Can I go solo?

SORC races are split into 3 classes and results are also shown overall IRC making it really exciting when the numbers are crunched! For Class 3 I bought a Mustang 30 this summer and like a Laser 28 these are available under £20k they rate quite well and are not too difficult to set up. Also in Class 3 in 2009 we had a vintage Beneteau 32, a couple of Beneteau 31.7’s and a couple of J92s’s racing.

 

Class 2 is made up of J105’s, JOD’s, HOD’s, Dehlers all IRC rating from about 1 to about 1.035. Peter’s new Achambault 35 as reviewed on the website will no doubt be the one to watch in 2010.

 

Class 1 is boats rating above 1.035 up to 40ft; current boats include J122’s, Beneteau 40.7, X37 and Ding Dong (Stewart 37). Many of these are blessed with beautiful interiors and all mod cons (I did smirk a little when the shore power went off in October as we lay alongside at Shepards!) and also have some 100sqm+ spinnakers/asymmetrics to deal with but when the wind is up and there are miles to travel we all know who is having the best ride.  

 

In previous years many different boats have taken part including Sigma’s, Contessa 32’s, Scampi 28, Trimarans, mini Transat/Pogo’s, Oyster Lightwave, Rustler 36, Trapper 501, Victoria 34, Figaro 1 & 2 and I think I read a class 40 or two? Naturally a boat does not need to be fast to win it just needs to be sailed to its handicap efficiently, different conditions will suit certain boats but as ever the fundamentals count the most – reasonable sails, no excessive extra weight, clean bottom, correct course making the best of tides available and efficient sailing of the boat. NB: SORC member Will Sayer won the 2009 OSTAR overall IRC in a Sigma 33c…..respect!

 

 

-              Any regularly sailed yacht will (should !!) have most required kit aboard – Flares, VHF, anchor, torch, knife etc etc  Here are a few obvious possible extras to sort out.  

-              Cat3/4 safety kit depending on which races.  www.sailing.org/documents/special-regs.php

Daunting at first sight, easier once you go through the downloadable form with a highlighter pen marking the “must haves” and put on new shopping list and then realize you have half of it already.

-              IRC certificate – This can be on a “self assessment” basis which for a production boat where basic length/beam/weights/overhangs are known is again fairly straightforward once you down load the form and see what boxes need filling in. £9 per metre approx www.ircrating.org. It is not mandatory with SORC to have an IRC certificate as results are also posted as 3 open classes but if you wish to see how you really have fared you need one, it’s very rewarding too – sometimes!

 -              Auto pilot is a must; my Raymarine ST1000 has been fine to date on the sunny days. For windier days a gyro would be better.

 -          GPS and ideally some form of chart plotter. Many boats now fitting these in the cockpit, shorthanded this makes life much easier.  Modern colour units with internal aerials are simple to fit, intuitive to use and work a treat. I have a Garmin 550 that takes an SD card which can be loaded with all the Solent waypoints from Cowes Online www.cowes.co.uk/zonexml/index?cp=0-171-108 very quick, easy and free, no more sitting for hours pressing buttons.

-              Solent tidal atlas www.winningtides.co.uk other tidal guides are available!

-             Personally I always have a PLB in my pocket too (The little yellow Mc Murdo 210- £200!)

-          Power Aid energy drink, Mars bars and Hand held VHF also to hand in cockpit

 

Race starts take place with various degrees of competitiveness, some boats right on the start every time others sit a couple of boat lengths back. A mutual respect for safety and sense is always present amongst the SORC fleet. It is no one’s interest to get too close to each other, spinnaker drops take place earlier than fully crewed, drop; gybe re-hoist when the breeze is up is possibly prudent. We all look out for each other. A good sense of humor and sportsmanship are a great help. The race to Poole on 8^th May 2010 in particular is a great place to start.

 

 

Mike Saqui ~ Restless

December 2009