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Monday, 28th June 2010
Lowestoft to Plymouth

Thursday 24th June 2010: Well it's the last day in Lowestoft and the leaders are already out there. We’ve been tracking Paradox, Drama Queen and Freebird; Paradox has had a slow start with very light winds,Drama Queen is moving well but Freebird has been blessed by the god of winds and currently has the fastest boat speed. What they race for now is handicap position and it’s a wind and tide lottery. Anyone could get the gold. We are also hoping to be in with a shot as we have a lower rating than the others. Time and tide will tell.

A great day was had yesterday. Everyone in the fleet seemed pretty relaxed as the physically tough stuff is over, though last minute one-upmanship and psychological tricks were in play. For many competitors winning is everything, so all unnecessary kit was being off-loaded to lighten the boats and give the best chance of winning the last leg and race on handicap. Everyone swore they were being careful to comply with the rules, as they know they could still be scrutineered on arrival at Plymouth.

We are sailing a high performance cruising catamaran in absolute comfort. It has all mod cons fitted and we like toast in the morning and ice in the G&T so we did not remove a single item. In fact we have added a couple of DVDs just in case we get becalmed again, and the fridge is full of food and a few beers so we won’t starve if it takes a while to get home, although I will go for another spot of fishing if it does as one of the highlights has been fresh line caught mackerel for breakfast – yummy.

What we have started is nearly over. Our aim has been to get Sueños around Britain in one of the best races going and commission her on the way, hopefully with a good result. By doing this and encountering a range of conditions, instead of having the usual couple of weeks in and out of Plymouth Sound, we will have a much better idea of what she is capable of. So far I’m very happy with her.

We might have launched only three weeks before the race but our preparations were still very good thanks to the great team at Multimarine and their extensive knowledge. Not many people had the last RB&I race winner helping prep their boat. Everyone worked day and night to get her ready – thank you guys we would not be here if it wasn’t for all the effort you put in, and I hope you’re proud of what you have achieved. To work to a race start deadline is not easy but we managed to build two new 1195s, and all the tooling, in less than seven months. Not bad by anyone’s standards.

So far we have not really had any serious problems other than the odd influx of water ballast, which was down to one seal and a salt water pump; the manufacturer will be getting a rather enlightening email on my return, as will the maker of the bilge pump. The rest of our problems were all a direct result of this.

We believe it would be good to increase the rudder area as we have never been able to fully power up the boat, so I already have a plan for the upgraded blades; a combination of skeg and semi-balanced blades. Problems with our hydraulic steering were resolved when Ian from Multimarine flew out to Kinsale and re-bled the system, and we remembered to turn all the valves on. It has worked fine since but I would have reservations about fitting it again as simplicity is the key to a successful boat. We’re 98% there with Sueños and once we tweak up the systems using what we have learnt on our race she will be near to perfect and the basis for future boat production.

This trip has been good for all of us in different ways. For us the best result will be that we will make better boats than ever before. Well, in my opinion. We have already thought of some improvements in design ideas related to safety features and the way systems are installed. Discussing with Rupert – who is very experienced in a variety of sailing, both racing and cruising – whether things can be improved has been good. Not many people would put their boat through such extreme abuse as is encountered in a race like the RB&I but Rupert would as he is a real sailor and knows the value of real testing.

Dazcat have one of the best new product ranges for multihulls and Multimarine has superb boatbuilding services available. Our boats are the proof of this. Our four boats in the fleet have had only a few minor problems, all of which could be fixed on the way round. They have led the way through the race and I would like the Round Britain and Ireland race to become part of the Dazcat racing calendar, along with the Fastnet (which Paradox has also won under previous ownership), the Plymouth-Falmouth-Fowey (which is always great fun) and others including some of the MOCRA events. Rupert has done the RB&I three times; it is addictive and attracts some very special people.

The skippers and crews have been great, all helping each other out with no sign of the backstabbing bullshit that put me off racing some years ago. All in all the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race is the ultimate gentleperson’s classic yacht race. The people are great to get on with and have a mutual respect for each other across the fleet, whether they’re sailing a multihull or mono. There’s a growing curiosity and envying of the comfort and style of our catamarans, both for their exceptional build quality and the fact they are performance sailing alongside out and out race boats, which mono sailors find amazing.

We want to see our multihull class of 40 footers grow. They might not be out and out racers but at the end of the day one has to justify the costs and so we feel we have a nice compromise with our Dazcat 1150 and new D1195; you can be ready to race or to cruise anywhere, in a boat that is both very strong and very light; close to half the weight of a production cat of the same size and fitted with only the best gear, personally tested by us.
Well I’ve promised Rupe I’ll concentrate on sailing on this last leg and won’t ramble on much more. We want to get one more place somehow as it would be great to have 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this race. Maybe that’s greedy.

25.06.10: Well we’re anchored off North Foreland thinking of doing a little more fishing. We have got no wind and the tide is against us; we missed the tidal gate damn it.

Last night’s sail was intense. Even with next to no wind Sueños was gliding along and we were making good time dodging in and out and occasionally over the sand banks with 1m of water under our daggerboards. The shipping has increased dramatically and we found ourselves weaving through a fleet of massive containerships, anchored or in the process of anchoring; the sound of the chain was unbelievable in the still, windless conditions as it dropped into the depths. If you hadn’t heard this before it could be taken as the roar of a sea monster.

One rather large ship got a little upset, though we don’t know why as we have a radio navigation system called AIS, a beacon telling all shipping who we are, what course we are on and at what speed. True, with not much wind it’s difficult to maintain a steady true course. As the wind was variable to the extreme we had to duck and dive through the fleet. Most of the wind was also being created by apparent wind from using the screecher; in these conditions it’s renamed the drifter. Mr Grumpy the container ship gave us 6 rather loud blasts on his exceptionally loud horn, which he probably thought was good fun although we weren’t sure exactly what that meant other than ‘Get out of my way you silly yachting people or I’ll run you down’. It was fun nevertheless being in amongst them.

At dawn the sun created a sea haze and my thoughts went to going through the Dover Straits. This is the busiest shipping lane in the world and the ships come through there like jumbos landing at Heathrow. I thought there could be nothing worse than to try and sail through there with no wind, and then I looked at the haze. Yes there is – trying to sail through with no wind and in fog. As you are racing you are not allowed to use your engines, but the pliers we use to start them (as the holes in the Perspex covers are a wee bit too small) were on deck and ready to hand just in case.

We are checking the positions of the rest of the multihulls. Paradox is way out in the lead approaching Portland Bill. Drama Queen is being caught up by Freebird. This has suddenly turned into a trimaran event as they do slip along nicely in light winds, as they heel which keeps a bit of shape in the sails, and they carry less wetted surface and hence have less drag. Freebird being a very sporty F31 – originally owned by Randy Smyth and so with a great sail pack – will do very well in these conditions. Damn it.

Later: Well we’re still anchored. I think a bit of lunch while watching a bit more of Wimbledon will do the trick while we wait for the wind to come back so we can get on and race.

I’m sure Simon and Dan on Drama Queen must be pretty exhausted by now from rowing. Winning on handicap was always their aim. They have raced many different types of boats together and are a good team. They do take it all very seriously, though it doesn’t stop them having fun, so I hope they scrape through as they have been leading the way on handicap all the way round and deserve to do well, but this leg will be a lottery of tidal gates.

My god I just looked out of the forward hatch and Rupert’s sunbathing on the net. He’s a fair skinned man who burns easily so I think he’s really there to feel the breeze when it comes; he wants to get on but one can not change the weather or the tide. With such a huge high stuck to the south coast it could take us a long time to get back home but we will get there feeling very proud. I just kinda hope we are not the only one in this becalmed position.

Later: Hey we just passed Dover, managing to dodge all the shipping; you could not see the chart for all the AIS information. We are sailing in company with Wolfie’s Toy, Bluqube and Jbellino. We short-tacked inside the Goodwin Sands, renowned for wrecking ships, but it was a beautiful day – even though we were beating to windward – for match racing up the line.
The wind came in after half an hour so I didn’t get time for fishing but it’s not a problem as its prawn linguine tonight fortified with a splash of wine and a couple of tuna fillets. The smell is intoxicating after a day in the sun. We hungry.

Later: Now it’s down to tactics and who’s where so a phone call to my brother Carl who’s giving me the gossip and latest updates. I think it might be a bit depressing unless they are also parked up. Turns out the first of the Class 40s are home and in the Royal Western having a beer, no doubt talking about what they will be doing next; the Route du Rhum from St Malo to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. A solo race, hard core stuff. My friend Ian Munslow got 3rd in the last one in a boat he helped build in South Africa, but the backing run out and he had no boat to carry on with his sailing career, even though he is one of the most promising young sailors in the UK today. It’s hard in these times to get sponsorship and the professional sailors today have to either have their own resources or tie into a very long sponsorship deal, usually reserved for only the very best sailors that have been on the circuit for years and even they still run on a shoestring, putting themselves into debt for their passion. I guess it’s the same in most sports but boats are not as cheap as a pair of trainers and a ball.

Well it’s off to bed. We haven’t run a compulsory watch on this trip so we both end up pretty knackered but that’s all part of it I guess. It’s certainly nice to see the sun set and rise and the full moon reflect on the water and feel the heat of the midday sun. It sure beats sitting in front of a laptop in my office at work.

26.06.10: Well that was a good sleep. I rose in the dark and Rupe was busy gybing and trying not to hit what looked like a helicopter pad on a pole in the middle of nowhere. The sea birds had taken residency so I guess it’s not all bad as it offers a sanctuary for wildlife. Talking of which we had a little visitor this morning. He looked pretty puffed out and had a wee break, clinging to our rigging while he had a little sing song as dawn broke. I think he might have been a bit off course for a starling.

More light sailing. Both Rupe and I battled with (although it felt more like cruised in company with) Wolfie’s Toy, Bluqube and Jbellino, finally running out of wind completely at about 6am. I’d managed to line the boat up with the last of the tide, creating enough apparent wind to do 4knts, at one point leaving the others wallowing in the deeper water. Once adrift, we just managed to get in to shallow enough water to anchor again, attaching chain to a very long warp with the alloy anchor. Now we realise we have about 90 kg of weight to winch in which we are not looking forward to.

