scott.projectsomewhere

What about this for a new coach boat to keep up with the Moth?

The Moth does well in the 6th Annual Sailing Anarchy Awards…

Best Race Boat:

Moth defines race like no other boat short of a windsurfer. What impressed us the most is that they learned to fly on foils en masse, a first class to do so in any sort of a reliable fashion, and then made flying a production purchase option for others by introducing at least three different builder models to the public. While doing it they seemed to be able to maintain their existing base, no doubt due to quick testing and availability of reliable packages from the builders involved with the class. They also put forth a well-organized effort to bring the boat into the Olympics, which just might be a success.

It looks like at least a couple of people fell for this one from the moth.asn.au web site.

NSW News

The NSW Waterways Authority advise ‘that as of the 1st September 2007 all hydrofoiling sailcraft operating west of Sydney Harbour Bridge will be required to display a masthead flashing amber light when at foiling speed’.

When quizzed about this ridiculous new ruling, the Waterways revealed there had been ’several’ complaints regarding ’small hydrofoiling sailboats’ in the Cockatoo Island vicinity. The complaints mainly refer to the speed and inaudibility of hydrofoiling sailcraft, causing a lack of proximity awareness in other waterway users - particularly large motor vessels. They went on to explain that since the fitting of flashing lights to the Sydney Ferries Corporation Rivercat fleet, on-water incidents involving other vessels not observing Rivercats had dropped dramatically.

The NSW Waterways Authority also wish to point out that a $160 on-the-spot fine will be applicable for failure to display correct navigational lights (this includes hazard lighting) and draws our attention to the following clause in the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook - ‘Serious or repeat offences under the marine legislation will result in proceedings in a court after the issue of a court attendance notice. Such offences may include dangerous or negligent navigation and/or failure to display adequate hazard lighting’.

IMCA NSW will be making a submission to the NSW Waterways Authority in an attempt to have this matter resolved in a fair and sensible manner. In the interim, Moth Foilers are advised to exercise caution when west of Sydney Harbour Bridge and drop to sub-foiling speeds when within 30 meters of all other water users.

Time to get back on the water Donosan…

Silja is up for nomination for Seahorse Magazine Sailor of the Month.

So go and vote.

Herman has upped the ante in the blogging stakes… launching his own AppliancesOnline blog. So now we’re going to be fighting it out both on the water and in the blogosphere.

But having posted over 10 entries in their first day, I have a feeling they’re going to run out of content soon. In the meantime I can go on bleating about my trivial existence ad infinitum. That and I can’t get to the end of one of their sentences before I’ve forgotten what it was about…

Maybe I shouldn’t be too harsh to my sponsor though.

Anyway.

In other news, Herman has sent through the link to Euan’s new blog. It’s always a bit scary to write fairly personal guff on the net for all and sundry… especially when they come up in the boatpark and talk about it… or leave surprise comments… but Dog did it, and now Euan has done it too.

I’m probably going to cop an earful for outing him, but here’s the link. Hey, it wasn’t my fault.

Someone has gone and un-locked the SailingAnarchy forums for Doug’s WebTV… and he hasn’t wasted any time firing up the foiling debate.

The latest incarnation is foiling for the 18s.

So if you’ve got a few hours spare, go start reading the comedy… but don’t dare add relevant information gained through pratical experience.

And if you’ve got a few weeks to kill, go start reading the TP52 thread on BoatDesign.net. If you can make sense of the argument… you’re doing better than me.