norcalsailing.com home page
special report
Rio
Rio is "exceso de ancho" (wide load). ©2012 Stephen Buckingham

MEXORC Pack-Up

March 22, 2012

While some of the California-bound MEXORC boats bash their way back on the water, at least two are making the trip in 50-knot apparent breeze on the nose – on land. The SoCal-based TP52 Rio may be a little big to be called a trailer sailer but the crew loaded her up and off she went. The hardest part of the trip so far was the first quarter-mile out of La Cruz down the narrow cobblestone main drag.

Rio takes a turn
Rio has plenty of room to tack. Yeah. ©2012 Stephen Buckingham

On the other hand, the Wylie/Kernan 44 Ocelot was designed to be hauled by truck, and has a Wylie-built trailer that bolts to the keel sump and tilts. By doing this they don't need special road permits and can be pulled by an ordinary heavy-duty pickup truck. Not as easy as loading up a Catalina 22, but when was the last time you saw one of them doing the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race?

Ocelot hauls out
Ocelot hauls out. Oops, she left her keel behind. ©2012 Stephen Buckingham

Ocelot on the trailer
Ocelot heels over to go upwind. ©2012 Stephen Buckingham

Bookmark and Share

< previous next >