It was a magic dawn. Jbellino looked like a watercolour painting silhouetted on the horizon in the distance, gliding over silky silver water, its spinnaker red with the full moon directly above it. It’s a shame my photography is as good as my fishing. I took a snap but it didn’t do justice to the overall picture.

Light wind sailing can be exciting and takes continuous trimming of both main, and in last night’s case screecher/drifter, to help. I turned on some music on headphones and became a single-handed boating DJ, spinning up the winches, slipping the lines, dialling in the autopilot, up and down, scanning the plotter, button pressing, checking the AIS, and running around the boat like a mad man doing step aerobics (the helm stations are raised for good visibility, making sure you don’t hit anything or run aground). There’s a lot going on and it uses every part of your body and mind to do it. Most importantly it’s great fun. Sailing with all this electronic kit is like playing a video game but you’re in it too, a bit like playing Gran Turismo and when you crash someone punches you in the face and breaks your legs. OK maybe not.

So I’ve managed to have another little rant at sea. Rupe almost banned me from tapping away on this little laptop but when becalmed what else is there to do unless we put on one of those DVDs or do a spot of fishing. Hang on aren’t we supposed to be racing?

Well hey presto, one wee mackerel. The only trouble is I had breakfast at 5, which included three rashers of bacon and 4 sausages in a ciabatta roll so I’m not hungry. It was the little chap’s lucky day as I don’t see much point in killing something unless you’re hungry and mackerel are best fresh.

We are playing the sea breezes and doing well. It was great to anchor up and have a rest, though winding up the anchor was not so much fun. Time for a siesta before Rupe steals my laptop off me.

Later: Well we cracked on past the Nab Tower, racing to get past St. Catherine’s Point before the tidal gate changed against us, which off course it did so now we’re on anchor and the tide is running at over 2½ knts. The anchor bridles are vibrating so bad the whole boat is humming. We’re sitting watching the AIS as our racing in company companions arrive one by one, destroying the lead we made on them today. As I write we are watching Katie Miller, Young Sailor of the Year on her Figaro Bluqube, trying to beat the tide and short-tacking all the way to the headland just behind us, where the wind disappears like the beer I just drank. We give her full credit though. She is showing absolute determination to get past and is now thinking, like us, what the hell to do next. We nearly made it to the beach where our plan was to go to the pub, but hey ho.

We met Katie briefly for a G&T on board in Lowestoft and I’m sure she will go far. We wish her all luck in getting backing to complete her dream of entering in the 2016 Vendée Globe, a single-handed race around the world that will put her firmly in the hall of fame alongside other yachtswomen like Ellen MacArthur, Dee Caffari and Sam Davies. You can find out more about this outstanding young woman at www.katiemillerracing.com.

Well what does this hold up mean and where are the others? Paradox has completed the course, arriving back in Plymouth at 4.18. My mum, dad and brother were standing on the breakwater cheering them in and they were probably wondering who on earth they were. Well done Will and Matt, they really deserve this. They have worked very hard and dealt with some fearsome conditions in a small trimaran built 13 years ago for Alan Grace for the Round Britain Race in 1998. It seems Paradox also loves this race; it could be your chance next time as Matt and Will plan to put her up for sale soon. Contact us if you’re interested and I will put you in touch. The success of this boat has stimulated some thoughts on designing and building some more tris, so if that floats your boat give us a call.

Drama Queen was racing for handicap position one but I think they will be too late and that will also go to Paradox. DQ has led this battle all the way round Britain but is swapping places with Freebird, which has taken advantage of this massive high pressure system that appears to be Sikaflexed to England, causing these ridiculous doldrum conditions. Mike and Grant are also very competitive sailors and have never taken their foot of the gas, sailing in some extreme conditions for a little trimaran. They are in their element now but Simon and Dan are no quitters and both teams will be driving themselves into exhaustion to pick up 2nd place. It’s anyone’s guess which of them will get 2nd and which 3rd.

We are lying sorry and anchored at 4th place, but Tony van Hee and Bob Beggs are closing on our position. I don’t know how they are doing it unless Bob stole a very large set of oars in Lowestoft and they have both suddenly got a lot fitter, but they’re on their way and we’re stuck here.

Wow, Katie and Matthew have just, after about an hour and a half of effort, overtaken us and dropped their anchor. It took them about 100 tacks to get half a mile and 100 yards in front of us. We invited them to raft-up for an evening drink but they chuckled and declined. I guess G&T is not on their agenda while racing.

Wild card Strontium Dog has also made up time on this leg. Andy and Simon Redding have turned on the heat and in the light winds not so many things are breaking, so they’re catching up.

Cold Fusion must have had some bad tide luck as well as they have dropped back and been overtaken by the little Dazcat Allez Van Hee, which is going better after a bit of advice from our Simon.

And finally Backlash II. Tony and Matt are the rear guard and should be leaving Lowestoft soon. He’ll probably miss this high completely and blast down on his screecher to find us anchored with no wind outside the pub in Cawsand Bay, who knows.

Rupe’s fallen asleep in front of Wimbledon and I’m keeping watch, and seeing how hard work can be rewarded in sailing – Bluqube’s anchor has dragged, just as they were starting to relax. They should have taken the offer for a raft up (but I’m not sure it’s allowed). They have already been dragged, in seconds, half the distance they worked so hard to get, and are now working even harder to stop it. I must say the light little Figaro does not sit to anchor well and it’s just slipped again, so they’ve dropped another anchor. There’s no wind but there are 2½ knts of tide here. The anchors have bitten in again I think, thank god. Let’s hope it holds for them.

We’re off around midnight; hopefully we can get some power from the tide to generate some wind or maybe it will pick up. At least we’re not out in deep water drifting back down the Channel. I keep thinking there’s wind but it’s the anchor bridle still humming under the strain. There is a red sky now as the sun sets; hopefully it will be a sailor’s delight tomorrow. I feel very positive and happy about our trip but would like to get on and get home and give my girlfriend Alex a big hug. She’s been missing me and looks forward to getting me back. It must be worrying sometimes for loved ones at home when their partners are out at sea but tonight we’re safe and sound in a beautiful bay just watching the sun go down under the chalk white cliffs of the Isle of Wight.

27.06.10: Good morning.

We left a little early from our anchorage, at about 23:30 and it was like another restart, with 4 boats sailing into the last of the twilight, lit by a full moon. I had made an offering to Neptune on Friday [25th], including the contents of a can of meatballs and a diet Coke, and on lifting the anchor he has rewarded it not with wind but with a small rock jammed in the kedge which looks like a piece of flint. Most weight conscious racers would throw it back in but I’m going to try and make spear heads or a couple of pendants when I get back, to have something to remind me of this adventure.

After a while I went to get my head down to be woken by the sun streaming through the port light. Rupe had done 20 miles in six hours and had run out of wind. I managed to get her going after going round in circles for a bit trying to get a good course. Finally the screecher came out and we were off, powered by the last of the tide, which soon turned. Realising we were going backwards at 2knts I hurriedly put the kedge together, removing the chain this time, and tossed it over the side. 170m of line was fed out before she bit as it’s easily 36m deep.

Another anchor watch for me so a quick tidy up and a spot of early morning sun bathing in the nuddy, then on to serious things like fishing. I think I should’ve chucked the line in earlier; I did catch one but it got free as I lifted it onto the boat, so no fish for second breakfast. So a sausage, mushroom, ham, cheese, spinach and tomato omelette on toast. It’s a hard life.
Now it’s time to pull up the anchor. Yo heave ho and up she comes and we’re off. Today the boats are a little more spread out and Bluqube has taken the lead – she’s in our sights and hopefully we’re closing in.

The biggest problem now is getting round the Portland Bill on this tide – which is looking very unlikely – or another gate will close and deny us a chance to catch Strontium Dog. We could have them on handicap and could come in 4th but the other problem is Bob is on our heels and if we park up at the Bill he will be joining us for a G&T and possibly getting us in trouble with the Race Committee.

The only thing you can do is enjoy yourself and as the only wind is inshore we are now gliding along the Jurassic Coast; stunning limestone cliffs that are 200 million years old. The chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight are around 70 to 80 million years old. But I digress.

The Bill is in sight. Do we go inside our outside the race? Bluqube tacks and the tension increases. Can we get any more from Sueños? Will the wind hold? Will it head us on the Bill if we go for the inside route? Will it be faster? It’s all these questions again. ??????????? We’re losing wind, we need more. Will the breeze be stronger in or out? 7 miles to go. Time to tack. Damn it, the kite lanyard is clipped over the top of the sheet. Let the halyard go and let’s harden up, here we go, we’re going round by the Shambles. Most days you would not want to be sailing over these but if we make it to Plymouth in six hours we get a second, in seven and it would be a third. Somehow I think this will not happen; the wind is due to die and we have 70 miles to go so we would need to average 10knts. In the right conditions that would be easily possible but that’s the wind and tidal lottery for you; that’s yacht racing.

Wow, Bluqube just got sucked up the inside of the Shambles and is flying, pointing very high. I think she took a turbo fan to her sails – what is this, we have no wind so that can’t be right but when I look we’re doing 15 knots. Well I be covered in tar a dipped in feathers, where did that come from? Let it free, let it free, let it stay, let it stay, come on Bill.

Yeehaa, here we go, just off the rocks. The waters are churning and waves are appearing on a completely calm day. We go for it, yes yes yes, and we’re through with just enough time to get clear into Lime Bay. Stay with us wind, the gate will close in about 1½ - two hours.
So back to those questions – do we go inside the bay? There might be wind for longer and there will be less tide but we have been headed and are 40º off course. What’s the weather going to do?

Tacking. We’re going out. Rupert wanted to do it sooner and I only delayed his decision by discussing all the options. That’s why a boat should only have one captain.

Later: Time for a kip and I awake to find that Rupe is now in the lead of our little flotilla; not bad upwind on a catamaran eh?

Then we hit a massive wind shift just as Rupert is going to bed so we hoist the reacher and unroll it and we’re flying. Where did this beautiful wind come from? Soon everything behind us is out of sight and we blast from Torquay to Start Point doing 10-16 knts. Wow, a reach, a proper reach! Sueños feels like a thoroughbred race horse, close to the finish and wanting to win.

