Roquetta Update
On the one hand it seems
conceited to dare to put pen to paper as a new boy to the Twister
Class,
specially
not
having
just
circumnavigated
the Galapagos Islands or returned from Patagonia. On the other
hand I was tempted to respond to John MacMullen’s plea for
material (“almost any material”) as, on joining the
association he had kindly sent me articles about “Roquetta”,
so I thought there just might be merit in an update.
Past articles about Roquetta
One of the articles concerned the installation of a 1GM10 engine, and another was headed “Roquetta no longer leaks” and concerned work done with Sikaflex 221 to prevent coachroof/deck joint leaks.
Taking over Roquetta in impeccable condition
I found the boat in impeccable condition thanks to Mike and Pamela Hart’s loving attention to her paint and bright work. She looked so beautiful that I felt guilty in changing the emphasis from being an out-and-out cruiser towards having pretensions to compete in Club cruiser racing. I have tried to make all the modifications in such a way as to preserve her vintage charm.
First outing in Roquetta
Our first sail was wonderful. It was in early May from Poole to my mooring at St. Mawes. I was accompanied by a sporting friend, who had been unlucky enough to lose an eye when his tank was shot during the war. Nevertheless he does parachute jumping, beagling, races an X Boat, can recite masses of Hilair Belloc, and is excellent company.
A “Soldier’s wind” allowed us to put into Weymouth, Dartmouth and Fowey for a good night’s sleep at each. Leaving Weymouth, and more so the Dart, we encountered lumpy seas in an onshore easterly 5/6, before turning south for the reach down to Portland Bill and Start point respectively.
I was reassured by how few nasty looking breaking rollers actually broke on board. I was further reassured by how well “Roquetta” coped in the race off Start point, which appeared to be running right up to the rocks, and when I made a mistake. As it was so rough I thought that instead of gybing it would be safer to wear the boat right round and tack. Instead the nose got thrown and we were “in irons” for a few uncomfortable minutes until she got sailing again, enabling me to do a conventional gybe, which is, of course, what I should have done originally. The next few miles past Prawle and Bolt Head were exhilarating but I was glad that I was not trying to go the other way.
All in all we could hardly have had a kinder “shake down” cruise. It gave me every confidence in the boat and “YES”the 1GM10, which still looks brand new, never missed a beat; and “YES” the remedial action to prevent leaks worked and she is a remarkably dry boat.
Overnight in Weymouth
Our night at Weymouth was very cold so I set up a small caravan gas heater with its own self-contained cylinder. It was certainly effective; in fact although the main hatch was partially open we soon had to turn it down for our snug oil-lamp-lit dinner.
Modifications to Roquetta
Down at St. Mawes I set about the modifications. These fall into 3 parts:
Removal of Gear
I took off:
- a heavy anchor
- 30 fathoms of chain ( for which I substituted 5 fathoms of 3/8” chain and 25 fathoms of anchor warp)
- the door between foc’sle and heads; foc’sle cushions ( leaving varnished slats); carpets
- Avon Redbreast and outboard; dodgers; miscellaneous fuel cans and paints etc.
New Fittings
- Sanders mainsail with provision for one reef (never used yet) and flattener
- Sanders Genoa on furling gear with special mark at jib size, where sail strengthened, for as good a setting as possible when blowing too hard for full genoa
- New boom with internal tackle for clew outhaul and flattener. New (40) double action self tailing winches
- New spinnaker pole ends fittings and strops: relocated from coachroof to extended track up front of mast.
It would have been out of keeping to have fitted deck organisers and sleeved through the main hatch coaming to clutches and cam cleats at the trailing edge of the coachroof, and so the spinnaker halyard and pole up-haul are cleated at the mast. The kicker and Cunningham come aft through a good looking Gibb double block which more or less matches the previous varnished wood fitting.
Outstanding jobs for this winter
I had not appreciated that top action winch handles would foul the cockpit stanchion. They will be moved a few inches aft and have support brackets to finish off the lifelines from the pulpit. The short remaining lifelines to the pushpit will have pelican hooks.
A small, easy to remove or replace, open sided box will be fitted to protect the gear/throttle lever when in the astern (sailing) position.
I will try a 2-bladed prop and see if the drop in performance is acceptable, and whether I can work out how to find the “up and down” position for racing.
A delightful first season with Roquetta
At the end of my first season I can say that I am delighted with “Roquetta”. I have slept on board about a dozen times and found her to be comfortable; while in local racing, with her favourable handicap and new sails etc. she more than holds her own on the days when I do not make too many mistakes!
Christopher Hoare, Roquetta