DEEP THROTTLE

Design Shaw 9m
Sail Number  9191
Length overall  9.14m
Length waterline  8.80m
Beam  3.0m
Draft  2.5m
About the boat: Deep Throttle is a Shaw 9m, by Robert Shaw. This seriously fun racing machine stands out with her deep purple hull as she glides on by. Sailed in the 2020 RNI by Skippers Ned Dalbeth-Hudson & Nikolas Black you can expect Deep Throttle to punch above her weight.
Home base Westhaven/Opua
Facebook Deep Throttle – Path to the RNI

NED DALBETH-HUDSON

Name Ned Dalbeth-Hudson
Age 23
Relationship to Co – Skipper Competitors locked in a constant power struggle
Yacht Club Kerikeri cruising club
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background I started out with a fair bit of dinghy sailing in mistrals then moved into 470s and 12 footers. I’ve always done regular keeled sailing and started my off shore sailing with delivery trips to ozi when I was 16. The last few years I’ve spent working as a boat captain on both the GC32 and extreme sailing series jumping in sailing when I can.
What appeals most about doing the RNI The challenge of taking a boat around that most people would consider a harbour racer.
What are your essential food items during the race? Nut bars because they can fit in your pocket and survive anything.
What will your meals be like during the race? Anything waterproof and easy to fit in your pocket with the odd freeze dried meal when weather allows.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Anything aft of 80 degrees true because we can start to hang in there with the 40s.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? How loose she gets down wind and reaching it’s like a big skiff.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words He’s an alright bloke.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Double browns because the box is surprisingly waterproof.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Two bean bags so there’s not any fighting between on and off watch crew and a thin blanket for the placebo effect of been warm.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Southerlys on the second leg
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? Anything upwind because she becomes a 30 footer again
Tell us about your biggest supporters Mum and Dad out of concern for their boat and hopefully their son.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? The large amounts of water that come across the deck when it frees up and there’s some breeze
What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? Rotating two UE booms

NIKOLAS BLACK

Name Nikolas Black
Age 23
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friend
Yacht Club SSANZ & DYC
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Learned to sail at Taipa Sailing Club at age 8 and been sailing ever since. Most successfully competed in Secondary Schools Teams Racing, winning the Nationals twice with the Kerikeri team and competing in Brisbane at the Interdoms. Have further experience racing in various dinghy classes, including Mistrals, 470, Splash, and Laser, and across a range of keelers in coastal and inshore events.

Most recently competing in the Piedy class on the yacht ‘Alcohol Injected’ with co-skipper/owner Ned. We do well, when the boat isn’t sinking. Also have commercial yachting experience crewing on the Explore fleet and over 4 years of coaching at Akarana.
Whats your essential food item for the race? Muesli bars, because they don’t get wet.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It weighs less than a Piedy.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? In addition to our fine sleeping bean bag in our “generous” 500mm of interior space, we’re packing a thin blanket for the appearance of warmth.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Upwind