Sunday's forecast

I haven't done much this week, and with the pending battle coming up on Sunday I thought I should put the forecast into perspective. Just in case any international readers want to know what's happening.

The average wind speed is 18-20 knots (Force 5).
The wind gusts are 26-28 knots (Force 7).

Wind direction - Southwest, which is the prevailing wind in this area. It usually feels stronger than it really is.
                           ---------------                     --------------                   -----------------

The Cherry (my boat) is 4.75 m long, 2.15 m wide, sleeps four adults, and weighs 220kg fully rigged. It has no internal ballast. The working sail area is 11.4m2.

The Quicksilver (Rob's boat) is 5m long, 2.24 m wide, also sleeps four, and weighs 408kg, with 108kg of ballast. The working sail area is 17.7m2.

Neither of us will be carrying spinnakers.

With the rig size being offset by the weight difference, its easy to see why these boats are quite closely matched in theory. IF we manage to get decent starts, then there could be quite a battle!!

I know rob spent a few hours recently tuning up ready for a windy weekend, to be faced with drifters up 'til now. I spent about an hour doing the same thing today.

Of course, tuning on the driveway is fine, but until we get on the water, I have no real idea how well it's  worked. We're pretty much ignoring the Noelex's and Hartley's, although if we happen to be close, then who knows!

Check in here Sunday Arvo to see how it all goes down.