Formula 1 on the water...

I just finished a week in Manteo assisting with the A-Cat North Americans. My impression is that the class is as techie as the Moth and at the top level has as strong a talent pool as the Moth. At the Takapuna worlds in February the foiling development took long strides due to the efforts of some cup sailors. That regatta was won by class stalwart Glenn Ashby. The NA Champ Bruce Mahoney finished 16th.



The A-Cat class claims the moniker "Formula One on the water," which was also used by the moth in years past. But the A-Class rule limits racing to a max wind of 22 knots. This past week saw a windiest day of 18 knots and there was lots of difficulty in boat handling from mid-fleet on down. In race 4 almost 50% of the fleet recorded a lettered score. Certainly in top regattas the moth is capable of much windier conditions. Even I can manage reasonably competently in up to 25 knots. So I suppose the moth talent pool is, if not deeper, certainly wider than that of the A-Cat.

Bruce Mahoney had brought back some of the latest gear from NZ and had moments of foiling, but by and large I didn't see a huge difference between the boats capable of sustained flight and those with the older C-boards. There was no doubt in my mind that the moth would have certainly been faster in any breeze from 10 knots on up. One of the most impressive aspects of the regatta was the well done media package. Each day there was a professionally done video by Richard and Rachel from Ocean Images. It was fun to see the action from afloat, from the drone and even from a helicopter. Mr. Clean's SA video reporting seemed primitive in comparison.

Preliminary video

Practice race

Day 1

Day 2 (no racing, but an explanation of foiling)

Day 3 (with some helicopter video)

Day 4

Only three entries?

Looking at the most recent entry list for the '14 Moth Worlds at HISC I see just 3 of the 125 entries from the US. Deja vu from '77 when we only had 3/86 entries....

I'm all a-twitter

Back in the twittersphere @madmothist



Looking forward to reports from HISC since I probably won't be able to make it this time around... unless I hit the lottery. Someone suggested starting a crowdsourcing fund drive...somehow I don't think so.

The Bar is Raised

Ned Goss recently posted a 36.6 knot top speed in Charleston. If a relative newcomwer to the class with a stock Mach2 can hit that speed, I would think that 40 knots should be achievable by an experienced mothist in a special purpose class legal moth.

From Velocitek

http://www.foilingweek.com/2014/05/35-9-knots-new-moth-speed-world-record-ned-goss-in-charleston-bay-usa/

Post by Ned Goss.

2014 Moth Worlds at Hayling Island

Well, as I look at the upcoming worlds at HISC I have to reluctantly admit I won't be able to make it this time around. I was hoping that circumstances and finances would align and I'd be able to make a return engagement. I did compete in the moth world championship at Hayling Island in 1977 as one of three Americans to make the trip. Our boats were fiberglass magnum 2s taken out of a mold from John Claridge's boat that he had sold to Ted Causey after the previous world champs in the States. Back in 1977 I had just graduated from college and had treated myself to a six week cycling vacation in England culminating with the regatta. As I fondly remember the experience I do have a bit of regret that I can't re-experience racing in Chichester Harbour and the Solent.

The 1970's were a simpler time in moth racing. I have to believe that our homemade boats were as competitive as the rest of the boats in the regatta and that the order of finish was determined more by sailing ability and less by the equipment. Of course the boats and rigs mattered, but as long as your hull was fairly light and stayed watertight and your rig had a decent sail you could have had a shot at the top end of the fleet.

As I look at the moths of today I realize that it's much more difficult for one person to build a competitive boat. I just watched a video about the "arms race" leading to the upcoming A-Cat worlds and I see things similar to the pointy end of the moth fleet: a very techie boat shop with some very talented builders and sailors working as a group to push the envelope.  There are folks who are very competitive with home built boats (Dave Lister, for example), but for me to have a chance, even in the silver fleet at a moth worlds, I'd probably have to sail something other than my six year old Hungry Beaver. As a minimum I would think that a new M2 or Exocet with a new rig would be required. Obviously the winners are those with the best skill set for the conditions but I would argue that the differences in the equipment used by the top ten finishers is slight. My boat wouldn't cut it this time around.

I'll keep playing the lottery once a week and maybe I'll hit a winner. Let's see...perhaps $30,000 for the package (and airfare, etc.) should do it..

Good luck all!

Boat Names

Maybe I'm being a bit nostalgic, but when I was reviewing the list of entries at the 1977 Moth Worlds hosted by Hayling Island Sailing Club, I saw that of the 86 entries, all but 19 had submitted a boat name. Many were indicative of the home-built nature of the class back then, but some were just plain interesting. Why are boat names on today's moths seemingly rare?

At any rate, enjoy the following look back on mothing in the late 70s...and I wonder how many of these folks have made the transition to foiling other than me.

And, yes, I'd love to make the trip again next summer if I can get the funds....

                                    HAYING ISLAND SAILING CLUB

                                    INTERNATIONAL MOTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 1977

                                    LIST OF ENTRIES

Country                                    Helm                           Boat Name                              No.

