Winter refit 2020/21
Clara spent the winter tucked-up in a shed at Nath Yachting's facility in Hennebont (near Lorient).
Works completed:
Installation of a crash bulkhead forward
Reinforcement of shroud and forestay chainplates
Replacement of wheel steering with tiller
Sealing of cockpit lockers
Replacement of the mast and rigging
September/October 2020 - The Qualifier
Following the untimely early arrival of Storm Alex, Simon and 'Clara' had an eventful qualifying passage, running before the storm down the northern coast of Spain before recrossing Biscay and heading out past Ushant some 600 nm into the North Atlantic.
The experience over 2000 miles in 18 days was invaluable in testing man, boat and equipment in a mix of conditions and generating a to-do list for the winter refit.
The recently installed Hydrovane windvane performed well, celestial navigation skills were tested and the Walker trailing log was relaunched after 40 years in its box!
August 2020
It was time to install the new Hydrovane windvane ready for autumn testing in the Bay of Biscay.
The location of the Hydrovane rudder well aft of the keel will provide improved steering for better control in the large seas that will be encountered.
It also provides an emergency steering option.
Spring 2020
Replacement of the original propellor with a Darglow feathering prop. It took some reconfiguration to fit the new prop into the available space.
Paris December 2019 - Salon Nautique Paris
Simon at the official launch of Les Sables d'Olonne as host port and partner for GGR2022, with Don McIntyre (Race Director), Yannick Moreau (Mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne) and GGR2018 winner Jean Luc van den Heede.
The early involvement of LSO augers well for an even bigger and better event in 2022.