21.-23.04.2012 Impressions from "Çeşme Spring Cup"

In Çeşme we had to race in a new crew configuration with two "Guest Stars" from İzmir because Anette and Alex were not available. Thanks to "Özer the Great" and "Dr. Yalçın" from İzmir for their unselfish support and fun. It needed the first racing day and the "offshore" course around Boğaz Adası (Island) to get accustomed.

After a good start and a proper upwind leg our performance ceased strongly after rounding the Island. Bad luck caused the spinnaker to drop into the Aegean wet during the set after the halyard shackle released from the head of the sail. After a minute or two trawling we got it in again.

The next attempt using the genoa halyard gave us hope just until we had to realise that we entangled the spinnaker so efficiently that even after minutes (which seemed like hours) and another attempt to re-set we could not get it clear.

In a fresh southerly breeze of 16-20 kn our competitors passed us easily and we lost a mile or so on them. Finally not more than a third (of four yachts) in the IRC1 fleet was the result of our efforts.

Day two in a southsouthwesterly of 6-10 kn outweighed the catastrophic Saturday. The best start of the field, a proper upwind leg and ballooning successfully made us win the triangle course and even beat our most difficult competitor "Ladies First", a First 40,7. Unfortunately dieing wind perevented a third race.

Consequently we had to accept the second place as the deserved result for the series and we brought another cup home.

Xtreme is safe and well back in Teos. Took some  7 hours "steaming" the 37 miles back home. We have seen the Aegean rarely that calm.

14.04.2012 Record Breaking on the Way to Çeşme

Against all odds: Xtreme is in Çeşme - ready to race the Çeşme Spring Cup next weekend. The weather report promised 30 knots southeasterly, gusts of 42 knots. And we got it: 30-36 knots, seeing 44 knots windspeed in severe gusts.

Cautious as we are we left Teos with Genoa 3 and two reefs in the main. 15-20 kn from southsoutheast let me think very shortly if we should shake out a reef. But, with the wind continuously gaining strength, we changed from G3 to the storm jib at 30 kn windspeed. We surfed with up to 18,7 kn down the waves - new record!

At Karaabdullahburun, the cape south of Çeşme we doused the main in a thunderstorm after a gust of 44 kn. The stormjib alone was still enough to reach 7-8 kn boat speed and 10 kn in a surf down the impressive aegaean waves.

Approaching Çeşme the first thing we saw were several freighters and a big tugboat which were lying at anchor in Tekne Koyu, the Bay south of Çeşme, in search for shelter from the bad weather conditions. Are these professionals cleverer than us?

As if we were not wet enough, is started heavily raining when we entered Çeşme Harbour. Happy to be in the safe port, we were really angry at the mooring service who left us waiting nearly half an hour until berthing us.

A creative solution with the storm jib as protective cover made it possible to enter the boat, change clothes and get everthing neat and dry again. Some "Meze", the famous Turkish starters and salad and one-two beers were sufficient reward for us this evening and we went to sleep early - a good deep sleep that we deserved.

Sales Price: 62.000 €

Xtreme is a fully equipped cruiser-racer ready for familiy cruising or IRC/one-design racing. The equipment is conforming to the class rules. The Boat was vice champion in the X-99 world championships 2004 under her former owner.

In the Marmaris Race Week 2010 Xtreme finished 4th in the IRC2 fleet. In the local races of the EAYK (Aegean Offshore Yacht Club) Xtreme finishes generally 1st or 2nd. Until 2006 she has been used on freshwater only (Lake Constance) and has only been launched for some races. The boat is in Turkey since 2006 and races from time to time since 2010. On our webpage www.xtreme-sailing.com you can find race rsults and additional photos.

Specification:

Type:              X-99 MkII, X-Yachts Danmark
Hull No.:          568, sail no. GER568
Built:                2001
Flag:                German
Location:         Sığacık/İzmir - Turkey

IRC:                0,996 (2012 certificate available)

VAT:               EU VAT paid

Dimensions:

Length:            10m
Beam:             3m
Draft:              1,75m
Weight:           2980 kg
Ballast:            1300 kg

Main:               32,2 m²
Genoa 1:         30 m²
Genoa 3 (jib):  20 m²
Spinnaker
(class):            78 m²
Spinnaker
(reacher):        62 m²
Storm Jib:       8,5 m²

Hull:

Glass fibre reinforces polyester sandwich, Divinycell core
Stainless steel girder frame
Bottom finishing 3x Epoxy, 2x Antifouling
Tiller steering

Engine:

Engine Type:  Volvo MD2010
                        Volvo Saildrive membrane (sealing) renewed in 2011
Power:            10 hp
Op. Hours:      no operation hours meter, regular annual maintenance performed

Fuel cap.:        25l
Water cap..:    40l

Electrics:

Batteries:        2x 12V, 55 Ah, 1x engine, 1x elektronics/light

Rigging:

Nordic Masts 7/8 aluminium mast and boom
2 spreaders
Runners and checkstays
Aluminium spinnaker pole

Sails:

1 Main sail North for training/cruising
1 Main sail North 2004 only used for racing
1 Main sail Hood (Q-Sails) 2011
2 Genoa 1 North for training/cruising
1 Genoa 1 North 2004 only used for racing
1 Genoa 3 Segelwerkstatt Stade for training/cruising
1 Genoa 3 North 2004 only used for racing
1 Genoa 3 Hood (Q-Sails) 2011
1 Storm Jib Doyle Raudaschl 2006
1 Spinnaker (max. class) North 78 m2, 0,75 oz. for training/cruising
1 Spinnaker (max. class) North 2004, 78 m2, 0,75 oz. only used for racing
1 Spinnaker (reacher) Q-Sails 2010, 62 m2, 1,5 oz. only used for racing

Elektronics:

Raymarine ST60 wind, log, depth sounder, electronic compass
On mast bracket 1x compass, 1x graphic, 2x multi displays
Below companionway 1x Windlupe, 1x Tridata
Fixed remote control
Raymarine autopilot ST 1000
VDO MAP 7c GPS plotter
Raymarine VHF Ray 54E
JVC CD radio

Deck Equipment:

Andersen winches 2x halyard/sheet, 2x runner
Lewmar One-Touch winch handle 2x
Titan winch handle 2x
Frederiksen main and genoıa travellers
Harken main sheet blocks
Harken spinnaker blocks
Spinlock halyard stoppers
Kaya GP Rock Dyneema halyards (main, genoa, spinnaker) new, 2011/2012

Safety Equipment:

Suunto compass
Plastimo Offshore Valise life raft 6 pers
Life ring with light buoy
Radar reflector
2x fire extinguisher
1x admirality anchor 15kg, anchor rode and chain lead
1x “Bruce” anchor 10kg

Other Equipment

6 berths
Detachable table
Detachable cabin door
Blakes LAVAC vacuum toilet
2 flame gas stove
Genoa sheets
Spinnaker sheets and equipment
Fenders
Mooring lines
Boom cover
Users manual

Extras:

Additional berths under the cockpit
Detachable cabinets

                                                   Contact

10.03.2012

Xtreme is launched - and looks like new! Fresh antifouling, the seams of the teak deck are filled again and everything is polished and shiny. Xtreme is alive as usual and was happy to do her first sail in 26-32 kn northerly. Watch some more photos.

10.02.2012

Xtreme is proud to adorn the homepage of her Turkish Club EAYK. The EAYK is a Club with utmost hospitality with an activity centre in Sığacık/Teos. They organize races in the İzmir Region.

04.02.2012

Time for hibernation. Not a long time, and we will back on the sea. Just some three weeks. No way to pass the winter without the necessary maintenance. The underwatership turned into a biotope. So it needs some new antifouling. The obligatory engine checkup. Positively Xtreme is not a motor boat. However our small 10 hp Volvo is a safety device. Hope to see you again soon in Teos or the Aegean.

06.01.2011

We were fighting the elements on 17.12.2011 while Rico Besserdich shot this nice and exciting series. To read some more about the the shooting please visit Ricos page:

http://www.maviphoto.com/4237/xtreme-sailing/ 

Contact him if you are around İzmir and in need of photos of your yacht. See also our gallery for the highlights. The season ended, the season has just begun. Just one week until the next training.

17./18.12.2011

The last event of the season 2011 was the Çittur Cup of the EAYC in Sığacık. (Un)fortunately the Saturday race was abandoned due to 30-33 kn Southerly with gusts of 36-40 kn. The race commitee decided for grilling and a backgammıon tournament. We decided for "xtreme" sailing. Thanks to Rico Besserdich it has been documented in an exciting photo series. See here for now only the appetizer. Evening programme as usual. The octopus in the "Liman" Restaurant is severely recommended.

Sunday offered good conditions apart from heavy rainshowers on the final leg. SW 4-5 Beaufort. We had a nearly perfect start - just a few seconds early. But that we realized slightly late due to some VHF misunderstanding. We corrected our "premature" start by rounding the buoy and started our race to catch up. We caught two of our three competitors in the IRC2 group befor the first mark. However the first was uncatchable and we finished second. Not unbeaten, but we are looking back on a successful season. Happy new year to everybody. See you soon.

03./04.12.2011

Spring conditions in December with 16-18 degrees, SW 2 on Saturday and SE-S 3-4 on Sunday gave us the opportunity for a last training in this season. Erdener joined us as a new member with "0 km" experience. Consequently best conditions to make a fundamental practicing. Basic seamanship, knots, setting and dousing the white sails, tacking and gybing. In the evening some theory about the directions a boat can sail and the aerodynamic secret why a boat can sail towards the wind. Even Rakı and octopus were accompanied by reefing knot practicing. In a nutshell a compressed programme.

