la-luna-sailing.be

For season 2012, we plan to race in the CR class in the following races:

12 May 2012 : FUN race Zeebrugge

17 - 19 May 2012 : Oostende - Ramsgate
* 17 May 2012 (Oostende - Ramsgate)
* 19 May 2012 (Ramsgate - Nieuwpoort)

30 June - 1 July 2012 : Light Vessel Weekend
Breskens - Zeebrugge

31 Aug - 2 Sept 2012 : Breskens sailing weekend

Oct 2012 : (maybe) Antwerp Race
Terneuzen - Antwerpen

How not to do it
Just for FUN: A picture from the FUN Race Zeebrugge 2011: In quite strong winds, after the race, the helsman got a little tired of correcting the weather helm, so I used an "alternative" technique: sit a the lee side and counter the weather helm by using 2 legs. Much closer to the water, perfect visibility on lee side and less tiring for the arms:

Fun Race in Zeebrugge on Saturday 9 May 2011.

We had mostly our fixed crew, with 5 persons and where well organized :-) Initially 3 bft, but later on, the wind increased to 5 bft. The down wind leg, we had a long stint of genaker/spinnaker. Because we still lack a spinnaker pole, we used a "living pole" of 2 people. This yielded a top speed of 7 knots through the water. Near the end of the race, on a reach, we even reached 9.5 knots through the water.

We obtained a decent 13th pace on 22 boats, which is much better than some previous races. These are the results from the Zeebrugge sailing Fun race 2011.

More pictures in full article.

On 6,7,8 May 2011 I had the chance to join the Oxygen team on the Manta Sailing for the "Obélix Trophy", one of the major IRC sailing races in France. We sailed on the "Manta Sailing", a Beneteau First 40 with racing options (carbon mast, carbon reinforced sails). Overall, we got a sixth place out of 11 in IRC1. The first day, we got 12 knots true wind, but by Sunday, we got up to 6 beaufort, which was interesting sailing on the Atlantic waves. It was a very interesting experience to learn from one of the top Belgian IRC sailing teams.

Below, I post some pictures taken by Jacques LE GALL.

more photos in full article

On 17 April, I made a first visit from Breskens to Terneuzen. Initially, there was little wind, but the standard pattern evolved with a land breeze up to 20 knots developing later in the afternoon (peaking between 16 and 18 local time). Together with a strong downstream tidal stream, I was able to reach a new speed limit for La Luna of 10.4 knots COG. The conditions for this speed limit are shown in the pictures below.

WARNING: As is mentioned in a recent BASS, the Springergeul is really not maintained anymore. I traversed the Springergeul at high water (approx. 4 meter above LAT) and had only 3.1 meters of water (1.1 meters under the keel). Also, the SPR1 and SPR2 buoys are removed, so I had to focus on the 15A NCM further to the East which was not reassuring. Even the relatively new 2010 Editions of 1801 and 1803 maps are completely incorrect there ... Real depth is probably between 0 and -1 meter at LAT !

For the first time, I was able to see a pilot mounting a commercial vessel near the Terneuzen. With calm weather, this was nice to see. In rough weather, this must be not that easy ...

A new speed record for La Luna: 10.4 knots SOG (Speed Over Ground)

More pictures below in the full article

On Saturday 9 April 2011, we had a fun trip with Hannah and Tijs.

LW at 12:25 LT (CEST) and HW at 18:17 LT (CEST). So we have tidal stream downstream until 13:00 and upstream after that. But near the coast of Walcheren, the tide changes earlier, so we decide to sail over the Raan for as long as possible (first to stay in good tidal stream (NW) and later on to avoid the tidal stream against in the shallow waters). Wind is N 3 first, NE 3-4 later. Leavng berth at 11:15 gives us nearly 2 hours to as much to NW as possible.

