Photo: Alex Gort—Bacardi Cup Photographer
What was the first boat you owned?
Iain Murray: A Flying Ant.
Andrew Palfrey: I have yet to own one, but need to get something for the kids to enjoy.
How did you learn the racing game?
IM: By watching and asking lots and lots of questions.
AP
: Cadet Dinghies in Melbourne was the start. Then J24s, Etchells, Solings and Stars.
How do you prepare your boat for racing ?
IM: My theory is the boat has to be perfect in every way, reliable, and with nice ergonomics.
IM: AP: Make sure you have the best of everything. Check regularly for wear and tear. Keep the hull and foils well maintained. Keep checking the mast for changing characteristics. Buy lots of sails.
How do you set up the front of your boat?
IM & AP: There are many ways to skin a cat and we're 'Serial Tinkerers' when it comes to the layout of sailboats. When we joined the Star class in 2001, we pretty much changed everything on our '95 Folli. For sure we went over trodden ground, trying left-field ideas other people had already tried, but we had to learn for ourselves why things worked—or did not work. What we have now are controls that are simple and basic, but we think the layout of these controls is better in terms of placement and purchase.
Where are your control lines led?
IM & AP: Like all boats, there are major differences in what controls you need to work for downwind and upwind, and also heavy wind to light wind. We have placed the leads for all controls with this in mind. We also have invented some of our own hardware, using Harken parts in the design, just so we could fit controls in a place where previously there was no room.
How do you divide skipper/crew responsibilities?
IM & AP: We have invested a lot of time and money to ensure all our boats are set up the same. In mid-2006, we had boats on four continents: Europe, USA, Australia and China. Continuity is important, so we changed the runner systems on the Folli (led forward under-deck) to match the Lillia style of runners, which are on the side deck. We also rebuilt the Folli so the internal was more like a Lillia for tacking and gybing practice. When we laid out our new Etchells in 2002, we led the controls to helmsman and crew the same as on our Stars. Our Etchells was very different from other Etchells, but the layout served its purpose for us—race the boat whilst working all the controls as we would on the Star.
How do you set up your rig in light air?
IM &AP: This is an interesting 'works-in-progress', given the expected conditions at the China Olympics. Aussies are generally not known for light-air finesse, but we have learnt a lot from the Americans and the Europeans. We are developing our own ideas on rigging for the light airs. The difference of sail shape theory from 3 knots to 6 knots is really big in a Star. Our challenge is to make the rig do what we want it to do through this narrow wind range. Our new boat has a better system to control mast rake, and an easier way to change rig tension using a purchase system, rather than turnbuckles.
Do you have any specific Star rigging tricks you can share with us?
IM &AP:Through the 90s, the Star went through a period of relative stability in terms of rigging. Since then, issues like crew weight limits and the emergence of Finn and Laser sailors in the fleet have really shaken up the class. Lots of clever sailors with un-constrained views of what can be achieved are trying new ideas. Of late, we have made our own PBO rigging for the runners and made a swiveling post with three controls exiting underneath a Harken 144 mainsheet swivel. It incorporates Harken Torlon® balls, sheaves and micro cam cleats. The system is complicated to make, but simplifies the placement and use of controls.
How do you handle stress?
IM: Don't worry about the result.
AP: Two ways. I try to revert back to the processes that go to making a project successful. I also try to keep in mind that whatever I do in life should be as enjoyable as possible. If it's a big sailing event that's causing pressure, I keep thinking that sailing is supposed to be fun and there are bigger things in life than the result of a sailing event.
Is there another side to you you'd like to share?
IM: Unfortunately I have too many sides at present.
AP: I have three great little kids that have really shaped who I am in the past six years. I used to be heavily into following sport, but I can take or leave most sporting events now (apart from Test Cricket involving Australia—that still get priority on radio or TV.
What would you miss most on the boat if you forgot it?
IM: Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey!
AP: Today I am wishing we carried sunscreen on Day 3 of the Western Hemisphere regatta.
What lessons has sailing taught you that apply off the water?
IM: Have a game plan and be very disciplined in sticking to it.
AP: I am 40 year old and have been sailing or coaching full time now for almost 15 years. However, I still feel like a rookie at the Star events. I just never stop learning. Sailing also makes me very humble as I know that anything can happen on the water.
DECK layout
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