28.06.10: Rounding Start Point the tide reversed direction and everything stopped and we were parked up again, drifting out slowly. The wind came back and it was all over the place but we got her going on course, beating to windward. Flicking through the AIS revealed the mighty Strontium Dog so the race was back on. I write this, about to fall over from lack of sleep, drifting off the breakwater with my entire family waiting on the Mountbatten Pier. They are such stars and have welcomed in all the Dazcats. Alex and Sally are in the Royal Western with James Bembridge, one of the Race Officers that has worked so hard to put on a great race for us – a big thank you to you and to Peter Taylor and his top team. Thank you very much, it’s been great. How about a two-handed transatlantic event, maybe to somewhere hot?

Maybe a few more offerings to the sea gods to arrange just a little more wind on the last leg would have been a good idea, but there you go this is yacht racing and each boat benefits from different conditions. There was not a lot of reaching so the Class 40s did very well – the last boats came in within 45 minutes of each other.

The race is still on. Rupe suggested I paddle but it’s 3 miles from the breakwater and all we have is a little plastic oar from the Plastimo dinghy; it ain’t going to work very well but I gave it a go and it’s got a little speed that Rupe could try and tap into. We sat drifting for over an hour just outside the breakwater. I had called my family and told them we would take two hours, then an hour later we had halved the distance but also the speed, so it was still two hours, and this seemed to go on forever. I just wanted to get in. I was exhausted from no sleep and the battle with Strontium Dog – who, 5 minutes before, had caught a gust and were doing 8 knts across the Sound – arrrrrrrrrgh!!

Eventually we skipped across the Sound on each wind shift, Rupert carefully navigating us the most direct route then, just in front of the Barbican, absolutely no wind again. We lay there like damp cloth on the washing line. Let’s both paddle, maybe it will be enough to get her there. So we both dug in off the transom steps, eventually gliding over the line to a toot from the hooter to say we had finished. Not the way we envisaged it at the start, but it’s good to be home.

Later: Millbrook
I would like to say a few thank yous to all those who have contributed to creating this fantastic boat and who were involved in this race.

Firstly the biggest thanks always goes to my family; Rodney, Sonia and my brother Carl, and to my partner Alex – I am so proud of them and grateful for their support for all of our achievements and the beautiful boats we have made.

Second I would like to thank Rupert for inviting me to co-skipper. He has been an absolute star, taking everything in his stride and getting right stuck in. Even amongst the chaos of things going wrong and his new boat getting bashed to hell he never got in a flap. His excellent navigating steered Sueños to a fourth over the line and fourth on handicap, which I’m very happy with because I know that next time Sueños will be even faster. And sorry for skiving off to write this blog when I should have been racing.

Thank you to all the gals and boys at Multimarine, who have followed our progress with excitement. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved – I know I am.

To Simon, my business partner; we’re quite different people but that’s why we work so well together. And to Sophie for editing these dyslexic blogs so everyone could sort of understand these ramblings of a madman, as Simon put it.

And last, a big thanks to all the competitors – you are all winners in my book – and to the team at the Royal Western Yacht Club and race organisers – without whom we could not have had such an adventure – and the sponsors – the Shetland Island Council – and the people we met in Kinsale, Castle Bay and Lowestoft – but particularly Lerwick.

Over and out until the next escapade.

Wednesday, 23rd June 2010
Shetland to Lowestoft

Saturday 19th June: It’s time to leave the wonderful islands of Shetland. 48 hours is not long. By the time you have finished your job list it’s time to pull on the oilskins and go, but this time it has to be a dry suit. The forecast is for very strong winds with sea state rough to very rough, which in my book means it’s going to be wet and it’s going to be potentially risky so preparation is needed to control those risks.

Old tyres have been liberated from the dock to be used as sea anchors, just in case. A muddle of warps was retrieved – using a boat hook – from the forward fender locker; the poo tank breather had been disconnected on the first day to help increase drainage in the locker, and had deposited the rather pongy contents of the black tank into it, covering said rope, which will definitely need a tow now! Fenders have been tied on to the back, not only because the fender locker is a no go zone now, but to add buoyancy to the back beam if we are inverted. Worst case scenarios have to be faced. We have moved all sails and the dinghy aft to help lighten the bows so we can press harder downwind. Even my kit bag has been pushed to the back of my bunk.

My friend Dick, who competed in the RBIR race in 2002 on Tony Cotton’s Dazcat 10 Bedazzled (and won their class), has lent Rupe a full Musto HPX dry suit system. I’ve been using a dinghy dry suit I brought along at the last minute, just in case, which I am wearing under my oilskins now. The problem isn't getting wet on the boat, but if for some reason we get turned over or end up in the life raft the dry suits will give us the best chance of survival as the water temperatures up here is only about 6º. Cold shock and hypothermia would be a definite, especially if it happened at night. I personally think the sea is too cold in summer in Cornwall, let alone up here so better safe than sorry.

In a normal cruising situation one would choose either not to go out or to take it very steady. A catamaran is a fantastically stable platform and very safe. But we are racing so one tries to push things and that is what adds the increased risk, although it is always good practice to be well sorted if you are going to venture far from shore.

20.06.10: We left yesterday at 10.10 under no sail and doing 6 knots. We pulled the heavy weather staysail up and trundled down the coast. Bit by bit the waves started getting bigger. Waves in themselves are not dangerous unless they start wallowing, when they get very steep and start to break; then they are to be avoided, which is why we chose to gybe out into open water. We have spent a day and a night so far and I write this from the saloon in the morning. We are very happy with the way Sueños dealt with it all. When we started we were a little anxious - why would anyone sail into a forecasted force 9 with massive waves? But this is what each competitor was deciding to do, or not, as it’s the skipper’s decision and has to be based on the capabilities of both boat and crew.

But it did feel unnerving waving our friends off the night before, their faces looking serious and tension filling the air as Paradox (leading the multihull fleet so far) and then Drama Queen (running second) untied and motored out from the dock into the roaring wind. Rupert and I watched them go knowing it would be our turn soon enough, and so it was.

So far on this leg we have experienced wind of around 35 knots constant, with peaks nearer to 40+, with 20 foot waves occasionally breaking. Our speed has been reduced to around 7-10 knots with varied bursts up to 18-20 due to surfing, which can be hazardous if the waves are steep and breaking. However Sueños soaked them up, never showing signs of nose-diving. In fact we hardly ever got a splash in the cockpit; this boat is very dry and the saloon canopy is still covered in dirt from the quay in Lerwick. Shame.

Every time we think we can put up more sail the wind comes back so we have decided to take it easy and both Rupe and I have been getting as much sleep as possible, because we are both tired and the boat is doing all the work, happily steering herself and having fun with dolphins and jazzing it up, surfing without scaring us too much. Plus it’s bloody cold outside and nice and warm in the saloon with ALL our systems (engines, cooker, microwave) working well now. We are sitting in the saloon with the AIS up on the flat screen, looking out of the windows at the panoramic views as we bob up and down among the chaos.

I’ve just eaten the remains of last night’s dinner and cleaned the galley as it was starting to look a bit grubby. A lot of dirt has migrated onto the boat from the quay in Lerwick. Nothing a full valet won’t sort out when we back, but in the meantime we will have to put up with it.
We are sailing through the oil and gas fields of the North Sea, where the guard ships steam over to you to check you out. These ships just circle the rigs acting as safety boats in case of an accident. PIPER ALFA is to port - a rig that blew up. Sadly many people died. Some of the ones that survived had gone against their training and jumped over 100 feet into the icy water in fear for their lives. It’s a dangerous job bring home the oil for us to be cosy at home, or in our car or catamaran saloon.

I wonder what will happen to the rigs when the oil runs dry. Will they be removed or left as navigational hazards and an environmental nightmare for future generations? Maybe they could be recycled into the wind farm industry. It’s not until you study a nautical chart of the North Sea or go on Google Earth that you realise what a massive industry this is. There are rigs everywhere, and wind farms so new they are not on the charts yet. I’m looking forward to seeing them with their 40m blades spinning in the breath of the North Sea.

To race or cruise? Why are we here? It’s our choice to come out into the wilds and pit ourselves and our vessel against the elements and other sailors. It would be easy to stay at home and live my day to day existence with all the comforts of home but Sueños is our home for this moment in time, and all that comes with it. My boat building company Multimarine Composites built a boat called Impossible Dream (designed by Nic Bailey); the owner came to us because he wanted a special boat that would allow him to pit himself against the wilds, bring some adventure back into his life (after a skiing accident left him paralysed) and allow him to deal with what is thrown at him without assistance. Single-handed sailing is the ultimate challenge but thank god there are two of us on board as I would not want to be doing all of it. Respect to the ones that do.

I’ve just popped up on deck and the wind is dropping I think. I dropped the staysail and unrolled the Genoa while Rupe got up, then we put the screecher up, unrolled it and were flying. So we’re racing. Yippeeeeeeeeee! We’ve led the screecher sheet inside the saloon so we can dump it if necessary. We’re doing 18 knots and passing Aberdeen.

Oh dear, quick, roll it up! It was fun while it lasted. It’s not the wind but the residual sea state that’s stopping us from going quicker, combined with gusts still coming through.

Rupert’s spy on the mainland is on the RWYC web site tracker, and his wife Isa dropped us a line on the iridium phone. What a line up. Everyone is now separated by a gap of roughly 30 miles, with Paradox still up front and Drama Queen pressing her; Simon only has one result in mind and wants it. Freebird is soaring high under the careful guidance of her wing commanders. Strontium Dog slipped past us during the gale followed by Cold Fusion Reloaded. I don’t know the positions of Allez Van Hee and Backlash II but I know Bob on Allez will be pushing hard and he doesn’t mind a bit of rough weather, being winner of the Clipper Round the World race.

So anything can happen. There’s a wind hole forecast. Will the leaders get in before it arrives and shuts us out, or do the leaders park up and we join them like a restart? Do we push harder and break something or do we stay nice and cosy in our bridgedeck saloon listening to Shooglenifty - as we are still off Scotland – me typing away and having a full fried breakfast?
One thing’s for sure, this is a fantastic way to cruise about and very lazy sailing and yet it’s still very efficient, as we are actually catching up and closing the gap. It just doesn’t feel like it.

This boat is so easily driven every time we reef she just goes faster. Barmy. Again I try the reacher but rain and clouds appear; not knowing what lurks behind them, in it comes again. It feels frustrating. We want to close the gap but all we try is in vain. So I guess we will have an afternoon nap, again. And Sueños can do it on Rupe’s watch while I go in, to the sound of water wooshing by my aft cabin. Head phones on and drift off ready for another go later. After we’ve had a sit down dinner though.

