MHOR Update

NOMAD is registered for race, fees have been paid. Final acceptance of the application requires completion of documents on boat and crew. The ISAF Offshore Racing Rules places strict demands on boat prep and crew experience to ensure a successful safe race.

I am working with a boat yard, sail maker and rigger in Boston to ensure we are ready to go. The critical crew positions that require experience and training are:
Watch Captain 1 - David Sherman
Watch Captain 2
Navigator - Kris Drodge, Master Mariner

I am pleased to say I have two very qualified guys already leaving just one position to be filled.

The rest of us will find jobs trimming sheets and help make this boat go as fast as we can.

Deciding the Course to Halifax

I have been reading various articles on past MHOR's and there seems to be a keen strategy in how to deal with the currents in Bay of Fundy and getting past Brazil Rock. In one article the boat was actually pushed towards Yarmouth by the tides for 6 hours instead of sailing to Halifax.

Having a good accurate forcast along with understanding and knowing the tides in this area will be a key job for our Navigator, Kris Drodge.

Extra 1/10th of knot !!!

Been talking to a sailmaker in Boston on a bunch of things and had him visit my boat. He suggested to me to make sure I set the staysail on any long spinnaker runs as it will improve downwind speed by 1/10th to 2/10th of a kt. Don't sound like much but adds up to 8 to 16 kt miles on 80 hr race from Marblehead to Halifax.

Since NOMAD has a removable inner staysail stay this would be easy to do.

Storm Sails Required

Race rules requires a storm jib and try sail (if luff of mainsail cannot be reduced 40% by reefing).

Have a storm jib with the boat but need to purchase a try sail. I have choosen a stock try sail from North Sails.

As this sail has to be able to be installed on mast without removing mainsail, I have to install a seperate try sail track along side mast sail track OR add a second gate above top of flaked mainsail to allow try sail to be installed. The crew may be asked by organizing committee to install and sheet this sail correctly.

OSR requires AIS Transponder

The Offshore Sailing Regulations recently changed to require an AIS Transponder for Catagory 2 Race. The unit I have chosen is the Vesper Marine Watchmate 850.

What I like about this unit is that AIS targets are displayed on its own screen, uncluttered as well as having a USB output that allows it to be overlayed on Raymarine CL70 Multifunction Display which is mounted in a navpod at the helm.

My philosophy is the more reduntancy built into the system the better.

NOMADS will stay in touch using IsatPhone Pro!!

The MHOR rules recommends all boats to have the ability to email position to race committee. For this purpose and to have ability to have online access we will be using the new Isatphone Pro.

Isatphone

More Safety Equipment Required

The MHOR rules require that entries be equipped with offshore Type 1 life raft(s). Coastal versions (Type 2) that are commonly seen are not acceptable.

I currently have one four man offshore AVON liferaft that I will need to get recertified. To comply with race rules and ensure the safety of the crew I have purchased a second 4 man offshore liferaft.

This one is a Winslow 4 man offshore self righting liferaft including a handheld watermaker (just in case I want to get real serious in a couple of years). The model number is 44SLOCN.

Super-Light™ Ocean Rescue™

Check it out http://www.winslowliferaft.com

Acknowledgement of Responsibilities for Risks

Acknowledgement of Responsibilities for Risks

I hereby acknowledge that the competition in which I have entered as part of crew aboard sailing yacht NOMAD in the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (hereafter referred to as MHOR) is a dangerous Category 2 ocean race and understand and agree that each member of the crew is solely and totally responsible for their own safety and well being.

I agree to assume all risk of accident, loss of property and personal injury or loss of life as it relates to myself. I also acknowledge that the establishment of any equipment regulations, and/or the inspections of NOMAD are merely for the purpose of ensuring fair competition and neither certifies that the yacht on which I am competing is safe nor does it relieve me of the sole and exclusive responsibility for my own well being and personal health and safety.

I represent that I am experienced and competent, physically fit and capable of swimming and treading water in full sailing attire and have been instructed in the use and location of all safety equipment aboard the yacht. I am responsible for providing and maintaining my own equipment listed on Appendix A – Required Crew Equipment List.

I certify that each of the foregoing statements and representations are true and accurate and on behalf of myself and my heirs, successors and assigns, hereby release and forever discharge SV NOMAD, owner David Mitchell and his heirs, successors and assigns, the Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean Race Committee (MHORC), the Race Judges, the Boston Yacht Club, the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, their respective officers and members, employees, volunteers or agents from any and all liability arising out of my participation in this Race and all social events connected therewith, whether such loss is due to property damage, personal injury or loss of life, even if such loss or injury is due to the negligence of any party so released.

I, hereby declare that I have read and understand the ISAF Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Racing (OSR).

I, furthermore acknowledge and have agreement with owner of SV NOMAD, David Mitchell, that I will not be held responsible for any damage to third party property or claims that may result from participation of SV NOMAD in the 2011 MHOR. I understand that SV NOMAD is fully insured with liability insurance of $2,000,000.00.

Signed at: ________________ Signature: ____________________
Date: _________________________ Crew Name: ________________________

Lacoste 42 - Stability Index

Received stability index ratings from RORC - Royal Ocean Race Committee (UK) of 42 and US Sailing ORC stability index of 126.6.

These groups evaluate the various aspects of a boat's rig, dimensions, sail area and displacement to determine a index that is used to quantify the stability rating of a sailing vessel.

The RORC sets the following minimums for offshore races:

Catagory 3 - near shore races Minimum Stability Index 15
Catagory 2 - 200 - 300 miles offshore ie. Fastnet / Solent Minimum Stability Index of 28
Catagory 1 - 1000 miles offshore ie. Newport to Bermuda Minimum Stability Index of 35

MHOR (Catagory 2) requires a minimum RORC index of 28 and minimum US ORC index of 110.

So NOMAD is good to go!!