Go The Cone on the Mobay Race

I’ve sailed a lot of miles on the Cone and coming around the bottom of Cuba in this race sticks in my mind as an outstanding example of a ridiculously wet experience. Here is what it was like. Imagine this.

- James Neill.

The Helmsman’s perspective

The boat is heeling right over with the leeward rail just off the water. The boat speed is reading 13 knots. You’re jerked backwards as the boat jumps forward and down off the top of the wave into the trough below. Your view ahead is slightly obstructed by the crew on the rail and your eyes are stinging from the wall of spray rising high into the air.

The spray off the leeward side is also satisfyingly high - over the top life lines.

You find yourself smiling as you glance at the boat speed and feel a brief sensation of satisfaction as you see the boat speed jump to 16 before the bow plows into the back of a big wave in front. You are thrown forward as the boat slows violently. The crew on the rail disappear into whitewater gushing over the deck like surf breaking on a rocky shore. Then the water hits you too. It all goes white. You hold your breath.

The foam is warm, salty and not unpleasant. Almost comforting. But still wet. You silently pray that this isn’t the nose dive that broaches you.

Two seconds later and the foamy water is gone. You can see again. You blink a few times, wipe your eyes and glance at the boat speed – 12 knots. You look ahead through the crew and at the next wave building under you. Then you feel the jerk as the boat leaps forward, down the next wave and into the next trough. Another smile breaks out. Six grins a minute, hour after hour.

The Crew’s Perspective

The boat is leaning uncomfortably to leeward. You are sitting on the windward rail, clutching the life line. Your back is against the shrouds with one leg wrapped around the life lines because you know if you let your feet hang down and they touch the water, the water rushing past will rip your boots off in a second.

Spray is gently wetting back, like being in a warm shower. Then the boat jumps under you and your bum briefly leaves the deck as the crazed helmsman drops it into yet another wave. You look back at the driver, his eyes widen and eyebrows go up. You brace yourself because you know what’s coming. Then all goes white and you hold on tight as someone opens a floodgate and white water sluices over your back and head – washing you along the deck. You close your eyes and feel to see whether this is the trough that rolls the boat onto it’s side. Then the boat shakes itself free. The water clears and the helmsman comes back into view.

You push yourself back into position. The spray on your back has eased to a gentle shower again. You feel the boat start to jump into the next trough.

You look back and see the helmsman smiling and wonder why.

Then you think “It’s my turn to drive in 10 minutes.” And you find yourself grinning too. Here'a a short vid.

Post Mortem
The Cone ended up 2nd on PHRF which was pleasing because our IRC rating is horrific. I got to sail with the new owner. Ex Maxi boat captain and not a bad bloke.

The new Sjambok won on IRC and was probably the most impressive thing here. Like the new Yendys in Sydney, I think this boat new signals a new approach for RP following the success of the Jaun K Volvo boats. Gone is the slippery, elegant skinny RP hull and in is a brutal, flared stern and massive sail plan.

02/28/07