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Editor: Kris Steyn 082 619 5511 krissteyn@gmail.com Last Months Meeting WHALE MARCH by Ken Botes report kindly submitted by Mike Miles (in long-hand) and translated by a team of Egyptologists That is the logo of the International Anti-Whaling Commission iawc@whalemarch.org.za All very dry but Ken Botes, chairman/CEO made it come alive at our meeting on Thursday 25thSeptmber. He gave a very passionate presentation on behalf of Anti-whaling and the problem of the commission when it came for countries to vote on the subject. Dare one say the ugly face of money and greed comes to the fore. He also presented us with the plans for the whale museum, which is an interesting and exciting project. This produced many questions from the floor including our commodore, Peter, who could see the advantages and pitfalls of such a project. Nevertheless the consensus was positive and the TBA will keep in touch with the project for our mutual benefit. The second half of the evening was a fireside chat by Capt Peter Warren. A (senior) whale captain, who entertained us with stories of past-whaling activities, which were amusing and interesting; so much so, that our Charles Paice got up and told us about his experiences as a 'cabin boy' on a whaler at the tender age of 14 years. So the evening closed on a convivial note, which prompted one to think that the TBA is seeing the forest without seeing the trees. (I would rather see waves - editor) Yes, we have heard many fine speeches and hope to hear more in the future. However, we should not forget the hidden stories of our own sailing personalities. All-in-all an excellent talk. Thanks again Ken Botes Shore Leave (Social Calendar) Last Thursday Of The Month At our next meeting we are showing a new movie , a pre-release special . . . Deep Water :- The real story of Donald Crowhurst & the round the world trip solo voyage In 1968 The Sunday Times announces the first non-stop, single handed round-the-world sailing race. The rules state that anyone who attempts a non-stop circumnavigation is automatically entered. There are two prizes; the Golden Globe for the first man home and £5,000 for the fastest voyage. Competitors are told they must leave before the 31st October to avoid the full fury of a winter spent in the Southern Ocean - the seas below 40° South where strong westerly winds collide with icy currents from the South Pole to create relentless storms and freak violent waves and troughs. Narrated by Tilda Swinton, DEEP WATER is the stunning true story of the fateful voyage of Donald Crowhurst is a 36-year-old father of four whose marine electronics business is ailing. Staking everything in his attempt to win the fastest voyage prize, he leaves behind his wife and young children. He is an amateur yachtsman who enters the most daring nautical challenge ever - the very first solo, non-stop, round-the-world boat race. As the race progresses, Crowhurst's reports of his positions at sea show that, after a slow start, he is beginning to cover ever greater daily distances, surprising press and public alike, before he begins to set new world records for distances covered in the course of a day. Headline after headline is being printed - not just across Britain but also across the globe. Crowhurst is fast becoming the darling of the tabloids, hailed as a nautical wonder with the world's gaze upon his lonely and potentially life-threatening journey. But, as the world waits on tenterhooks for this extraordinary man to cross the finish line and sail into port to a hero's welcome, the jaw-dropping truth of his ten month voyage is revealed that things have gone terribly wrong for Donald Crowhurst... Eventually Clare Crowhurst is told that Teignmouth Electron has been found abandoned in the Atlantic. As the grief stricken family struggle to come to terms with Donald's death, Rodney Hallworth flies out to collect Donald's logbooks and film recordings. Hallworth informs Clare that her husband never went round the world and he sells the logbooks to a national newspaper. Crowhurst's body is never recovered. Teignmouth Electron lies rotting on Cayman Brac in the West Indies. From the producer of TOUCHING THE VOID, DEEP WATER is directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell. DEEP WATER uses Donald Crowhurst's original 16mm films and tape recordings to re-construct his extraordinary journey. Much of this incredible archive has not been seen for over 30 years and was only recently re-discovered by the production. DEEP WATER also includes interviews with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Francoise Moitessier and marks the first time in thirty years that Donald Crowhurst's family have broken their silence to talk about the events.
Scuttlebutt . Brian Bradfield has returned from his travels and is with us again (looking quite feisty) - you may have seen him escorting a fair maiden at the fleet sail-by a few weeks ago ??? How does he do it ? Josh will be returning shortly from his UK visit - hope he brings stirling with him ! Annie has had a melt-down from her old email address and has acquired a new one - still down under. The Esmerelda was at the dock and I was definitely not going to miss this one - as the last time I was aboard was in Canada. Very pretty - and they had some good priced wines and Pisco...
Pull up a chair with your favourite beverage and ..... From the SAILNET FORUM USA The Conundrum I posted last month had a response from Barry Wolf but I like the response that talks of pasting tell-tales on the sail... 'BARRY WOLF' I think Matt's problem is simple. In mast furling systems are problematic in that you can't fit batons to the sail like my boom furler. Sails stretch and get out of shape and tend to balloon somewhat more like a spinnaker. This will make the boat ungainly and slow. The solution is to buy a new sail unless he can make some adjustments to the sail. His best bet is to speak to a sail maker who will no doubt sell him a new sail. From the original source …. 'ANGELO' The solution is to reduce headsail by RF'ing it. This will allow you to re-engage your main without introducing helm that will slow you down. Depending on the cut of your headsail, you need to move your jib-car forward as you furl it. I've actually marked furling spots on the foot of my jib so that I can furl it to the same spots each time and thus know where to put the cars. 'PLUMPER' Maybe with in-mast furling, the extra thickness of the mast is stalling out the smaller (no roach) main until you ease it so far the main and jib work together to create a single foil. How much shape does the main have? '6 STRING' You might want to try flattening your main when on a reach and see if that helps. I would put on some vang and cunningham, make sure you have the out haul tight. Watch the trailing edge and see to it that it has a clean exit. something to try anyway. 'CAPTMIKEM' I agree, the problem is most likely no roach, to tight of a leech line. An easy indicator is to put tell tales about every 10 feet up the leech of the main. big ones, easy to see. When they are flowing aft, you have proper flow over the main, easy to see and easy to adjust. I also agree most people under sheet their headsails and over sheet their mains. Tell tails on the luff of the jib and on the leech of the main are very simple very easy indicators and educators. Click here to view original discussion on SAILNET
Just for interest sake - price of a skippers ticket in USA...
From the Crow's Nest (Editors' Bit)
My new life includes a wife and family and recently a job - so have been unusually busy - no excuse - just a reason why I have been a little less attentive to TBA matters.
Smalls FOR RENT :- YACHT BUILDING PREMISES + Big Studio Flat + Lockup Garage : near CT. I have a large residential property in Milnerton where I was going to build my yacht.
Quiet neighbourhood - so wouldn't be good to make too much noise after hours - key here is reasonableness - but its perfectly legal to build your own boat in your yard. Dog friendly - Full ADT security - garden maintenance.... would suit a single person - or a couple.
Rent would be commensurate with boat-builders requirements - ie state of boat.
and a suitable deposit - also commensurate with the tenants requirements.
Please understand that if a tenant "disappears" - getting rid of a "project boat" can be very expensive ??? (I have experience ! ) Contact the Editor if interested
TBA Committee
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Dear All,