Later: The wind from the west is best. We are now reaching and nearly half way to Lowestoft, speed around 10 knots and the generator is running so it’s time to nuke dinner and hey presto chicken carbonara. Joys of Tesco.

Later: Wind is going light and Rupert’s trying to get some weather information. It feels like we’re dropping behind and the boat needs to move faster. What can we do to make this happen? Bear off with the screecher and come up on a two sail reach. All, hopefully, will be revealed with the weather info so we can make better progress.

I’m intrigued to find out what happened the night of the storm. We heard Simon and Dan were running bare poles, which means no sails up. Paradox was logged at 5 knots; they must have been dragging the tyres to go that slow so it must have been a lot worse for them than for us, which was rough enough for me. The Royal Western Yacht Club had initially called a compulsory 3 day stopover but retracted it, giving the responsibility back to the skippers of the boats, but once the clock is ticking no one wants to stay. A shame, as I was looking forward to an extra day on the Island but we left on time, exactly 48 hours after arriving. It’s amazing that even though departures are separated by only a few hours different boats have completely different weather. The seas are so big you have a lot of options on where to go.

21.06.10. Good morning. A wind hole and we’re in it. Damn, and double damn. Through the night Rupe has laboured to keep the boat moving, heading towards the coast in hope of picking up some sea breezes. This is forecasted to last days. Damn it. We're approaching Flamborough Head at 3.3 knots with 4 knots of apparent wind. Amazing. But we're not on course, we're just keeping the boat moving using the tide and swell. Anything to make progress.

Even with good sleep I keep drifting off. I have to make myself busier to stay awake but there's not much I can do. I have already munched through the strawberries and grapes with Rupe. The ginger nuts will be better later with some tea. Ah, out with the fig rolls. It isn't just gluttony; energy is required to stay awake. That and the iPod full blast, but which track?

Out on deck the water is like glass. The gulls look like ducks on a pond. There is still a small swell; a little trimming, and a little more trimming. Is it worth it? We're going nowhere fast and if we are making any progress at all it's in the wrong direction - 50° off course.

I spot a boat on the AIS, right inshore. Who is it? A cargo ship, the City of Paris. Where has everyone gone and why can't I see more boats on the AIS? It doesn't matter who but I need a race, I need motivation, I need another boat to pitch against, I need to keep awake.

Sod it, maybe it's time for a little fishing. I brought along a drop line with some feathers, even though I’m a crap fisherman and know nothing of the sport. I would love a couple of mackerel for breakfast and there's not much else I can do. We are in the lap of the gods and it could be like this for days, so come on you little fish, jump on my little dish.

The last time I used a drop line on a boat I did just that - dropped it over the side. I was sailing across the Atlantic on the last two handed Transatlantic race, from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island, sailing with Bob Beggs (now somewhere out there on Allez ...) on a 26' Dazcat called Clarks. It took us so long to get across we very nearly ran out of food. I lost 2 stone in 31 days. If you could sell that as a diet plan you would make a fortune. Anyway we also found a buoy with deep sea crab written on it. As you can imagine we were quite hungry so we tied up alongside and looked to see if we could pull it up, using the swell with the rope around the front beam. We even started pulling it before I asked Bob to turn on his GPS to find out how deep it really was: 3000 feetish. We nearly fell off the boat we were laughing so hard, and shot the line away. Dinner was in one direction, Newport. Thankfully things have come on a bit from those days, though Bob has a masochistic edge to him and is building another boat pretty much the same from one of our moulds, planning to sail through the North West Passage. He needs a little more sponsorship so if anyone wants to back him in this true grit British adventure you know what to do - please get in touch and we will put you in contact with him.

0.5 knots, one knot of tide, must get the kedge anchor ready for when the tide goes against us, though it's 62m deep so we need to be closer inshore to do it. The wind is spiralling; maybe it's about to change or maybe we should settle for trying to get the boat moving on the apparent wind created by the tide.

So I pulled in the drop line, and bang the line went taught and vertical. I'd caught a fish. Nice one. I pulled the line up and I'd caught three fish: two mackerel and one mystery ugly fish. Breakfast is on. Fresh mackerel with lemon, sea salt, oil and salad. Very nice. I dropped the line over again it was all so tasty. Just another two mackerel for lunch please, but no we'd had our share.

Come on you wind, we call to the sea gods. Rupe's up and at it and is delighted to be faced with a plate of fish for second breakfast, and promptly devours it with a drizzle of lemon.

Daggerboards down, let's see if we can get it going to windward, in any direction, and build on the apparent. Using the dinghy paddles to get some momentum was just not powerful enough, but the transom steps lend themselves as two exceptional rowing positions if one makes a rowlock position and takes some oars. Make a note of future design in the back of my head - a good filing system. Talking of oars, I bet Dan and Simon are very glad to have brought two sculls. For the first five minutes anyway.

We think we might be close enough to land for a mobile connection so Rupert’s standing on the coachroof to get the latest update, but we assume (hope) Paradox is in and Drama Queen not far behind. This will probably seal the result of the race, though you can paddle a trimaran like Freebird a lot easier than row a 40' cat so we will see.

Of course the last leg will be the final decider but I hope it will be about sailing rather than paddling, as it is a 2000 mile sailing race after all. (We once got a sixth, racing with Rob Feloy in a 150 mile Hobie cat race from Roscoff to Dinard due to Rob's excellent paddling technique. It doesn’t seem the same in a yacht race but you're allowed to do it so the advantage could be won this way.)

Since our fish dinner we have been staked out by gulls swimming behind us. Swimming. Shows you our boat speed. But wait, they're dropping behind. What? 3.7 knots, boat speed 3.9? There appears to be no wind and the sea is like glass. Go Sueños go, well done Rupert. We're slowly building speed as long as we concentrate. Unfortunately the ladies’ tennis is on TV and it’s a perfect picture. Wimbledon was preferred over the world cup (Portugal versus Korea) and is a perfect excuse to finish off the strawberries.

Later: Ripples are appearing. Apparently the wind is moving to blow from South East, which means a beat up the coast to benefit from the flat water and shore breeze. We head in towards Spurn Point, the entrance to the Humber.

All is going well, we made good time. In fact we think it's paying off as the spies tell us positions and all in all we have done the most miles with the highest speed, other than Paradox. As they are already in the bar we feel boosted in confidence which is just what we need.

22.06.10: It's 02.50. I am on the graveyard shift because it's dark again. Our plan did not quite work out. I said smooth water - in fact it became bloody choppy as the wind came up, the boat bouncing off the short steep chop. Sueños had turned into one of those crazy fairground rides, everything was moving. Rupert even refused his sandwich - blimey. At least until we reefed and part-furled the genoa, which did the trick. I think it was caused by the shallow water - only 5m. Now the biggest problem is lobster and crab pots. They are everywhere and sailing in the dark is going to be a lottery, literally pot luck. I imagine everyone will pick one up at some time, I think Simon did two in Ireland. Which doesn't excuse what happened to Q11.

04.10. Time to wake Rupe with a nice cup of tea. I'm bushed, doing my impression of a nodding dog in the back of a car, occasionally passing out. Can't steer a straight course in the ever diminishing winds.

Later: Good morning - wow I feel great! A good sleep goes a long way. We have stuck with our inshore route but its not working for us. The tide is against us big time and the winds are light under the low cliffs. In fact as we tack we can only make the same heading as we came in on. Damn it, we have wasted well over an hour just on this bit but all we can do is keep going out. This time the wind is increasing and is freeing. I've put one reef in and she is going well, 7 knots in a chop. Back to the boom boom boom of the hull. Where's my iPod.

Sorry Rupe. He seems to have had all the bumpy parts when trying to get some kip, but he's still up for it. Sueños means dreams in Spanish. Searching dreams on the iPod gives me Jack Johnson, nice one. Miracle Fortress. Never heard them before. Sweet Dreams, Marilyn Manson, oh yes that’s caught the moment. Miracle Fortress is more your reaching at sunset in medium to light winds sound track I'd say.

Still 14 miles to the waypoint. Not a good day for sailing in the direction of Lowestoft. I want to get in. It’s the first time we haven’t broken anything [sshh Daz[. Plus I fancy a pint. It is 13.52 after all. So near and yet so far. When the wind and tide are against you it's like banging your head against a wall to cure your headache. Knowing our luck the pub will be shut by time we get round this bustle of land. Come on Sueños, go baby go, oh for a decent swell and a fair tide.

Emotions can run high when doing a trip like this. A variety of factors can affect you: tiredness; pain; sea or other sickness; knowledge. Knowledge can also inspire you and you can kind of ignore the others, although if you do for too long you’re heading towards collapse and incoherent decision making. Sometimes it’s hard just focusing on the instruments and pressing the key pad on the auto helm. It’s a good job I have had a good sleep. Nothing hurts too much more than usual. It looks like Strontium Dog will beat us in [they did, by 4½ hours - Editor] however we have put 40-50 miles on the Dragonfly 35 Cold Fusion Reloaded. The F31 Freebird had some luck last night and Drama Queen and Paradox are still way out in front.

I guess it also comes down to reasoning with yourself; ultimately we are all competitive in one way or another, it’s about how we mix this with drive and how we deal with the random problems thrown at us. My emotions can run high but I can also keep them in check, most of the time. It’s finding the right questions that is the tricky bit, and making sure I remember why I am doing this race, what are my priorities. This makes things simpler as then all problems have an answer.

Rupert and I have got on very well on this trip. We are of similar stock and I would be happy to sail pretty much anywhere in his company. You can recognise when each of you is low and bring each other back with simple things: a longer sleep, another cup of tea or a joke. We are both here to have fun and commission this boat under testing conditions. Of course it would be nice to get a good result, which we are trying to do. One thing we both know is this boat is very quick and handles the different conditions exceptionally well. I will have a few tweaks to make when we get back, which will up the performance further. One thing this trip has underlined is that it’s not about more, it’s about less, which makes for a quick boat every time. We have reefed and we have gone faster and pointed where we want to go. Except for today. Waiting for the tide to turn is very frustrating. How how how do we get out of here? Maybe we should run the boat up the beach and go to the pub for lunch and just wait for it to turn. That is what you would do cruising. But we’re racing so we get bang bang bang. Rupe’s up - no sleep again.

