heavy Weather Avoidance,” http://www.chesneaumarineweather.com/?p=203
    - Steve & Linda Dashew, “Mariner’s Weasther Handbook,” http://setsail.com/mwh.pdf
    - David Burch, “Modern Marine Weather,” http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Marine-.../dp/0914025082
    - William Crawford, “Mariner’s Weather,” http://www.amazon.com/Mariners-Weath.../dp/1461040507

  2. #22
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    284

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    Quote Originally Posted by BobJ View Post
    I completely agree Ken. Focusing on GRIB files completely screwed our Pacific Cup effort. We chased those little barbs all over the ocean while our competitors focused on the interpreted charts and left us behind. I've learned my lesson.

    Jackie, these are available to us from a number of sources for free. I suspect the Air Force version focused on higher altitudes - we'd be interested in surface conditions.
    Did you fly a kite while chasing the little barbs all over?

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    3,688

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    Yes, but a reacher. We spent many hours flying the A0 to create apparent wind. Once the breeze finally picked up we flew the A3, even finishing with it. The A2 saw little use, which was bizarre for a Hawaii race.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    284

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    I can just imagine it, like the backstage scene in the movie "This is Spinal Tap"

    You don't use real spinnakers?
    Last edited by WBChristie; 11-15-2014 at 12:09 AM.

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    According to Kame Richards, that's right - he thinks asymmetrics aren't the real deal. Except for the A0, we flew them on a pole:
    Last edited by BobJ; 11-15-2014 at 12:22 AM.

  6. #26
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    284

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    Beautiful sails, I'm jealous. Nice pole too!

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    3,688

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    That jibtop has a bazillion miles on it. It's a paneled Kevlar sail so it will go a bazillion more.

    I need to get the rust mark off the main (at the tack reef) - it bugs me every time I see that photo. Any idea how to do that?

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    3,688

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    Back to the thread subject - these work great, until they don't. This one crapped out off Diamond Head:
    Last edited by BobJ; 11-15-2014 at 11:41 AM.

  9. #29
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    284

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    Quote Originally Posted by BobJ View Post
    That jibtop has a bazillion miles on it. It's a paneled Kevlar sail so it will go a bazillion more.

    I need to get the rust mark off the main (at the tack reef) - it bugs me every time I see that photo. Any idea how to do that?
    I have heard that oxalic acid crystals dissolved in warm water (I forget the ratio - Google is your friend) But I'm too scared to try it on my staysail ... which also has rust stains after the Hawaii trip.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    284

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    Back to the thread subject - these work great, until they don't. This one crapped out off Diamond Head:
    One of those steered my 21 000 lb boat to Hawaii and back. After all the negative feedback on how cheaply they are built (and they are) I was pleasantly surprised. I do have 2 of them and did switch them a few times.
    Last edited by WBChristie; 11-15-2014 at 05:23 PM.

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