After our four days of sailing in Vancouver, I would just like to let everyone
know what our learning experiences were. Some of these Bram has already
covered, but if you have to read them twice and do it once, it will save you at
least one capsize per point ;)
Firstly, get ready to do a lot of talking. This boat draws crowds which have
exceeded even my expectations. In the four days that we were there, there was
hardly a minute when someone was not hanging over the boat staring in awe and
asking LOTS of questions.
The Swift is EASY to sail in light winds, but becomes a challenge in anything
over 8-10 knots if you have not sailed it before or do not have something like
49'er experience. . This is a high performance machine and needs time in the
saddle to understand it's characteristics before committing to high winds, big
waves and being far off-shore. Things happen quickly and it takes a few lessons
to realize how to achieve the objectives single handedly when the wind is
blowing. The boat is in perfect balance in the hands of experienced sailors.
Both Bram and Jeremy (A 49'er sailor) sailed the boat as though it was an
extended part of them.
The sail track feeder on my mast (small aluminum feeder) had a few sharp edges
on it, and as I raised my brand new sails I heard the feeder cut into the bolt
rope. $$$$$$$ We managed to limit the damage to a small tear, but it could have
been worse if I had been cranking on the halyard. Filing the edges smooth
solved the problem.
Raising the main. Pleeeease make yourself a hoisting loop like Bram posted.
This will prevent you from lying on the beach gasping for air while everyone
else is at the starting line.
Take care in making your vang lever and vang arm. They have fairly significant
loads on them and WILL break if under-strength.
Tie a small stopper ball into the spin halyard to prevent any knots going into
the masthead block. When I raised my spinnaker the first time, the halyard got
jammed in the mast head block and I could not get the spinnaker down.
Buy the shin and knee guards recommended. I have some battle damage which could
easily have been prevented by good shin guards.
Cut the end of the rudder pin off and replace the 90degree bend with a thread
and a nut. This will stop the bridle from hooking up on the rudder pin and
causing..... you guessed it, a capsize.
As I learn more I will let everyone know.
regards
Roger
www.aquiloboats.com
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