Later: cup of tea and some cake, an early dinner, microwaved. I am writing in my bunk at the moment and just looked out of the port light. Wind farm ahoy. About 30 turbines but it’s difficult to count them and they are too far away to get a picture. We are still pounding away at 10.5 knots. 11 miles to go. I feel that pint getting closer.

I’m stopping typing now as it’s tricky hitting the right keys [Really? Didn’t notice … Ed]. One should not normally push so hard but we know we’ve dropped back and got shut out. This is the sea of tidal gates and if you don’t hit a precise place and at the right time you are going nowhere. If you lose an hour you can lose 6 or more, so there is still a possibility that positions could change for us. We need to have a bit of luck and will work hard to get a good result on handicap.

23.06.10. Lowestoft. Well it’s the first morning in harbour after we got in at 18:17:00 yesterday. The beers were good, the curry better. Now it’s time to start working on the list, which is not too bad this time. The Harken roller furler is no.1. I need to take it out and rebond the joining sections, and we need to clean the hull to check for damage done from being moored to the wall in Lerwick; too many boats rafted up outside us and the rear quarter has taken a beating. I need to replace the broken bilge pump and that’s about it, so we are getting there on our 2000 mile commissioning.

The stories at the bar were pretty full on last night. I’m glad we did not leave at the same time as Paradox or Drama Queen - they had a tough time out there. The tyres came in handy and Paradox streamed 3 of them. Will and Matt were washed off the seat on the arma and retreated to the centre cockpit, which was completely full of water from time to time. At one point their winch handle was washed out of the cockpit. On arrival into Lowestoft they were given a standing ovation by all of the Class 40 sailors, who really did not think they could cope with such an extreme storm.

Drama Queen also used Lerwick tyre drogues and reported they worked well. They attached them using chain, which kept them in the water. Paradox lost two of their three tyres due to rope chafing, and had a total of 50m of warp towing behind. As Will said, ‘We had it all out there, and I’m not sure we would’ve made it without them.’ At one point Paradox was skipping sideways down the wave face. He and Matt were touched by the standing ovation on arrival. They have certainly gained the respect of their peers. I’m just glad everyone’s OK, but it does show our boats are good and strong as well as very quick. We’ve just waved them off. They were grinning and saying they’re out to catch some Class 40s.

Monday, 14th June 2010
Barra to Lerwick

To Lerwick we go. On the way out Tony on Backlash was just coming in. A veteran of many Round Britain races and a true gent he gave us a toot on the radio. Sorry for not replying Tony, we had our hands full. See you soon.

We had a midday start so it was very civilised. Breakfast in the Castlebay Hotel to set us up for the day before we untied from the mooring boy and slipped out from the two monos moored either side of us; I guess cats make great pontoons. Two inquisitive sailors had been asking for a look around – funnily enough when we were watching the Formula 1 on the pop up flat screen TV – and were amazed to see the high level of finish and creature comforts on board considering how well we were placed in the fleet of out and out race boats

We tracked along the line and planned our start down to the second. We were heading for Barra Head where we would furl the reacher and harden up on the wind. Rupert worked hard hand steering the boat to achieve its maximum potential. We were in a drag race with Cold Fusion Reloaded and Freebird and Rupert managed to overhaul CFR at the head. We had chosen the screecher sail over the kite for ease of handling and it paid off with CFR holding on to their kite too long and then getting hit on the headland and losing their position, which Rupe enjoyed, saying ‘I hope that makes up for the finish on the last leg,’ grinning from ear to ear.

The wind slowly dissipated to next to nothing but the boat was still gliding along. We continued hand steering and Rupert crossed tacks with CFR a few times, close enough to have a chat. We were both suffering from the same problem; our roller furlers had started pulling apart. Rupert heard a bolt land on the deck from above. I came up from a catnap and offered to fix it as I spotted the bolt still on deck, amazing.

In hindsight this was a silly offer, as even in nearly flat waters one is thrown around when aloft and trying to hang on to the furler while being winched up was not comfortable. I was concerned I was going to be flung around, lose my grip and go fly fishing off the 17m mast with me as the bait. However, mission accomplished and I beat a hasty retreat, noting we need to do a full rig check in Lerwick.

It was my turn for the graveyard shift, although at 58º North the nights don’t get very dark at this time of year. Muckle Flugga is at 61º and the Arctic Circle is 67º so you’re quite high up at the top of Scotland really. Which makes for nights of shimmering, smooth reflective silver water, creating strange effects that were only enhanced by listening to an iPod my that mate Neils had uploaded with some interesting tracks. This kept me awake and more focused in the tricky light conditions. I didn’t want to blow the lead over CFR Rupert had worked hard to get so I was tweaking like mad to Annie Lennox. Great fun, then the wind all but disappeared and seem to circle. It was due in from the south west and I thought, Here it comes, so went forward in the flat calm to untie and set up the screecher again.

As the wind came in I managed to get the boat going upwind at 2 then 4 knots, peeled the screecher out behind the genoa and bore off a little and the apparent wind filled the sail. 6-8 knots, yippee, on to the next tack, playing with the winches like a one man band.

June 15th, 06:30, St Kilda. Apparently the people were taken off St Kilda in 1930. I don’t know the full story but Rupe said they all went a bit mad, and looking at it now in the early light, with its massive black cliffs and jagged stacks that make you feel you are in some dark adventure film, and feeling the exposure to the elements even at this time of year, which is extreme, it feels like a place one could fall in love with, but you somehow feel you should not really be there.
Thinking back to Barra as well, I’d love to send more time in a place like that, and as a cruising ground it must be one of the best in the world for that feeling of wildness. To be able to slip into a remote anchorage and climb hills giving you vista after vista of white sandy beaches, reminiscent of far off tropical places (although the water is not quite the same temperature) and the very welcoming inhabitants who enjoy a good party and a pint, is an incredible privilege.

The race is still on and I’ve got the feeling that during this 400 mile leg we will always be in the good company of Cold Fusion, though it seems we are pulling away on each gybe. But then there they are again. There are also some Class 40s tearing directly downwind and merging with our course so I’d better get out there as Rupe is in bed and we are surfing at 15 knots.

Later: Rupe was rudely awakened after only 20 minutes of kip as things were getting wild. The thing with apparent wind is the faster you go the less wind you feel, so everything feels fine and you are booming along doing high speeds, but when you want to bring it all under control everything gets more tricky. To drop the kite not using a snuffer takes timing and preparation. You set up the halyard so it won’t jam on the way down, you prep the sheets and tack line and whoever’s in the cockpit has to manage all these lines as well as maintain a course as low downwind as possible.

Collapsing the kite behind the main we also put out a bit of jib to create a wind break. Whichever of us draws the short straw goes on the foredeck, which on a cat is not too bad, but you can get wet as you are going quite quickly. Timing is all important. Ease the tack and sheet and lower the halyard while maintaining a safe course. The foredeck man grasps the centre of the spinnaker, effectively folding it in half so the wind can not fill it, but it is ripping it out of your hands or pulling you over the side. Once you know they have a good grip the halyard is ready to feed out, while watching to make sure the foredeck man has the sail under control and it isn’t going to blow back over the side. Personally I find the best way to do this is by kneeling on top of it as it’s lowered, then all you need to do is stuff it in the bag.

Our spinnaker is very big so if it’s too windy we use the screecher, also known as a reacher or Code O. This sail is fitted to a roller fuller unit which has an endless line, so you never run out of rope when furling. For us this is the best sail on the boat, as I don’t like taking too many chances and it takes a lot less effort to get rid of it when you want to, as long as it’s set up right. It works in varied conditions, from very light to quite strong – say 30 knots – if one has big balls like the boys on Paradox (who fuel themselves on 150 Benson and Hedges and a bar of chocolate and work on the principle that it’s so uncomfortable on board the less time a leg takes the better), or Simon and Dan on Drama Queen, who are used to skiff sailing together and are setting a phenomenal pace, leading the fleet on handicap so far.

However, we are now under 1 reef and jib sailing straight down the course, sitting in the saloon drinking hot chocolate. I guess we might put it up when we’ve had some cake and see what its like, but we still doing 12 knots and passing most of the monos and that’s enough for us, as we’ve got another two days of this so there’s plenty of time to be silly buggers.
Which brings me to the subject of food: I had some great plans for culinary delights for this adventure. However even on a cat sometimes you’re not up for much. It’s not the fact you can’t knock up a three course dinner. We could roast a chicken if we wanted to but racing is tiring and all you need is fuel. I had been round the supermarkets before the race to look for what I call storm food. This means open a can and heat it up; you’re too tired to do anything else. I’m a fan of the delights of Add-A-Can stew, where you just keep adding another can of something to the same pot so you don’t have to do the washing up. So my recommendations for racing are: ravioli (the best can is from Lidl, as recommended by my biker mate Swampy, they also do a chicken pasta soup which is spot on. Their meatballs are not high on the list though they might be soon as we’ve eaten all the ravioli); Sueños omelette of 1 pack bacon, I pack mushrooms, 2 tomatoes, a couple handfuls of spinach, ½ doz eggs dash of salt and pepper and cook slowly - turn pan upside down onto a plate to turn the omelette over so you can fry both sides - this seems to set us up for the day; chicken and beef tortillas (these were made by Sheila in Barra); my partner Alex’s chicken and apricot stew, which is gorgeous (unfortunately this was deposited all over the boat when a big, and I mean biiiig wave hit us, also sending me flying. Each day I seem to find a new bruise.).

We have had a couple of proper meals on board but sometimes the easiest thing is the best thing. Although we’re out of bacon so it’s wild salmon and scrambled egg on toast tomorrow. One of the main benefits of having a 4.5kva insert genset is you can make toast. It also comes in handy when the hob breaks down, which happened today, so on with the microwave and it’s fish pie tonight. We also plan to buy a kettle in Lerwick so tea can be instantaneous.
As I write now we are screeching down to the Muckle Flugga. I’m not totally sure how we are doing against our adversary Cold Fusion but I know Paradox and probably Drama Queen are already in and we have around another 60 miles to go. Exhaustion is creeping in and sleep is high on the list of things to get but even when we get in there will be a lot to get done so the boat can be in its best shape for the next leg. It wasn’t possible to fix some of the equipment failures in Barra as its remoteness made it impossible to source what we needed in the time available and hurriedly mailed materials to fix the mast did not turn up on time. So we’ve gone without. Luckily this part of the trip has been mostly downwind. Although exciting at times there is a definite need to increase the rudder area to give more downwind control in big swells. We had our suspicions, and they are now confirmed, so rudders will be upgraded and further boats changed. This is exactly one of the reasons I feel this trip is important to our business. Both Simon and I are experiencing first hand what is required to push a boat hard without it falling to pieces. The last time we did this was in the RBR 2000 on a 15m cat called Dazzler, which we built in six months and launched four weeks before the race. We won it.