On the other hand we used this weekend to remove all "slowing factors" like algae and barnackles from the underwatership to be prepared for the final race on 17th/18th of this month. Amazing that the season lasts longer than the antifouling. Have a look for some more photos.

12./13.11.2011 EAYK DTO Cup

1st in IRC2

In strong conditions the Xtreme Sailing Team achieved another victory. On Saturday we went to the racing area, but 30-35 knots northerly prevented that the race committee could set up the starting line. The anchor of the committee boat dragged. After waiting an hour in the starting area surfing up and down the race was abandoned.

Sunday offered similar conditions with 28-30 kn, gusts up to 35. The commitee checked the conditions and prepared the course, then called us out to the starting area. Genoa 3 and the main with two reefs were the sails of choice. The course was shortened to one up-and-down leg, consequently a good start was essential. Our club comrades were “helpful” by leaving lots of space for us to start at the preferred starboard side of the line, at the boat at the gun. Thanks for that. A slight mistake picking the actually correct tack to the right a little early made us round the windward mark second in the fleet but first in the group.

We made the best of the situation and had enough courage to hoist the spinnaker on the downwind finish leg. Unfortunately we could not lay the finish line on starboard gybe. Before the gybe we doused the spinnaker to reduce risk, gybed and finished second in the fleet, first in the group IRC2.

27.10.2011

Xtreme "modeling" on the invitation of the EAYK-DTO-Cup - we will participate!

22./23.10.2011

"Ready to Tack"

Exercising in "race configuration" was the best preperatiion for the EAYK race in November. The sun accompanied us the whole weekend. Northerly force 4-5 offered good conditions for some spinnaker training on Saturday. Sets, gybes, douses, sometimes challenging but always lots of fun. Both Lewmar spinnaker sheet blocks cracking nearly at the same time and at the leeward sheet surprised us. They were even not really old. Let's see how the ten year old Harken blocks will do which I had in spare.

The last hour of daylight we used for some rigging maintenance. In the evening the team spirit was fostered with (Do you think it is getting boring?) Octopus, Meze and Rakı.

Sunday offered us after a morning calm a strong notherly breeze of 22-27 knots - 6 Beaufort. A little to much for efficient spinnaker training. We put in two reefs to go easy on the material, exercised tacking in different crew configurations and rounding the buoy. By the way, the weather reports did not promise more that 8 knots wind. This is Sığacık. For more photos click here.

08./09.10.2011

Autumn has come, even in Aegean. We are preparing for the EAYK races in November and December. A horrible weather forecast nearly let us cancel the training event this weekend. But we did well not to do so. Saturday sun and 4-5 Beaufort from S-SW - "Lodos" - best conditions. Genoa 3 and two reefs in the main was the right choice for our shorthanded and still learning crew of two. No need to operate the "bothering" runners. Tacking and gybing - our new crew members get more and more self-assured. The standard evening programme... It started raining at 22:30 h, but a sunshade did a good job as umbrella.

I woke up on Sunday at six o'clock. The rain was drumming at the boat's side and storm was howling in the rigging. Xtreme heeled at her berth in the well protected marina. I went to sleep again and thought shortly what the day will bring.

We woke up around nine and had a hefty breakfast. The wind was fine, a little gusty and it was....grey but dry. We decided to put out to sea for another training session. Right decision to use the opportunity for more practice in medium heavy conditions in a southwesterly of 5-6, again G3 and two reefs are the sails of choice. Tacking, gybing and simulated mark roundings, luffing and falling off under white sails. At one o'clock it started raining, thank god we are waterproof.

In a nutshell another beneficial and fun training session.

17./18.09.2011

"Raising the New Generation" was the motto of last weekends training. We had an intense tack and gybe training on saturday in northerly winds of 5, sometimes 6 Beaufort. Not really weather for detailed introduction in function and trim of the boat. But a good opportunity to understand the importance of flawless performance. Be it the runners or the jib sheet trim, be it gybing the main or understanding the forces on sheets. A "lunchbreak" anchoring in the cove "Demirciliman" was not only an opportunity to relax, swim and dive, but also clean the underwatership from algae and barnackles. See some more photos here.

Sunday offered us northerly winds starting at 5 Beaufort continuously decreasing to 2.
240 degrees, the bearing to "Gökliman" Cove. A kind gesture to our youngest crew member, my son Peer Ole (8) who insisted that he wants to anchor and swim. The wind conditions made us reef in and out. The 7 1/2 nm broad reach leg gave us a lot of time to explain the task and functions of each line, especially the trimlines for the main and the backstay. We studied the effect on the sail profile shape and depth. Anchoring at Gökliman, swimming and lunch to relax. Unfortunately the water quality is negatively affected by the fish farms at the entrance of the cove.