AUSTRALIA                          C. Burton                     Red Ned                                  KA8467
________________________________________________________

CZECHOSLAVAKIA             P. Tomasch                  Troll II                                    CZ1

                                                R. Andil Jnr.                Troll                                       CZ11
_______________________________________________________

DENMARK                            J. Kold                                                                         D6

                                                H. Jensen                                                                    D22

                                                C. Mueller                                                                   D23

                                                T. Neilson                                                                    D24

                                                M. Freek                                                                      D25

                                                J. Boetter-Jensen                                                        D30
_______________________________________________________

FDR                                        J. Segger                      Guppy                                      G1

                                                A. Messtorff                Jaimte                                      G2

                                                S. Kickhofen                Winnie                                    G610

                                                W. Briegleb                 O-g                                          G672

                                                M. Zeller                     Jumbo                                      G714

                                                B. Buhler                     Behemoth                                G715

                                                U. Fischer                    Fischli                                      G724

                                                Erica Von Borcke                                                        G734

                                                J. Pichler                     Unke                                        G738

                                                S. Gunter                                                                     G753

                                                N. Rubach                                                                   G801
_______________________________________________________

HOLLAND                              D. de Boer                                                                    H3

                                                C. de Graaff                                                                  H7

                                                H. Hamberg                                                                  H10
______________________________________________

SOUTH AFRICA                   A. Lanham-Love          Merveille du Jour                    3600
________________________________________________________

SWEDEN                                M. Lindgren                 Goofy                                      S371

                                                U. Bowallius               Mitzigainoff                              S377

                                                R. Weigard                  Blabar                                      S381

                                                D. Bolenius                 Valkyrian II                              S407

                                                A. Galmark                                                                  S415
________________________________________________________

SWITZERLAND                     B. Guhl                        Guinea Pig                               Z415

                                                G. Werner                   Heya                                         Z420

                                                H. Jorg                        Hu                                             Z425

                                                A. Wickart                   Scho    Rot                               Z475

                                                C. Kuchli                     C.C.                                          Z478

                                                B. Wicki                      Half Night Wonder                  Z481

                                                T. Schiess                    Viola da Gamba                       Z482

                                                C. Guanziroli               Calimero                                  Z494

                                                H. Dreher                    L.S.D. 7                                    Z495
________________________________________________________

UNITED KINGDOM             C. Edwards

                                                B. Spencer                   Salty Dog                                K3346

                                                Yvonne Woodwell      Soapha                                    K3361

                                                R.D. Townsley                                                            K3435

                                                J.R. Woods                  Orange Underwing                 K3437

                                                A.R. Gould                  Limbo                                      K3468

                                                D.B. Hall                     Regular Dart                            K3498

                                                R. Elliston                   Slip and Grip                           K3501

                                                J. Iszatt                        Sprite Alite                              K3505

                                                R.J. Heseltine              Whiter Shade of Pale              K3520

                                                D. Surridge                  Lemming                                  K3525

                                                M.J. Wood                  Magnalium                               K3533

                                                N.G. Blake                  Norfolk Poacher                      K3541

                                                J. Pearce                      Sidewinder Too                       K3555

                                                B.C. Cox                     Sunny                                       K3560

                                                C. Reeves                    Wendigo                                  K3562

                                                C. Walker                    Vergin’ on the Wakehurst       K3566

                                                M. Iszatt                      Tumbleweed                            K3567

                                                P. Conway                   Great Uncle Bulgaria              K3574

                                                M. Brill                       Magnum-Opus                         K3602

                                                P. Iszatt                        Final Fling                               K3608

                                                M. Green                     Down Under                            K3615

                                                C. Cottrill                    Lucy Lastick                            K3617

                                                J. Spencer-Smith         X Tension                                K3619

                                                C.A. Evans                  9 Day Wonder                         K3622

                                                B. Short                       The Galloping Maggot of         K3632

                                                                                    Bexhill on Sea

                                                B. Cole                        Just William                             K3636

                                                D. Iszatt                       Super Womble                         K3643

                                                J.G. Claridge               Magnum III                              K3646

                                                P. Dives                      Charlie                                      K3647

                                                A.J. Francis                 Hunca Munca                          K3649

                                                R. Hargreaves             Try Again                                 K3660

                                                J. Byrne                       Sul                                           K3665

                                                M. Shepherd                Hawkwind                               K3666

                                                D. Barnes                    Warrior                                    K3667

                                                A. Prower                   Collusion                                  K3670

                                                J.H. Butler                   Truffles                                   K3671

                                                R. Oates                      The Waki-Racer                      K3673

                                                G. Pither                                                                      K3674

                                                T. Gale                        Intangible Sophistication         K3676

                                                J.C. Bull                                                                       K3677

                                                C. Eyre                        Cunning Stunt                          K3679

                                                B.M. Reeve                 K.K.T.F.S.B.U.                        K3680

                                                J. Meachen                                                                   K3681

                                                S. Allen                       Schizofrantic                            K3686
________________________________________________________
U.S.A.                                    J.A. Bousquet              Try-umph                                 US4191
                                                T. Lutton                                                                      US4197

                                                R. Wallio                                                                      US4198

Without the video it didn't happen...

This weekend was the Classic Moth National Championships in Elizabeth City, NC.  (picture above by Brett A. Clark for The Daily Advance,) I managed to regain the title 12 years after last winning it back in 2001. After the racing on Sunday I put the foils from my international moth on Susan's Shelley. The breeze was marginal but I did manage to get airborne for a few seconds. I really needed a steady 12-13 kts. Video courtesy of Len Parker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9urDKT88LU&feature=youtu.be