20.02.2004
The new 75-foot B&Q trimaran arrived in Auckland (NZ)
nearly four weeks ago following her launch in Sydney (Australia) on the 8th January. The launch marked the start of testing B&Q in her own environment - out on the ocean.
Read the latest from Ellen on how the sea trials have been going and the work
that is to be done before the boat leaves Auckland for the delivery trip back
at the end of the month...
FROM ELLEN:
On the boat testing front, we have been testing everything from watermakers
to sails, charging to helming positions. It has been great to be in Auckland
where it is so easy to get out sailing, and for much of the testing in
sheltered conditions where it's easier to look at sail shapes and study
things. Since our sail from Australia we have been out overnight, just
testing the charging and electrical systems. I think, as we are right now,
we are happy with how she sails and we're really looking forward to seeing
how she handles in the bigger seas of the southern ocean. In many ways that's
the most important part of the testing and vital for the success of the
project as a whole. Her averages in waves are absolutely crucial, we just
have to wait and see!!!
Without doubt, I can feel a strong bond with the boat, and that bond is
getting stronger the more we sail, and the more miles we sail together. I am
really looking forward to the part of the trip after the Falklands up to the
northern hemisphere... It will be great to be alone at sea again, and it's
very different when you have more thinking time and are able to sail without
being in a race. I'm looking forward to enjoying being out there!
The boat has come out of the water for a few days and we're doing some work
on the daggerboard and some alterations to the rudder blades. Nothing really
major though, so we will be out for just a few days rather than a few weeks!
>From a structural point of view too, we just wanted to check all over her and
give her a thorough look over before she sets off to sail half way around the
world!
Once back in the water, we will sail to bed everything back in again and be
sure that she is okay. We will most likely do an overnight sail too, just as
a final check for the systems. Finally we will stock up the boat! The food
is sorted, the spares going in to their boxes day by day, and the lists
getting shorter and shorter rather than longer and longer!
For the delivery trip, I will be sailing with B&Q's boat captain, Loik Gallon
and Mark Thomas - three is a good number, I think! I will be sailing with
this crew to the Falkland Islands and from there I will be on my own. The
delivery is an important time to continue checking the systems, such as,
autopilots, comms, etc, as well as the sails. But, perhaps, more
importantly, we will have the first opportunity to really push the boat in
real southern ocean conditions and to see how she handles this.
For further information, visit http://www.teamellen.com
B&Q has over 350 stores in the UK, China and Taiwan and employs about 40,000
people. With its sister DIY company Castorama which has stores in France,
Italy and Poland, B&Q is the biggest DIY retailer in Europe and third biggest
in the world.
http://www.diy.com
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