We are roughly half way to Lanzaroate Island in the Canaries and we have had a chance to do some real world prop protection testing. Last night we encountered dozens of fishing boats with nets – they appeared to be a mile or more in length – on the surface. There was a six to ten foot (two to three meter) sea running. Some nets were lit, others not. In the process of maneuvering around these obstacles we became entangled – a cruiser’s (power or sail) worst nightmare.<\/p>\n
We were running at 10.5 knots at the time and the instant we heard the net on the hull we went to neutral. Stopping left us beam to the seas which set us rolling, but surprisingly not enough to disturb keyboards, computer mice, binoculars, and various clocks all of which were unrestrained on horizontal surfaces.<\/p>\n
We put our eight cell flashlight to use (the first time it has been used in earnest in five years) and could see the surface line and string of floats trailing from the starboard stabilizer fin, but it did not appear to be on either of the props.<\/p>\n
We rotated the boat clockwise, using first one engine and then the other, until we were head to wind with the boat at right angles to the net. Backing down cleared us of the net and we proceeded without any further excitement.<\/p>\n
We were pleased to find that the leading edge fences on the stabilizers worked as intended to keep the net from catching on the fin shaft and that the full skegs on the props kept them from entanglement. Since we previously tested with logs and ice we no officially conclude this phase of research.<\/p>\n
The wind and waves are not as advertised, being initially forward of the beam. However, they have now gone to the starboard quarter, deep enough to start surfing, which we are doing at present to 13\/14 knots. Given the wave shape we are hopeful of more fun as we alter course to the left.<\/p>\n
10\/1\/2010 1:17 PM (UTC) position 34<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"