This is the page for the year of 2017
Wherein the tales of the river and the bar are told.
Summer Wednesday the 20th of December 2017
The plastic invasion and something new!
The starters must have been in an inventive mood today. They sent the div three boats off before us and the mid race chaos was inevitable.
To recap: two seasons ago the H28s moved away from div three as the clashes with the plastics were becoming common, we were faster in most weather and some of the SS22 sailors thought nothing of taking our big heavy boats up and up and then slipping away on their light hulls to establish momentary leads. Incidents occurred and H28s' were fast establishing themselves as the "great white sharks of the river" as the smaller boats kept on getting in the road of the wooden boats.
The reason given was that the last fleet was straggling in and the starters thought that swapping the start order around would get the plastics in earlier (a whole 5 minutes by the way). The div three yachts were not happy and made their feelings clear to one and all. The H28's were not happy and the images I took show the H28's battling their way through the div three boats from about half way through the race. We could hope that the starters change their minds in time for next year.
So what's been happening over the last two weeks. Andy Bell has bought a new main and proved that it works by leading from go to whoa today. Lockie is getting the best of the new Dacron's and sails consistently and well. John Wright has decided not to go down to Cockburn this year, citing the extra effort he put in over the last week getting the boat ready had worn him out. Big John has several staples in his scalp, courtesy of the boom on Alma as it swept over in an involuntary gybe, apparently the sound of the boom hitting him could be heard across the river. Bill Richards has repaired his mast for the second time. (broken at the spreaders) and has put in fore spreaders. Jim Spittle has bought AB's old sails and eventually we may see the boat on the water. Mariner has a largish patch on the new foresail courtesy of a couple of newbies on the boat a week or so ago. Mark Whimhurst and Barb have returned to the UK for Christmas and Rob has stepped up to drive in their absence. It will take time I'm sure, but he's prepared to give it a go. The H28's put together a donation of $1500 toward the new engines on the Duyfkin and it was recognised by the foundation last week. Apparently over a $1000 was contributed by skippers and crew with the fleet donating $500 from our club based account.
With a sou westerly on offer and about 15 to 19 knots in pressure, it was a perfect day to go out and accordingly 8 boats took off on the start line. Only two made it in one beat to Martin and the rest of the fleet were tacking and retacking to make the mark. So Jindarra and Mariner took a lead with Jindarra well away already. The next phase of the race was a matter of getting around Sampson and then over to Heathcote and we hung in on the port tack down the river until the skipper thought that there was a chance to cross the river. No big lifts and we gradually knocked down into Heathcote, but we were on top of every one else bar Andy Bell on Jindarra. Our next problem was going to be Corella with a crack team on board and very little to lose by doing something new. Not that it was required in this case, they sailed through us on the way up to Deepwater. From then on we were in a chase Lockie mode and on the leg down to Print we thought we had a chance. But no, he got away with it pretty easily. Then another problem emerged on the beat up to Robins, we'd locked into a great run up to the mark and we could see the div three boats building up around us. Already Lockie was having problems and our trip wasn't going to be easy on the cross to Dolphin East. Lockie got his act together, sailing around them and we copied his tactic on the way through to Como.
Thence to the outer start line with the opportunity to get through a couple of really pesky plastics and away to the small triangle. Other boats were having the same problem and whilst our battle was reasonably polite, the usual defensive habits of SS22 sailors came to the fore. Around Sampson again and we noticed that Bill Richards had shaken off both Vic Court and John Wright. He was doing fine and was again pushing the boat up toward us. Nice to see that the mast was holding up. He also had a guest Russ Shannon, Commodore at Tin Can Bay and a fine sailor in his own right.
No great changes in the order of things as the boats worked their way around the small triangle and a lucky run at Foam allowed us to make it in one, rather than two tacks. The ride down from Print was a quick one as we started on an open reach, hardening up as we hit Como and bent the boat around Thelma to run along the freeway looking for the right angle to toss on.
Over the line and on handicap. The First Jindarra, Corella and Mariner.
Enjoy the images and a merry Christmas to all. The 2018 page will be set up shortly.
The plastic invasion and something new!
The starters must have been in an inventive mood today. They sent the div three boats off before us and the mid race chaos was inevitable.
To recap: two seasons ago the H28s moved away from div three as the clashes with the plastics were becoming common, we were faster in most weather and some of the SS22 sailors thought nothing of taking our big heavy boats up and up and then slipping away on their light hulls to establish momentary leads. Incidents occurred and H28s' were fast establishing themselves as the "great white sharks of the river" as the smaller boats kept on getting in the road of the wooden boats.
The reason given was that the last fleet was straggling in and the starters thought that swapping the start order around would get the plastics in earlier (a whole 5 minutes by the way). The div three yachts were not happy and made their feelings clear to one and all. The H28's were not happy and the images I took show the H28's battling their way through the div three boats from about half way through the race. We could hope that the starters change their minds in time for next year.
So what's been happening over the last two weeks. Andy Bell has bought a new main and proved that it works by leading from go to whoa today. Lockie is getting the best of the new Dacron's and sails consistently and well. John Wright has decided not to go down to Cockburn this year, citing the extra effort he put in over the last week getting the boat ready had worn him out. Big John has several staples in his scalp, courtesy of the boom on Alma as it swept over in an involuntary gybe, apparently the sound of the boom hitting him could be heard across the river. Bill Richards has repaired his mast for the second time. (broken at the spreaders) and has put in fore spreaders. Jim Spittle has bought AB's old sails and eventually we may see the boat on the water. Mariner has a largish patch on the new foresail courtesy of a couple of newbies on the boat a week or so ago. Mark Whimhurst and Barb have returned to the UK for Christmas and Rob has stepped up to drive in their absence. It will take time I'm sure, but he's prepared to give it a go. The H28's put together a donation of $1500 toward the new engines on the Duyfkin and it was recognised by the foundation last week. Apparently over a $1000 was contributed by skippers and crew with the fleet donating $500 from our club based account.
With a sou westerly on offer and about 15 to 19 knots in pressure, it was a perfect day to go out and accordingly 8 boats took off on the start line. Only two made it in one beat to Martin and the rest of the fleet were tacking and retacking to make the mark. So Jindarra and Mariner took a lead with Jindarra well away already. The next phase of the race was a matter of getting around Sampson and then over to Heathcote and we hung in on the port tack down the river until the skipper thought that there was a chance to cross the river. No big lifts and we gradually knocked down into Heathcote, but we were on top of every one else bar Andy Bell on Jindarra. Our next problem was going to be Corella with a crack team on board and very little to lose by doing something new. Not that it was required in this case, they sailed through us on the way up to Deepwater. From then on we were in a chase Lockie mode and on the leg down to Print we thought we had a chance. But no, he got away with it pretty easily. Then another problem emerged on the beat up to Robins, we'd locked into a great run up to the mark and we could see the div three boats building up around us. Already Lockie was having problems and our trip wasn't going to be easy on the cross to Dolphin East. Lockie got his act together, sailing around them and we copied his tactic on the way through to Como.
Thence to the outer start line with the opportunity to get through a couple of really pesky plastics and away to the small triangle. Other boats were having the same problem and whilst our battle was reasonably polite, the usual defensive habits of SS22 sailors came to the fore. Around Sampson again and we noticed that Bill Richards had shaken off both Vic Court and John Wright. He was doing fine and was again pushing the boat up toward us. Nice to see that the mast was holding up. He also had a guest Russ Shannon, Commodore at Tin Can Bay and a fine sailor in his own right.
No great changes in the order of things as the boats worked their way around the small triangle and a lucky run at Foam allowed us to make it in one, rather than two tacks. The ride down from Print was a quick one as we started on an open reach, hardening up as we hit Como and bent the boat around Thelma to run along the freeway looking for the right angle to toss on.
Over the line and on handicap. The First Jindarra, Corella and Mariner.
Enjoy the images and a merry Christmas to all. The 2018 page will be set up shortly.
Summer Saturday the 2nd of December 2017
An invitation to sail on Nerrima. The Don Bourne Memorial Trophy.
Lets face it, you can get thoroughly bored sitting at home or catching up with domestic duties and when Les rang on Friday night I first thought that I'd skip the day and go out and watch the Clippers taking off from Freo Harbour. But I hadn't sailed for over a week and it was going to be a quiet day. Hang it all.. lets go sailing!
Caught up with the crew, Crowbar and Jim and we started to set the boat up. Tried Lockie's old sail on the mast.. nope didn't fit.. the lugs were the wrong shape. So up went the old sail and I realised one of her major problems. The sail was a little short on the foot. Like 15 inches short! No wonder Les struggles down wind without a kite. However, it was a learning thing and it was more a case of see how they did it. Les wandered down and threw some ice into the ice box and the beers were slipped into the ice. These blokes drink downwind. Oh well do as the crew does.
