Weta Trimarans - Gusting 25 knots on Shore Racing - Roger Kitchen

Racing at Torbay Sailing Club gusting 25 knots on shore which provided some interesting waves to negotiate.
All the Weta sailors really enjoyed the challenging conditions. Again the self tacking jib performed flawlessly but the skipper has work to do in the agility department. After watching Pete and Blair win the 49er Worlds nearby I have now fitted twin tiller extensions.

[@epodu34]

Wow!! This feeling !!! 💪💪💪🌬️🌬️🌬️⛵⛵⛵

[@Adventure_Bum]

Man that Weta can move. Love it! Looks like a wet boat, lots of spray.

[@ausweta44]

It can go speed up to 20 knots but it's still very stable. Spray guards (DIY or manufactured) are available.

[@Adventure_Bum]

@@ausweta44Sounds awesome! Is there anywhere I could go to hire one or test one out?

[@Pewit35]

​@@Adventure_Bum There are dealers in Melbourne, Sydney and Bundaberg who can provide a demo sail. And about 150 Wetas around Australia whom I'm sure would take you out. Where are you based?

[@ausweta44]

@@Adventure_Bum There are dealers who can provide a demo sail in Queensland, NSW or VIC and the latter also supplies boats and spares to SA. There’s a growing fleet of Wetas at Adelaide Sailing Club including Blake Richter who is the SA rep for AWCA and would be able to provide a demo sail. Contact him at [e-mail]

[@paulhodgkinson1942]

The master at work…play.

[@henrik.fogelin8609]

Great video👍. How is your self tacking jibb set up? Haven´t seen that before😃.

[@WetaTrimarans]

Hi Henrik, you can see our prototype here which works perfectly www.wetamarine.com/news-and-events/sail-world-weta-marine-announce-self-tacking-jib-kit-for-retrofit-or-new-boats/. We will be testing very shortly the new design which you can glue on. More information to follow in the New Year.

[@ausweta44]

Final version is now available from Weta dealers www.wetamarine.com/news-and-events/new-self-tacking-jib-a-game-changer/

[@pakde8002]

It's amazing how fast she gets up to speed after tacking but I would go crazy trying to find a better hull design to eliminate tie constant splashing. Surely these a loss of speed. Can't imagine sailing this boat without a wet suit. But all said I love the way it flies.

[@WetaTrimarans]

Roger is 71, typically you would be sitting right out on the beams, eliminating spray but it was pretty wild that day. Investing in good sailing gear to keep warm is crucial.

[@georgemorris9971]

Ok.................in this video every time Roger tacks, the sail flaps as he goes through the wind and when established on the new close hauled course he has to pull the sheet in. Are we sure this is a self tacker? In the third video he seems to have refined his technique and the jib seems to come across without any attention to the sheets. Furthermore, the Ancient Mariner ( who must now be 73 or 74) seems to have got his bum onto the rail where he is at least partially out of the spray. This video seems to be a much better advert for the self tacker than the first one. Or am I missing something? George Morris (79)

[@WetaTrimarans]

Hi George, this video is with the prototype self tacker which was recessed into the deck. The other video "Destination Sail to Motuihe Island" was the first day of testing with the self tacker. The new self tacker performs flawlessly, almost all new boats ordered now request self tackers installed.

[@georgemorris9971]

Yes, and I think some of the early manoeuvres were gybes rather than tacks - it's remarkable how difficult it is to tell which it is if you're not concentrating. Another thing - sprit mounted cameras always seem to exaggerate the depth of the jib. I am sure I sheet harder than that but perhaps I am wrong. I was out yesterday (ten degrees C!) and tried sailing with the jib a bit freeer and it did seem to be going faster - but then it would wouldn't it? If I hadn't just bought a new furling jib I would have a self tacker but you have no idea how much tax you have to pay for this sort of thing. The good news is that I have now perfected my mainsheet system - 11 years and God knows how much money! For some years now (since the last AC) I have been amusing myself by calling 'Three, two, one, DEPLOY! with a NZ accent at the windward mark. I am now adding ' Board up/down' at the appropriate stage in the manoeuvre! If you know of anyone that might be selling an hydraulic foil kit complete with flight control system, I'd make an offer. Ben probably has a couple but he's probably still in quarantine.

[@johnedwards6857]

Could you share with us details of the camera and mount used in this video.

[@WetaTrimarans]

It's basically a tube mount like this strapped with a bit of tape - www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CAAGPO1515/GoPro-Large-Tube-Mount-AGTLM-001-Compatible-with-A. Camera used is GoPro Hero 8 but any action camera will do. Could be improved however!

[@richardberry7647]

How do you rig the twin tiller extensions? any video for method?

[@luiskitchen6691]

Shortly we will take some photos and write up the best method for doing this.

[@ausweta44]

The best way is to attach the two extensions either side of the tiller with a bolt right through. There are a few methods to prevent the un-used extension from dragging in the water: 1) create a rest for them from a section of conduit tube tied under the tramp with a hook pointing upward poking out from under the tramp on the stern end 2) slide a ring down the tiller extension and tie the ring to the hiking strap on the tramp using shock cord.

[@mandrinvuthaj4543]

25 knots?

[@WetaTrimarans]

Hi Mandrin, it was gusting up to 25 knots that day. I've renamed to clarify. This is where the AC boats are currently sailing.