I must say I’m proud that we have four of our boats in this race. Paradox was originally built for paraplegic sailor Alan Grace for this very race, which he competed in. Unfortunately he had to retire as conditions were so extreme. Luckily for us, this time hasn’t been as bad, so far at least, but there’s a way to go yet. Paradox won in 2006 on handicap, sailed by Simon’s brother Matt (who also works at Multimarine). This year it’s leading the fleet by some distance and the new owners Will Claxton and Matt Gill are doing her proud – well done!

Likewise there are not many bridgedeck catamarans that can keep up with the best Class 40 race boat, but that’s exactly what Simon and Dan are doing on their Dazcat 1150. So far they have not encountered major problems, having had her on the water for over a year now, and having sailed together for many years and raced in a variety of boat, from 18 foot skiffs to 40 footers. Bob and Tony on Allez Van Hee are also doing well, improving on times set the last time Tony went round in 2006. She might not be as comfortable as our bridgedeck cats but for Bob, who has sailed across the Atlantic with one of our 26 footers, it’s an upgrade. I think his lilo got a puncture from the massive pounding on the leg to Barra so he will be looking forward to finding a bit of foam to lay on at the next layover.

We are feeling good on Sueños and are enjoying our trip so far. Yes we had a few problems but it’s all to be expected on a trip like this on any boat, let alone one launched three weeks before the race. All in all the boat is surpassing our expectations and with a few tweaks when we get her back to Millbrook Rupert will have one of the most thoroughbred cruising 40 footers on the market today, of which we hope to build many more, creating a Class 40 for multihulls.

We are now sailing alongside Ding Dong, who was moored next to us in Barra, as the sun goes down, although it doesn’t really get dark up here this time of the year, and what a magical sight. Rupert is hand steering to take the energy from every wave, surfing as far as possible to drag us down, so we can slip round the Flugga without gybing. But if we do have to it won’t be a problem as it’s very easy to do even on a big boat like this.

17.06.10 Homeward stretch: We rounded Muckle Flugga at midnight and there was a bank of cloud spilling off the cliffs with gusts of wind hitting the water not far away from our course. We had the sheets to hand and feathered the main on the traveller just in case. The light beams looked surreal as they lit up the misty sky. In the twilight there was a large rock with the head of a wolf, looking like a sea monster. What dread this place must have held for old navigators of the sea.

I haven’t managed to get to sleep, yet again, and the sea is picking up compared to the glassy smoothness before. The wind is offshore and we are half an hour from Bound Skerry, with one reef in doing 8.5 knots hard on the wind sailing through 60º and seven miles from our waypoint, where we will tack and head back in for smooth water. It’s cold and I’m wearing Musto thermals, running bottoms, a pair of ski trousers I bought from TKMaxx for 8 quid, my full Musto oilies, a towel over that and I’m sitting inside the saloon. Jeepers, what was it like sitting on the arma of Paradox? That’s why they were so quick; they just wanted to get out of the bloody cold and in to the pub.

Later: It’s interesting writing this as you go along. I’m now warm as we were just hit by a 40 knot squall, so reef in and jib roll on takes me back out there – cheers! Thick fog came in with the gust and we’re near to Ding Dong. It’s clearing now and the worst is over. You do feel rather insulated in the saloon so I’ve opened the door now.

I must say it’s disappointing the Raymarine wind gear is not set up right. It’s definitely under reading and we must sort this in Lerwick. The good news is Rupe stayed in bed through it all, as it’s a right faff getting back into your oilies, especially as you’ve only just taken them off. He was kipping on the saloon seat but in the end got too cold. I guess we should have fitted the diesel heaters, but they would have been wrecked during earlier incidents regarding fluid ballast. It would be nice if the diesel stove still worked. We had dubbed it the aga, as we kept it on for some time. Maybe you can’t do that with them. I guess we will find out.

We have arrived at the Skerry. We will head on for one hour then tack, as boat speed is down to 6.1 now and a scan of the horizon shows Ding Dong ahead upwind, so I guess I’d better crank her up again. OK I can be a little lazy, which is why we are not in front, so I’ve just unrolled the genoa for now as the other day good old Neptune had us on the step aerobic plan of reefing in, reefing out and so on. Not bad though, 6 knots, 30º and comfy back in the saloon. But there now seems to be a sound like a budgie being tortured coming from the main sheet blocks. Where’s that WD40?
The local forecast just came on and warned about such gusts. Too late mate, but well done.
I guess family might worry, hearing what’s happening out here, but don’t, we are sailing safe and are getting better all the time in regard to the sail handling bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb Oh, just slipped off, getting tired now, so will wake Rupe soon and try to get my head down for an hour.

Well it was certainly time to sleep. Three hours straight and I didn’t notice a thing going on, which was a lot. Rupe had to be having a great time ripping it up. He shook a reef out and had a great battle on the water; there’s a saying, put two boats together and it always becomes a race. Rupe was about to shake out the first reef as well but got hit by some pretty heavy gusts so was glad he hadn’t. When I got up he’d just tacked so I jumped in to help. The mist was down and it was cold so I cranked up the engine so I could microwave a cup of tea for Rupe, but it died.

The final tack heading up to Lerwick we were screaming along on the sheets. Great fun. On arrival we circled under jib awaiting a tow in, as neither engine can be trusted now. We were met by a lovely lass called Angela, who is to be our family host. Each boat has one local to look after them and provide showers, home cooked food and washing. This is a service beyond the call of duty – by now you need tongs to handle our laundry, especially my socks.

No time to waste though and getting clean will have to wait. I went to the local shipyard to organise a man to come and sort out the engines as well as give them a complete service. He has just arrived at 13:30 and is on the job fettling them up, so hopefully all will be well for the next leg. We have had no way of even boiling a cup of tea. Strontium Dog followed us in and likewise had no engine. This problem seems pretty common in the fleet. Wolfie’s Toy had the engine but the prop had come off.

I’m off to get a phone now as this also suffered in the Irish Sea. Our carbon patches have arrived so we can patch up the mast tomorrow and feel more confident that we can really push the boat again and try reducing the gap on the leaders on the next leg to Lowestoft. Let’s hope there’s less dead downwind work as our spinnaker is tough to handle and our reacher is fab.

Monday 14th June, Barra
Second leg
More teething problems

When we left Kinsale at 21.55 on June 8th we were running 4th on handicap. Ian, our engineer from Multimarine, had flown over to help sort out the hydraulic steering so hopefully we would now be able to steer the boat properly, and use the autopilot, without which life would be very difficult. The leaking hatch had been sealed using some foam draft excluder from the local hardware shop and by the time we left we had ticked off a lot of the jobs on our list that had come up on the first leg.

It was a downwind start so we hauled up our big downwind kite, which has a set of shoulders like Geoff Capes and is very powerful, designed to drag the boat downwind. It was not the best time for us to be trying this out for the first time, as nightfall was on its way, but it was the sail of choice so up she went and over the line we went, heading for the Fastnet rock. The wind increased to 20+ knots and things started getting interesting. The worst thing was that we could not steer the boat and it had never been so bad; when flying the kite the boat was rounding up. Both Rupert and I were very distressed by this so Rupert investigated while I tried to keep the boat going on a straight course. The rudders lined up – maybe it was the extra tack line we had added to the windward bow to give extra projection? So I took that off and we pulled the jib out to help balance the boat, and this worked better.

Rupert then went down to check the rudders again, and noticed that we had left a ball valve turned off when bleeding the rudders. So with one turn, hey presto, perfect steering; we had been sailing on only one rudder. We both fell about laughing at our blunder and felt a huge relief that it was all now working and we were on our way, even though it had taken hours to solve the problem, wasting valuable time, at least it had been fixed. Sueños hardened up on the wind. It was looking like a beat to Barra and the forecast was not good. Not only was it to windward but it was going to be rough – force 6 to 7. Great – more extreme testing.
We were sailing along a beautiful rocky coastline but it wasn’t until first light that the full glory of the coast was revealed. Stunning light houses perched on ledges cut into the rock. Wow! One had a hole from one side to the other – amazing with the early morning sun shining through it. One of the most incredible things I’ve seen so far on this race. WHAT MADE IT EVEN BETTER, WE WERE NOT ALONE: QII, skippered by Mary Falk and Jerry Freeman, was also tarring along side, being hit by downdraft gusts coming off the cliffs and between the jagged island rocks. I thought this was a very good way to wake up in the morning.

The plan was to sail out and pick up a wind shift to the west, which we are waiting for as I write this sitting in the saloon, flogging to windward.

Later: The day threw some unexpected and educational events at us. You know how good seamanship tells you to shut off your sea cock when going to sea, but no one ever does? Well here is a reason to get back into the habit. We had fitted a sea water pump so we could save weight by using salt water on board the boat. This included a little electric pump, a seacock and tap. Very simple one would think, nothing to go wrong … unless a fitting on the pump detaches itself while waves are slamming the hell out off the boat … and the pump decides on its own to pump the starboard hull with a small part of the Atlantic, filling a large part of the hull. “Shit, we’re sinking!” Rupert jumped in and found the problem and ripped the wires off the pump and closed the sea cock while I was dealing with a massive 40-50 knot gust that had hit us seconds before we realised we were filling with water, and rolling and reefed the sails so I could go and help bail.

I learned couple of other things from this experience. Do not fit the bog standard bilge pumps for 50 quid each. They are shit and stand no chance of being able to remove water from your boat when you really need to do so. These are the same pumps, made by one of the best names in pumps, that are probably fitted to your own boat. They also had a new style one we had fitted and already broken on the third pull on the handle. Also, reference design features, make a hatch in the bilge floor that you can get a bucket through. If not use a saucepan, which is what I did. DON’T rely on an electric pump as you might not have power. It’s easy to think it will all work but it depends on what has been flooded and how quickly you notice it; we had both been on deck for some time and if we hadn’t noticed in time the consequences could have been dire.

