Aero find a better use for their power winch

by Brett Filby on 23 Aug 2006 The IRC Division at Hamilton Island for the first time has offered a unique opportunity to compare the current crop of new canting ballast boats, the Farr designed Cookson 50's, against the slightly lower rating established fixed keelers.

The three Cookson's, Eoin Fehsenfeld’s brand new Aero, Anatole Masfen’s Pussy Galore and Michael Hiatt’s year old Living Doll, all look very similar sitting in the dock, but Aero has more a taller mast, more sail area and a deeper keel, so she is rated higher. Living Doll for most of this season has reduced her rating considerably by electing to race with her keel fixed.

On Sunday afternoon, Tommy Addis, navigator on board the spanking new Aero hit the dock ecstatic with her performance in the Edwards Island race, 'with the boat sailing around the course without the little annoying new boat breakages of the previous day.'

The sole Aussie onboard continues; 'Aero is still to reach its potential, we are still playing with the systems onboard, with the numerous settings for keel and trim tab combination still being explored, just so many set-up options available to us.'

'One of the key elements to Aero's success is builder and helmsman Mick Cookson with few, more suited, to operating the finger tip controls on each helm station that allows ongoing adjustment to all the systems, that seems to return more speed, the more we play'.

The morning race of Day 3 found the crew of the turbo-charged Aero obviously enjoying the speed a little too much. They suffered the down side of being leading boat around the course, believing the race was a little longer than others racing in their division. This uncharacteristic move dropped them to 12th overall.

The afternoon race again ended in disappointment for Aero, as their early race lead dwindled away with the dying breeze. They sat helplessly close to the finish line, watching the remaining faster finishing fleet almost catch them. Home first, but unfortunately not enough for an IRC prize.

The Reichel Pugh 46 Hardys Secret Mens Business with a morning win and a sound afternoon fourth place, combined with a first and third over the weekend's two races, allowed them to take the division lead from Quantum Racing and Living Doll.

After racing yesterday, the crew of the turbo-charged Aero had the perfect distraction to forget a frustrating day's sailing and their new secret weapon will have them looking good today. It's something none of the conventionally ballasted, older designs have.

The secret weapon? A custom made cocktail blender which attaches to the top of the Cookson 50 power winch - 'voila, drinks are served!'