True Blue is relatively simple; a little boat, with a cabin to sleep in, with a navigation light and some aerials on top, and some solar panels to power anything electrical. 🔋
Beneath the boat, in addition to the rudder that steers it, is a daggerboard and this has played a role in the recent track. 😯
The daggerboard is a simple ‘blade’ that can be slotted in or pulled out of a hole in the deck of the boat. Annasley can row perfectly well with the daggerboard out – in fact with following seas it’s generally better to row with it out because it causes less drag. 👍
For the most part, daggerboards are helpful when the seas are hitting her from the side (which they are), as it helps to keep her on track and stops her being pushed laterally across the waves. Think of it like the difference between wearing ice skates, and slippers on ice. If you are pushed on the side, just wearing slippers, you’ll slide sideways. With skates you’ll stay firm – and in fact any force from slightly behind you will help you move forwards. ⛸️
However the seas were so big last night that having the dagger board in was making a capsize much more likely. Again, if you’re in slippers and someone shoves you on the side, you’ll likely slide away. With ice skates, if you’re shoved hard enough you can’t keep standing, you don’t slide sideways, and you topple over. 💥
Whilst it did mean she struggled to keep a course, it also helped keep the boat the right way up – and that, is something we’re all very glad about! 👍
Throughout this crossing Annasley is raising money for four very important charities; BBC Children in Need, MS Society, The Alnwick Garden, and The Clocktower Foundation – please support her by donating today at: https://lnkd.in/e99k72rV
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