Shania now safe in Portugal

[tidalstreams]

Hi All, we are now in Porto. The crossing of Biscay from Cork (ireland) was not very pleasant. We sailed out to Long 11 and set off direct to cape finnestaire. We were hit by two gales. Anyway we made it in the end but arrived in Nth Spain for shelter and a rest. We slowly moved down the coast to where we are now via Anchorages and Marinas. At present we are having the main Sail repaired and have removed the Boom Vang and have put up a topping lift instead. ( shania was the first Cat that we have seen with a Vang on) We are also altering the cut of the Storm Jib/Tri Sail so it is a little smaller and easier to handle. She sails realy well apart from wind on the nose up to 40 degrees.
Shall try to keep you all informed and upto date.
Yours aye

[Roger]

What is the reason for removing the vang/kicker?

I think you will find you do need something to keep the boom down and stop the mainsail twisting when you are off the wind.

Catkin actually has a detachable downhaul on the boom which clips with a caribiner onto an eye on the deck (obviously also will help to prevent an accidental gybe)

[tidalstreams]

Hi we removed the Vang for many reasons, here are some of them.
1   It intrfered with the winch handle
2   It realy did prevent us from forming a good bent sail
3   It was UGLY
4   We sailed for 6.5 years on a Dean Cat with no Vang and she was easier to handle and faster.
5   If we want to prevent the boom from fising we just use the preventer which is permanantly attached to the boom.

I must say it is/was the first Cat that we had seen in 40+ years of sailing with a Vang.

[tidalstreams]

Well thats it the sail maker came and refitted the repaired main-sail and the newly cut try-sail/storm jib is terrific.
Nice to know if any of you out there are ever in Lexious Marina that the Sail Maker is efficient and not expensive. His price for all the work was half of his original quote which was also a reasonable quote.

We shall be moving on in about 5--10 days depending on the weather.

We have had many admierers of Shania and it makes us proud to be the ownwers.

More reports on this site as we progress

[shania]

tidalstreams,
we are glad that Shania's kept you both safe and well and continues to do so...we eventually purchased a Bavaria 44 and decided to work her commercially, taking cruises, training etc.. whilst using her privately we found that baby Iain doesn't like the motion of keel boats, so watch this space...you never know we may eventually head back to 2 hulls or 3.  Take care guys and a safe voyage.

Stephen (ex-shania owner).