Delivery from Turgutreis to Istanbul

July 27-29 – 2022

Delivery Yasasin Turgutreis – Istanbul
Crew:
Xavier (skipper), Tugce, David, Senol

lexicon
BS: boat speed
SOG Speed over the ground
TWS: true wind speed. TWD: true wind direction
CC: compas course
R1 or R2 or R3: reef1 or reef2 …
J1: solent J3: staysail


Wednesday the 27^th
Plan to leave at 5am the hotel gave us just time to make it with 10min margin, leaving the dock at
6.50am
Already troubled by the starboard foil, we need to do some work on it (sewing).
The wind being rather light and exactly in the nose, it is fine to keep the engine ON for sometimes
Finally we can sail:
Here comes a part of the “logbook”. A little boring to go through, but giving an idea of all the maneuvers we had to deal with.
7.30: hoisting mainsail (1 reef)
7.50: deploy solent – Motor OFF – BS: 12 to 14 kts, TWS: 16kts
Quickly we reach the coast and have to tack
9am: Tack near by Didim
9.30: tack at “Pharmakonisi” Greek island
10am: TWS = 10-16kts On port tack: heading: 27deg
11am tacking to starboard
11.45 Solent  < –  > J3
13.45 R1 < – > R2 . the wind is unstable and picking up
14.05 Tacking to port heading to W Samos
14.55 Tacking to Stb (TWS up to 32knts in the straight near by the island) R2+J3
15.05     “              port (clearing Samos)
15.15 R2 < – > R1 (the wind droppes gently)
15.45 Dodo (16.45) (I finally can rest 30min)

After a nice straight ride with 17 kts average, the wind dies suddenly
17.10 Motor ON – 17.15 Motor Off – 17.30 Motor ON
TWS 3kts TWD N
17.50 TWS 16-19 TWD NNE – J1 + R1
18.00 TWS 24 J1 <-> J3
18.10  Wind dead Motor ON
Hard to figure out what course to take:
Between Cesme and Kios or West of Kios

19.00 Dinner. The weather gets cold, the wind is up and down
Senol finds himself in a deep sleep few minutes.
19.50 Motor OFF
J3 + R1, BS=11kts
Crossing fingers for the wind to hold.

Strange to not have seen more than 4 sailing boats the whole day.
As we are far from land, the 4G connection is not working 100%

Of course, the wind is giving us troubles with ups and downs.
Engine ON&OFF many times, is what we have but at least we are making progress in the right direction.

The choice is made to sail through the passage between Kios and Cesme. We have Northerly wind and it is under sails that we play in this rather narrow straight in a totally dark night.

Senol is not very comfortable with our coming close to land to tack.

After being through, we can sail straight to our next WP, 40miles away.
Early morning, we can see the last Greek island before the Dardanelles.

We are on starboard tack, heading NNW, when the wind begins to pick up slightly.

At 8am, we are under J3 and R2, but the wind continues to climb up, so we go for R3, and later on, take down (roll) the J3. TWS: 35-42knots. We bare away to WSW (downwind) to be able to roll properly J3 which gives some bad signs in the middle battens. The leech is delaminating slowly. Really hard work for David and Senol, thanks to their efforts.
We are on starboard-tack, unable to tack towards the Dardanelles (we will use the engine later)

After 2 hours, TWS is way above 35kts with a nasty chopy sea forcing us to slowdown a lot.

We must use the engine to talk (not to loose more ground again by jybing).
TWS 40+ , the sea is growing, the boat hits with a scary violent chocks the waves so steep and sharp. The Dardanelles are straight in front at about 15miles (CC 70) and the TWD 10-25.

It is unlikely that we will have better conditions for a while. Our BS? 4 to 5 kts as we hit the waves so hard.
To add to our hard navigation, the traffic is increasing more and more as we get closer to the straight. Because of the current against (up to 4kts) , the plan is to stay as North as possible, both to avoid the nasty sea, the current, and the traffic.
As soon as the sea calms down a little, we prepare the ORC (stormjib) to get a little more speed. The shocks remain hard. I wonder how boats can stand so much. We are as slow as possible, and after a serie of waves, our BS goes often down to 1knts. My God, how long is this gonna take?

At 2pm, we are finally in the Dardanelles. The wind is still very very strong and turning East, but the sea is fine so we can accelerate. We decide to sail. That will be about 20 to 25miles beating the wind, crossing the separation-traffic zone several times, slaloming with the traffic. Not easy task to not disturb the big ones.

