Big Freakin' Sails - Page 192

twinsdad · #**1911** 08-13-2010

For me the BFS was to finally get my boat delivered. Just bought a new Seawind 1000XL catamaran, and after much delay (don't get me started) the boat finally arrived. My friend and I met the dealer at Barnegat Bay, NJ where he had motored it from Philadelphia (where it entered the country from Australia). Dealer had us meet him at noon this past Monday. We were ready to go (with still more work to do enroute) at 8:30PM. We motored from Brick, NJ to Manasquan inlet. Once out in the ocean, the sails went up for the first time. We were basically on a run as we headed towards the Port of NY. At first the winds were pretty light and we were only going 3-5kts.

We weren't in any rush since we knew we were going to wait for the right entry point to head to Hellgate. Anyway, the wind starts picking up after about 3 hours and the boat starts doing about 7.5 kts with its smallish jib and the main (the screacher wasn't set up yet - don't ask). We reached the beginning of the channels to the Port of NY, just outside of Sandy Hook, at about 2AM. Being chickens (some would say prudent) we decided to drop the sails and motor since it was night and none of us was that familiar with the channels. Chose an outside channel to avoid some of the shipping traffic and anchored off Staten Island right near the Verrazano Bridge for about 2 hours or so (again trying to time it right for hellgate). My friend and I emphasized to the dealer how important it was not to hit Hellgate at the wrong time. So at about 8AM on Tuesday we fired up the engines (no wind anyway) and headed for the Verrazano. We had timed the current to be with us up the East River and at half throttle we were doing 7.5-8kts. So naturally, after talking up the currents in Hellgate, it was as calm as glass as we hit it just before slack tide. By 2PM, we were on the mooring for the first time in CT.

So why is this a BFS? Because finally the sailing season has started, and its always a BFS in my mind when you sail in open water at night. Nothing like it. Here's to hoping for an extra long season this year!

smackdaddy · #**1912** 08-13-2010

Dude that definitely rates! Congrats on the new boat and its inaugural BFS.

I Googled it. Looks like a very nice ride. Pics soon....got it?

CalebD · #**1913** 08-14-2010

twinsdad,
Congrats on the new cat!
Coming up the East River even if it is not for the first time is pretty much always a BFD ('Bedford Fire Department') as well as a BFS in my book!
Have fun with your double hulled thingy!
Enjoy.

twinsdad · #**1914** 08-16-2010

Smack, I'm a little technology challenged, but I will try to figure out how to get a picture on this. Thanks to you and Caleb for the good wishes. Caleb, where in NYC are you? Lived there many, many years pre-kids.

smackdaddy · #**1915** 08-20-2010

I just couldn't let this killer sequence slip beneath the waves. One of my favorite salts around here in some crazy conditions....(click the arrow beside Oma's name to jump to the thread)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omatako

It always amazes me how hard it is to get good pictures of scary conditions - they always look so benign.

The wave seen ahead had just passed under us without any scary stuff.

The next one picks us up and the boat starts to accelerate . . .

Then it starts to surf

Then vibrations as we achieve hull speed

and beyond

These were taken in the late afternoon when the wind speed was at about 35kn, wave heights about 15 to 18 ft. During the next 10 hours and in the total darkness of a stormy night at sea, the wind went to 75 - 80 knots, wave heights went to about 30 - 35 ft (we never knew that until the next morning's light). The canopy and frame that are seen in the pics was ripped off the boat and was lost into the sea.

About 450nm west of Raratonga, just about exactly 3 years ago.

zeehag · #**1916** 08-20-2010

yipes!! wow !! looks like fun!!!! big water!!!! big wind!!!!...here is a lil boat porn --with big freeking sails....have fun!!

Maxboatspeed · #**1917** 08-21-2010

Thanks for the awesome porn! What is that boat? I can guess, but would love to know the yr., name, event!
Lotta SA, in the day!
When men were men!
Nice photo! I like this thread. smackdiddlydaddy thanks for your part.
Max

zeehag · #**1918** 08-21-2010

i dont know the name of the boat, but gaff rigged schooners turn me into melted butter....i love them--nothing as elegant or as inspiring as a gaff rigged schooner with a bone in her teeth....almost better than chocolate......i do know this is a classic pic--have seen it in many places...even on the ericson i bought 6 yrs ago in the saloon-seems a shared dream of many--beautiful boats...

jaschrumpf · #**1919** 08-21-2010

Does that pic make anyone else think of woman whose implants are WAY too large?

zeehag · #**1920** 08-21-2010

aaaah--but the boats stuff isnt fluff nor fakery--is all being used--see her bow wave---she has a bone in her teeth--flying!!! closest thing to planing a heavy displacement boat can get---incredible!!

the implant in a fake val gal is not functional and after time will show as droplets/cysts on her forehead. the sailboat is beautiful and the fake boobs are kinda fake looking arent they!

it makes me think that if there were a sudden squall it is fly or die....incredible what was done with sails in the past! it took balls of brass to sail them like this. yes--REAL men.