So, with a flooded hull our diesel has migrated into the fuel tank so the cooker doesn’t work. So no celebratory cup of tea after bailing out for an hour. Our starboard engine has contaminated fuel in it, which means our inset generator won’t work, which means we won’t have power soon. And all in one day’s boat bashing. This has led me to design ideas on tank positions; though low and central is the best place for it on a performance boat and it will be hard to find another spot for it, it needs to be completely isolated from compartments with plumbing and seacock.

The good news is the TV now works off shore. The bad news is we don’t have enough power to watch it until we sort the contaminated fuel. Our Navtex now works too, and the boat is performing exceptionally and is now a dream to sail. The scenery is fantastic, the dramas are exciting and the tails of derring do and crazy sailing from the other competitors are enjoyable to listen to, as this sort of thing happens to everyone that goes racing. They just might not be telling you about it, but I can tell you that if you don’t like fixing things never buy a boat.
I do think there needs to be a full review on the capability of bilge pumps in RORC and ISAF rules, making the pump manufacturers improve the products fitted to all boats and, more importantly, educating the end users, the yachtsmen, to their true value in an emergency when you in the shit, so they don’t mind spending ten times more to get a goodun and making the pump manufacturers able to reduce the cost by larger volume sales of the better pumps instead of the crappy ones.

Slamming and banging your boat coming up on YouTube and Facebook.
Plus: crappy bilge pumps – WHY?

From Barra, Monday 14th June:
We had been driving the boat steady all day and I felt we needed to climb upwind but to do this meant shaking out the reef and powering her up. Rupert was down below and had had a good kip so I wound it up and started flying the hull between the wave tops. Rupert soon appeared and joined in the fun for a while but for us this was not sustainable so we chucked in a couple of reefs and took the heat off.

I was shattered and Rupe did the late shift watch sailing until dawn. He had been battling with Tim and Richard on the Dragonfly 35, although neither was going fast as the sea state was like sailing in a pan of boiling water and the banging on the hull was crazy. Waves came from all angles and it was difficult to set a comfy course let alone race. When I woke up Rupert was just in front, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He had hand steered for 3 hours and looked shattered but I was raring to go. One way of getting through such sea conditions is to power up and go faster, so one by one the reefs were shaken out and I got into my race with Cold Fusion. We chose to stay on one tack, while Tim put a tack in on a wind shift, but our strategy was working and the wind started to free up in the lea of the Hebrides islands (which were beautiful). I was not keen to lose this spot so worked very hard using the pilot controls to steer while trimming in and out on the main to accelerate the boat and take the benefits from the apparent wind. This was exceptionally hard work and I was getting pain in my right elbow, but no pain no gain, and I wanted to win.

I’d managed to drive the boat upwind so far we were very nearly making Barra and Rupert came up and took over. I carried on trimming to make sure no time was lost but we needed to do two tacks and stood on too long and Tim pipped us at the post so to speak. Damn it! I felt really pissed off. I’d had the pain with no gain and the atmosphere was dark. Luckily the race office dolphin sent us to a mooring buoy – thank you – and we tied up. Rupert said sorry about the finish and I said we’re even, as I messed the start at Plymouth, and we got back to our normal happy selves, cleaned the boat up and went ashore for a much deserved shower and pint.

The good new is that, even though we were pipped at the post our ranking went from 4th to 2nd so we had done very well.

The Paradox team had done a real flyer, arriving at 4ish, and Simon and Dan had arrived on Drama Queen at 6ish alongside the class 40s. Bloody good effort!
It was party night and a band was on in the pub. A great night was had by all, though a little too much beer was consumed and our heads were not all that clear. When we finally got up we had lunch with Alan and Sheila, friends of Rupert’s who had sailed to Barra on their boat to see him and were very helpful with fixing the boat and creating a great lunch on board. Alan has competed in two past RBRs with Rupert, on Fiery Cross and Splashdown.

One of our biggest concerns now is that two pad eyes have ripped off the mast and we are concerned that it might have damaged the carbon fibre, but there’s nothing here to fix it with. I’ve ordered some carbon plate and sparbond glue to reinforce it as a temporary fix but I’m not sure it will get here before we leave tomorrow lunchtime. Meantime it’s a quick breakfast and down to the shop and we’re off soon.

GOSSIP:
PARADOX – Will and Matt get the nutters’ award for stuffing all three bows in at 25 knots 3 times. Unfortunately their main is so difficult to pull up they don’t bother reefing.
ALLEZ VAN HEE – Bob Beggs and Tony van Hee are flying high, although Tony’s wallet has been attacked to repair two spinnakers blown away on the first leg due to the heavy outboard mounted on the back.
COLD FUSION – Tim Wilson and Richard Haynes report no problems but have been seen shopping in Kinsale so we don’t believe them.
FREEBIRD – Mike Wigmore and Grant Kelly get an award from me for being the fastest sailing nutters – see you in the yacht club and I’ll buy you a pint.
DRAMA QUEEN – Simon and Dan are keeping quiet but can say they are being a lot more careful now and have a small bill for a kite repair.
STRONTIUM DOG – Andy Fennel must be glad he took boat builder (Simon Redding) with him on the race. He had to fork out £400 for one 40m halyard in Cork, then realised it would have been cheaper to send an entire 200m roll from England. Simon had to glass genoa tracks back on the deck; there’s nothing like the sound of grinders in the morning.
SUEÑOS - Daz and Rupe continue to commission Sueños over 2000 miles and want to stop bailing, though Rupe is on good form and glad to be sailing on his new Dazcat bridgedeck cat, in the warm, so he can read all of the manuals. It’s a lot to absorb. He has got that glint in his eye – the racing bug never goes. Daz is writing a big list of thing to do and not to do for all future designs and is getting inspired by going on such a great race.

Cork sailmakers can retire after this year’s crazy Wacky Races, doing a year’s work in one night on the first leg, thanks mainly to the 40 foot monomaran fleet.

Wednesday June 8th, Kinsale
First leg
Sueños – steering problems from the start

We started last over the line in the multihull fleet, due to my error on the prestart, but soon started making good progress, sailing past the Dragonfly, Cold Fusion Reloaded. Then the pace started dropping off. The steering was not feeling good and we realised the rudders were misaligned; with only 12 miles under our keels, the fluid link had moved and was preventing the rudders aligning properly. As well as this the autopilot couldn’t steer, so valuable time was lost trying to realign the rudders, losing us the lead we had gained. The initial pace of the boat was excellent round the Eddystone, the 1st landmark after the start, and it felt good to be finally on our way in a brand new boat, built in 7 months alongside an 1195 kit. Sueños has new features we have not used before, including a fluid link hydraulic system and skeg style rudders, which allow the boat to beach/dry out, but as with all new features there are a few teething problems to sort out.

The wind built and the ride got bumpy with channel chop while we were beating to windward, and that was when we noticed the next problem – the bow seemed very low in the water. Never having sailed it in any seaway, we initially thought it was because we were pressing the boat hard. However, my curiosity aroused, I made my way to the bow to inspect the fender lockers which, when opened, pushed the hatches open because they were filled with sea water. The seal around the hatch had leaked and the drain hole in the fender locker was not large enough to work properly. Various methods of solving the problem were discussed – drilling a large hole in the hull to drain the locker, or draining the water into the shower compartment – but both required drilling a hole and we had neglected to bring a drill with us. In the end we tacked and sailed the boat to lift the bow compartment, and with much heaving and bailing with buckets the old fashioned way, we emptied out the water. We must have been carrying 3 tons of water, so it took a while, and to prevent it happening again we used gaffer tape to seal the fender locker lids. We also opened a skin fitting – a black tank breather - to increase the level of drainage to that compartment, so if more water got in there would be another option to drain it.

Time was lost doing this, putting us at the back of the fleet, but once underway we slowly made our way through the mass of yachts heading for the Isles of Scilly and the next point before crossing the Irish Sea. Progress was painful due to the rudders not lining up and the autopilot not steering boat. We had to hand steer all the way, which drained our stamina and reduced the performance of the boat through the first night. At dawn the Bishop Rock was to starboard; as indeed all our landmarks will be during this race. We tried a new method to align the rudders by manually pulling the ram on the port side in line with the rudder reference unit, while the helmsman kept his feet on the deck to notify zero degrees on the other rudder. This worked much better and the feeling of the steering radically improved. But we still could not trust the autopilot as it would bear away for no reason. In rough conditions we had to keep realigning the rudders time after time while reefing. We also ripped off one of the bottom car sliders on the main sail. Luckily we managed to refit it, but it restricted our sail plan for a while, which as it turned out was not a problem as it was bloody windy, with 25-30 knots of wind, giving us a top boat speed of 20 knots. Nearing Kinsale, we started experimenting with the pilot, adjusting its sensitivity, but again it lost the plot after a while as the new hydraulic steering was creeping under use, so misaligning the rudders again and again, losing us more and more time. The fog was thick and the sea fierce, but we were still having fun and committed to the longest sea trial we’ve ever done for any boat. This one was launched only three weeks before the race and we have only sailed her in Plymouth Sound, and around the Channel in perfect conditions for the qualifier.

We were a bit down when we arrived at the first layover, wondering how to fix the problems. We talked to the other competitors and lots of people had had major problems due to the extreme weather; the local sail makers are doing overtime fixing the huge number of spinnakers blown. Various stories of breakages and problems actually cheered us up a bit – we weren’t the only ones to have had issues and we were still 4th in the multihull fleet. In particular Strontium Dog has ripped a genoa track and reacher, and Drama Queen broke a spinnaker halyard. To help try to resolve the steering issues we have decided to fly out our engineer Ian Critchmoor, who will arrive at about 2pm today and will have until 21:55 when we are due out. Rupert has got the weather fax working today which should help us choose our route but we expect it to be a windward beat to Barra. Hospitality in Kinsale has been really good, though we haven’t had time to sample much Guinness.

The last monohull has come in so the place is buzzing, but boats will be starting to leave again soon and the race will be back on. Meantime we have at least solved the problem with the forward fender lockers, sealing them with draught excluders bought from the local DIY shop. We have had little tussles with everyone in the fleet – all good fun – and hopefully we will do a bit better on the next leg to Barra.

Other Dazcat news:
Paradox has had the fastest speeds so far, of up to 25 knots, but they might be reining themselves in – after all, you can only win the race if you finish it.
Drama Queen are now preparing for their departure at 19:19. Weather is forecast to be 25 knots of wind with gusts of 30 knots, and Simon is also expecting to make a reach to start turning into a beat to windward.