The return needed engine support as the wind backed and died to SW 2. Somehow dissatisfying, but we had to do it with regard to our travel back to Bursa. Looking forward with high motivation to the next training event to prepare for the race on 12./13.11.2011.

27.08.-01.09.2011

After two months of total sailing abstinence finally back on the water. A nice "Triple F" - fast and family friendly - cruise to Kuşadası and Pythagoreio/Samos. On our first leg we planned to stay in the Doğanbey Bight some 10 miles SSE of Teos. But when the northerly backed to SW and strengthened to >20 kn it provided no safe anchorage. We decided to continue to Kuşadası. The night aproach was no problem.

Three adults, thee children, consquently worlds biggest family waterslide in Kuşadası was the right choice: 298 m on a raft with four persons and some more attractions at Adaland. Well equipped with fishing rods and bait we had every evening fresh fish on the table. Peer Ole was the most successful.

We checked out at Kuşadasi and headed for Pythagoreio/Samos. Todays prey was a 700g Bonito. Pythagoreio is the birthplace of famous Pythagoras - you remember? The guy with the right angled triangle. A nice small town with a beautyful church, a castle and some craftsmanship and artworks shops. We had a tour around the Island to Samos and Karlovası. But time was two short for culture - fishing had preference for Tamer and the children. On the return to Kuşadası we got caught by a calm abeam of Cape Gatos and had to use the "iron genoa".  Increasing and veering wind from WSW2 to NNW6 and gusts of 7 provided a tiring eight hours return to Teos. Reefing in and out, changing headsails from G3 to stormjib and back. Tacking in changing winds along the shoreline gave us a final challenge. The dinner at our regular haunt "Liman Restaurant" with grilled octopus and rakı was a proper reward. Having a chat with the local fisherman Hasan was another unforgettable experience - a little sad that he expects that we will run out of fish within the next ten years. Now looking forward to the next training and the Samos Race.

20.08.2011

Bad news: Xtreme will not participate in Çeşme this weekend. She is waiting impatiently to move and move fast, but unfortunately some buisness keeps us from sailing since a while. Looking forward to the next event impatiently.

It was a cool weekend!

25.-27.06.2011

EAYK Çeşme Chios Sailing Event

Saturday we left Çeşme Marina with 19 yachts nearly altogether at noon bound to Chios Port. Thanks to Yaşar Ateş from Ateş Marin for checkout services. After an hour of sailing we arrived. Leisure time, beer, shopping for mastika and  a friendship dinner with buzuki and sirtaki rounded up the program. Saturday night we moved Xtreme from the south pier to the north pier: 35 kn onshore wind and half a metre waves in the port. But still a lot of fun together with the delicacies of the island. I certainly can not recommend the octopus, but everything with mastika and tasty sweet pastries. Unfortunately the race from Chios to Çeşme on sunday has been abandoned due to a northerly up to 30 kn. Consequently just "safety sailing" back to Çeşme. Good sailing conditions especially on the return from Çeşme to Teos Marina, but a hard beat with 28-30 kn from norhteast past Teke Cape. The Siğacık Bay turns always out as a windy corner!

11./12.06.2011

Xtreme is ready to race in Çeşme, waiting for the Chios Cruise and Race Event of the EAYK on 25./26.06.2011. We started from Sığacık with a light southweterly - exactly on the head! After the wind died completely we lowered the sails and used the break for swimming and cleaning the propeller and the hull underwater. Finishing our unplanned stop we had to use the "iron genoa" until Teke Cape. Past Teke Cape we received a fresh northwesterly of 4 to 5 Beaufort - exactly on the head! Fine upwind sailing with tactically successful tacks under the coastline. During the transfer from Sığacık (Teos) to Çeşme we dropped by in Alaçatı.The evening we spend as a team in Dalyan Village on the Çeşme Peninsula. The waterfront with it's fish restaurants offered aegaean delicacies.

On Sunday morning we had an onboard breakfast and left Alaçatı around 10:00h. After having left the Bay we hoisted sails and close reached with a northerly of 10-14 kn towards the "corner" south of Çeşme. One tack was enough in spite of slightly veering wind to lay Çeşme harbour.

Luckily a thunderstorm and some rain reached the coast after we had cleared up. See some photos in our gallery.

28./29.05.2011

Sometimes it is good to remember the cruiser qualities of the X-99. "Triple F", fast and family friendly. Unfortunately Saturday with thunderstorms did not allow us to sail with the family. So we just cleared up the boat and the small ones explored the marina - and liked it. In the evening we had the chance to meet our friend Peter "Eggat" Meyer in Alaçatı, owner of the company Boatyard Solutions who had a press event and photo shooting with Bavaria Yachts.

