Three teams I spoke to lost wind instruments, or part of them. Jangada lost the seawater pump and toilet pump; both broke their mounts due to flimsy designs that could not withstand the battering if knocked. It is particularly important to


secure heavy items. Bellino had a fire extinguisher go flying, another boat had the EPIRB fall out of the holder, luckily not going off. Jago had a cupboard door open and a spare bottle of gearbox liquid emptied itself with an awful smell, making the skipper puke for next 48 hours. It was essential to have a handheld radio or VHF speaker on deck, though both proved difficult to hear in the wind. The crew of Cora sums up the reality of the situation for many boats; ‘Despite having our radio on the loudspeaker upstairs it was so noisy, the Rolex backstay flag sounded like it was breaking the sound barrier three times a second, and the radio was largely drowned out. It is difficult to manage and monitor this when you’re trying to negotiate 35-40kt breezes as a double handed team.’ The upgrade most wanted was the ability to clear the VHF DSC alarms from on deck as this would have saved many precarious trips below. When you are doublehanded in


heavy upwind conditions it’s unlikely you are going to find the time or energy to go below to cook hot food. On Red Ruby it was 18hrs before either skipper went below for any significant time. Quick access snacks and sandwiches are essential with a mix of healthier food (nuts/seeds, eggs, chicken, fruit)


Above: Conor Corson and Matt Bird, both under 30 years old, raced the SunFast 3300 Asgard. Above right: the SunFast 3200 Cora 2 sailed by Tim Goodhew and Kelvin Matthews won the UK Double- handed Offshore Series for the third time in 2023


alongside the need for sugar and caffeine. Some packed foulies with bars, others just had them ready in the cockpit bags. Ready-made breakfast milkshakes (oats, milk, sugar) were useful for getting calories in quickly. Orbit had food that heated itself up with cold water. One crew made hot drinks in flasks before leaving the dock which kept hot for six hours. Another had a big box of home- cooked vegetable pasta ready to eat. I’m told oranges proved a great source of energy in bad weather – no need to worry about the mess, it's gone with the next wave. When you do finally get below


for a rest don’t forget if you have heating to fire it up. Jago got to


Land’s End and reported ‘… it dawned on me “why not put the heating on” …. oh, wow did it have an immediate impact on our wellbeing and mood!’ Thanks to the co-skippers of


Fastrak, Jangada, Disko Trooper, Cora, Jago, Surf, Solenn for Pure Ocean, Orbit, Black Betty and Mzungu! for sharing their insights. If this has inspired you to join us


then the UK Doublehanded Series welcomes new members into our supportive group. Our race schedule for 2024 is now live and the series includes the IRC Doublehanded European Championship (Drheam Cup and Cowes Dinard St Malo) and the IRC Doublehanded UK Nationals. www.doublehandedoffshore.com www.sea-ventures.co.uk


❑ SEAHORSE 67


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