It is day time so we can do it, but reaching Kanakale, the police does not agree and comes to clearly tell us not to continue. So, ORC down, motor ON, we sail close to the East shore following the green marks (right side going to the Marmara sea).

We are very slow, head to wind, against the current, and a TWS of 35kts average. Yasasin is definitely not made for that kind of sailing.
The night is there right soon we pass the huge new bridge (Çanakkale). Slowly darker and darker until we cannot see, distinguish anything. No moon, lights on the shore, traffic, spray water. We have real difficulties finding out what is what.

After 2 hours (about 9pm), we hoist the ORC again and stop the engine when Senol is getting slighty worried about the diesel-tank level.

Stearing in those conditions is really not an easy task, and David and I relay each other a lot as Tugce finds it tough to maintain a relvant course with an ok speed. But later on, the wind will drop a little more, and we will be able to sail with a reasonable speed and course.
At 3pm, we are able to announce our ETA to the Marina. A last tack onto startboard heading North will be for us the closing chapter of this really tough delivery.
I do not wish that weather to anyone on any boats, but specially on an ORMA, that is not fun at all.
But we did it with minor damages listed here
– rotating system rope to be changed
– ORC halyard broken (replaced under sailing by the “man” halyard)
– J3 with leech damaged

Thank you to all 3 to have been so efficient during that hard trip.
We will remember that sailing 3 days for a long while.

Short video for those interested to see/feel our journey.
click here

 

May 1st: back to sailing

After 2 awfull years not sailing at all, we finally get Yasasin launched, the crew together, and a wonderful weather to celebrate.
It can not be much better.

The week up to the sailing day are set to be top ready.

Wednesday & Thursday: preparation of the boat on land.
Senol has already done an outstanding job, considering the long period (COVID) not using the boat.
In these 2,5 years, he has serviced the engine, checked most of the gear, organised the neccessary repairs needed after the survey we made in January 2020, painted several spots on deck and did a beautiful finish on the foïls and daggerboard, which, unfortunately, should not have been done, as they became much too thick (we had to use many hours to sand them back to the carbon).
On wednesday morning, the mast was basically ready with all the loop in place, shrouds set, halyards deployed.
We still had to install the bowsprit, the navigation-light in the mast just brought from Lorima.
All had to be done so we could be early the next day to not keep the crane too long (ramadan).

Friday
Early morning, we arrived as the crane was already there, getting ready to lift up the boat.
Several “small” jobs had to be done, as well as to secure the boat in the air because of rather strong winds. Lucky we were quite many people.
Quickly we were hit by the 1st foil, which proved the painting was a big mistake.
All our hopes to have the job done fast were definitely trashed.
Finally at the end of the day, everything was in place, mast on, sails on board. It was late but the job was done.

Saturday
Short in people (we were only 3), lots of wind still, we could not set the sails as planned.
The mainsail is way too heavy, so we just put the battens in and folded it on the trampoline.
The J1 (solent) could not be hoisted (much too much wind) so we only got it ready on deck with battens in.
Thanks to the harbourmaster who allowed us to leave the boat at the boatyard. Because of the wind, It would have been “mission impossible” to sail out to our mooring-spot.
The space between the docks is so small that despite the great job to have moved some of the boats, we still would touch some of the mooring-lines from both sides.

Sunday
D-DAY. Our original crew is there, back together after 5 years where we always were missing one or 2. But this time was a great surprise and for sure, we woud get a fantastic day
Back in 2014, Ardic gathered some great people whom sailed on board in Didim, allmost everytime.
And they were on, this 1st of May. So nice !!
Ardic, Gunnur, Gurkan, Ali, Izzet, wow, what a team.

New in 2020

Covid does not stop all

A new “Yasasin” (Powerboat with 800hp) came to cheer up our great Ardic in this sad covid long period, not allowing our ORMA to be lauched this year.

Check it out

V.I.P weekend (Nov 2 & 3)

This 1st weekend of November was very special.

For the very first time, we have managed to gather my 3 brothers Jean-Guillem, Hugues, Sebastien and myself.
Ardic was waiting for that experience and enjoyed every minute of this great sailing despite the very light wind we had in the Bosphorus on Saturday. A wonderful opportunity as as traffic for all ships sailing from/to the Black Sea and the Marmara sea was banned that day for a race to take place.
Not often Senol is not there with us, but for sure he enjoyed spending time with his family that weekend.
The crew: Ardic, the 4 brothers, and lucky us, Sinem and Izzet joined us.