Slipping our moorings we joined the H28 fleet of Aloha, Corella, Alma and Wynella. Swiftsure was still out of action and Anna couldn't get a full crew. No sign of Andy on Jindarra and even Karoleeya wasn't hanging around the start line. It was dead calm out there with the sea breeze in the offing, but very little chance of the race starting on time as we had the sou easters still pouring out of the Canning river. Eventually a zephyr came in and was judged to be enough to get a boat going. Crowbar commented wryly that the breeze was as soft as Deborah Harry's scarf. Without actually knowing what he meant, we smiled....we had a start.
As a matter of interest we watched the start line and observed a couple of boats actually on the race course within the last minute of the Div two start and frankly they shouldn't have been there. However it wasn't relevant to our start and we waited patiently until the SS27's took off and our flag was hoisted. Different system on this boat, but the result was the same and possibly a little more aggressive with Les taking Lockie up on the line, but to no avail. Aloha and Wynella were lurking as usual and it was left to Bill Richards (piloting Alma), Corella and Les to create the running.
Locked into a course four on a breeze which was more a west sou wester than the BOM site suggests we dug our way up to Waylen Bay and went in. Everyone else had gone right. Oh bugger! We just scraped our way back into second spot, but it was a lucky thing as Alma was right on our transom and knowing Bill, the only thing we could do was to try and take him up on Crowbars suggestion. We did so and forced him to duck below us. We had the rights on the run across to Hallmark. Up to Armstrong and then our first and successful kite hoist, on the run to Print.
Back up to Deepwater again, this time dipping in to the bay with success as the breeze had shifted into the sou west a little. The chasers had spread out a bit with the kite wielders getting away, but given our small main, we weren't as successful as we would wish to be. The first of the two runs down to Dolphin East and thence to Addison. We'd tend to get away on the down wind and do ok on the run up to Deepwater, but a clean bottom and a larger main would help enormously in my opinion. The crew I saw on the day were more than competent and getting a kite up and down wasn't a problem, the tacks were solid and with a tactician on board to keep the boat moving, it was a pleasure to sail on Nerrima. However, Alma had a guest skipper and he's no slouch either. He was enjoying putting the pressure on us and didn't have a problem with sailing JAM as did the other two boats; Wynella and Aloha.
However the handicapper was having an off day and those who were last got to be first. Aloha has a very low handicap and she took first place four minutes and 58 seconds in front of Corella on handicap with Nerrima one minute and 58 seconds behind David Locke. Congratulations to Aloha on their win.
Over the line: Corella 5 min and 48 secs to Nerrima with Alma 2 mins and 36 seconds behind Nerrima.
An invitation to sail on Nerrima. The Don Bourne Memorial Trophy.
Lets face it, you can get thoroughly bored sitting at home or catching up with domestic duties and when Les rang on Friday night I first thought that I'd skip the day and go out and watch the Clippers taking off from Freo Harbour. But I hadn't sailed for over a week and it was going to be a quiet day. Hang it all.. lets go sailing!
Caught up with the crew, Crowbar and Jim and we started to set the boat up. Tried Lockie's old sail on the mast.. nope didn't fit.. the lugs were the wrong shape. So up went the old sail and I realised one of her major problems. The sail was a little short on the foot. Like 15 inches short! No wonder Les struggles down wind without a kite. However, it was a learning thing and it was more a case of see how they did it. Les wandered down and threw some ice into the ice box and the beers were slipped into the ice. These blokes drink downwind. Oh well do as the crew does.
Slipping our moorings we joined the H28 fleet of Aloha, Corella, Alma and Wynella. Swiftsure was still out of action and Anna couldn't get a full crew. No sign of Andy on Jindarra and even Karoleeya wasn't hanging around the start line. It was dead calm out there with the sea breeze in the offing, but very little chance of the race starting on time as we had the sou easters still pouring out of the Canning river. Eventually a zephyr came in and was judged to be enough to get a boat going. Crowbar commented wryly that the breeze was as soft as Deborah Harry's scarf. Without actually knowing what he meant, we smiled....we had a start.
As a matter of interest we watched the start line and observed a couple of boats actually on the race course within the last minute of the Div two start and frankly they shouldn't have been there. However it wasn't relevant to our start and we waited patiently until the SS27's took off and our flag was hoisted. Different system on this boat, but the result was the same and possibly a little more aggressive with Les taking Lockie up on the line, but to no avail. Aloha and Wynella were lurking as usual and it was left to Bill Richards (piloting Alma), Corella and Les to create the running.
Locked into a course four on a breeze which was more a west sou wester than the BOM site suggests we dug our way up to Waylen Bay and went in. Everyone else had gone right. Oh bugger! We just scraped our way back into second spot, but it was a lucky thing as Alma was right on our transom and knowing Bill, the only thing we could do was to try and take him up on Crowbars suggestion. We did so and forced him to duck below us. We had the rights on the run across to Hallmark. Up to Armstrong and then our first and successful kite hoist, on the run to Print.
Back up to Deepwater again, this time dipping in to the bay with success as the breeze had shifted into the sou west a little. The chasers had spread out a bit with the kite wielders getting away, but given our small main, we weren't as successful as we would wish to be. The first of the two runs down to Dolphin East and thence to Addison. We'd tend to get away on the down wind and do ok on the run up to Deepwater, but a clean bottom and a larger main would help enormously in my opinion. The crew I saw on the day were more than competent and getting a kite up and down wasn't a problem, the tacks were solid and with a tactician on board to keep the boat moving, it was a pleasure to sail on Nerrima. However, Alma had a guest skipper and he's no slouch either. He was enjoying putting the pressure on us and didn't have a problem with sailing JAM as did the other two boats; Wynella and Aloha.
However the handicapper was having an off day and those who were last got to be first. Aloha has a very low handicap and she took first place four minutes and 58 seconds in front of Corella on handicap with Nerrima one minute and 58 seconds behind David Locke. Congratulations to Aloha on their win.
Over the line: Corella 5 min and 48 secs to Nerrima with Alma 2 mins and 36 seconds behind Nerrima.
Catching up on a few days off!
The last few days of reporting I've been out of sorts, but I got back onto the water on Wednesday the 29th of November.
Not on a yacht, there won't be much of that for a while; but a chance to take a camera out was too good to refuse so I jumped on board the safety boat and with the sailing development officer ( Mikael ) and another power person ( Peter ) we set off to look at the day.
Course one with plenty of wind out of the sou west, there was a lot to watch. Except for the cockup from the start box when they hoisted the H28 flag 5 minutes early. It confused the hell out of the B fleet lads and an AP was hung out until they got themselves sorted. There is a lesson to learn about starting that still has to be taken up and I saw it happen in our fleet and the C fleet starts. Three boats pushed up above the pin. There are other options. However it leads to a good chase scenario for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile lets have a quick review of the last week or so. The racing as usual has been excellent, but there was a bit of a kerfuffle on Swiftsure Saga last Saturday when his mast decided to invert and bent forward from the spreaders. Mind you it was blowing 28 knots in the gusts. However everyone else was doing well. ( I do remember Kate Lammonby making noises when some of the skippers removed the forward spreaders on their masts.) Bill now has to replace the mast or get a quick fix. A mast can take anything up to 3 months according to Taskers. Bills looking for a fix at the local mast bender's but it's an awkward spot to break a mast.
Andy Bell wasn't around on Wednesday last. He'd been asked to jump on board an S80 and do the legends race over at Royal Perth, but was beaten by some very good rocket ship drivers including John Hassan who does F15's in his spare time. Still it's good to see him gainfully employed. Mark Whimhurst is doing remarkably well on Alma and Bill ( who had nothing to do ) jumped on board and did the foredeck. They were sailing well too.
The major pat on the back goes to David Locke, who, sailing with Rita as usual, turned left at Sampson and crossed the river early. He went from zero to hero very quickly as he drove up the bay into a lifting breeze and looked the goods as he came down the river with Alma in tow. Brian was still playing catch up and managed to pull Vic and Glen back over the race. John Wright was doing very well and chased Lockie down with only 9 seconds between first and second and assures me that if he'd had another small lap, he'd have had him.
It appears that Lockie had a bit of spare time during the small lap and he was observed throwing a handline out to see what he could get. Apparently there was a patch of birds hitting the water where he was going to go, but no one has reported that he caught anything, so we'd just have to guess that it was to taunt the boats behind him.
Wednesday 29th Nov- Over the line: Corella, Anna and Alma: On handicap: Alma, Corella and Anna
Saturday 25th Nov - Over the line: Corella, Anna and Nerrima On handicap: Aloha, Nerrima and Anna
Wednesday 22nd Nov Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella. On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella
The last few days of reporting I've been out of sorts, but I got back onto the water on Wednesday the 29th of November.
Not on a yacht, there won't be much of that for a while; but a chance to take a camera out was too good to refuse so I jumped on board the safety boat and with the sailing development officer ( Mikael ) and another power person ( Peter ) we set off to look at the day.
