Around the World of Sailing

16 January 2002

News: Earth Voyager
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0116/ms.htm

Earth Voyager the 60-foot trimaran that set an Port Huron
Mackinac elapsed time record in 2001 was damaged while in
storage December 23rd. The incident occurred in Rochester
NY.

A train operated by CSX derailed due to a break failure.
The trains hit a warehouse where Earth Voyager was stored.
The train car that hit Earth Voyager was a coal car. This
destroyed the mast and one hull. The remaining two hulls were
damaged, but fixable.

Owner Ray Howe is negotiating with CSX to determine a
financial settlement. Perhaps once an agreement is reached
the future of Earth Voyager will be known.

Theme: Roller Furling Part II
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0116/ms.htm

In the final three installments of our theme series on
roller furlers we will look at products produced by specific
companies. These are not the only options available just
some ones that are familiar and known to ATWOS.

We'll begin alphabetically with Harken roller furlers.
They make several types of furlers including units for small
boats, units for gennakers and staysails, and their Unit
00AL and MK III units.

If you want to see what the future of roller furling looks
like see Harken's Code Zero and Carbon Fiber Furlers.

For this article we will concentrate on Harken's MKIII
furling system, which covers boats from 20 up to 110 feet.
This is what a typical sailor would choose.

Harken utilizes aluminum foils aerodynamic in shape. Their
units can fit over an existing headstay either wire or rod
which helps maintain the strength of your rig.

As with many Harken products ball bearings are a prominent
feature. They assist in reducing friction and are low
maintenance.

Harken MKIII units have a split drum. This makes conversion
to race mode easy.

Their furlers can be adapted to work with a variety of
rigging apparatus including: swage, rod, Norseman and Sta
Lok terminals.

By taking some of the features discussed here you can
combine this with concepts previously discussed and see if
Harken furlers might be a solution for your furling needs.

Links:
Code Zero Furlers
http://www.harken.com/press/codezero.php
Carbon Fiber Furler
http://www.harken.com/furling/cbfurlfeat.php
MKIII
http://www.harken.com/furling/mk3feat.php

Event News: Key West Race Week Preview
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0116/ms.htm

The 2002 edition of Key West Race week sponsored by Terra
Nova trading and Yachting Magazine will begin Monday. 324
boats are entered just two short of the record fleet in
2001.

The majority of the entries are in one-design classes. By
far the biggest class is the Melges 24. This class is
holding their world championship and has 78 entries. Top
contenders include Vince Brun sailing Flipper. Brun was the
class champion in 1998 and 1999. Full Throttle with Brian
Porter and Harry Melges who was the KWRW winner last year
also carry high expectations.

Next in size is the J 105 class. Contenders include Robert
Johnstone's Tern 7 and Jack King's Merrythought.

Other one-design classes include the 25 boat Farr 40 group,
22 boat J 80 class and 20 Mumm 30's.

Geographically the Great Lakes Port of Chicago has 24 boats
entered including: Flash Gordon, Nitemare and Virago in the
Farr 40's and Caress, Gonzo, and Messy Jessy in the J 105
class. Next fall Chicago will host the J 105 North American
championship.

Next largest contingent from one area is Annapolis with 20
boats. Entries include Uarshek2 and Javelin in IMS, and
Chessie Racing in PHRF I.

There are 20 Michigan entries. These include Heartbreaker
in the Farr 40, Equation in PHRF I, Bug Juice and Surprise
in the Mumm 30's, and 8 Melges 24's.

All classes but the Melges 24 are scheduled to sail 8 races.
The Melges have 10 races scheduled.

Link: Premiere Racing http://www.premiere-racing.com

Event News: Strictly Sail Chicago 2002
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0116/ms.htm

Winter, for those in unsailable climes is prime boat show
season. Soon the premiere show for Midwestern Sailors will
occur at Chicago's Navy Pier. Strictly Sail 2002 will
take place from 31 January to 3 February.

Torresen Marine will be at the 7th annual Strictly Sail in
booth 341. Stop and talk to us about: Brokerage sailboats,
our Ships Store, and Yanmar and Universal Diesel Engines.
Also you will be able to pick up copies of the expanded 2002
Great Lakes Sailing Calendar.

Show hours are as follows:
Thursday and Friday 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM,
Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM,
Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

If you are planning to attend you can get a 20% admission
discount online at
http://www.boatus-store.com/tickets
or visit http://www.sailamerica.com/show_chicago.cfm for a
$ 2.00 coupon off admission at the gate.

Links:
Strictly Sail Chicago http://www.sailamerica.com/show_chicago.cfm