Meze, the famous starters and delicious grilled octopus, a fine "double" of Rakı at our favorite Restaurant "Kalamata" filled the holes in our stomachs. The obligatory Turkish Coffee with "sakız" - mastic - rounded up the dinner. A lot of memories of the "Magier" times (for insider) were exchanged.

Sunday we got up early. After a tasteful breakfast at "University 2" we used the fair weather with a northerly of 10-15 kn for a discovery tour to the cove Demircili Liman. Good for a day trip. Before returning to Bursa we took a tour through the "Cittaslow" Sığacık. After a stroll over the organic bazaar and "Gözleme" - a kind Turkish pancake - with herbs we had to get on the way back to Bursa. Find some more photos soon in our gallery.

22.05.2011

The results are out! Congratulations Rico, even being only about an hour and without having much conversation, the fotosession with you last wekend was a lot of fun. Good shots. See a preview on Ricos homepage. You will find more photos within short in our gallery.

Thanks again very very much to Rico Besserdich, the excellent under- and from now on also above water marine photographer. Thanks also to the team of Teos Marina who provided a zodiac boat with "captain" for this event.

14./15.05.2011

Without having the results of the second photosession with Rico Besserdich - the spectacular action photographer - yet, we can report an intense training weekend in best conditions. Sailing in t-shirt and shorts the first time this year, we used the northnorthwesterly at a force of 12-20 kn for exercising tacking, spinnaker hoisting, gybing and dousing.

On Saturday Rico Besserdich accompanied us on a zodiac and documented our activities. Thanks to the Teos Marina Management for support. We are waiting impatiently for the results.

Skipper

20.04.2011

Yacht Photo-Shooting with the Xtreme Sailing Team

Please see the results of the first session "On Board" of an exciting photo shooting with Rico Besserdich, the world class underwater photographer who turned up to be gifted above the surface as well. Happy that we had you on board, Rico. Thank you so much for the photos and your support of our campaign.

16./17.04.2011

We left another fruitful excercising weekend behind. Fun and focus to get the new crew members on level. Tacking, spinnaker handling and basic spinnaker maneuvres were the main items on the agenda - followed by a "feedback" round with "Meze" and "Rakı" in our hangout "Liman Restaurant". Check out the grilled octopus!

On saturday perfect conditions on a sunny day with a northerly, 12-18 kn. Besides two candidate crew members from İzmir we had two guests with us. The famous underwater photographer Rico Besserdich took some on-deck photos and we wat impatiently for the results.

In contrast to any weather forecast we had very similar wind conditions on sunday. Just the sky was mostly cloudy, but the occasional slight rain could not wet us.

In a nutshell yet another efficient and full fun training event.

12.04.2011 Raising the Next Generation

Today we performed a theory training for the younger part of the crew. Basic sailing principles, aerodynamics, boat preperation and boat handling were the items on the agenda. Our target is not only to perform, but to know why we are doing the things we do. The theory support of our practicing will be continued.

But not to forget that it is all about fun. Conversation and some delicacies must not be missing.

Looking forward to put the new knowledge into practice next weekend.

13.03.2011

We are proud that the EAYK put our picture on the race advertisement for the Footnotes Karetta Cup. Certainly we will participate.

27.02.2011

Xtreme achieved the annual target already on the first race winning the EAYC Teos Marina Cup in the IRC2 class. We raced on a 10 mile triangle course with a northnorthwesterly breeze of 20 knots with gusts up to 28 knots.

After the start close to the jury boat on the advantageous starboard side of the line we were 4. in the fleet, but could leave two of our competitors behind easily.

We rounded the windward mark as second of and fought hard with a Grand Soleil 40 throughout the triangle. The inside position at the leeward mark assured a second position. Then we increased the gap to our competitor on the following upwind and the downwind spinnaker leg towards the finish.

Best conditions let us cross the finishing line as second of 24 boats, nine minutes behind the IRC1 Yacht "Fat Lemon", a First 40.7.

26.02.2011

After a windy trip from Alaçatı around Teke Cape and across Sığacık Bay Xtreme reached her new home port Teos (Sığacık). The last two hours upwind sailing at around 30kn northerly wind were quite tiring. The effort has been rewarded by the birthday dinner of Anette with Meze and Rakı in the "Liman Restaurant" at Teos Harbour. It is really recomendable. The grilled octopus is delicious.

Teos/Sığacık is the new activity center of the EAYK, the Aegaean Offshore Yacht Club and hopefully soon a new center of yacht racing in Turkey.

22.02.2011

Next weekend we will make the third attempt to transfer "Xtreme" to Sığacık. Strong "Lodos", southwersterly >30kn prevented us to go End of January. And an engine breakdown forced us to return after an hour or so last weekend. But now it is repaired, the crew is ready and the season can start next weekend at the Teos Marina Cup.

