COLIn JARmAn Riding Light
STRESSED
Why put boats under stress; risk assessment required;
Thinking about stresses in
boats – but leaving aside the
ignorance preferred; keeping your hat on.
matter of so many boats in
the last Vendee Globe race
losing their keels, which
should be a matter for huge One of the strongest weather suitable for the boat, RATHER YOU...
concern amongst designers, arguments in favour of junk her crew, the intended passage Isn’t it funny (odd, not ha ha)
engineers and builders, as well rig, a wing sail or the Freedom and (most importantly) for an how you often see another
as skippers and sponsors – I rig is the use of an unstayed enjoyable sail? You do your boat pitching into rough seas,
was talking to someone with and all but unstressed mast. analysis and you make your throwing spray over her head,
a perfectly normal modern The only downward load is choice. You also make your soaking her cold, tired looking
‘cruiser/racer’ (a term full the weight of the mast and preparations – engine and crew and think to yourself
of contradictions) who had sails, while both the lateral and fuel checks, bikini or oilskins, “rather them than me”, only
ordered a tension meter to help fore and aft loads induced by cruising chute at the ready or to realise that they are looking
him set up the rigging. I can wind pressure or pitching and two reefs in the main – but at you and probably thinking
see, clearly, the need then, you get under exactly the same thing?
to establish a straight way and hope to have There are times of course
mast athwartships and a good time. If it’s not when it’s good to be thus
– if it’s absolutely and pleasant you can move reminded of the violent or
ridiculously required – to Plan B and return tricky motion of your own
to set up the designed or seek shelter in a boat, so that you take renewed
degree of ‘pre-bend’, place you’ve forward care when working or moving
but just how far planned for just such about, but there are also times
does the exactitude a situation. when you (or at least I) would
of tension need to What you don’t do very much rather sail on in
be taken? Are you (I hope) is plug on blissful ignorance, just taking
really happy putting regardless of scared it as it comes and coping until
everything under green faces. That way quieter, more sheltered waters
such stress? you prove nothing are reached.
A bermudan rig positive about yourself
tries all the time to and lose your crew, if ALL TIED UP
pull the deck closer
N
not your vessel. It’s a It’s long been my
to the masthead and little different if you’re understanding that ties
drive the heel of the Jarma sailing off soundings (neckties that is, not sail ties)
N
mast out through the or at least far offshore have only two real uses on a
bottom of the boat. Oh, o Coli
T
out of sight of land. boat – to keep your trousers
and to pull both bow
Pho
Then, once you’re up and for starting a Seagull
and stern up to the out there, you must outboard. However, with the
masthead as well. It’s
The junk-rigged Newbridge Pioneer Red Admiral
take what you’re given relative rarity of Seagulls
a bit like holding the
slips along nicely – relaxed and unstressed.
and try to survive, but today, the tie seemed to have
ends of a ripe banana you must, again, have been reduced to simple belt
while a child tugs at the centre rolling are easily absorbed by made your analysis, considered replacement duties.
– sooner or later it will break the partners in the deck and the your options, laid plans and But no. A bright minded
and upset both of you. mast step on top of the keel or accepted that you’ve got to Sailing Today reader has
Why have we gone down on the hog. take it on the chin. For many pointed out another use.
this road of induced stress? It As she sails, a boat with any people it’s a wonderful, life Keeping your hat on in a gale.
requires an immensely strong of these low stress rigs is, and enhancing challenge; for Tie the tie, slip the loop over
structure to cope with the actually feels, more relaxed. others, it’s the perfect reason the top and tighten beneath
loads and for those loads to be It’s got to be better for the hull for ignoring the ‘wonders of your chin. Excellent and easily
spread as widely and carefully and, I’m sure, for the crew. the deep’ and extracting every adjusted too.
as possible. It doesn’t do the last ounce of pleasure from For those who wish
boat any good. RISKY? coastal, home waters cruising. to remain sartorially
One fault and there’s a loud Much of sailing involves Each to his own, but each irreproachable, may I suggest
bang followed by a collapse of a degree of sensible ‘risk to his own preparation and the use of a symmetrical
the whole rig. At least. analysis’ – for example, is the sensible planning too. double Windsor knot? ■
146 Sailing Today July 09
ST147 Riding
Light_RTG.indd 178 12/5/09 09:47:27
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