Or is it a wind powered air plane? You decide:
https://www.facebook.com/martinrclanchas/videos/3691696017525148
What could we do with modern materials and aerodynamic knowledge?
You might need to scroll up the video to get around the facebook promo.
The head of Blokart, Inc, in New Zealand would have come all the way to Maine for the regatta if not for the challenge of travel in these times. But he is offering a great deal on a new Blokart. New Engaland dealer Dave Lussier details the offer:
The folks at Blokart in NZ are aware of this upcoming event in Maine and have decided to generously make an offering to get a fleet started in Maine. The offering we have is if a new kart is ordered with a 5.5m combo mast, a 5.5m sail and a 3.0m sail (both blue), we will throw in a brand new POD and free shipping!
What that would look like for prospective new Blokart buyers would be:
2173 Pro Blokart
780 3.0m sail
955 5.5m sail
882 Combo mast for 5.5m
37 Wind Indicator
69 Ratchet Pulley Block
Free Pod Complete ($476 value)
Free Shipping (estimated at $300)
$4896 Total
I’ve thrown in a Wind Indicator and a Ratchet Block in the list above as these are truly necessities. Bottom line is you probably won’t see a deal like this for a new kart relatively ready to race (minus a 4.0m sail) very competitively.
The 4.0m sail is the workhorse sail used most often in the widest wind range. When it’s blowing <12kts, however, you’ll want a 5.5m sail. Conversely, when it’s blowing >25, you’ll want a 3.0m and maybe even a 2.0m sail too depending on pilot weight. If you race at Ivanpah in the NA’s, chances are you’ll need all your sails with exception of a 2.0m wherein racing might be cancelled >30-35kts. If people can afford two sails instead of just one, but not 3, they usually get the 3.0 and the 5.5 and skip over the 4.0, getting it later when affordable.
The Pod makes the primary difference between the two racing classes: Performance (with Pod) and Production (no Pod). While the Performance class is a tad faster than the Production class, it’s not that significant a difference as you might think. Sometimes a great sailor with a Production setup kart can outsail a Performance sailor that is not a good sailor, for example.
Let me know soon if anyone wants to get a kart before the Maine event in SEP. There is likely time to place an order and have it shipped from the US warehouse in SLC, UT to anyone’s address in Maine before then, pending COVID delays. Before COVID, it was easy to get a kart within a week of ordering.
For payment, any buyer would simply pay me via PayPal, wire transfer, or snail mail check, and I order what you want and it’s shipped directly to their home. They pay for the items and shipping (no taxes).
Some of these topics are easier to talk about vs back/forth on email. So if you have any questions and want to talk about options or anything, feel free to give me a buzz: 401-225-8463
Jeff Kent once said, of some place long ago and far away: “it’s not that far”. Driving in the traffic on I 95 through Bangor the cars begin to drop away, exit by exit. Orono, Old Town and then whoever is still on board after Hermon is, like you, there for the long haul. But time gets compressed when all there is are trees and road. When you finally pop out at Houlton you realize that Jeff was right. It’s not that far.
The wind forecast was for 10-15 NW at Loring yesterday. It was all that and more. There is no video to show because, quite frankly, it was two hands on the sheet nearly all the time. And just like our lakes, a different wind direction creates an entirely different sailing venue. It would go just enough west every now and then to allow fetching the entire runway upwind and then down in one tack. Then it would veer a bit and we’d need to throw in a couple of tacks.
A couple of thoughts regarding the regatta. First, here is the official logo for the event. Please feel free to use it in any way you want: coffee cups, tee shirts, underwear…
Keep in mind that we will be sailing on a race track. We’ll be driving race cars without brakes and without the ability to always point them in the direction we want. If we have good wind we’ll be sailing fast. We will all be familiar with the rule of the road, but the most important one is to do all you can to avoid a collision no matter the burdened vessel. Anticipate the other guy’s move as best you can. If nothing else then bail out onto the grass. I’ve had to do it myself more than once and I’m sailing alone!
There will be a very challenging technical part of the course in an area called the Sideroads. If you look at google maps its a grid of small roads on the west side. This is the view looking down from there to the runways:
You might find yourself short tacking up the hill.
If you are on the roster (scroll down a few posts) and not planning to come please let me know so we can begin to finalize the head count. Conversely, if you plan to come but don’t see your name there let me know and please send in your registration. The Bunker Inn has started to get back to people to confirm reservations; they have been on vacation. We are working on having breakfast catered at the Inn. Nothing fancy, but more on that later. Dinners will be at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center, a fifteen minute drive.
Three weeks to go: is your land yacht set for sea trials?
WHIZZ #19 is available at an excellent level of near completion. Chocks are included as well as much other hardware. Possibility of foam/carbon mast. Springboard just needs shaping and installation of bow chock. Frame, sides and bottom complete. Needs steering, deck and plank. Located in Mass.
Contact Shane at shane@toscanacorp.com and make him a generous offer.
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Here’s a list of all those who are planning to participate in Loring Landsailing 2020, September 11-13. If you are planning on coming but don’t find yourself here, please let me know and send in your thirty bucks asap. On the other hand if you are shocked to learn that you are coming land yacht racing in northern Maine at the absolute best land sailing venue on the planet, then welcome!
BLOKART CLASS
Dave Lussier $ BB Hredocik Zach Bemis Dave Midgely $
LOCKLEY SKIMMER CLASS
Milo Fleming $ Scott Valentine John Ziermann $ Rosemary Barnitz $ Steve Kozloff $ Kate Morrone $ Jim Turner (Cheapskate) $ Tom Nichols
UNLIMITED
Jim Gagnon $ Breck Holladay $ Jeff Kent George Williams $ Dave Silsby Ed Demerest Bill Buchholz $ John Stanton $
RACE COMMITTEE
Karen Binder
Henry Capotosto
Steve Madden $
Don’t forget, safety is job one for all of us. Brush up on the racing rules and, like the guy above, do whatever it takes to avoid hazzards!