Tuesday 1st June
5 days …
Last minute things to do

Today’s plan is to slip the boat and scrape the bottom, and fit a sea water sea cock to fix the toilet outlet we broke. And apply our secret slippy bottom polymer, meant to improve and soften the ride. We are a little sceptical but we will give it a go and see if it makes any difference.

Later:
More last minute shopping on the Musto website – thank god for our trade account or I’d be too tight to pay the retail price – where I bought a set of boots and a drysuit. Hopefully they won’t be needed as Sueños is a very dry boat, but it might be reassuring if things start getting extreme. The RB&I is renowned for bad weather off Barra, so better safe than sorry.
Other things are still arriving, like the fisherman’s anchor - good for the aforementioned Barra where you have to anchor on. During one of the last races it blew force 11 while the yachts hung from their own lines, so there are no weight savings to be made in this department.

Our HySpeedKote has been applied. Will it make a difference? We will see. Anchor bridals have been spliced in position and wash boards tied in. We are now feeling well ahead but I’m sure a new list is just over the horizon.

Rupert is finalising the details with the RWYC today and we will cast of Pip Patterson’s slip and head for Mayflower Marina tonight, ready for more testing and training tomorrow.

Bank Holiday Weekend
One week …
Time for a rest

The last weekend before the race and the boat still needed our attention. However we were all pretty much burnt out and with no genoa to go testing decided to enjoy the bank holiday and have a rest. Martin and I painted the floors in the cabins on Saturday and Ian and Matt did a few jobs on Monday, which gave me some time to go shopping for a few bits I needed, including a watch with compass, barometer, tides and altitude (not expected to be useful on this trip …) that seemed relatively straightforward to use (as I’m a bit of a technophobe and not used to wearing one, as they’re a pain in the workshop). Also a Leatherman knife and a Petzl head torch with a little red LED for night vision, and an iPod classic for music for the trip, that can also store film and photo footage. I will endeavour to let you know how I got on with them, and if they were worth the considerable lightening of my wallet – not good when we have a rating to achieve ...

Thursday 27th May
10 days …
Sea trials with Drama Queen

The next sail was on. We had arranged for Daryl the sail maker and Dave the rigger to come with us and, to add a bit of fun and help with the tuning Simon sailed down with Drama Queen to do a bit of light match racing. It has taken a full year to tweak up Drama Queen and we literally have a few days left before we go racing round Britain and Ireland. We also desperately needed some pictures of the boat so Neils Obee came out on a RIB to take some stills for pre-race publicity.

Both boats seemed quite close in performance but it was difficult to judge accurately, as there were 6 people on Sueños, plus all their tools, and only Simon and Dan on Drama Queen. As she had the advantage they were showing off as they sailed with us, making me hope they would not cause us to manoeuvre too radically, as we were tightening up the leeward shrouds at the time. At one point Dave retreated from this task as we were sailing at about 14knots and the spray off the leeward bow was starting to get him wet. All good fun and there were a lot of smiles on board.

We got back to Insworke Mill Quay and Daryl took the genoa back for a little tweaking. We re-tensioned battens and designed ourselves a new main sail stowing system, as neither of us not like not being able to see what is happening on the boom clearly; whether reef lines are twisted or free to run. A shackle had capsized on the out haul but all had been hidden and only now revealed by the removal of the sail stow bag.

Saturday the 22nd May
16 days …
The qualifier

Shaking down Sueños to get her ready for the qualifying run happened on Saturday morning, a beautiful sunny day with 15knots of wind – perfect for it. Ian, Martin and Dan, our sparks, were on board setting up the instrumentation and commissioning some of the services. Rupert and I were getting to know how the control lines worked and the sails trimming handled. First feelings were good, although the new fluid link steering had some teething problems. We also broke the handle of the plastic sea cock so the heads were out of commission – oops – but all in all it went well enough for us to decide to go for the qualifier that evening. So there was a quick trip to the supermarket to load up with something nice for dinner, and after a check around the boat Rupert and I set off to do our 300 mile trip.

Rupert plotted the fastest course to France. As there were was not much wind it was a good time for the first meal on board. Cooked by me (my role onboard), it consisted of line-caught North Atlantic salmon, prawns and salad, which we enjoyed with reacher deployed as Sueños started her qualifying run at 18:30, destination the Breton coast. The wind was light and the pilot was steering well when it decided to bear away without warning and for no reason. We could not understand why this was happening – was there air in the hydraulics? Or was the pilot still just learning? This happened repeatedly on both of our watches, which did not fill us with confidence. in the end I decided to turn it off and hand steer; with a little tweaking I found I did not even need to do this as the boat was sailing its self on a perfect course at 10 knots with one reef in the main and full genoa. For 3 hours I sailed my watch like this, and when Rupert came up the coast was in sight but our Raymarine plotter was not. As we now know these have different settings of brightness for daylight and night. As we’d set it at nightfall, come light we could see nothing on the screen and did not know how to reset it. Now we know there is a button, but we did not know at the time.

Time to turn around and head back to Blighty, so gybe ho and out with our trusty screecher. Being a little peckish a full fried breakfast was prepared to set us up for the day and we set the fastest course again, wanting to get the miles done so we could get more preparations made to the boat and complete the systems job list. So back onto the pilot, which Rupert had by now adjusted. The sun was out and, again cruising at 10knots, we were making good time when we sailed into a thick fog bank. The temperature dropped rapidly, bringing on the need for full oilskins. And safety gear as we were entering the shipping lanes. We had an AIS transponder, so other shipping could see us, but until it was fully configured we could not see them and they would not know this. Luckily we had no problems and we saw no ships through the 200m visibility. Eventually the sun broke through and the south coast was in sight. We sailed right up to the beach at Thurlestone, passing Hope Cove and along and into Bantham Bay, gybing just off the beach, and then realising it’s best to roll the screecher in the light wind to gybe if you’re sailing short-handed.

By this time the wind was dropping so we decided to keep the speed on again and I prepared Corsican pasta for dinner, and we sailed off into the sunset. On my watch the moon was out and the stars’ reflections were glittering in the smooth water making for a very beautiful sail. Speed had increased and we made good time to our imaginary buoy marked by a GPS position. We soon reached it and I decided to let Rupert sleep on a bit, so rolled the screecher and gybed the boat. The boat rounded up too far and tacked under main alone, so I decided to get the genoa out and do it again, eventually getting back on course, and no doubt causing confusion to the shipping in the area. Rupert soon came up: there was no point trying to sleep with all the clattering and winches spinning, so the kettle went on and we sailed together for a while and Rupert plotted the course, just off the wind to keep the speed up which would complete the four pointed course near to Fowey.

As the sun came up we were at our mark, completing our qualifier. The wind was dropping off so we motor- sailed back to Plymouth so we could crack on with our job list. All in all it all it had gone very well but we had some tuning to do with the rig and sails, and plenty of systems work to complete and an auto-pilot problem to look at, but we were both very happy with what Sueños had shown us so far.


Wednesday 19th May
22 days …
Our first sail.

An overcast, foggy day with not much wind and about 3-5 knots of tide in places, separated by sheets of glassy water. The sails were pulled up and Sueños was ready to go, like a collie dog that has been locked up all day and knows it’s time for a walk. Before we knew it she was gliding through the water at over 15 knots powered by full main combined with mast head screecher. Wowee – everyone’s eyes got wider and smiles were breaking out all over as Sueños effortlessly slid along. Soon we swapped sail to the genoa and came up on the wind as we beat out past Devil’s Point, taking ourselves in close to Cremyll so Alex could get a picture of us in the fog, but it was neap tide and we still had lots to do so we returned to the Mill, very satisfied with our first glimpse of how Sueños handled. All of us, including – crucially – Rupert, were very happy at what she had shown us.

Final systems were fitted and other details completed by the Multimarine team, readying the boat for more sea trials at the weekend, including sailing 300 nautical miles to qualify for the race. Sailing is written in for most days between now and the start, as neither Rupert nor I totally understand the systems yet. Until today we had never sailed together and we desperately need the practice, as we want to do well if we can.


Saturday 15th May 2010
22 days till the start of the RB&I
The launch of Sueños

What a manic day! Sueños had what looked like a swarm of ants climbing all over it; on closer inspection it turned out to be the Multimarine and Allspars teams. We wheeled the boat out at 0900 to what was looking like a wonderful summer’s day - thank god as this sort of work goes a lot easier when the sun is out. Ron Craddock’s crane carefully lifted the boat out of the workshop and slew it round onto our beach in front of the main shed, giving us the first real view of Sueños and her sleek lines.

I set up the weigh station in the tea shed to make sure all items were accounted for and weighed on to the boat, and the worker’s tools were weighed off. I was surprised at how many bit and bobs there were and how they all added up; they don’t weigh much individually but add them together and watch the kilos grow, fast. We weighed the boat and then the mast, carefully totalling up all the other equipment and, hey presto, we were pretty much bang on our estimated weight of 5 tonnes ready to race, with all safety gear and kit on board (including the flat screen TV).

As the tide slowly rose around Sueños’ copper bottom our friends and family started gathering for the launch. We were still going for it and attending to finishing detail such as pulling lines, attaching blocks, bleeding the hydraulic steering and commissioning engines. Steve the upholsterer was fitting Rupert’s deluxe leather saloon upholstery just as Rupert’s wife Isa was arriving. Alexandra, my partner, was lighting the bbq and starting to grill the 160 local organic sausages from pigs reared by Jai and Sandy. The barrel of beer was already on the go when Sueños was afloat and sitting perfectly on her waterlines. A cheer from the now large crowd and suddenly everyone had changed and was in party mode, all bar our engineering team still fettling away down below - well done guys.

The time had come to name the boat. All the builders stepped aboard along with Rupert, Isa and their children and friends. I made a short speech to thank everyone, then Rupert said a few words before handing over to Isa. She blessed the boat, telling us the name had been chosen because it means dream in Spanish, and the boat is a dream come true, before splashing champagne over the bows in time honoured tradition.

The engines roared into life and we gently backed her off the beach and did some slow 360s to show her off. Glinting in the evening light she looked stunning, the blue of the gel coat set off by the fresh green leaves of spring brightening the woods across the lake as we motored her up towards Insworke Mill, where final preparations would be made on the pontoon before sea trials and the Round Britain qualifier.