Round Ireland Race

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

I'm not sure Ireland is a good example Bob.

In fact, with all the current uncertainty with respect to calendar fees, licences, etc, etc, etc, I don't think there is such a thing as a good example right now.

Harwich will I think be a better litmus test. At least I hope so,

I hate to be the bringer of bad tidings, but if my conversation at the weekend is true because of "no interest" there will be no Marathon boats at Harwich. I also heard that Vee was intending to go to Ireland and will no longer be attending - and that isn't a rumour!

[Jon Fuller]

Originally Posted by Cookee

I hate to be the bringer of bad tidings, but if my conversation at the weekend is true because of "no interest" there will be no Marathon boats at Harwich.

John, if enough people talk negatively, it'll all fall over! I spoke with Barrie late last night, and Marathon is definitely still on for Harwich, so please don't add to the rumour mill as it will surely make things worse. (if thats possible)

The course will not go to Ostend now, but is to be a 120mn run down, into the estuary, across to Allhallows, out to north foreland and back to harwich (simplified description) there will be plenty of nav required as the course will take up through / between sand bars etc.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

John, if enough people talk negatively, it'll all fall over! I spoke with Barrie late last night, and Marathon is definitely still on for Harwich, so please don't add to the rumour mill as it will surely make things worse.

Great news - the person I spoke to said they spoke to one of the Williams's so I guess you shouldn't listen to anything really!

[FLYING FISH]

I see you havn`t lost your sense of humour Jon over this thread with you spotting my deliberate mistake re 525 capacity for `E`.Ho Hum.
Is that high tech plastic the same as used nigh on 40yrs ago.See attachment.
Wonder if high tech becomes low tech with age?

[Adam]

Apparently this is an arguement - thought it was meant to be a discussion - which could actually be healthy!

Still maintain there are a number of area where the rules are wrong on weights. I think the weight rules are tougher on the outboard boats - actually some of the classes are quite inboard powered based anyway in terms of eventual power. For example the 999 model I raced on would have to carry ballast whilst giving away considerable power in its class. This was no light weight special and was in leisure fit-out.

But the area that I think is being ignored is the whole green issue / enviromental etc. Whilst motorsport is not going to really be enviromentally friendly it does and should in my opinion be doing it's bit to make savings and increase efficency levels. Weights can be one area. As an example:

A project I'm working on for a foreign client involves the design of a high efficiency motor cruiser. The clients would like to race as a way of proving the concept / design etc - but this boat is so far outside of the rules. She is low powered and not particuarly high speed and would either fit Cruiser or E class - but through sea keeping and average speed, low fuel consumption etc could well be very competitive. However the concept does need light weights and as such would totally not work around the weight rules. As such a power to weight ratio could work and quite the opposite to previously mentioned could actually promote cost effective racing and encourage more efficient approaches to racing.

Just an example - but I think powerboating does need to look to the future too. I certainly know of other projects / concepts along these lines and they coudl be good for endurance racing - offering a cheaper more economical way of racing.

[Scand]

Sounds very interesting, approximately what speed, power and weight are you looking at?

Originally Posted by Adam

A project I'm working on for a foreign client involves the design of a high efficiency motor cruiser. The clients would like to race as a way of proving the concept / design etc - but this boat is so far outside of the rules. She is low powered and not particuarly high speed and would either fit Cruiser or E class - but through sea keeping and average speed, low fuel consumption etc could well be very competitive. However the concept does need light weights and as such would totally not work around the weight rules. As such a power to weight ratio could work and quite the opposite to previously mentioned could actually promote cost effective racing and encourage more efficient approaches to racing.

[blind dog]

this must be a fairly new devolpment but good news

[Mike Ring]

Originally Posted by FLYING FISH

I see you havn`t lost your sense of humour Jon over this thread with you spotting my deliberate mistake re 525 capacity for `E`.Ho Hum.
Is that high tech plastic the same as used nigh on 40yrs ago.See attachment.
Wonder if high tech becomes low tech with age?

