Today we took K2 out for a tow test with one of the two K1 rudders (white rudder) that we modified for use on K2. We towed in a straight line while slowly accelerating to 22 knots, then stopping and slowly accelerating again. We attached the tow rope to the chair so we could record load data for this exercise. We then launched the kite near Treasure Island and kited briefly with Michael Specter from the New Yorker, who joined us again. The wind was very low, and we had trouble keeping the kite aloft, but we were able to both launch and sail in about 6 knots of wind. We also saw some more of the Youth America’s Cup […more]
A successful test today, kiting between Treasure Island, Richmond, and Berkeley. Wind was as low as 6 knots near Richmond, but further south we had the same great wind conditions as Monday, with much less traffic on the water, and we hit a top speed of 29 knots heading back toward Berkeley. Jamie joined us on the Protector for real-time data monitoring.
A brief tow test today. We mounted a Hemisphere GPS compass on the stern pole in order to compare readings with the Airmar to aid in compass calibration. At the beginning of the test, we towed the boat in two circles at about 5 knots, then towed to Treasure Island to look for wind, where we towed the boat in two 23-knot circles. After finding no wind, we circumnavigated the island and towed in two more 5 knot circles on the way home. Jacques Vincent and Paul Larkin joined us on this test. We again used Paul’s headsets on K2 and the Protector, with mixed results.
Today we took K2 out with the repaired rudder to sail with Jacques Vincent. We kited farther from home than usual, almost to the San Mateo bridge, but we had trouble with the electronic ride height adjustment malfunctioning. We returned to dock by manually adjusting the T-foil ride height, and we will test again tomorrow with Jacques after repairing the electronics. We also used Paul Larkin’s headsets again–one boom mic (Don), two ear mics (Joe and Jacques), and one throat mic (Paul on Protector). Jody Culbert joined us on this test as well.