Course one with plenty of wind out of the sou west, there was a lot to watch. Except for the cockup from the start box when they hoisted the H28 flag 5 minutes early. It confused the hell out of the B fleet lads and an AP was hung out until they got themselves sorted. There is a lesson to learn about starting that still has to be taken up and I saw it happen in our fleet and the C fleet starts. Three boats pushed up above the pin. There are other options. However it leads to a good chase scenario for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile lets have a quick review of the last week or so. The racing as usual has been excellent, but there was a bit of a kerfuffle on Swiftsure Saga last Saturday when his mast decided to invert and bent forward from the spreaders. Mind you it was blowing 28 knots in the gusts. However everyone else was doing well. ( I do remember Kate Lammonby making noises when some of the skippers removed the forward spreaders on their masts.) Bill now has to replace the mast or get a quick fix. A mast can take anything up to 3 months according to Taskers. Bills looking for a fix at the local mast bender's but it's an awkward spot to break a mast.
Andy Bell wasn't around on Wednesday last. He'd been asked to jump on board an S80 and do the legends race over at Royal Perth, but was beaten by some very good rocket ship drivers including John Hassan who does F15's in his spare time. Still it's good to see him gainfully employed. Mark Whimhurst is doing remarkably well on Alma and Bill ( who had nothing to do ) jumped on board and did the foredeck. They were sailing well too.
The major pat on the back goes to David Locke, who, sailing with Rita as usual, turned left at Sampson and crossed the river early. He went from zero to hero very quickly as he drove up the bay into a lifting breeze and looked the goods as he came down the river with Alma in tow. Brian was still playing catch up and managed to pull Vic and Glen back over the race. John Wright was doing very well and chased Lockie down with only 9 seconds between first and second and assures me that if he'd had another small lap, he'd have had him.
It appears that Lockie had a bit of spare time during the small lap and he was observed throwing a handline out to see what he could get. Apparently there was a patch of birds hitting the water where he was going to go, but no one has reported that he caught anything, so we'd just have to guess that it was to taunt the boats behind him.
Wednesday 29th Nov- Over the line: Corella, Anna and Alma: On handicap: Alma, Corella and Anna
Saturday 25th Nov - Over the line: Corella, Anna and Nerrima On handicap: Aloha, Nerrima and Anna
Wednesday 22nd Nov Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella. On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella
Summer Saturdays the 18th of November 2017
The second of the championships and where's the sea breeze gone.
I think we had a record turn out for a championship today. Nine boats hit the water today and with a short start line it was going to be interesting. The starters gave us a course 4, perhaps anticipating that the breeze was to drop out. Ok for a sou wester, but we had a breeze that had a chunk of westerly in it and despite the starters best intentions, staying out in the middle paid for most of us as the dips into Waylen Bay had us coming out pointing at the north side of the river, not toward the west.
Aloha was sitting on the start line, sails flapping in the 12 to 15 knots while the rest of the fleet powered up below her and came swooping up toward the line. For ourselves, we were wedged in the pack hurtling toward the start line with three or four boats below us and a couple above. I think we had Lockie and Andrew above us and below were Les, John and Glen for sure with possibly Steve and Mark sliding further down the line. Two blasts from the horn had Andrew heading back and Lockie was chuckling to himself. Our dash was to the channel with John Wright and Anna just in front and we waited for the call of " water". None came and we tacked at the channel with John tacking immediately after us and having to dip the channel marker. ( he apparently didn't realise he was that far in)
Then the race up to Deepwater with crosses every so often confirming that we still had the lead. We didn't go in as far as others did and it served our purpose to stay out. Just not enough south in the breeze so far. No sign yet of the Royal boats so far, they had the Governor's Cup on the go and most of it was down in the bottom end of the river. Bend around Deepwater and set our sights on the reach over to Hallmark with the work up to Armstrong. If we'd gone that extra 50 meters past Hallmark, we would have caught the lift off the land and made Armstrong in record time. However we still made the mark in good time and rounded in the lead with the First Jindarra and Corella on our tail.
The first run to Print had the first three boats come together and on the work back up to Deepwater, Corella got past us and we continued to put Andrew under pressure. The next down wind was a bendy one with a beam reach kite down to Dolphin East and then a gybe to take us to Addison. No pressure and we were more concerned in keeping Nerrima and Anna off our tails as Lockie and Andrew had gone out wide. Our need was for speed to the bottom mark to try and get to the mark before Andrew. Lockie was through us, but Andrew was within reach. Got him at the mark and continued on, with John and Les pushing all the time. The next run up to Deepwater was to follow.
This is where Andrew got past us, but was trying to get to Dave Locke who was ahead and above us both. He went in deep to Applecross jetty thinking to get the lift out and found himself below and beside us on the work out to Deepwater from Robins. Good hard sailing got him past us and possibly a bit of grief from the Governors Cup fleet cinched it for him as we did a little avoidance work from the oncoming Royal boats. No matter, we still had a chance once we rounded the top mark. And then Andrews kite snarled up and we found ourselves with a similar problem up front. Still head to head, but his was up before ours and away he went. And of course Nerrima and Anna had theirs up in good time and we had been caught by them. Not what you want, but Andrew was under severe pressure with three boats close behind him and his only choice was to try and sail away from us. Very hard to do on a dropping breeze when the boats behind you are in the position to take the puffs first. David Locke meanwhile had clear air and a free run to the line. Took advantage of it I believe.
Andrew maintained his position in second, Anna slipped into third place and Nerrima into fourth. We had then to try and get back at least one place and during the run to the finish line from Thelma we watched as Nerrima dropped down on a knock. We were still getting the lifts and two smart tacks had us over the line just in front of Les.
For the Championship: Corella, The First Jindarra, Anna
On Handicap: Nerrima, Karoleeya and Corella
More funds are coming in for the Duyfkin collection.Don't forget to hand your funds to either Glen or John.
Swiftsure Saga went up on the slips recently. Five tonnes! I guess that puts paid to any grumbles about her weight problems.
The second of the championships and where's the sea breeze gone.
I think we had a record turn out for a championship today. Nine boats hit the water today and with a short start line it was going to be interesting. The starters gave us a course 4, perhaps anticipating that the breeze was to drop out. Ok for a sou wester, but we had a breeze that had a chunk of westerly in it and despite the starters best intentions, staying out in the middle paid for most of us as the dips into Waylen Bay had us coming out pointing at the north side of the river, not toward the west.
Aloha was sitting on the start line, sails flapping in the 12 to 15 knots while the rest of the fleet powered up below her and came swooping up toward the line. For ourselves, we were wedged in the pack hurtling toward the start line with three or four boats below us and a couple above. I think we had Lockie and Andrew above us and below were Les, John and Glen for sure with possibly Steve and Mark sliding further down the line. Two blasts from the horn had Andrew heading back and Lockie was chuckling to himself. Our dash was to the channel with John Wright and Anna just in front and we waited for the call of " water". None came and we tacked at the channel with John tacking immediately after us and having to dip the channel marker. ( he apparently didn't realise he was that far in)
Then the race up to Deepwater with crosses every so often confirming that we still had the lead. We didn't go in as far as others did and it served our purpose to stay out. Just not enough south in the breeze so far. No sign yet of the Royal boats so far, they had the Governor's Cup on the go and most of it was down in the bottom end of the river. Bend around Deepwater and set our sights on the reach over to Hallmark with the work up to Armstrong. If we'd gone that extra 50 meters past Hallmark, we would have caught the lift off the land and made Armstrong in record time. However we still made the mark in good time and rounded in the lead with the First Jindarra and Corella on our tail.
The first run to Print had the first three boats come together and on the work back up to Deepwater, Corella got past us and we continued to put Andrew under pressure. The next down wind was a bendy one with a beam reach kite down to Dolphin East and then a gybe to take us to Addison. No pressure and we were more concerned in keeping Nerrima and Anna off our tails as Lockie and Andrew had gone out wide. Our need was for speed to the bottom mark to try and get to the mark before Andrew. Lockie was through us, but Andrew was within reach. Got him at the mark and continued on, with John and Les pushing all the time. The next run up to Deepwater was to follow.
This is where Andrew got past us, but was trying to get to Dave Locke who was ahead and above us both. He went in deep to Applecross jetty thinking to get the lift out and found himself below and beside us on the work out to Deepwater from Robins. Good hard sailing got him past us and possibly a bit of grief from the Governors Cup fleet cinched it for him as we did a little avoidance work from the oncoming Royal boats. No matter, we still had a chance once we rounded the top mark. And then Andrews kite snarled up and we found ourselves with a similar problem up front. Still head to head, but his was up before ours and away he went. And of course Nerrima and Anna had theirs up in good time and we had been caught by them. Not what you want, but Andrew was under severe pressure with three boats close behind him and his only choice was to try and sail away from us. Very hard to do on a dropping breeze when the boats behind you are in the position to take the puffs first. David Locke meanwhile had clear air and a free run to the line. Took advantage of it I believe.
Andrew maintained his position in second, Anna slipped into third place and Nerrima into fourth. We had then to try and get back at least one place and during the run to the finish line from Thelma we watched as Nerrima dropped down on a knock. We were still getting the lifts and two smart tacks had us over the line just in front of Les.
For the Championship: Corella, The First Jindarra, Anna
On Handicap: Nerrima, Karoleeya and Corella
More funds are coming in for the Duyfkin collection.Don't forget to hand your funds to either Glen or John.
