I returned to the sport after a very long layoff, Initially with my late fathers original Bantock designed Rhythm design circa 1989!I turn up from time to time and have fun sailing and racing.. but of course the bug catches and I start modifying things to make it “better”. The next step is to build a new boat, I am not to “ serious” I say to myself so I shall build one, I’ve got stuff still in the shed from big boat projects and IOM sailing 20 years ago..I find a hull moulding,build a deck,fin etc and cobble together a boat on the cheap.It goes “ok” for club racing, better than the old boat and I am “happy” for a time, I am still not “serious” you see! There’s a few gremlins with this boat and I am not 100% on pace with the top boats. there is issues with my fin and rigs..all good though..still not “serious”
I get wind that the local club is going to put on a open event and sail it on open water in the harbour no less! Great..maybe I should be a little more serious?..what to do? Modify the existing boat..a new fin and rigs would would increase performance for sure,maybe shop around for a new boat?get into the game somehow on the cheap?.. I’ve never bought a boat before,not a big boat or a model boat, always built them. But I am time poor right now, a new boat or even modifications takes time..time I don’t have.I browse Trade Me..there we go ”buy now” it says. Shes 18 years old if it’s a day, but the pedigree is there hidden beneath, this ones Fin will be stiff and she has some new bits.. what could go wrong? I take delivery.. one week before the race. There’s a lot to be done to get race ready,I tear it apart and get to work,modifying and getting things back to original as much as possible. The certificate is sorted and the night before I am up all hours getting the numbers on.. all set to go.. Race day!
The day dawns.. and its blowing and a fair bit of chop on the course. The B rig goes on and we head for the start…well surprise surprise I can see the potential, but I who am I kidding, I am not race ready for these conditions.Things start going wrong that haven’t been fixed or tested, one bad thing leads to another and I am not going so good..I even lose the dam thing when the rudder linkage turns itself inside out,its just a wire and not stiff enough for real sailing in open water..the final straw is when the 18 year old corroded sheet post snaps! I knew it was dodgey but there seemed to be more important or perhaps easier stuff to fix!
I am almost relieved when it snaps..I can’t fix it here at the venue so I am out and saved from the embarrassment of further poor performances…I watch the rest of the day’s action, its fine I am still not “serious”
This little story highlights that Piss Poor Preparation = Piss Poor Performance, there are no shortcuts are there? I haven’t given up and I am determined to get this old girl sorted and see what she can do..mostly it’s the guy on the sticks right?
The 2nd day of the regatta is fun..I borrow a well sorted V8 and have a ball mixing it up with the others,sometimes right at the sharp end.The day before is forgotten and and I go home satisfied and dreaming of more. There’s no shortcut,I will need to be more “serious” . Preparation = Performance after all
Brett McCormack