After the elation of seeing Ecover arrive safely here in the UK and the wonderful naming by HRH at the Southampton Boat Show we have had to turn our attention towards the final completion of the boat. While Hakes have completed the structural shell and primary systems much still remained to be finished. This together with some small problems that became apparent in our very early sailing trials has preoccupied our attention over the past few weeks. It has been a frustrating time as we are all just dying to get out and sail the boat properly, no one more so than myself but one thing after another has so far restricted us from doing anywhere near as much sailing as we need or would like.
The boat has performed really very well in these early sailing trials, but quite a bit remained to be completed or repaired, amongst other things - some leaks mainly in plumbing or ballast most of which we are now fixed ( we hope) plus, various ancillary systems such as water makers, fuel tanks, water tanks, bilge pumps and heaters have now been fitted and the electrical system is now nearing completion. What remains, is to test all this work and the various new bits and begin to get to know what the boat can do out in the open ocean. So far, we have completed no more than 5 days sailing - and, it has to be said - this is not nearly enough for a boat that in two weeks time is due to race unaided 4500 miles to Brazil.
The technical team comprising Matt, Tim, Martin, Westy and Steve have been putting in some fairly ungodly hours to get the boat as race ready as is possible, this is an enormous task for such a diminutive team although we are supplemented by many of our loyal suppliers who support the team so well, notably Alastair from Diverse Electronics, Vincent and Sarah from our riggers Blew Stoub, Bruno from North Sail (France) and Banana's from Southern Spars.
I have frequently heard the IMOCA 60's called the Formula One's of the sea, hmmm, certainly in terms of innovation and some of the technology this may well be true but in so many ways the operation of two disciplines is very different. For instance it is a fact that a racing yacht operates in a much more complex environment and as a result - and this may surprise some, a current IMOCA open 60 is probably more complicated than a current F1 race car - meanwhile our technical support team - even with our active suppliers support can be counted on two hands whereas a similarly placed F1 team would number into the many hundreds!
The fact is, even if we had a hundred people I doubt we could have prepared the boat any quicker or better - in fact I am quite sure it would be a mess! Still it is a pleasure to be such a close part of seeing such a boat develop towards her final form. I am sure Ecover will be a truly fantastic boat - I just hope she will be a fast fantastic boat!
With so little testing time on the water there is no doubt that our TJV will be a voyage of discovery!
Bring it on!