Swiftsure Saga went up on the slips recently. Five tonnes! I guess that puts paid to any grumbles about her weight problems.
Summer Wednesdays the 15th of November 2017 .
The cat who walks by himself.
A look at Rudyard Kipling's "Just So" stories gives me the title for today, to celebrate a fine bit of sailing by a veteran of the river.
I've always known Vic to be the bloke who will sail a little bit away from the fleet and makes his own way around the river. Of course once he's out front, he's a hard man to catch, particularly on a soft day. Sailing two up, with Bruce as his general factotum, he found a puff of wind on the long run down to Sampson and was never headed.
There were seven boats on the start line and we had gone with a risky starboard entrance with the light sou easterly flicking back and forth. Didn't work for us and we only had one boat behind us as we headed to Martin - Weaver and a little bit of luck was going to be needed. Surprisingly Swiftsure Saga was tailing us and the sight of Len Randall on the helm and behind us was a surprise. But we had a bit of luck and the cross from Martin to Weaver had some boats over shooting the lay line ( or may be the wind flicked to the right a little), but we made it to Weaver picking up two more boats. Then the run past the scout hall and try not to get stuck on the mud bank a little further down river. Made it and picked up Glen and Wynella on the way through.
Further through, the breeze had us dependant on puffs and we had managed to catch up most of the div two boats and the leaders of the fleet behind us were starting to ride the Canning river puffs up to us. And then Vic got a puff all to himself and disappeared around Sampson and away to Hallmark. The fleet was now spread out across two or three hundred meters as we went down the river and as each puff came through, our relative positions changed. A quick look to the east showed us that a steady breeze out of the sou east had sprung up and first into it was going to be the new leader. Quickly boats changed their sail configurations and away we went. Up to Hallmark and thence to Armstrong, but not before a few moments of terror for the fleet behind us as some Royal Perth boats bent around a mark above us and came howling through the fleet on starboard. (Note to all skippers: start shouting Starboard back at them as hard as you can, it appears to confuse them.)
How far should you go across the river, before you tack and go? Really it depends on the breeze available to you. Lockie with a lot of guests on board decided to go quite late and wasn't seen for the rest of the day; we waited for a short while, tacked and then tacked back to Deepwater before we went up river again. John Wright went a few seconds later with Wynella as his shadow. Getting around Applecross Spit was a good move and then it was a case of working our way down to Como and try to get as close as we could to the mark.. however John had the lifts that we weren't getting and he looked fabulous as he shot around Como inside us. Vic and Carina were by this time well away and the battle was between us and Anna.
We'd worked it out that there was going to be a shortened course ( it was well after 4 pm ) and we settled into a drag race between us and John Wright from Como to the finish line. Nearly made it, but oh well a good third.
Over the line: Vic Court, John Wright and Brian Cross.
On handicap : Vic Court, Glen Stanley and Brian Cross
The quest for $$$$ for Duyfkin is still on and either Glen or John P is receiving. Bring your dollars down on Saturday!
The cat who walks by himself.
A look at Rudyard Kipling's "Just So" stories gives me the title for today, to celebrate a fine bit of sailing by a veteran of the river.
I've always known Vic to be the bloke who will sail a little bit away from the fleet and makes his own way around the river. Of course once he's out front, he's a hard man to catch, particularly on a soft day. Sailing two up, with Bruce as his general factotum, he found a puff of wind on the long run down to Sampson and was never headed.
There were seven boats on the start line and we had gone with a risky starboard entrance with the light sou easterly flicking back and forth. Didn't work for us and we only had one boat behind us as we headed to Martin - Weaver and a little bit of luck was going to be needed. Surprisingly Swiftsure Saga was tailing us and the sight of Len Randall on the helm and behind us was a surprise. But we had a bit of luck and the cross from Martin to Weaver had some boats over shooting the lay line ( or may be the wind flicked to the right a little), but we made it to Weaver picking up two more boats. Then the run past the scout hall and try not to get stuck on the mud bank a little further down river. Made it and picked up Glen and Wynella on the way through.
Further through, the breeze had us dependant on puffs and we had managed to catch up most of the div two boats and the leaders of the fleet behind us were starting to ride the Canning river puffs up to us. And then Vic got a puff all to himself and disappeared around Sampson and away to Hallmark. The fleet was now spread out across two or three hundred meters as we went down the river and as each puff came through, our relative positions changed. A quick look to the east showed us that a steady breeze out of the sou east had sprung up and first into it was going to be the new leader. Quickly boats changed their sail configurations and away we went. Up to Hallmark and thence to Armstrong, but not before a few moments of terror for the fleet behind us as some Royal Perth boats bent around a mark above us and came howling through the fleet on starboard. (Note to all skippers: start shouting Starboard back at them as hard as you can, it appears to confuse them.)
How far should you go across the river, before you tack and go? Really it depends on the breeze available to you. Lockie with a lot of guests on board decided to go quite late and wasn't seen for the rest of the day; we waited for a short while, tacked and then tacked back to Deepwater before we went up river again. John Wright went a few seconds later with Wynella as his shadow. Getting around Applecross Spit was a good move and then it was a case of working our way down to Como and try to get as close as we could to the mark.. however John had the lifts that we weren't getting and he looked fabulous as he shot around Como inside us. Vic and Carina were by this time well away and the battle was between us and Anna.
We'd worked it out that there was going to be a shortened course ( it was well after 4 pm ) and we settled into a drag race between us and John Wright from Como to the finish line. Nearly made it, but oh well a good third.
Over the line: Vic Court, John Wright and Brian Cross.
On handicap : Vic Court, Glen Stanley and Brian Cross
The quest for $$$$ for Duyfkin is still on and either Glen or John P is receiving. Bring your dollars down on Saturday!
Summer Saturdays. the 11th of November 2017 (Remembrance Day)
Yup! I'm sure the navigator will remember today!
On a moderate sou wester that diminished during the day, eight of the fleet took off from the start line. We were given a course one to go with and as such, the old hands looked at the new course sheets and said : " off to Brickies, then to Sanders and finally to Deepwater via Robins. For brevities sake I've not put the bottom marks in, but these were the top marks to hit for the day.
We had a chance of flying a kite as Brian Cross had come for a ride and claimed to be ok on the foredeck as well. Other than that; Alma had Mark and Barbie on board with Judith, Karoleeya had managed to convince Graham to drive, Lockie had an all girl crew with Geoff away and Anna was bowling along as normal. Les had his star fordeckie on board (more about this later) and a couple of likely lads to give him a hand. Andy Bell had master navigator and mainsheet man Bruce on board along with Simon Stone and another charming trimmer. Glen rounded up the fleet with a few extra bodies and once we hit the line it was clear that there were going to be some serious moments as up in front of us, the Royal fleets were sending their fleets out onto the water. Alma was doing very well at this stage and it was only the lack of a kite that stopped them from being truly competitive. The same might have been said for Glen and Graham as neither were flying kites on the day. But handicaps would come into play if you were sailing well enough.
The first run to Brickies had us going up the centre when we should have gone left into the bay and stayed there. By the time we hit the top we farewelled Andy Bell as he got to the lead and stuck there. Our next effort was to get around Brickies A and B then get a kite up. Well yes, sort of, with a number of muttered curses and insults being thrown around, but eventually we were up and sorted with the next problem being staying in front of Corella and Anna who had stuck to our tails tenaciously. In the meantime we also had to deal with a Farr 9 who wanted to turn at Dolphin West, so a discrete waltz on the water ensued as he slowed down and sped up in the effort to let us through or get across our bow. All of this with spinnakers up and a 40 foot cruiser getting closer on the lee side. Everyone happy we continued down to Foam and then set off to Sanders with the hope of catching the First Jindarra.
Not a chance in blue blazes with the Jin well on her way... something about clear air and the feeling of being in front. But the skipper came up with the comment of the day... Never, Ever, give up. In between, we had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a Sharpie, helmed by a chap who was older than most of us. So up to Sanders, get around and pop another kite for the trip down to Como. No change in the lead. Back up again and this time a trip to Deepwater via Robins ( to Starboard ) and much to our surprise the lead boat turned at Robins and aimed for Dolphin East with a kite up in just a few seconds. Perplexed we dived for the course sheet. Oops! Some one stuffed up. And so we shot around Robins, leaving it to starboard and continued up to Deepwater.
Looking back, we could see the Jin continuing on to D. E. and then concentrated on looking forward as we were slowing down and the two boats behind us had seen the Jin's problem and were looking hungrily at us. Finally around Deepwater and a kite to Dolphin East. The penny had dropped by this time for Andrew and his crew and as we bent around D.E. he was seen approaching Deepwater and sitting fourth on the line. A gybe as we soared past D.E. and the concentration was on for the drop at Addison and the reach across to Thelma. Would we make the line in one board or were we going to tack, tack ,tack? The answer was short and sweet, straight to the line and a double tack to cross it. All the time keeping our boat between the line and the opposition.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Anna.
