Sails
Sails are the most expensive kit we have on Barda and we have to make them last; they are a big investment and our only source of racing power. These are not cruising sails that can take a degree of abuse such as poor folding or being used to sleep on, which is why after racing the headsails need flaking and bagging up before we leave the boat (and if any get wet they go home with Steve to be dried). Abusing the sails is one of the quickest ways there is of pissing me off. Finally lf you notice any damage to a sail then let Steve know or write it in the maintenance book so that sail can be repaired as soon as possible.

Sibella
Rules the roost at her Riverside Yard which includes the pontoon where Barda lives. Be polite at all times to her and her dogs as she looks after us very well indeed.

Sitting out
To get the best out of Barda we need to keep the boat as flat as possible. If we heel too much then the breeze simply pushes us sideways down the course rather than along it. Once the boat is powered up, and by that I mean we are starting to heel by 10-15 degrees, then before we reduce the power coming out of the rig with the various sail controls we need to be using all the available righting moment, which means you sitting on the rail with as much of your weight as far out as you can comfortably sit.

In light airs you’ll be moving in and out to keep us at a constant angle and this ought to happen automatically. Equally when we go downhill in a big breeze we need to start moving weight to the back of the boat to stop the bows making like a submarine. If this is the case it is entirely acceptable to start screaming like a loon as we get on the plane and look for 20 or more of those wonderfully exciting knots. Yeeha!

Smoking
Don’t smoke down below. I am scared shitless of fire afloat which is why smoking stays up top.

Snoring
If you are sleeping over on Barda then you'll have to get used to it as there are a few on board who can make the shrouds rattle on a windless night - either get horibly pissed, sleep with an iPod or book yourself a room.

Storage for lines & fenders etc.
Lines we use every day along with winch handles are stored in a lightweight crate that lives in the cubby behind the galley. This cubby is also where the boat hook lives along with the fenders and mooring/spare lines (in a second crate). Please try and keep us as tidy as possible.

Personal kit bags should be stacked on the forward half of the port side saloon bench - let’s keep the weight as low and central as possible. To this end whilst racing we need to keep as much gear as we can out of the ‘ends’ so sails go on the saloon floor rather than the forecabin and unused spinnakers live just inside the aft cabin or on the saloon seats if there’s room.

Suggestions
Comments always welcome and if something on the boat is driving you nuts then please have a quiet word with me - I want Barda to stay a happy ship.

Sun glasses
Make sure you have a pair in your kit bag, preferably wrap arounds. Trimming a sail invariably means having the sun in your eyes and without shades it’s a killer.

Sun protection
There is usually plenty of high factor protection aboard and if you feel the need to wear your sun glasses then its time to slap some on. Skin cancer is a real and present threat to sailors and a daft hat not only keeps melanomas at bay but also helps prevent sunstroke.

Sussex Yacht Club
If you find yourself sailing on Barda on a regular basis and don’t belong to the Sussex Yacht Club then I would be really happy to help you join. Without the club we couldn’t race which is why it should be actively supported. Click here for the club website >>

Back to the A to Z menu >>

Go to T >>