Yes, indeed self flogging was instituted on Macht Nichts.
Here's what really happened, After leading ( not following) the fleet down to a point I had picked out in my head as the right place to tack.... I did so....with the intention of getting closer to the RI coast as I figured out I could ride a more advantages current, and at the same time get weather advantage ( Captain Jack A would agree !!!), anyway we made our tack and I wanted to stay on it until I deemed we were not only gaining advantage with current, but also to calculate one final tack which would bring us across the line. We were cruising along nicely about 6.5 knts + or -, ( by this time we spied pirate craft Hanalie), I suddenly noticed that our speed had dropped significantly........mmmm I looked at the trim..fine....when suddenly I noticed that our spinnaker bag which had been clipped to the lifeline...was DRAGGING in the water!!!! nice sea anchor and drog....Brother Paul with all his strength COULD NOT get it on deck. I then decided I had to tack to get it up and out of the water..........earlier than I had wanted.......at this point said bag was hauled on deck and we continued. I felt that I might just make the line without another tack...and so made the executive decision to continue.....probably pinching a bit to much ( even though my trusty MK II sloop rig points VERY well) loosing a bit of hull speed. As we approached the line with Heather Ann and Commece (sp) coming at us on opposite tack ( of course by this time you had blasted over the line looking for said committee boat ) we were less than a hundred yards from the line when it became clear I would not make it...had to make two quick tacks ( I might add that they were executed perfectly by crew), but it slowed us down enough to watch Heather Ann and a couple of others to slip over the line just before us !!!!!!
These are the facts as I know them.
As an aside.....we always have a problem starting our engine when having been on a port tack ( ie fuel tank ridding high ) we have not been able to solve this problem, I have consulted this board and a diesel mechanic, yet no solutions.....ANYWAY....there we were blasting by the committee boat no engine, crowded conditions, I said who needs that damn engine anyway, and we blasted down through the jetties, I told brother Paul that we would grab the first mooring that came into sight, and that we did flawlessly, steamed up to said mooring, Brother Paul grabbed it, down come the sails and we were sitting pretty
After sitting for awhile, we started the engine as it always does after sitting.............. still having that problem and would love to find a solution.........Reporting to # 1
I remain......your most HUMBLE servant......
Michael Heintz
Captain Commanding
Racing Vessel Macht Nichts CD 30 MK II
mzenith@aol.com