All works out fine, but at the lowest low water, we approach the somewhat unexpected "Walvischstaart" (not clearly seen on the 1801.4 map) and have to quickly tack towards NE with a measured depth of the water of 2.0 meters ... (the boat is 1.95 meters deep). There is some spare room in the calibration of the depth meter, but still, not much left under the keel ... We continue over the Raan with a measured depth slowly creaping up to 2.5 meters (depth of the water, probable 1 or 1.5 meters under the keel ...). We maneuvre between the shallows of "Rassen", get into the "Geul van de Rassen" and finally arrive at near the coast in the "Oostgat". There we get a broad reach, start using the genakker with up to 14 knots on the apparent wind meter, which makes the boat difficult to control. Once past "Bankje van Zoutelande", we have some room and drop the genaker under a near dead run situation, which makes it a lot easier. Then we navigate around the Nolleplaat and get back in clear waters, in front of Vlissingen. We desparately try to recover a football from the water. The approaches under "heave to" sail settings where often perfect (using motor), but trying to grab the football really doesn't work without proper gear (fish net that is ...).

Crossing the Schelde in the TSS zone (crossing at 90 degrees) one more time hoisting and dropping the genakker and so we go in for a timely arrival. A fun day of sailing with some nice pictures.

Tijs and Hannah having fun:

On Sunday, I participated solo in the funny "Karin's snertrace". Light winds, tacking upstream in very shallow waters near the sandbanks to reduce the counter currents (tacking at 2.5 meters depth, leaving half a meter under the keel) and exercising with the genaker on the downwind legs. Sunday was warm an sunny, a good opportunity for sun bathing on the downwind legs. Got a decent third place, that earned me a bottle of wine and a special mention for participating solo. As part of the fun, the start was a running start from the bar and the finish time was only validated after an ad-fundum back in the bar. The Snertrace was followed by a bowl of free pea soup (typical to be had in Dutch "snertweer", somewhat earlier in the season).

Sailing solo in the "pink" class (smaller boats)

On 25 and 26 March, Dirk, Denis, Christ and Peter sailed La Luna from Nieuwpoort to Breskens, with a stop in Zeebrugge (many thanks to the whole crew). Along the way, we met this mega P&O cruising ship the "Ventura" moored in Zeebrugge and the nice 3 master "Dar Mlodziezy" near Breskens. To avoid the waves on Saturday, we sailed close to the Breskens beach, yielding some nice views of the beach (in cloudy, cold, windy weather on Saturday ... 9 degrees C with 22 knots wind against ... is cold).

On Sunday, I participated solo in the funny "Karin's snertrace". Light winds, tacking upstream in very shallow waters near the sandbanks to reduce the counter currents (tacking at 2.5 meters depth, leaving half a meter under the keel) and exercising with the genaker on the downwind legs. Sunday was warm an sunny, a good opportunity for sun bathing on the downwind legs. Got a decent third place, that earned me a bottle of wine and a special mention for participating solo. As part of the fun, the start was a running start from the bar and the finish time was only validated after an ad-fundum back in the bar. The Snertrace was followed by a bowl of free pea soup (typical to be had in Dutch "snertweer", somewhat earlier in the season).

A view on Breskens harbour, with the genaker up.

More photo's in the full article.

Thanks to Frederik, Bart, Tijs and Christ, the hull of La Luna was thoroughly cleaned and painted with anti-fouling. Also, with spectacular "boat polish" (bought from Winning Sails), the gel coat was treated and waxed afterwards. The hull looks like new.

A sincere thanks for so many helping hands. The nice part was the splendid sunny day and the party afterwards in the new 10 Beaufort bar at VVW Nieuwpoort.

Next weekend (25-26 March 2011) the boat will be on convoyage to Breskens (Nieuwpoort- Oostende RYCO on 25/3 and Oostende - Breskens on 26/3).

Before the painting:

On Friday, Saturday, Sunday 27, 28, 29 Aug 2010 La Luna participated in the Breskens sailing weekend 2010 (2010 Notice of Race). Teams on board included Denis, Richard (aka @racesail), Christ, Tijs, Elise, Frederik and myself for 3, 2 or 1 days. Hilde and Tijs had joined for the transport of the boat on Wednesday and the trip back by bus and train on Thursday.

Follow those boats ! (more photo's in full article).