21.02.2011

We received our new IRC measurement certificate. The certificate is new but the rating remained unchanged at TCC 0,996.

22.01.2011

Xtreme is launched - and looks like new. Ready to race!

Teos Marina

08.01.2011

Today I "explored" Siğacık (İzmir) and the Teos Marina. The final decision is made. Xtreme will move to Sığacık as it will be the activity and racing base of the EAYK - the Aegaean Offshore Racing Club. And consequently it will be ours. Sığacık is the former antique settlement Teos. You find ruins of the Dionysos temple a foot walk south of the marina. See more photos here.

Getting Lifted

In nice weather (actually sailing weather: N 3-4, 13 degrees Celsius, no clouds) we hoisted Xtreme ashore for some hull and engine maintenance. Relaunch and season start will be on February 22nd. Keeping hibernation short elongates the season - and has a positive economic effect.

20.11.2010

Xtreme is back in her home port - in Alaçatı. Thanks to Anette and Alex who made this happen.

29.10.2010

We overreached the target of this season with three cups on the Marmaris International Race Week.

The inshore triangle course on the first day started postponed in light to moderate air. An average start, but a proper upwind strategy brought us to the windward mark in the leading group with all options open. While sailing with southeasterly wind to the gybe mark we tried to push Xtreme leeward towards Marmaris as the wind calmed to windward. Unfortunately only minutes later all boats that had stopped windward in the "oil" received a new breeze from southwest to reach the gybe mark in an unreachable position in front of us. This was not repairable and we ended up in 6th position of 18 participants in the group IRC2.

The second race was a 25 mile offshore course in moderate to fresh breeze from easterly directions, later from south. We found our gap at the starting line, but reached the line in the second row with insufficient boat speed. An (e)xtreme tack close to the rocky shore of Alkaya Cape brought us the necessary clear air and we could start to do our thing. In shifting wind up to 30 degrees our expectation that it is advantageous to stay close to the shoreline turned out right. We rounded the mark as fourth in our group. On the following beam reach that turned later on into a (very) close reach our modern competitors with bigger, asymmetric spinnakers or genakers had an advantage and some were able to pass us some minutes elapsed. Still the distance was sufficient to reach a final 3rd place. Our first cup which we were able to celebrate Wednesday night.

The third race has been cancelled after some hours on the water due to continuously shifting light air.

After a horrible night with rain, thunderstorms and strong southeasterly we had still gusts up to 34 knots when preparing for the race in the harbor. The race committee decided to take the planned offshore race into the Marmaris Bay due to the weather conditions. As a huge cruise ship started to disembark its passengers in the middle of the bay and three military vessels arrived for the Republican Day on Friday the harbour master did not give the necessary permission and the decision had to be revised again. We started the initially planned 12 nm offshore course with a splendid spinnaker start in totally clear westerly air of 16-24 kn. While the whole fleet went luffing up south we pushed Xtreme downwind and maintained totally clear air until the first mark. 8-9, sometimes up to 10 kn of boat speed against 2-3 m high old waves gave a strange feeling. No broach in these conditions was another success. Together with our closest competitors we rounded the mark and had a successful upwind strategy catching clear air on the left and then using shifts close to the shoreline. The short spinnaker course in the Yalancı Boğaz was a too close reach for us – our weak point. The following close reach to the finish did not offer any further options to gain and we turned out 2nd. The 2nd cup.

The “Republican Day Cup” on the last day was again an inshore triangle course in best conditions: 8-14 kn westerly, later rather northwesterly wind. Start in clear air on the left side of the line close to the boat whereas everybody pushed and shoved at the buoy was the right idea. The first tack to the left close to Bedir Island brought us in front of our competitors. The first spinnaker leg was again a too close reach for us and we fell back a little. The second upwind course was a success again in spite of a little trouble when the genoa halyard block broke. Having no second genoa halyard we used the spinnaker halyard instead which cost only little at that time and in the later spinnaker hoist and douse. 3rd in this race was a good result. The 3rd cup.

Having participated as such was a success for our team, turning out as 4th of 18 in class and bringing home three cups was the reward for systematic practicing in theory and practice. See the detailed results and more photos.

07.10.2010

After a successful transfer with a family crew of three generations Xtreme reached Marmaris. Alaçatı-Gümüşlük-Palamutbükü-Bozburun-Bozukkale-Marmaris was the chosen route. The first 87-miles-night-leg was a little bit tiring with the small crew and increasing wind, but we reached Gümüşlük safely after some surfs with 11-14 knots on the 1,5-2m waves at 26-28kn from NE with only the two times reefed mainsail. After that we enjoyed sailing the aegean at rarely less than 4-5 beaufort. Just the last leg ended with three hors under "iron genoa". See more impressions here.

