Type 2 fun

Just back from my first and probably last regatta, the Mirror Nationals at Paynesville. Peregrina and I sailed between 50 and 60 nautical miles, top speed 8.1 knots, a reading from two different days, so I suspect it represents Peregrina's maximum hull speed down a wave with as much wind as we can cope with behind us.

The experience was what Al Humphreys would describe as "type 2 fun", where you are often cold, wet, frightened, sore and a bit miserable, but you hope at some point in the future the experience will take on a glow of satisfaction and achievement.

I had a port starboard collision with Daniel (not  my fault) and poor Peregrina copped a nasty gash along her front tank, which slowly filled with water, slowing me down progressively over the last two races to the point where I realized that more water was coming in than I could bail out, and I abandoned for that day.

Two of the sailing days were very windy. On the last day, a chap came over for a chat as I was rigging up. He pointed out his boat, a thirty foot trimaran, moored nearby. After considering the white capped grey water off the island for a minute he shook his head. "I wouldn't go out in that". I probably shouldn't have either, for I capsized not long after. I managed to self rescue but I  was cold for the rest of the racing. I hadn't managed to stop the leak either once again the boat got more sluggish as the racing proceeded, which is a very demoralising experience. I wasn't aware how much water had got into the front tank, and I did not drain it. When we came to try to lift the boat, Daniel had an additional 20 kilos of water to contend with and he dropped the front of the boat on the carpark tarmac resulting in some damage to the front and side gunnels.

So both Peregrina and I are a bit bashed and need some repair and recouperation. It was interesting being in a place right on the edge of a massive catastrophe but with everyone going on as normal. The air was thick with smoke most days and at night the smoke plume was illluminated by a crimson glow from the flames only a few kilometres away.  I am very glad we did not get trapped there or have to evacuate leaving boats or the caravan behind. The pic below is looking from near the jetty across to Raymond Island, a few hundred meters away.

I met some lovely people, learned a few things, and hopefully came away a better sailor than I was before. And I am now the Australian National  Mirror single handed sailing champion (thanks to a tiny field and the withdrawal of the guy who should have won) with a bit of huon pine to prove it. But I would not be in a hurry to repeat the experience.