Team Seacats

The one meter project is shaping up…I’m getting close to the molding process. Truth be told, I had a terrible problem with trying to put some clear coat on. I used some old paint and ended up with drips and sags that had to be sanded away – I lost most of last weekend’s time doing just that. However, two nights ago, I was able to lay down a nice smooth coat of clear (new enamel) and I started wetsanding last night with 1000 grit. Once the slight orange peel was sanded away, I gave it a quick sanding with 1500 grit and then started buffing by hand. I’ve done one pass over the entire hull with rubbing compound but given it two on the deck. I’m tempted to try to buff it with my real buffer, but I’m afraid that it might sling the plug across the shop.

Originally uploaded by Team Seacats.

The F18 Worlds started two days ago … well, yesterday… (I have a hard time figuring out if they are coming or going in Australia) ummmm… this morning was to be the second day of competition.  However, some healthy breeze and a nasty mean chop on the first day of competition left three people in ambulances after the one and only race.  Racing continues to be abandoned until the wind subsides and the boats are relegated to the beach.  See a video of some of the action HERE.  Team Seacats has several friends competing from the US.  Most notably, Team Tybee of John Casey and Kenny Pierce.  JC and Kenny had a mainsheet splice come apart on them just after the start of the first race and elected to go in and replace it to be ready for subsequent races.  They would have just limped around the course had they known that there was only going to be one race for the day.

I know I’ve certainly been in this position before..with about a week to go until they have to head to Florida for the start of the Everglades Challenge, Team RAF is frantically finalizing preparations. The rudder system appears to be mostly finalized and the last sail details are being worked out. I’m certain they will make it as there are only a lot of small details to work out. The only question is, how many of those small details can they get to? Will any of them cause issue in the race? Watch and see – we’ll certainly be tuned in here.

A-class catamarans. 165lbs of carbon fiber, foam or balsa core, mylar, polypropylene mesh, and a few fiber reinforced plastic bits of hardware. These single-handed machines will fly and have been compared to sailing a potato chip. They’re so light that they dramatically accelerate in every puff. Be patient through the titles, there’s some good footage in there from last year’s world championships.

I know this is similar to stupid pet tricks, but there is yet something a bit awe inspiring about it.  Check out another video HERE of Plen or go to their website (but I hope your Japanese is better than mine).