18.-19.09.2010

Last Practicing Before Marmaris

The last practicing before Marmaris was real fun. Different conditions between 5 and 23 knots with wind shifts up to 135 degrees created interesting and challenging conditions for practicing. Temperatures of 25-29 centigrade made it even more enjoyable. We focussed on spinnaker maneuvres and upwind tactics using the compass and a wind graph chart. And of course we tested the new reaching spinnaker from Q-Sails. It provides high speed at a beam reach or even a closer reach combined with good handling. We are really happy to have it. See the latest photos.

23.08.2010

Xtreme is officially registered for the MIRW and we have a reservation for the berth in the Netsel Marmaris Marina.

14.-15.08.2010

That's the way!

A weekend of intensive training in best conditions. A special program for our foresailtrimmers. Spinnaker practicing first in lighter conditions, later at 4-5 from NNW. Best conditions? No, it was slightly too hot. We had to drink a lot - of water! We started using a wind graph sheet on the beat to understand the shifting of the wind. Works pretty well. Using the shifts and local conditions we were able to make some good tacks at increasing boat speed.

On Sunday it was blowing slightly harder. NNW 5-6, 7 in the puffs challenged our crew of (only) 4. Genoa 3 and a reef was to little sail area deadly downwind. But on the beat we tied in the second reef when approaching Alaçatı Bay. To little weight on the edge. But the boat was unexpectedly fast on both tacks. No difference after trimming the upper shrouds and accelerating after finding the right backstay trim. Look at the photos.

07.-08.08.2010

Family Sailing in Alaçatı

Not to forget. The X-99 is a cruiser-racer. Last weekend we used the cruiser part of the thing. SW3-4 on Saturday and some changing wind that developed to a stable northnorthwesterly up to 5-6 beaufort offered fine sailing. Swimming for the children and a nice "Meze and Ouzo" dinner. Afterwards some "sakızlı" everything. Sakız is the gum of the gumwood tree which is added for example to coffee, icecream etc. However, you can imagine how nice a weekend it was.

17.07.2010

First Race, first cup!

5. of 25 boats according to elapsed time and 2. in the group. Not too bad, but.... Xtreme

Alaçatı, Port Alaçatı Marina Cup
Wind N 18-23 kn

Just after setting the main and trying to tie in the first reef the reefing cringle decides to leave the sail together with a bigger part of the leech. We try the second reef - same issue and the fourth batten leaves as well. But who reefs looses. We decide to try the race with the full - and torn - mainsail. The start procedure begins with 1 1/2 hours delay. We cross the line as 5th boat. The course is a triangle course with one lap and one hot dog. Unexpectedly we start with a reaching leg to the gybe mark. After a clean gybe at the first mark we continue without spinnaker, until our competitors behind us showed some better performance using spinnaker. Kite up! It went quite well until... we decide to douse the spinnaker, but let go the sheet completely. After loosing control about the guy as well the kite fills 10m leeward. Luckily we made it to lower the halyard an pulled the sail in on the windward side. "The best place for the spinnaker is the bag!"
The nearly invisible mark "2" remains far leeward and we have to gybe down to it. We reach the leeward mark with mark room, but have to gybe in the narrow gap between the mark and our competitor. We had lost some 6 positions and during the gybe the mainsheet pushes our main trimmer into the lifelines. Luckily we did not loose him and could concentrate on the beat to the windwad mark. A tack to port to get rid of the field brings us free wind. After the wind backs slightly we tack towards the shore. The expected header closer to the shore is the signal to tack again. Even with the torn main we make more than 6 knots and after two more tacks we reach the windward mark as 5th again. We bring this result home on the hot dog with two reaching courses and finish our first race successfully.

26./27.06.2010

Practicing in Alaçatı

A perfect saturday with 12-17 kn from WSW. Best conditions for practicing tacking and fundamental spinnaker handling. A lunch break with swimming in the Mersin Bay and an evening with Meze and Rakı in the old town of Alaçatı rounded up our event.

Sunday was rather calm. 7 kn from SW-S. We did some tacking in light conditions but had to return to the port using the "iron genoa".

Now we stopped sailing "incognito" and show GER568 in our sales. Xtreme put on her racing clothes and is now ready for the Çeşme Sail Week(end) on 17./18.07.2010. 

21.-23.05.2010

Xtreme in Alaçatı

After an exciting night sail from Ayvalık we reached Alaçatı yesterday morning. Changing wind conditions, sheet lightning and thunderstorms with sometimes heavy showers made it an exciting trip. Fortunately we had no heavy gusts. After that 16-hours-trip some hours of afternoon sleep brought back our energy and we got a first taste of Alaçatı's culinary richness. After a relaxing night we had the oppurtunity to practice spinnaker maneuvres and tacking in medium wind conditions on sunday.

Alaçatı as an important center of sailing and windsurfing in Turkey will be our base for practicing and racing during the season 2010/2011. Please see the location on below map.