On Handicap: Karoleeya, Swiftsure Saga and Anna
Where's Les did you say? Well to tell the truth, Les was the first to tell me he'd spent about 5 minutes naming his crew with the epithets reserved for labourers and wharf workers. He'd managed to run over his kite and in the process of retrieval, he'd put a bend in his spinnaker pole that would turn it into a serviceable boomerang. ( it's the fourth of the season with Brian, Bill, Andrew and now Les putting bends into their poles.) I'm sure if we bought a few meters of pole and kept it aside, we'd find a use for it.
Glen has put forward a proposal that the H28's donate $200 toward a rescue fund for the Duyfken ( who has the need for new motors damaged during a storm recently). Vic Court put forward a proposal that $1000 should be donated ( we have approx. 4 times that at hand ) and that individuals should throw in what ever they could afford. So far over $500 has been promised, with plenty more in the offing. This is a chance to help another wooden boat. Open your wallets ladies and gents. $100 each will go a long way. Get your money to Glen on Wednesday.
Yup! I'm sure the navigator will remember today!
On a moderate sou wester that diminished during the day, eight of the fleet took off from the start line. We were given a course one to go with and as such, the old hands looked at the new course sheets and said : " off to Brickies, then to Sanders and finally to Deepwater via Robins. For brevities sake I've not put the bottom marks in, but these were the top marks to hit for the day.
We had a chance of flying a kite as Brian Cross had come for a ride and claimed to be ok on the foredeck as well. Other than that; Alma had Mark and Barbie on board with Judith, Karoleeya had managed to convince Graham to drive, Lockie had an all girl crew with Geoff away and Anna was bowling along as normal. Les had his star fordeckie on board (more about this later) and a couple of likely lads to give him a hand. Andy Bell had master navigator and mainsheet man Bruce on board along with Simon Stone and another charming trimmer. Glen rounded up the fleet with a few extra bodies and once we hit the line it was clear that there were going to be some serious moments as up in front of us, the Royal fleets were sending their fleets out onto the water. Alma was doing very well at this stage and it was only the lack of a kite that stopped them from being truly competitive. The same might have been said for Glen and Graham as neither were flying kites on the day. But handicaps would come into play if you were sailing well enough.
The first run to Brickies had us going up the centre when we should have gone left into the bay and stayed there. By the time we hit the top we farewelled Andy Bell as he got to the lead and stuck there. Our next effort was to get around Brickies A and B then get a kite up. Well yes, sort of, with a number of muttered curses and insults being thrown around, but eventually we were up and sorted with the next problem being staying in front of Corella and Anna who had stuck to our tails tenaciously. In the meantime we also had to deal with a Farr 9 who wanted to turn at Dolphin West, so a discrete waltz on the water ensued as he slowed down and sped up in the effort to let us through or get across our bow. All of this with spinnakers up and a 40 foot cruiser getting closer on the lee side. Everyone happy we continued down to Foam and then set off to Sanders with the hope of catching the First Jindarra.
Not a chance in blue blazes with the Jin well on her way... something about clear air and the feeling of being in front. But the skipper came up with the comment of the day... Never, Ever, give up. In between, we had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a Sharpie, helmed by a chap who was older than most of us. So up to Sanders, get around and pop another kite for the trip down to Como. No change in the lead. Back up again and this time a trip to Deepwater via Robins ( to Starboard ) and much to our surprise the lead boat turned at Robins and aimed for Dolphin East with a kite up in just a few seconds. Perplexed we dived for the course sheet. Oops! Some one stuffed up. And so we shot around Robins, leaving it to starboard and continued up to Deepwater.
Looking back, we could see the Jin continuing on to D. E. and then concentrated on looking forward as we were slowing down and the two boats behind us had seen the Jin's problem and were looking hungrily at us. Finally around Deepwater and a kite to Dolphin East. The penny had dropped by this time for Andrew and his crew and as we bent around D.E. he was seen approaching Deepwater and sitting fourth on the line. A gybe as we soared past D.E. and the concentration was on for the drop at Addison and the reach across to Thelma. Would we make the line in one board or were we going to tack, tack ,tack? The answer was short and sweet, straight to the line and a double tack to cross it. All the time keeping our boat between the line and the opposition.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Anna.
On Handicap: Karoleeya, Swiftsure Saga and Anna
Where's Les did you say? Well to tell the truth, Les was the first to tell me he'd spent about 5 minutes naming his crew with the epithets reserved for labourers and wharf workers. He'd managed to run over his kite and in the process of retrieval, he'd put a bend in his spinnaker pole that would turn it into a serviceable boomerang. ( it's the fourth of the season with Brian, Bill, Andrew and now Les putting bends into their poles.) I'm sure if we bought a few meters of pole and kept it aside, we'd find a use for it.
Glen has put forward a proposal that the H28's donate $200 toward a rescue fund for the Duyfken ( who has the need for new motors damaged during a storm recently). Vic Court put forward a proposal that $1000 should be donated ( we have approx. 4 times that at hand ) and that individuals should throw in what ever they could afford. So far over $500 has been promised, with plenty more in the offing. This is a chance to help another wooden boat. Open your wallets ladies and gents. $100 each will go a long way. Get your money to Glen on Wednesday.
Summer Wednesdays the 8th of November 2017
A good day on the water with a surprise finish for Lockie and Brian.
Lets face it, with a good breeze out of the west sou west, who wouldn't want to go for a yot? 41 boats hit the water and 8 of them happened to be H28's. In a first for a while, Mariner hit the line with speed and purpose and made it to Sampson still in the lead. The Jin and Corella were below us and going just as fast with a cloud of H28's above and behind us. A great sight to see. A course one and 11 to 17 knots.
With Corella on our tail we rounded Sampson and watched as Jindarra went wide with Wynella on his transom. No room cried Lockie and bailed out toward the channel on the other side of the river. As we progressed up the river we watched the rest of the fleet flick over onto starboard and sail toward Heathcote. As they approached the eastern side they started to lift slightly and they took the bonus gratefully. Then they started the run back to the middle. At this stage we were heading into the bay, knocking as you would expect on a sou wester and preparing for the next stage of the run up to Deepwater.
The Royal fleet was making it's way across the river and we could see clashes to come, but the first three boats were clear and getting to Deepwater was going to be a pain for some as we watched the RP boats coming up. Apart from Lockie and Andrew pushing us we had Anna coming in from the north. John had gone out and was coming back with a vengeance on starboard. So now we had three boats lining up to get in front of us. Jindarra, Corella and Anna. And they did. Three boats on one leg. Not a good feeling. So on the downwind to Print with a chance to get back.
No such luck, but the next part of the race had us on the way to Robins and passing lanes had us jousting with Lockie up to the mark, while John W just sailed a clean race away from us, consolidating his second place. Around Robins and watch as Swiftsure caught up as well. Ok, we know we are quicker down wind so go for it. Get away from Lockie and start to push up to John Wright but we couldn't break the overlap on the mark, so a chase to the outer start line ensured with John still in the lead and Lockie panting on our heels.
On the cross as we made our way to Foam, Lockie was ahead but we took a chance and went early and still found ourselves chasing him, but any fears of being caught by Bill ( Swiftsure ) had disappeared when he had to pinch his way around Foam. Oh well. Happens to us all. I'd rather overlay slightly than underlay the mark. Then across to Print and a gybe and a follow me sequence with a bunch of SS27's who decided to insert themselves between ourselves and the next H28 that happened to be Swiftsure. Away down to Como and watch as the devils work began. I wrote recently of John Wrights pocketful of lifts and we found one of our own on the way from Thelma to the finish line. Lockie was knocking furiously and even Andrew was pushing it to cross the line with any speed as he had another boat sitting in him smothering his breeze. All Brian had to do was to remain in between the line and David, which he did. And then an interesting call from the finish line people had us roaring with mirth when the results came around. David had beaten us by 4 seconds. You be the judge. Look at the last picture.
Over the line: Jindarra, Anna and Corella ( apparently )
On handicap: Alma, Wynella and Anna
Out and about: I've come across the builder (Garrick McGavin) of Lara ( Greeta ) the ketch rigged H28 that was "wrecked' off Chatham island about 60 miles west from Albany in 1968. He has explained a bit about the building of the boat and whose frames he did use. He also corrected an issue with the building date putting the build into the mid 1960's rather than the late 50's. I'll have the information on the website presently.
A good day on the water with a surprise finish for Lockie and Brian.
Lets face it, with a good breeze out of the west sou west, who wouldn't want to go for a yot? 41 boats hit the water and 8 of them happened to be H28's. In a first for a while, Mariner hit the line with speed and purpose and made it to Sampson still in the lead. The Jin and Corella were below us and going just as fast with a cloud of H28's above and behind us. A great sight to see. A course one and 11 to 17 knots.
With Corella on our tail we rounded Sampson and watched as Jindarra went wide with Wynella on his transom. No room cried Lockie and bailed out toward the channel on the other side of the river. As we progressed up the river we watched the rest of the fleet flick over onto starboard and sail toward Heathcote. As they approached the eastern side they started to lift slightly and they took the bonus gratefully. Then they started the run back to the middle. At this stage we were heading into the bay, knocking as you would expect on a sou wester and preparing for the next stage of the run up to Deepwater.
