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We have opted for a new Yanmar 3GM20 to replace the old very broken 2GM20. The work is well underway and we are told that we will be back in the water by the 10th of September.
We have gone for a multi vee alternator belt system as the old single vee system ate belts with the high output alternator.
The old engine..
The new engine…
In recent weeks the more observant of you may have noticed a running link on the top left of this page. In 48 days time Jan and I are scheduled to take part in the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon.
I have been on a major keep fit and get slim campaign and know how much the improved fitness will help with next years AZAB race. Yesterday we ran our first 10 mile training run and today I am very broken; there isn’t much that doesn’t hurt.
Why post this here??? Well If I can do it anyone can…[motivational rant over]
On route back from Solo Channel while crossing the Thames Ninjod’s Yanmar 2GM20 started to splutter, make some horrid noises, push out black smoke and eventually stop. Having had the local engineer look at it and not improve the situation a decision has been made to replace the engine. Aside from the hull it was one of the final original components aboard Ninjod…
Just currently deciding what to put in but assuming a decision is made next week I am assured I can still have another go at a solo buckley goblets.
This was a great week of racing amongst a fleet of 22 boats. While my overall IRC result wasn’t as good as I would have liked I did have a super time. The sailing was great and included the insane leg 5 from Brixham to Weymouth that has to be my best solo sail to date. The socials were great fun and everybody got on really well.
I would like to thank the SORC team for all their hard work and for ensuring everyone had a good time.
Here are my tracks and stats for each leg.
Leg 1 – Lymington to Alderney
The fleet split into 2 shortly after the start with the aft end stuck in a wind hole for a while. Frustratingly those no more than half a mile in front passed through it without stopping while the rest of us parked up.
Top Boat Speed – 7.59 knots
Top Wind Speed – 20.1 knots
IRC Place – 13th
Leg 2 – Alderney to St Peter Port
The only leg where I managed to be the 1st JOD35 home over the water.
Top Boat Speed – 7.23 knots
Top Wind Speed – 15.7 knots
IRC Place – 15th
Leg 3 – St Peter Port to St Quay
I really needed a much bigger (symmetric )spinnaker on this leg
My thanks to Herve for taking this picture….
Top Boat Speed – 7.7 knots
Top Wind Speed – 16.9 knots
IRC Place – 21st ( Oh dear !!)
Leg 4 – St Quay to Brixham
The overnight windy race and my worst leg. I had a few issues and fell across the cockpit. Ended up going to bed for 30 minutes to make myself feel better.
Top Boat Speed – 8.26 knots
Top Wind Speed – 33.1 knots
IRC Place – 14th
Leg 5 – Brixham to Weymouth
My favourite solo sail to date. Started with my small asymmetric kite and by broach 10 had dropped it. It took 4 hours to cover the 40nm across Lyme bay and the speeds were just awesome. Check out the video…
NINJOD sailing from Brixham to Weymouth
Top Boat Speed – 14.2 knots
Top Wind Speed – 31.4 knots
IRC Place – 12th
Leg 6 – Weymouth to Lyminton
This became a delivery trip in the end and I ultimately when the wind died I retired and motored on to ensure I was back in time to meet Jan.
Top Boat Speed – 8.96 knots
Top Wind Speed – 22.5 knots
IRC Place – Did not finish.
First off although there were supposed to be 3 JOD’s John and TickTock had to withdraw at the last hour due to John’s work commitments. So Barry and I are left match racing our boats and its been fun (mostly).
We are halfway through the week and the score is currently 2:1 to Barry. Dinah was ahead on the 1st and 3rd legs and NINJOD managed to inch ahead during leg 2. I suspect this was more luck than skill on my part.
As I write this I am sitting aboard Ninjod in St Quay. Tomorrow we race to Brixham. I have prepared my lunch, done the jobs that need doing and looked ( and re-looked ) at the weather. It’s currently forecast to blow hard and the forecasted wind direction is not as good as we all would have hoped.