08./09.05.2010

The preperation phase continues. Three new crew members joined the team. On Saturday light conditions with the highlight of tacking through the Dalyan Boğazı. Some twenty tacks in a narrow channel caused us sweating. Delicious "Meze" and fish for dinner at "Bay Nihat" in Cunda brought back our energy. Sunday presented us increasing wind between 3 and 5 Beaufort and bright sunshine. Changing genoas and getting a little wet during tacking were awarded by a nice spinnaker surf. Practicing sets and douses rounded up this perfect training weekend.

27./28.03.2010

We are setting standards. On saturday practicing in best conditiions at changing winds between 0-3 beaufort. We rounded "Çıplak Ada", the "Naked Island" two times. Tacking in light conditions and spinnaker gybing - and relaxing - were on the schedule. The evening program with Rakı and Meze in Cunda is getting a standard as well. Really difficult to improve further.

Sunday presented us S-SW 5, a short shower, in between calming down to 3-4, just to fresh up again with some gusts up to 6. Practicing under white sails, reefing in and out and tacking made us sweat sometimes. Again we rounded "Çıplak Ada" and were rewarded with some nice surfs up to 12,8 kn on our way back to Ayvalık.

11.03.2010

We received our new IRC measurement certificate.

TCC: 0,996

07.03.2010

That was a season start!

On March 6th we launched Xtreme again and the season 2010 started. And what a start. 20-25 kn of wind gave us good conditions to taste the Aegaean Sea. Some hard upwind tacking and as a reward nice downwind surfs under "white sails" with up to 11,7 knots.

So Sad!

26.12.2009

It was a little strange preparing "Xtreme" for wintering on the 2nd Christmas holiday, I have to admit. Sunshine, 21 degrees C and a southwesterly blowing with 15-18 kn could have been preferred for sailing indeed. However, after a little maintenance the next season will start early in March 2010. Have all the best until then.

12./13.12.2009

The last event before "hibernation" was successful and real fun. Sailing in fair conditions, tacking, gybing without spinnaker and trimming the mast on saturday.

We celebrated the "World Rakı Day" in Cunda, eating "Meze", the famous Turkish starters and drinking a fine Rakı.

After rain in the early morning the sun came out during breakfast on sunday morning. We sailed round "Cıplak Ada", the "Naked Island". The clear sky, views of snow covered "Kaz Dağları", the "Gooose Mountains" and certainly the course with some spinnaker gybing were the highlights of the day. A perfect season closing.

15.11.2009

Our training event turned out into a nice but focussed cruise from Ayvalık to Behramkale/Assos. After Olcayto and another friend had to cancel their participation at short notice there was a slight disappointment. But with Mehmet and Engin we made the best of it and practiced the preparation of the boat, main and genoa sets and douses and tacking. All in light conditions and changing winds. So it was even a challenge for the concentration of the helmsman.

Nice fish dinner at "Hayrettin Usta" in Behramkale. See more photos of that not only efficient, but enjoyable weekend.

05./06.09.2009

Xtreme is a cruiser-racer. Today let us focus on cruising. Anchoring in the "Ore Bay", "Maden Koyu" we enjoyed the cruiser qualities. With calm wind we had to use the "iron genoa". The Volvo did his job well and we reached a SOG of 5,5 miles without tiring him too much.

Swimming in the aquarium-like and crystal clear Maden Koyu was great. With a little care a barbecue on the aft deck is possible - as you see.

Anchoring qualities are rather fair. In stronger wind the boat tends to swing at anchor. Using an additional lead weight on the anchor rode, tieing the helm and bringing out a bailer limit this effect to an acceptable minimum until 5-6 beaufort.

So far about cruising.

23.08.2009

After a wonderful weekend in Ayvalık with sailing in strong wind, 22-27kn, a marvellous fish dinner in Cunda and swimming in the clear cool waters of Aegaean we had to decide. As we did not receive a positive answer from Alaçatı we will stay in Ayvalık at least until spring 2010.

Priority is now to bring a crew together after neglecting it for several months. We are not really unhappy as Ayvalık is a beautyful area with good conditions for focussing on the "craftsmanship" of sailing.

And we are close to Lesbos (GR) to spend a week of family sailing in September.

24.05.2009

Spinnaker Equipment is ready! The first time that she set the baloon since she came from Austria.

Don't mind about the number. We exercise incognito.  :)

03.05.2009

After a nice light wind weekend in Ayvalık waters Xtreme proofed to be ready for training and racing.

The engine has been maintained and received a new fuel pump.

08.04.2009

Today we received the IRC measurement certificate.

TCC:0,996!

14.03.2009

Xtreme went back into the water again. Some nice spring weather, interrupted only by a short thunderstorm, awakened a first desire. Please have a look at the gallery. Now waiting for the first training.