The Royal fleet was making it's way across the river and we could see clashes to come, but the first three boats were clear and getting to Deepwater was going to be a pain for some as we watched the RP boats coming up. Apart from Lockie and Andrew pushing us we had Anna coming in from the north. John had gone out and was coming back with a vengeance on starboard. So now we had three boats lining up to get in front of us. Jindarra, Corella and Anna. And they did. Three boats on one leg. Not a good feeling. So on the downwind to Print with a chance to get back.
No such luck, but the next part of the race had us on the way to Robins and passing lanes had us jousting with Lockie up to the mark, while John W just sailed a clean race away from us, consolidating his second place. Around Robins and watch as Swiftsure caught up as well. Ok, we know we are quicker down wind so go for it. Get away from Lockie and start to push up to John Wright but we couldn't break the overlap on the mark, so a chase to the outer start line ensured with John still in the lead and Lockie panting on our heels.
On the cross as we made our way to Foam, Lockie was ahead but we took a chance and went early and still found ourselves chasing him, but any fears of being caught by Bill ( Swiftsure ) had disappeared when he had to pinch his way around Foam. Oh well. Happens to us all. I'd rather overlay slightly than underlay the mark. Then across to Print and a gybe and a follow me sequence with a bunch of SS27's who decided to insert themselves between ourselves and the next H28 that happened to be Swiftsure. Away down to Como and watch as the devils work began. I wrote recently of John Wrights pocketful of lifts and we found one of our own on the way from Thelma to the finish line. Lockie was knocking furiously and even Andrew was pushing it to cross the line with any speed as he had another boat sitting in him smothering his breeze. All Brian had to do was to remain in between the line and David, which he did. And then an interesting call from the finish line people had us roaring with mirth when the results came around. David had beaten us by 4 seconds. You be the judge. Look at the last picture.
Over the line: Jindarra, Anna and Corella ( apparently )
On handicap: Alma, Wynella and Anna
Out and about: I've come across the builder (Garrick McGavin) of Lara ( Greeta ) the ketch rigged H28 that was "wrecked' off Chatham island about 60 miles west from Albany in 1968. He has explained a bit about the building of the boat and whose frames he did use. He also corrected an issue with the building date putting the build into the mid 1960's rather than the late 50's. I'll have the information on the website presently.
Summer Saturdays the 4th of November 2017
The Windward - Leewards first round
Four boats made the line and only three completed the fourth race.
On a warm day on a light sou easter, three boats set off from the main jetty to be joined by Karoleeya. Two were ready to fly kites and one was sort of and the other didn't have the required number of people.
It came back to a battle between Dave Locke and John Wright with David nailing the start time after time, however the handicapper was around and Karoleeya got the win in race one. Swiftsure Saga was suffering the torture of the damned hitting everything in sight and having to do 360's regularly. Race two was eventually scratched... after Swiftsure was beginning to look good, but the lack of breeze was evident and Les canned the racing with good reason. Eventually, after 15 minutes under AP and a re alignment of the line we set off again on a building sou wester and this time Swiftsure Saga got a reasonable second over the line after David Locke, but again Karoleeya took the win on handicap. I think that the clever thing was avoiding the mob of S80's and S97's who had good numbers and were driving up and down the course like lunatics with crosses and rounding's becoming more and more dangerous as the wind increased.
On the third race we took off from the line fast and low, scoring an OCS on the way. Hi ho. Can't help bad luck and then we decided for more fun: with a pole out to port we had a 97 come up on us on port crossing under our bow and then lifting around the bow....guess what? Our spinnaker pole had their crew diving for cover as it swept down the port rail of the yacht with the GPS mount and back stay as a close miss as well. At least we survived the day. Lockie got first and fastest with Karoleeya grabbing third
The fourth race was the clincher as Anna had decided that the dud race second up was still counted. Sorry John and team, it wasn't so and the fourth race was a trimmer. We had a good race and followed Lockie over the line for a second, but the handicaps kicked in again and Karoleeya had to split the win with Corella with Swiftsure taking a third.
So far Karoleeya holds the cake 1 point ahead of Corella with Anna and Swiftsure Saga holding third and fourth one point apart as well.
The next round will occur in February 2018. Rock up for a good time on the water.
As a matter of discussion, a large number of boats on a windward leeward race setting off only three minutes apart is rather disconcerting when half the combined fleet don't have competent skippers on board. There were some moments there where only split seconds separated danger from disaster. I wonder whether they might consider an Olympic triangular course to separate the fleets. Or have two courses going; one on starboard and one on port.
Summer Wednesdays the 1st of November.
Waiting at the finish line.
My race was already run, I'd been mowing lawns all afternoon and all I wanted to do is watch the boats come in. From the understanding I was given we had eight boats out on the water and a fine show it was to see them roll back across the line. I popped up to the start box and nodded hello to the assembled crew and took a spot at the back to let them do what was necessary. It wasn't hard to tell how they were going on the water. In particular, the last lap for the H28's is clearly visible to the box and they have a very good idea who's coming where and when. A course one with a sou westerly and The First Jindarra was well in the lead and crossed the line three minutes and ten seconds in front of David Locke who had been sailing well for the arvo. Third over the line was Swiftsure Saga sailing three up and 29 seconds behind David Locke's Corella. However on handicap we had Alma taking the cake with a nice little win ( they had sailed well ) and the Jin and Swiftsure rolling up 2nd and 3rd respectively. Lockie would have to feel hardly done by though. 2nd over the line and 7th on handicap. Even Mariner was trying hard and got a good last for their efforts, but a healthy handicap will always do that to you. We had a repeat visit from Keith Swinton and there is a promise on the wings that he may be driving the Jin. in a couple of weeks time while Andrew is away.
Enjoy the photos, pretty simple ones these. Just finish line stuff.
Waiting at the finish line.
My race was already run, I'd been mowing lawns all afternoon and all I wanted to do is watch the boats come in. From the understanding I was given we had eight boats out on the water and a fine show it was to see them roll back across the line. I popped up to the start box and nodded hello to the assembled crew and took a spot at the back to let them do what was necessary. It wasn't hard to tell how they were going on the water. In particular, the last lap for the H28's is clearly visible to the box and they have a very good idea who's coming where and when. A course one with a sou westerly and The First Jindarra was well in the lead and crossed the line three minutes and ten seconds in front of David Locke who had been sailing well for the arvo. Third over the line was Swiftsure Saga sailing three up and 29 seconds behind David Locke's Corella. However on handicap we had Alma taking the cake with a nice little win ( they had sailed well ) and the Jin and Swiftsure rolling up 2nd and 3rd respectively. Lockie would have to feel hardly done by though. 2nd over the line and 7th on handicap. Even Mariner was trying hard and got a good last for their efforts, but a healthy handicap will always do that to you. We had a repeat visit from Keith Swinton and there is a promise on the wings that he may be driving the Jin. in a couple of weeks time while Andrew is away.
Enjoy the photos, pretty simple ones these. Just finish line stuff.
Summer Saturday the 28th of October The first Championship day.
The wrong choice of headsails or bending that pole again.
Lockie would be the first bloke to tell you that you don't want to overpower a boat. "No use breaking the boat, you only have to wait a month or so, fixing it". So there was no surprise to see Geoff slipping onto Carina to pick up a number two which was pinned onto the forestay of Corella for the afternoon. Andrew had repaired the pole he broke a few weeks back and with a chunk of wood down the centre where the break was (and a lot of tape) he had a quick fix. Ummmmm! We had a decent westerly with a base of 14 knots and gusts hitting 22 knots on the official recorder at Inner Dolphin. Some we saw were slightly larger. But it was a course two.
Half a dozen boats made it to the startline and once again the arrival of Aloha was a welcome sight, even though they promptly headed for the putty down near the freeway and had to be pulled off. They made it to the start line in time fortunately. Les and Nerrima had a goodly crew and Anna had picked up Steve from Karoleeya as he was short crew as was John on Anna. Put Bill and Swiftsure into the mix and add Crossy on the main sheet and we were away.
An early arrival had all the boats hanging on their sails on the line and the grunt of the trimmers was heard as the ten second chime rang in the cockpit. Power up! And we hit the line slightly above Jindarra with Corella slipping across the line above us near the start boat. We were heading for Hallmark and the breeze was showing a little hint of north which would have us running right up the middle of the river. Wait for it though and we crossed to the Heathcote side with only Lockie breaking away to the other side of the river. Fair enough he was in foul air from the rest of us.
Tack and tack as we work our way up to Hallmark with Jindarra side by side, trying to keep ourselves between him and the mark. Lucky us, we'd made it all the way to Hallmark and then a momentary lapse in concentration had Jindarra slip away and get on the right side, that is to say he could tackle the mark on starboard, leaving us to duck him. So chase Andrew. Meanwhile the battle behind us had Anna trying to get past Les and Nerrima and eventually doing so, while Lockie struggled with an underpowered boat. All the boats ( bar Aloha ) rounded in good time and the dash down to King was next with big gusts heading down the course. We had opted to go a poled out jib and watched as everyone else threw up kites and for a time the boats behind us began to pick up on us. Andrew in front of us wasn't getting too far away so we stuck with what we had, but sailing angles rather than dead duck down wind. They say it's faster.. During this down wind, Lockie took the opportunity to change jibs up to his larger one and began to improve immediately.
