Submitted by Tim Bizzey on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 20:38

This has to be the last of my reports of our winter’s copper coating saga. The work was finished in January and Storm Petrel was back in the water, rigged and ready to go in good time for the February Fast Cruise, but as the March FC hove into view we were looking to consolidate our February victory.

Much to our surprise we were in the prizes again. Now, the question is whether our improved results were due to our performance as a finely honed racing team or whether our investment in this new technology had given us the edge we had obviously gained. We also have to admit to having invested in a folding prop as well but please do not tell the handicappers any of this.

Moody yachts are not renowned for their speed although the S38 was designed to be a genuine cruising performer, one of the reasons for buying her.

For a yacht of that size and dimensions to achieve 10 knots through the water on one occasion and a consistent eight to eight and half knots in steady wind through these two fast cruises one is forced to the view that the smooth hull and folding prop has given us a definite turn of speed that we would not have otherwise had.

What do you think? We will not bore you on the subject any more, nor are we a selling agent for copper coat!