I'm going on an international diesel hybrid race (OK... tall ship race)

[Gabier]

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

No, I don't think you can see them in the photo. You can see them in the video. If you pause at 1:35 they're right there. It doesn't look like they're moving with the breeze much.

Those are called "reef points", they are used to reduce the sail area in heavy winds. A simple way of explaining how it works: you roll the bottom of the sail and tie it to itself using the reef points, then raise the sail, wich is now not as high and not as big.

[jamesqf]

Reef points? Hadn't thought of that (and don't do video), but as I said, my sailing experience is mostly sailboards.

[MetroMPG]

Hi Gabier! Looking forward to seeing you when we get to PEI (if you are who I think you are)

The 24 hour watch on a boat is a really interesting experience, especially when the sky is clear at night. The high pressure system that's been depriving us of wind has been rewarding us with spectacular, clear views of the night sky outside of the built up areas.

One of the aims I had for this trip was to pick up a little more astronomical knowledge - learn a few more constellations, etc. Fortunately both the skipper, George, and one of my crew mates, Tom, have plenty of experience with the subject matter, so we've had some good discussions & mini "star parties" when not searching for channel markers.

For anyone interested, I've been using a really good open source night sky simulator/planetarium called Stellarium - Stellarium web site . Definitely worth checking out if you ever look up in the night sky and wonder exactly what it is you're seeing.

We're in Trois Rivieres tonight, after a marathon run straight through from the 1000 Islands. Beautiful, vibrant city. Friendly people, forgiving of my rusty French! A non-stop stream of residents has been walking past, admiring the boat, some asking questions about it or our trip.

Tomorrow we're aiming for a very early start to make Quebec City by nightfall. In that distance, we'll be moving from fresh water (we stopped and dove off the ship in the middle of the stinking hot afternoon at Lac St Pierre) and minimal tidal effects (about 12 inches) to brackish water and significant tides (16 ft.) @ Quebec.

Tasdrouille - want to meet up? PM me your contact info, or check at the Bassin Louise around dusk (hopefully).

After Quebec, I'll have limited internet access until PEI.

We're also keeping an eye on the remnants of Gustav and the three Atlantic tropical storms as well...

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by almightybmw

I'm partial to a full on clipper from the 1700's, but a schooner would be still awesome.

The square sail ships are impressive for sure, but I'm happy I don't have to go aloft for sail handling on a schooner! Not crazy about heights.

[bbjsw10]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I've been using a really good open source night sky simulator/planetarium called Stellarium - Stellarium web site .

Thanks, downloading now, looks pretty cool. Will play with it tomorrow.

[SVOboy]

Quick! Someone push Darin in the water!

[Who]

Darin, how fast does it go with the iron jib and how much of that is Fleuve current?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Tomorrow we're aiming for a very early start to make Quebec City by nightfall. In that distance, we'll be moving from fresh water (we stopped and dove off the ship in the middle of the stinking hot afternoon at Lac St Pierre) and minimal tidal effects (about 12 inches) to brackish water and significant tides (16 ft.) @ Quebec.

Am I wrong in thinking that there are a bunch of locks between Lake Ontario and the mouth of the St. Laurence? I grew up not that far away, and seem to recall a school field trip to watch the ships going through the locks...

[tasdrouille]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Quick! Someone push Darin in the water!

The opportunity didn't present itself ;P

I met with Darin on the ship last night. What a great guy. We talked mostly about aerodynamics and what's going on at ecomodder. It's really fun to meet people sharing the same interests as you do, especially when said interests are not shared by that many people around you.

Again, good luck for the race, I wish you wind.

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by Gabier

Those are called "reef points",...

Ahh. reef points. Sounds like something you would want to avoid to prevent poking holes in the bottom of your boat...
I crack myself up.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Who

Darin, how fast does it go with the iron jib and how much of that is Fleuve current?

Under motor power in still water, it'll go about 6 knots without pushing the 250 hp Cat 6-cyl diesel too hard.

We saw a max speed of 12 kts over the bottom on an outgoing tide approaching Quebec City. Up river, away from tidal effects, the current is more like 1-3 kts.

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Am I wrong in thinking that there are a bunch of locks between Lake Ontario and the mouth of the St. Laurence? I grew up not that far away, and seem to recall a school field trip to watch the ships going through the locks...

You remember right. Going downbound, the last lock is at Montreal. It's a pretty cool experience locking through, particularly when we don't have to wait for the freighters (they've got priority). We were pretty lucky this time - only had to hang around for one ship.



There are a few lift bridges as well (above pic). Rush hour traffic in Montreal had to cool its heels as we went through around 8 AM Tuesday).

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

The opportunity didn't present itself ;P

Martin had several opportunities to shove me in the Bassin Louise! (Glad he doesn't pay attention to Ben.) Instead we met up with the rest of the crew at a cafe, had some good conversation & got caught up on what I've missed while we've been traveling. (Oh - and thanks again for the beverages & special synth wheel bearing grease - got to love industrial connections.)

