Vendee Globe 2016 - Bon Voyage!

[Polux]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

...

There are at least two boats that are IMOCA inspired and built for cruisers. One is Ourson Rapide and the other is something by Elliot, I think.

Argghhhhh. Dreaming, dreamin ... ;-)

b.

There are many boats that are Imoca inspired and built for cruising. It makes sense. One of them is the Pogo 50 but the older one, by the same designers of "Capo di Fora" (and Pogo) is the Cigale/Levrier des mers that was first designed as Finot personal boat for cruising back in the 80's. That is what I call a trending setting boat
Look at this stern on a boat built in the 80's:

http://syazawakh.blogspot.pt/

Today the Cigalle (that is a Levrier with a different interior layout) is still built by Alubat but, maintaining the concept, is now designed by Marc Lombard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbYWHGUcKiQ

[Bleemus]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Francois Gabart is not racing this time around. Bertrand De Broc is skipper of MASCF.

MSCSF and Macif are two different boats and companies. The Macif that Gabart won with in the last race was sold and is now SMA skippered by Paul Meilhat.

Alex has gybed towards Portugal and is going a lot faster than Armel on Banque Populaire right now.

[DDabs]

Polux, what is that first boat you pictured with the D400 wind generator? What a lovely sailboat.

The Spaniard, Costa had to turn around immediately and is still in port it seems at Sables. They had a leaking ballast tank apparently and that had caused electrical failures. Hopefully he can get going soon- that must be tough just sitting there waiting for your crew to fix the boat...

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

For who wants to follow them..

Tracking Vendée Globe 2016-2017

too bad the don't have an overlay of isobars, wind speeds and wave data and stuff...

[Pelagic]

Yes, it would be great if Windy-Tv features and predictions could be overlaid

[DeepFrz]

Tough name. Actually the boat is MACSF according to the Vendee Globe website. I see she was "Votre Nom Autour du Monde" in the last race and "Brit Air" prior to that. I was mistaken when I presumed that she was MACIF in the last race.

[Tricolor]

There is this option..

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

There is this option..

Ah thanks, missed that, better than nothing!

[Polux]

Originally Posted by DDabs

Polux, what is that first boat you pictured with the D400 wind generator? What a lovely sailboat.
..

It is a 16m Levrier des Mers, the first version of the Levrier/Cigale designed by Finot on the late 80's. The last version is the one on the video below that photo.

The boat in question is this one, built by Alubat in 1990:
Lévrier De Mer 16 "Azawakh"
More blogs of owners with sister ships, some having circumnavigated:
http://www.cruiser-racer.com/0000000...-mer-16-Trifon
http://syimagine.blogspot.pt/
http://sygreenflash.blogspot.pt/
http://trifon.net/

The diference between the Levrier and the Cigale is the interior layout, having the Levrier a conventional one while the Cigale has the saloon on the aft par of the boat.

Returning to topic:

The race is at a very interesting point. They have a high pressure center ahead and have to sail around it. There are several options and I bet that in 3 days we will have a much better definition on the head of the race, depending on those strategies.

Meanwhile it is very satisfying to see that there are many sailors and boats with a similar performance and between them Riou, the only one among them without the new foils.

[DeepFrz]

Interesting read about seasickness.

News - Courage and determination - Vendée Globe 2016-2017

[Pelagic]

Good read.
I imagine the first 3 to 4 days of racing stress when your brain and senses are totally on alert to discover latent defects in the equipment, is the worst time to acclimatize

[barnakiel]

There are two nice videos to watch. One by the sailinganarchy people (VG dock walk) that presents all the boats in words of a guy from Safran preparateurs team. The other one worth watching is Dee Cafari commentary during the start. Both available on youtube.

By now they have reached the ridge that was not to be there ;-) The slower ones may somewhat catch up with the leaders who get lighter conditions first.

Interestingly, the early drag race to the Finisterre showed which boats and sailors just sail it and which boats and / or sailors just can't.

Very interesting beginning and a soft start for the fleet letting them find their sea feet and, as Jean put it, the toilet paper.

Hugs,
b.

[Pelagic]

Don't know the Rules, but is this race restricted to Monohull boats only?

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I watched the videos of the start, video 1 live and video 2 later in the day. Now I can't find them. Web TV seems to be blocking them. Is anyone else having the same problem?

Try at VG site. I saw them there about 6 hours ago. The default viewer is dailymotion as this is a French race.

b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Don't know the Rules, but is this race restricted to Monohull boats only?

IMOCA class boats only. VG is a solo, non stop race.

International Monohull Open Class.

'Open box' rule 60' monos with 'monotype keel and mast'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMOCA_60

b.