The Rounded Bow

The vertical bow is prone to nose diving, in spite of its unusually rounded and full forms.

"Just before midnight, I get on a deep wave, still with the masthead kite up - acceleration is incredible as I hurtle down the steep face in to the black hole in front. The bow doesn't come up, it just disappears in to the wave in front and I find myself with the water level up around the mast.

Everything groans under the load, but eventually she pops out, but rounds up at an uncontrollable speed. Mast in the water, kite flagging violently, my legs dangling in the air as I hang on for dear life to guard rails. I guess this happens in the Solent on a Winter Series race as well - but imagine it being pitch black, in a horrible sea, and you are on your own."