Launceston to Hobart: Gourlay's vessel Green sets new top speed

The Tamar Yacht Club life member sailed his double-hander in the state-centred event after initially planning to race in the cancelled Sydney to Hobart race.

While Green finished 12^th out of 30 finishing vessels, Gourlay said he was please with how the race went.

"We're not unhappy with that, it was a reasonable result," he said.

"We had a very slow start - beating against the wind of Bass Strait is not where our design flourishes, it's not our best point of sail so we had a very slow start.

"But when the wind came behind, she showed her colours and we picked up from nearly last to 12th over the line so we're very happy."

Like many vessels, the race's first night proved challenging for Green, with strong westerly winds making for challenging passage along the east coast of Tasmania.

"Once we got off Wineglass [Bay], the wind turned around and became a north easterly behind us and that let the boat shine and we picked up more places there," Gourlay said.

Despite this, Gourlay's Green was able to set a new personal best in speed, topping out at 19.4 knots; about 40km/h.

"That was very exciting," Gourlay said.

This was Gourlay's third time racing in the Launceston to Hobart.

"It was probably easier this year ... although there was some long slogging into the wind across the top and down past St Helens - we didn't have any no-wind situations which are always very frustrating," he said.

"We always had some wind coming from some direction so it was a very enjoyable race."