While the investigation goes on everyone has a theory. Doug Johnstone was on
the boat this morning and he said the entire AC system seems fine. No sign
of damage to the battery charger or batteries. Seems to be a 12-volt problem
involving on of the lights on the boat. The battery switch was off though.
The results are in from the PHRF meeting last night. 3 second knock on buoy rating; 3 second knock on random leg, and 6 seconds for OTW races. These are local ratings. What that will do to the regional rating is up in the air.
What I am doing will most likely have an affect on the entire class. You
need to tell me what you think I should do here.
Here are my three options. One is just accept the judgment as it is and make
it official. The second is to tell them not to do a thing about the rating
and just forget I was there (which they agreed to do in advance). The third
is to appeal to regional which they suggested. Now option number two will
delay this rating being established and later in the year we could get
someone else to apply. They might have more experience by then. This can
work both ways of course.
Option three is regional. This answers all the questions but they could be
tougher. The other side of the coin is the chief handicapper said he saw no
reason to drop it at all. The local board told me he has been overruled
three time on these matters and they think regional will give us a 6 seconds
knock.
I think the ratings are fair except for the buoy rating. I don't want to take the knock all the time for a sail that I will only use occasionally. PHRF has created an arms war with this new sail.
I took the tack that said if we all have them (a-sails) then we are all even and nobody should take a knock unless the pole is larger than the J. You can see the points I made at phrf at www.yrrc.com
Mike Guccione
818-502-2600
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-santana3030@sailpix.com [mailto:owner-santana3030@sailpix.com]On
Behalf Of Michael Kirk
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 11:38 AM
To: Sean Duffy
Cc: 'Santana3030@sailpix.com'
Subject: Re: Teaser
On Thu, 25 Jan 2001, Sean Duffy wrote:
> The main battery switch has two high amperage batteries wired directly to
> it, which, if you've ever seen a good auto electrical fire, you know can
> really get a pretty good bar-b-que going. I've had that panel off and can
> tell you that WD crammed alot of crap into that little space with no wire
> ties or anything...
>
> Steve
> Tortuga
>
We nearly lost a 24' work boat once due to exactly this. The two heavy battery cables came slightly loose & shorted. Everything was glowing red back to the battery, hydraulic steering lines popped before we managed to disconnect at the battery. Very scarey, particularly with a gas boat. Make sure all electrical connections are tight.