The actual trip here yesterday was another hot, sunny day spent motoring. The crew project: hammock building (and testing)!



Another pic: Gisele sent us this one of our day 1 departure in the fog...



Right now we're just waiting for the arrival of another crew member before heading out again. The bad news: we'll likely be out of range of pilferable wireless signals for 5 days.

The good news: the wind, she blows!

[MetroMPG]

Well, the wind, she blew. So last Thursday, the 5 lower sails went up right after we left Quebec City, the engine was shut down and we finally enjoyed some good sailing. A few hours later, the wind, she veered pretty much on the nose, and we got in some practice lowering sails!

Back on 24 hour rotating watches, the days tend to bleed together. "What day is this?" is a common question when someone needs to know for some reason or other.

... Learned to find a new constellation (Taurus) somewhere after Tadoussac.
... Spotted wind farms on shore
... fishing villages
... phosphorescence in the waves
... beluga & humpback whales
... plenty of porpoises
... and watched one fat seal watching us go past as he bobbed in the water not too far away.



In the dark we left the Gaspe Peninsula behind, the famous Perce Rock's silhouette looming and disappearing in the mist like a passing ship.

Then the wind she blew again - the weakened remnants of hurricane Hanna at this point - so we put up sails in the rain for a good run down to PEI.



Above: the boat's new "fisherman" sail (highest up) - a successful sea trial.

We're currently tied up in Summerside, along with 2 other boats so far (Pride of Balitimore, and Papa2 out of Lunenburg). We're expecting two more tomorrow. The race around the island starts Thursday noon.

--

And Janet sent us this link with some good pictures of the "Mist in the mist", leaving Ivy Lea: Picasa Web Albums - Janet - The Mist Leav...

[Tango Charlie]

We're all green with envy, here, Darin. Green with envy.
Thanks for letting us be virtual tag-alongs...
And good luck in the race!

[Sugar Pie]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Well, the wind, she blew. So last Thursday, the 5 lower sails went up right after we left Quebec City, the engine was shut down and we finally enjoyed some good sailing. A few hours later, the wind, she veered pretty much on the nose, and we got in some practice lowering sails!

Back on 24 hour rotating watches, the days tend to bleed together. "What day is this?" is a common question when someone needs to know for some reason or other.

... Learned to find a new constellation (Taurus) somewhere after Tadoussac.
... Spotted wind farms on shore
... fishing villages
... phosphorescence in the waves
... beluga & humpback whales
... plenty of porpoises
... and watched one fat seal watching us go past as he bobbed in the water not too far away.



In the dark we left the Gaspe Peninsula behind, the famous Perce Rock's silhouette looming and disappearing in the mist like a passing ship.

Then the wind she blew again - the weakened remnants of hurricane Hanna at this point - so we put up sails in the rain for a good run down to PEI.



Above: the boat's new "fisherman" sail (highest up) - a successful sea trial.

We're currently tied up in Summerside, along with 2 other boats so far (Pride of Balitimore, and Papa2 out of Lunenburg). We're expecting two more tomorrow. The race around the island starts Thursday noon.

--

And Janet sent us this link with some good pictures of the "Mist in the mist", leaving Ivy Lea: Picasa Web Albums - Janet - The Mist Leav...

Heard you raced on a shark after your arrival PEI. All the best in the race we will be thinking of you and the crew.

[Daox]

Sounds amazing Darin. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Good luck with the race!

[dcb]

So Darin, are you going to jump in the water and remove the prop before the race?

[MetroMPG]

Hi Sugar Pie - thanks! Yes, Sandy & I literally jumped on a Shark as it was heading out past the Mist for the local club race (only 3 boats out - phrf style).

dcb... If only that were an option. (Also, I'm embarassed to say the thought didn't occur...)

Our boat is apparently the slowest in the fleet, judging by the handicaps assigned to each to level the playing field. The time correction factors are:

0.7872 Spirit of Bermuda
0.7491 Virginia
0.7184 Papa 1
0.6986 Pride of Baltimore
0.6267 Mist of Avalon

... with Spirit of Bermuda being theoretically the fastest. Multiply a boat's TCF by its actual elapsed race time and you get its corrected time. So if Bermuda finishes in 36 hours (28.3 hrs corrected time), the Mist of Avalon would have a statistical tie by finishing in 45.2 hours actual.

They used a formula based on measurements provided by each skipper: sail area, waterline length, displacement, max speed in still water.

So, the fleet's all here, the crew is aboard and the skippers' meeting is under way. The starting gun is at noon.

[MetroMPG]

Race morning preparations, left to right: Spirit of Bermuda, Virginia, Papa 1, Mist of Avalon, Pride of Baltimore

[dcb]

Extremely cool!! Like TC said, Green with Envy Best of luck, we'll be rooting for the avalon!!