And around the corner at King with a dash up to Deepwater, great angles and sailing today and we managed to keep up with and improve on the lead Andrew had, with the next three boats falling back behind us. Then a dash to Dolphin East on a booming reach...sure throw up a kite and try your luck. Not worth it really, we had 7.5 knots and little risk. A kite would have given you that extra .5 of a knot and a heart in the mouth ride. Done that before. The next part of the leg had us down to Thelma and all we did was gybe the main and watch Jindarra wander all over the river trying to keep the boat upright. That and a serious wobble had the spinnaker pole bending like a banana for a few seconds and we gained back at least thirty meters. The gang behind us were also "just under control" with Lockie and John neck and neck and Les had gone for a wander all on his own.
After Thelma, it was back to Robins and thence to Dolphin East and we watched with glee as, on our way to Robins, we watched Jindarra ride a different breeze up as we stayed on course to Robins while they dropped in toward Applecross jetty. The cross was crucial and to our dismay he slipped past us and made Robins in front of us. So follow the boat to Dolphin East again and thence to Addison where we were treated to another bendy pole display as he fought the recalcitrant kite down to Addison. The last of the race was nothing but a dash to Print and back to Thelma with no passing lanes at all and we again had a roaring reach across to Thelma and slightly cracked to the finish line. In the bar afterwards it was quite evident that all had had a great day on the water. Sure we were wet and tired, but there was more fun in that 2 hours than could be had sitting in the bar for the next two hours waiting for results.
For the Championship: the First Jindarra, Swiftsure Saga and Corella
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Nerrima and The First Jindarra.
In retrospect, if Lockie had put that bigger sail on the front of his boat, he could have achieved a better position on handicap ( there was only 21 seconds between 3rd and 5th) If Swiftsure had flown only one leg with a kite (the first) they might have been close enough to get Andrew on that tack into Robins. If Aloha had had that one extra person on board they may have come in a lot closer to the next boat. Its a lot of work sailing a big boat two up. If , if , if , if ..................
Enjoy the photo's
The wrong choice of headsails or bending that pole again.
Lockie would be the first bloke to tell you that you don't want to overpower a boat. "No use breaking the boat, you only have to wait a month or so, fixing it". So there was no surprise to see Geoff slipping onto Carina to pick up a number two which was pinned onto the forestay of Corella for the afternoon. Andrew had repaired the pole he broke a few weeks back and with a chunk of wood down the centre where the break was (and a lot of tape) he had a quick fix. Ummmmm! We had a decent westerly with a base of 14 knots and gusts hitting 22 knots on the official recorder at Inner Dolphin. Some we saw were slightly larger. But it was a course two.
Half a dozen boats made it to the startline and once again the arrival of Aloha was a welcome sight, even though they promptly headed for the putty down near the freeway and had to be pulled off. They made it to the start line in time fortunately. Les and Nerrima had a goodly crew and Anna had picked up Steve from Karoleeya as he was short crew as was John on Anna. Put Bill and Swiftsure into the mix and add Crossy on the main sheet and we were away.
An early arrival had all the boats hanging on their sails on the line and the grunt of the trimmers was heard as the ten second chime rang in the cockpit. Power up! And we hit the line slightly above Jindarra with Corella slipping across the line above us near the start boat. We were heading for Hallmark and the breeze was showing a little hint of north which would have us running right up the middle of the river. Wait for it though and we crossed to the Heathcote side with only Lockie breaking away to the other side of the river. Fair enough he was in foul air from the rest of us.
Tack and tack as we work our way up to Hallmark with Jindarra side by side, trying to keep ourselves between him and the mark. Lucky us, we'd made it all the way to Hallmark and then a momentary lapse in concentration had Jindarra slip away and get on the right side, that is to say he could tackle the mark on starboard, leaving us to duck him. So chase Andrew. Meanwhile the battle behind us had Anna trying to get past Les and Nerrima and eventually doing so, while Lockie struggled with an underpowered boat. All the boats ( bar Aloha ) rounded in good time and the dash down to King was next with big gusts heading down the course. We had opted to go a poled out jib and watched as everyone else threw up kites and for a time the boats behind us began to pick up on us. Andrew in front of us wasn't getting too far away so we stuck with what we had, but sailing angles rather than dead duck down wind. They say it's faster.. During this down wind, Lockie took the opportunity to change jibs up to his larger one and began to improve immediately.
And around the corner at King with a dash up to Deepwater, great angles and sailing today and we managed to keep up with and improve on the lead Andrew had, with the next three boats falling back behind us. Then a dash to Dolphin East on a booming reach...sure throw up a kite and try your luck. Not worth it really, we had 7.5 knots and little risk. A kite would have given you that extra .5 of a knot and a heart in the mouth ride. Done that before. The next part of the leg had us down to Thelma and all we did was gybe the main and watch Jindarra wander all over the river trying to keep the boat upright. That and a serious wobble had the spinnaker pole bending like a banana for a few seconds and we gained back at least thirty meters. The gang behind us were also "just under control" with Lockie and John neck and neck and Les had gone for a wander all on his own.
After Thelma, it was back to Robins and thence to Dolphin East and we watched with glee as, on our way to Robins, we watched Jindarra ride a different breeze up as we stayed on course to Robins while they dropped in toward Applecross jetty. The cross was crucial and to our dismay he slipped past us and made Robins in front of us. So follow the boat to Dolphin East again and thence to Addison where we were treated to another bendy pole display as he fought the recalcitrant kite down to Addison. The last of the race was nothing but a dash to Print and back to Thelma with no passing lanes at all and we again had a roaring reach across to Thelma and slightly cracked to the finish line. In the bar afterwards it was quite evident that all had had a great day on the water. Sure we were wet and tired, but there was more fun in that 2 hours than could be had sitting in the bar for the next two hours waiting for results.
For the Championship: the First Jindarra, Swiftsure Saga and Corella
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Nerrima and The First Jindarra.
In retrospect, if Lockie had put that bigger sail on the front of his boat, he could have achieved a better position on handicap ( there was only 21 seconds between 3rd and 5th) If Swiftsure had flown only one leg with a kite (the first) they might have been close enough to get Andrew on that tack into Robins. If Aloha had had that one extra person on board they may have come in a lot closer to the next boat. Its a lot of work sailing a big boat two up. If , if , if , if ..................
Enjoy the photo's
Summer Saturday the 21st of October The J.B. Leach Memorial Race
A Nor Easter and Bill finds the mud.
Ok, I wasn't there, but the Goss has it that Les Brooker was feeling quite chuffed having picked up the JB Leach trophy with a first on handicap. Lockie, poor fellow, just couldn't sail fast enough and despite a first over the line and 3 and a half minutes in front still drew a second on handicap. John Wright probably feels just as hardly done by as he was second over the line and got a fourth on handicap. In fact that only boat that sailed to their handicap was Aloha ( welcome back boys ) who got a fifth and fifth. Wynella ran in fourth over the line, but got a third for the effort.
But no one felt sorry for Bill, he hit the mud over at Nedlands. The tide was out and he managed to get well and truly stuck. Big John was right this time Bill.. you should have tacked off earlier.
Enjoy the photos; both of them. Thanks to Brian Cross for the photo's
A Nor Easter and Bill finds the mud.
Ok, I wasn't there, but the Goss has it that Les Brooker was feeling quite chuffed having picked up the JB Leach trophy with a first on handicap. Lockie, poor fellow, just couldn't sail fast enough and despite a first over the line and 3 and a half minutes in front still drew a second on handicap. John Wright probably feels just as hardly done by as he was second over the line and got a fourth on handicap. In fact that only boat that sailed to their handicap was Aloha ( welcome back boys ) who got a fifth and fifth. Wynella ran in fourth over the line, but got a third for the effort.
But no one felt sorry for Bill, he hit the mud over at Nedlands. The tide was out and he managed to get well and truly stuck. Big John was right this time Bill.. you should have tacked off earlier.
Enjoy the photos; both of them. Thanks to Brian Cross for the photo's
Summer Wednesday The 18th of October
A pocket full of Thelma lifts and checking the course flags.
Once again I am indebted to A.N.Other who gave me an idea of what happened yesterday.
7 H28’s out on the water and 14 to 20 knots out of the south west bending into the sou sou west by the end of the sailing period. It’s really a no brainer. You check the course flag before you leave the start line. Especially if you nail the start and are 40 seconds into the lead half way to Sampson. “Oh dear” said Bill, ”I don’t think that Brian has checked the course today. Look at him… he’s just dropped back to second. You’d not do that without cause. Let’s not tack at Sampson and see if he follows.”
Hmmmm! He didn’t take the bait and he’s gone on the knock. We’ll stay out and see if anything improves.” 10 minutes later… “No, he’s looking good over there and we can see boats lifting in the bay. Back we go gentlemen.” And he was behind Mariner again.