Great fun to be sailing with a bit of wind on Sunday, with rather high speed but quite not enough as we were hoping to clock 30 knots.
Thanks to Sinem for taking the time to shoot all she could with her phone. (see the video below)

1 reef and J1 to clock 28 knots at the top, then not so successful under full mainsail and J1 with a max speed of 22knots in a slightly lighter breeze.
Few minutes with the genaker in light air with the purpose of drying the sail.
Mid-afternoon, back in the harbor, we took down the sails as to be ready to lift up the boat on land mid-november.
Great job from all, with some minor damages though, like the port foïl on a drop down, and a J2 rolling out unexpectedly, thank God, with no damage to follow.
Definitely having a problem with the tack of the genaker hook, we MUST fix that for once and for all.

The season is over, see you next year in April for more fun on board Yasasin.

Click here for the Video of the weekend

Weekend 24th & 25th of August

Saturday (August 24th)
– crew: Ardic, Sinem, Izzet, Batuhan, Senol, X
– weather: light in the morning, increasing NNE through out the day coming by the western area of our harbour

As we dock out, we find no wind or almost. Let’s straighten the rigg which seems more loose than usual.
A 45min work involving everyone (as to make it quick) while we are heading West, to meet the wind as quick as possible.
As soon as ready we hoist the mainsail, then roll out the J1 in a light SW wind totally not expected.
With a bearing of 280 we can see some wind ahead of us, rather strong and from N. As we approach, I decide to roll the J1 and wait to evaluate how strong the breeze will be. In less than 1min, the wind changes then from SW to NNE and right away, we can accelerate to 12-15knots with the mainsail only. To be on the safe side, we roll out our J3, not knowing how strong the puffs will be. Boat speed immediately touching 25knts with more wind to come, we decide to take reef 1.
Great speed but for sure too much for coming back against the wind.
Relaying each other, Ardic and Sinem are enjoying helming. We finally tack as we are getting too close to shallow waters. We are about 35 to 40 miles west of the Bosphorus but our goal is now to reach those islands and back to western istanbul marina on time to being ready for the organized at 6pm. We need to have average 23knots the next 3 hours. Can we make it?
Right after the tack, we take down the mainsail to reef 2 and can now “fly”. The wind is up and down but the speed remains above 24knots all the time. Nice feeling.

click here for media of the day

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Sunday (August 25th)
– crew: Ardic, Sinem, Izzet, Batuhan, Levent, Senol.
Bike, Ardic’s sister, a couple and their 5yrs old son are supposed to join later at sea.

Like yesterday, the wind is very light, and we have a choice to make: either try West again or East right away to welcome Bike and her friends coming on a motorboat.
We struggle the first 1,5 hours to sail the 20miles towards the “meeting point”. We even need to use the engine as the breeze dies or turns 360deg several times.
Finally we can see 2 figures at the speedometer as the wind increases. Our guests are on board and we can have more and more fun. One reef in the mainsail is safer as to not take too much risks. The fun is there and we sail around and around, racing ferries and cargoships.
The record of the day is, so far, the record of the year as we manage a 29,6knots after our guests left Yasasin, under J3 and 1 reef in the main. So nice and enjoyable

click here for the media of the day

Wonderful August sailing (10th&11th)

A windy weekend expected with increasing wind throughout the day, both Saturday and Sunday
For the first time, Giang is joining us, flying from Denmark. After 3 years hearing about this boat, she finally gets a chance to see and feel what is happening on this famous Yasasin’s project. Thank you Ardic for making it happen.
Short crew again that weekend = lots of “sport”

Saturday, August 10^th
– Meeting time 10am at the hotel to taxi to the harbour
– crew: Ardic, Izzet, Senol, Sinem, Giang and X

As you can imagine, we are ready to fight hard to hoist, trim, steer, maneuver and so on.
Lucky us the wind is decent, and we don’t have to worry too much.
We start with 2 reefs in the mainsail and J3. A slight hesitation occurred to begin with 3 reefs but I figured it would be too cautious.
Quickly the wind decreases and we go for reef 1 and J1.
Nice fun with rather high speed, toping 24-26knots and above, “racing” some cargo-ships around, or/and slaloming between some of those ships anchored. Excellent exercise, for sure. Tacking, Jybing, adjusting laylines, choosing proper angles to keep clear …. Great fun. Ardic is concentrated at the helm, smiling and shouting when above 25knots.
Giang enjoys every minute, is not sick, finds her way on the boat and is really eager to work hard, pulling the ropes, turning the winch-handles when ever needed. She has good time, for sure. And with Sinem, they make a great team together both talking and working hard.

