Forums, Everything Else, AZAB 2015

Colin Pritchard at 17/12/2013 08:46:17
The idea of doing AZAB 2015 in Rampage of Lymington has been floated. Rampage is a 1981 boat and the rig and equipment are generally, I think, up to the job and would meet the Race requirements. What troubles me are the possible changes needed to the hull/structure to meet the race rules and glancing through the rules suggests quite a few alterations which I would have to attend to.

Contessas are regular participants in the AZAB so I would be really grateful for any thoughts that other members have on what the main changes have to be to get the hull/structure race ready.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Colin Pritchard

George Isted at 17/12/2013 10:49:58
Hi Colin,
I did the race in 2011 on Concerto and would be tempted to do it again if I can get permission. It looks like there are two Co32’s already signed up on the AZAB 2015 site. Would you be going 2-handed or solo?

In terms of preparing the boat, the best thing to do is print out the ISAF Cat1 Regs and go through them on the boat with a highlighter pen, from this you end up with a list of jobs. Mostly it’s small stuff but it will take about twice as long as you think (based on my experience at least). The earlier you start the better as there will always be something at the last minute. Ideally you want to get the boat 95% prepared when you do the qualifying passage then you can see if there are any problems with any of the modifications done.

Very happy to have a chat about any aspect of preparing the boat if you want to give me a call, my number is on the on-line handbook.

All the best

George Isted at 17/12/2013 10:53:19
Forgot to say, it looks like the organiser has reduced the qualifying passage requirement from 500 to 300 miles. I’m not sure that I entirely agree with their reasons but it will certinly make qualification easier and quicker.

Colin Pritchard at 17/12/2013 17:27:11
Thanks George for the reply and suggestion. Our plan is the 2 handed race.

I’ll take the regs with me on my next visit to the boat. Unfortunately I’m in Yorkshire and the boat’s in NW Scotland and it will be a couple of months before I expect to to be on board again. I will work through the list though, while at home and try to anticipate what might need doing. My brief scan so far suggests some major changes.

Regards

Colin

George Isted at 18/12/2013 10:12:12
Hi Colin, as you say there is a lot you can do by going through the regs at home. I’m surprised that you think some major changes are required, what in particular have you highlighted? In terms of expense, most of the cost for me was on electronics such as the AIS transponder, Sat-com’s EPIRB, PLB, etc.

Colin Pritchard at 18/12/2013 17:56:17
Having looked at the regs more thoroughly now, I think you’re right. I had heard stories about requirements for extra bulkheads and such like but those requirements seem to apply to multihulls.

I’ve made a preliminary list now of what might need attention and it looks like most of the preparation will be on updated electronic and safety equipment. I may have to add extra cockpit drains and also add an extra bilge pump outlet as both bilge pumps discharge through the same opening at the moment.

George Isted at 18/12/2013 19:49:02
For Cat 1 you need two manual fixed pumps as a minimum, one outside and one that can be operated inside, they need to be permanently fixed. One way to do this on a Co32 with a Lavac heads is to put a diverter valve into the heads plumbing with a tube running down into the bilge. It’s then possible to select to pump out the heads or to pump out the bilge.
This saves having to fit and extra separate pump and skin fitting although getting the pipework to all fit is a bit of a squeeze.
Pleased to say that it has not (touch wood) been used in anger.

Colin Pritchard at 18/12/2013 20:13:27
I do have a second bilge pump already fitted. It’s located under the galley sink and has been used in anger after we took a huge wave off Norway a few years ago, with the washboards momentarily removed! The discharge pipe connects to the primary bilge pump pipe about 100mm away from its outlet at the transom. Both pumps are maybe supposed to have their own outlets.

George Isted at 19/12/2013 12:52:33
Must have been quote a wave!

The letter of the rule requires that they are fully independant including the outlet skin fitting (which is a shame).

You also mentioned cockpit drains, I’m pretty sure the number and size of drains fitted as standard is sufficient for the rules.

moongirl at 19/12/2013 13:12:00
Check the integrity of the Cockpit Drains. As I have posted many times they are prone to severe corrosion!

George Isted at 19/12/2013 13:20:54
Quite right Colin, it’s on the list to replace mine as they are origional, but for now they get a couple of wacks with a hammer each year while doing the seacocks to ensure they don’t crumble to pieces.

Colin Pritchard at 19/12/2013 17:53:50
The Regs ask for 4 number 20mm dia cockpit drains “or equivalent”. This means that 2 at 28mm dia should do. I will have to check the diameter of the drains that are fitted. I inspect my existing drains each year, including giving them taps with a hammer. So far I’ve been happy with their condition, but…..

waratah912 at 20/12/2013 12:34:14
The cockpit drain requirements appear to be the same for Cat 1 and Cat 4, so if they’re not good enough for the AZAB then most Contessas racing are not complying. Note though that the requirement is for free area equivalent, the screens in our bath drain fittings occupy a fair proportion of the cross section and also retain trash blocking the drain. I’m tempted to remove the screen and rely on the cockpit grating to stop ropes or anything else large enough to stick in the seacock going down.