It shows how old I must be getting !!

I had completely Forgotten about Grafil, it was the Wonder material of the age !

I used it in the Crusaders that I built to race in the early seventies and looking back I wonder really whether it made a difference !

I think it really was a 'placebo' material rather like using a little carbon or kevlar in a hull today , the client thinks he is getting something special .

Mike

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Mike Ring

I think it really was a 'placebo' material rather like using a little carbon or kevlar in a hull today , the client thinks he is getting something special .

Mike

Bloody hell Mike don't tell em that!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Scand

Sounds very interesting, approximately what speed, power and weight are you looking at?

Early days and much more testing / design work to do, but looking around 40 knots plus , 250hp and a weight of around 1.5 tonnes. Would like to push up the speed - but too soon to say what is possible.

Actually got a few of these projects being investigated and another interesting area of design. Going to be speed limitations - but for certain parts of the market there are possible big gains to be made so should be interesting.

[Captain Chaos]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

The course will not go to Ostend now, but is to be a 120mn run down, into the estuary, across to Allhallows, out to north foreland and back to harwich (simplified description) there will be plenty of nav required as the course will take up through / between sand bars etc.

Sounds quite a good course

[Carl]

i dont know the key to success,but the key to failure is trying to please everyone ....................

[FLYING FISH]

It`s so good a course Captain Chaos that the boat`s inventory should include a bucket and spade,not for digging the boat off a sandbank,but for building a few sandcastles while one waits for the tide to come back in.See report.So much for a Round Ireland thread.

[motorvator]

It'll be a rising tide for all but the slowest ones. I leave you to point out who may be in trouble

[Jon Fuller]

Originally Posted by motorvator

It'll be a rising tide for all but the slowest ones. I leave you to point out who may be in trouble

Kerry, you never cease to amaze me with your pointed spite towards Cookee! I reckon they'll do just fine. Leave em alone.

[motorvator]

Not for me to say who my money's on

Still having seen the intended course it should stop all this cobblers about ballast as it can now be put to good use navigating rather than just being along for the ride.

[Wild Thing]

Just a quick observation. Local radio media are starting to push the event hard. How many boats are entered so far?

[Tremlett 15]

Originally Posted by Wild Thing

Just a quick observation. Local radio media are starting to push the event hard. How many boats are entered so far?

going by this 16 ???

http://www.aroundireland.org/team.php

but going by this thread 7 > 8 ???

[Barrie Williams]

Originally Posted by Cookee

I hate to be the bringer of bad tidings, but if my conversation at the weekend is true because of "no interest" there will be no Marathon boats at Harwich. I also heard that Vee was intending to go to Ireland and will no longer be attending - and that isn't a rumour!

Cookee,

Meeting with the PLA this Thursday, to finalise a really challenging Marathon course.

First, a fast, technical, navigational leg from Harwich - Southend - Allhallows -Margate - Ramsgate.

Second, a real 25 mile Offshore northerly blast to Long Sand, Black Creek then back in to Harwich.

Regarding the entries, we are providing a whole package of incentives to racers, but we can't force anybody to come, national or international.

We don't subscribe to 'buying in' competitors, as some do, it's short term, conditional and not sustainable - manifestly false accounting.

It's fair to assume that if there's no fun, competitors won't enter.

Arguing the theory that if racing is made more understandable and enjoyable, then competitors will return, the onus is transferred to race administrators and event organisers, to provide a balance of rationalised classes, good courses, adequate safety, slick administration, appropriate media coverage and good 'crack' at affordable prices - and this is a testing, but not unreasonable transition.

We've not heard of any dissent from Marathon regarding Harwich, but you might be better informed than us. At the end of the day it's not obligatory to enter.

[FLYING FISH]

So Harwich might be testing for navigators.Think yourself lucky your`e not handed the attached to wrestle with.Shove that through the RYA letterbox and wait for the response.