click for saturday’s media

– Sunday, August 11^th
– Same meeting time at the Marmara hotel (10am)
– crew: the same as yesterday minus Sinem ( 😦 ) plus 2 of Ardic’s friends coming for enjoying the weather, the speed, the clean air, the company.
Again, 2 reefs in the mainsail and J3. Far enough for toping 28,6knots, record of the weekend held by Ardic.
The wind is not regular so we can take one reef off.

We decide to check out an island Ardic would like to do business on.
As we approach the area, the wind picks up and we really start having fun. Few tacks through the narrow straight dealing both with the shallow water and the boats all over the place and we can accelerate easing off the sheets a little, racing some ferries for the pleasure of their passengers waving, shooting us with their cameras.

click for sunday’s media

 

Short crew on July 26&27

For the first time, Loïc (my son) is joining a training weekend.
Not completely new on board as he was taking part of the delivery back in 2014 from Malta to Didim. A pleasure to having him with us.

Sunshine, light breeze, then wind allowing us to have our usual fun. That was great.
Saturday, a short crew with Ardic, Senol, Sinem, Loïc and myself
Yes, hard work for all, but smile and joy the whole day, followed by a night-walk in Istanbul with a visit of the museum of illusion and a nice dinner (Sinem, Loic and myself)

Sunday
crew: Ardic, Senol, Sinem, Batuhan, Loïc and X
Today we have the visit of one of Ardic’s friend, Mario from Ecuador, and his lady, Angela from Colombia
Again, the weather conditions are perfect and everyone can enjoy the ride at its full.
Thanks for the shots taken that day (videos and photos)

(photos & videos coming soon or later)

July, 13th-14th

Quiet sailing weekend on Yasasin as the weather was forecasting some light rain and breeze.

Saturday 13
With our “short” crew we have lots of work but everything went fine until a tack where the J1 leech caught the leeward 2 spinlocks on the mast and broke them both. So strange how it could happen considering their high position. Strong sail yes, but damaged slightly.
We top almost 19knots but it ismore like 14 to 15knts in average

Sunday 14
Lot more wind that day so we do not need the J1 (lucky because of the little damage)
Not much to talk about. Everything went fine.

A nice weekend. Thank you all

photos-videos to follow shortly

June 1st and 2nd 2019

After a long winter and a full weekend to repair/calibrate the electronic (thanks to Laurent), we finally can enjoy the pleasure to sail at high speed.

Saturday, despite a light wind prediction of the weather forecast, we really can feel the great potential of the boat, with its beautiful mainsail hoisted with no reef.
Fabulous sensations at 25knots in a perfect flat sea.
We have a little minus though, the helm is not smooth and we need to be very concentrated (and strong) to not let us taken by a hard point coming now and then at high speed. We MUST find out what the problem is ASAP.

Very short crew that day, but enough to enjoy every minute.
Ardic, Senol, Izzet, Levent (a new crew) and myself.
Better not forget the 3 scary “stop&Go” occurring at 25knots where the leeward hull AND the bow went way under water surface due to a late reaction bot at the mainsheet and the J1 sheet combine to a no-reaction at the helm. WOW. Bad luck no camera was running ;).
The J1 was replaced by the smaller J3 after the first alert and eventhough, we had 2 more …
The wind picked up in a bay West of our marina forcing us to take a reef (which became 2)

Sunday, the weather forecast announced a very light breeze and so it was from the morning to 2pm where we got a nice NNE of 10-12knots.
Same people as the day before plus Izzet’s gf until Ardic’s sister, Bike, and 2 of their friends joined, sailed by Bike’s motor boat.
A very nice ride with the maxi-genaker topping 20 to 21knots in very safe conditions.

A wonderful sailing weekend, except that we could not trust the B&G auto pilot which seemed to have worked pretty well the previous weekend.

Let’s see what the 15th&16th will have to offer.

Here are some pictures of the weekend
Check out the videos at the bottom

1) Saturday

2) Sunday

 

Beautiful sailing (June 1st & 2nd)

Fantatisk weather that weekend.
Quite short crew but we still can top up 25knots and more

Here are some views of the weekend
1st of June: click here

2nd of June: click here