And does anyone have feel this may be a problem for the Worrell..... [color:"red"] [/color]

The transom did not completely rip off. When the lower gudgeon pulled out, it took a chunk of the transom with it, leaving a hole big enough to put my fist through.

As far as how it happened, I don't know who would have more details than Randy Smyth and Richard Feeney, who were on the boat. I and others asked them, and both of them are absolutely sure they did not hit anything. It seems to be as much of a mystery to them as it is to the rest of us. They said they were just sailing along and the rudder suddenly ripped out of the transom. The possibility of hitting something in Blackwater Sound is pretty remote -- no rocks, reefs, shoals, sandbars. If there were a log or something in the water, you would think that other boats would have encountered it, as well. There are manatees, dolphins and rays in the sound -- but, again, the guys are certain they did not hit anything at all.

There is no way of knowing whether the transoms had been weakened at some prior time, maybe even during the R&D process and testing to develop a better rudder system for the Worrell 1000, because Randy has been working on that. So there may be extenuating circumstances.

Hi Jim
hi Mary

Heard something about a mysterious patch of "fast water "

-joking ,--most do not realize the hydrolic pressure forces at work on rudders at high speeds and in waves .Sea water at 64 lb per cu ft add area -multiply by speed ,-and lever distance to bolt locations ,--the forces are huge ,-and as Mary mentioned the added metal fatigue factor ,-alum .

--The model should be the center pivot type Super cat or nacra type with simple pull down cleat release system .
They can be held part way down thru surf by the line with handle ,-an extented or extra length version is possible , and they are as strong being center pivot within the rudder housing .
They obviously need stainless stl backing plates as well .

The jav 2 is derived from an A class cat ,--not originally intented or designed for a Worrell 1000 ,--we going through this process of finding weak elements of the design .
As you know any weak link is exposed in dramatic fashion ,--per rudders at Jenson beach for example ,,----
ouch " still hurts just to say it and recall Dave under the boat and at the hospital that evening .

Have a concept for a main reef system which I believe is needed on this design with taller mast high aspect sail and C E and shorter length lower volume bow sections in large seas of the Atlantic coastline .
Either a clip or hook inside the mast track and smaller shackle attachment at desired reef point top of sail location .
or knotching the mast track itself to accept a ring ,with stainless stl reinforcing to shape popped on each side .
That along with sail reinforced corners and gromits and a good method to roll up the excess sail and tie it off .

-A number of Javs are in Pensecola ,-hope to get there over the winter months ,--will keep you updated .

Really believe all competitors should be kept in the loop for modifications where safety is a concern ,-
I,m sure they will with updates and e mail as these modifications for the Worrell race are finalized .

The people working on this are the best imaginable to have solving the reinforcing aspects and modification for ocean racing , they're racing it too .
We all know how many close calls there are out there ,-avoiding giant sea turtles at 20 plus mph ,--big fish ,-seen some 12 ft hammerheads and others ,-schools of jellyfish by the thousands ,-each other at night ,--the jetty ,-rocks ,--sandbanks miles offshore at night more jetties -shipwrecks ,-unlite channel markers buoys -nets etc etc .
If all builders -designers did this race it would provide better persception and understanding .

do we know how to have fun or what ?



new little crew ?
take care -
Carl

You've got to throw giant squids into that list of things to avoid in the ocean now.... I mean, who knows when the next attack will occur :P

Carl..... Yes my new crew was born 1-14-03. He was 9.5 lbs
Christine is doing great....

JIM