So all the way up to Deepwater with Bill and Les Swinton who was driving Andy Bells boat deciding to head to Bond in order to keep Brian confused. To be honest it’s possible that Les wasn’t sure and was just following Bill to be safe. And it worked, with Brian doing bog laps at Deepwater while checking his course sheet until John Wright came thundering around Deepwater and setting off downwind. At last… someone knows which course it was.
The next lap got Brian back past John Wright with Bill on Swiftsure Saga hurrying along into third place and David Locke traipsing along keeping Les out.
And then the final devils triangle, with the run to Thelma and up to the finish line. Or not. Still in the lead, Brian decided to run along the freeway, riding the special until it was time to toss for the run for the line. And then he looked back to see John Wright lifting toward the finish line. He must have a pocketful of Thelma lifts.
Bill Richards was 20 meters behind him and he wasn’t getting any lifts either and true to his luck John Wright slipped over the line some 8 seconds in front of Mariner with Bill 38 seconds behind Brian. On the hail of “well sailed,” John simply put his hands together and lifted them to the sky in supplication to the gods of wind.
On handicap: a slightly different story but John Wright got a well earned first and fastest , Bill Richards picked up a second and Brian Cross took a third.
What if everyone had checked the flags before the race started?
I do thank the mysterious stranger ( g'day Brian ) who furnishes me with the meat to grind for these stories. The unfortunate thing is that it may continue while I'm under going the chemical peel on my face. Another week at least and I hope to be back for the championship race at the end of October.
Summer Saturday the 14th of October
Sailing the new course one or A lot of tacks on the first work.
All the tacking had nothing to do with the new course. It was just one of those days when a remnant Westerly influence stymied the run up Waylen Bay to Applecross Spit.
We had 6 boats out on the water with Andy Bell having to disappear for work related issues. Les Brooker had inveigled Mark Loader to come out for the day as he was short a foredeck man and did very well of it, it seems. And the new course one on a day of 11 to 17 knots starting in the west sou west and then bending into the sou west. There's no doubt about it, John Wright still rocks. Chased Lockie all day and didn't blink when Lockie fell over the line first, because he was close enough to take first on handicap. Well done John and crew.
But our story was far different and despite all we tried, the boat was simply not pointing and while we had speed we seemed to be on the wrong side of every shift. Go figure why we waved good by to Lockie and were passed by John Wright on the way up to Applecross and then had Les snapping at our heels. By the time we had reached Applecross Spit it was a case of do we go in to the next bay or stay out in the middle as we were watching John and Lockie pointing up to the mark very nicely. And then as we drew near Brickies A, we saw them tack across to get a lay line on starboard and we saw the horde of SS27's behind them begin to aim at Brickies A as well. OMG, quick, lay over and hope we have the height 'cause if we don't, we've got those buggers breathing down our necks. Despite our best attempts we did have them in front and behind and the next few seconds were interesting as we tried to get clear to hoist our kite and realised we had a snarl in the hoist. So stop and untangle and slowly but surely, sort out the problem and get the kite up to discover the pole on the wrong side of sheet and an errant all female SS27 boat pushing us up. They wanted to go to Hallmark and we wanted to go to Dolphin West. An agreement was reached and they went up above us and we ducked below. Honour satisfied for all parties. Down to Dolphin West and further to Foam and back up to Sanders.
At least we were pointing again and back in phase with the breeze. Much better, as we'd had to shake off Nerrima again and he was showing signs of persistency. Around Sanders and back down the hill again, this time with a better kite set and a happier frame of mind. To Como and another run up to Deepwater. We had to keep our height to avoid a family who were swimming off a boat near Frenchies and probably lost 20 meters as we were slowing to get the height. Les went so far into the beach at Frenchies he actually touched and had enough speed to roll the boat over and slide off. At Deepwater we took a chance to dazzle all with a screaming reach to Dolphin East with no kite. Our mistake as Les put up a kite and went for the gold. Darned good try too as we had to fight our way through a bunch of oncoming Royal Perth yachts full of celebratory spirits and Les was past us in a flash. Then the bend at Dolphin East and a kite to Addison; Nerrima is away and we haven't a chance.
Keep in mind the little Red Witches being sailed by the scouts. You don't want to give them a hard time, but one really didn't want to be at the corner at the same time as ourselves and Chelsea as we battled for honours at Thelma. The young skipper just held his line and must have been praying internally as the whites of his eyes were clearly in evidence as we roared past.
Over the line: Corella, Anna and Nerrima.
On handicap: Anna, Corella and Nerrima
The rest of us were there to keep the numbers up!
Sailing the new course one or A lot of tacks on the first work.
All the tacking had nothing to do with the new course. It was just one of those days when a remnant Westerly influence stymied the run up Waylen Bay to Applecross Spit.
We had 6 boats out on the water with Andy Bell having to disappear for work related issues. Les Brooker had inveigled Mark Loader to come out for the day as he was short a foredeck man and did very well of it, it seems. And the new course one on a day of 11 to 17 knots starting in the west sou west and then bending into the sou west. There's no doubt about it, John Wright still rocks. Chased Lockie all day and didn't blink when Lockie fell over the line first, because he was close enough to take first on handicap. Well done John and crew.
But our story was far different and despite all we tried, the boat was simply not pointing and while we had speed we seemed to be on the wrong side of every shift. Go figure why we waved good by to Lockie and were passed by John Wright on the way up to Applecross and then had Les snapping at our heels. By the time we had reached Applecross Spit it was a case of do we go in to the next bay or stay out in the middle as we were watching John and Lockie pointing up to the mark very nicely. And then as we drew near Brickies A, we saw them tack across to get a lay line on starboard and we saw the horde of SS27's behind them begin to aim at Brickies A as well. OMG, quick, lay over and hope we have the height 'cause if we don't, we've got those buggers breathing down our necks. Despite our best attempts we did have them in front and behind and the next few seconds were interesting as we tried to get clear to hoist our kite and realised we had a snarl in the hoist. So stop and untangle and slowly but surely, sort out the problem and get the kite up to discover the pole on the wrong side of sheet and an errant all female SS27 boat pushing us up. They wanted to go to Hallmark and we wanted to go to Dolphin West. An agreement was reached and they went up above us and we ducked below. Honour satisfied for all parties. Down to Dolphin West and further to Foam and back up to Sanders.
At least we were pointing again and back in phase with the breeze. Much better, as we'd had to shake off Nerrima again and he was showing signs of persistency. Around Sanders and back down the hill again, this time with a better kite set and a happier frame of mind. To Como and another run up to Deepwater. We had to keep our height to avoid a family who were swimming off a boat near Frenchies and probably lost 20 meters as we were slowing to get the height. Les went so far into the beach at Frenchies he actually touched and had enough speed to roll the boat over and slide off. At Deepwater we took a chance to dazzle all with a screaming reach to Dolphin East with no kite. Our mistake as Les put up a kite and went for the gold. Darned good try too as we had to fight our way through a bunch of oncoming Royal Perth yachts full of celebratory spirits and Les was past us in a flash. Then the bend at Dolphin East and a kite to Addison; Nerrima is away and we haven't a chance.
Keep in mind the little Red Witches being sailed by the scouts. You don't want to give them a hard time, but one really didn't want to be at the corner at the same time as ourselves and Chelsea as we battled for honours at Thelma. The young skipper just held his line and must have been praying internally as the whites of his eyes were clearly in evidence as we roared past.
Over the line: Corella, Anna and Nerrima.
On handicap: Anna, Corella and Nerrima
The rest of us were there to keep the numbers up!
Summer Wednesday the 11th of October
"Follow the leader" or "Anyone for clean air at the start."
A sou wester was in evidence with the promise of 10 to 15 knots and we were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of a little bit more in the gusts.
The starters had a run to Martin/Weaver in mind and the winner was forecast at Martin. The first five boats finished in the same order as they started. Eight boats made it out on the line today and the start was magnificent, well it could have been if we'd kept away from the box end as we had planned. However we ended up 2 or 3 from the box end. We were sat on by boats above and below us and only luck and good trimming got us past Vic on Carina otherwise we would have been spat further out the back. So third around Martin and that was our lot for the day. We were fortunate to have sailmaker Paul Eldrid on board for the day and he was happy to comment on the forth coming Gero race and his taking Indian (a Carkeek 47) out for the run. He should be quick.
Otherwise the other boats were well stocked with Bruce Millar sailing with Vic, Rita back on David Locke's boat, Peter having returned from NZ to crew with John Wright and Andy Bell with his ever changing crowd of rock stars. And of course Alma, sailing with a great bunch helmed by Mark Whimhurst for Judith.
So away around Martin and Weaver on a course one, then pushing up to Sampson on a roaring reach with a harden up predicted at the mark and a possible toss if we found ourselves in bad air. Which we did and we crossed early to the channel markers and then began the series of tacks as we worked our way up the breeze to Applecross and beyond. Pass this boat and dip the next, go in to the bay, but possibly not far enough and don't get the lift out of it that those who went further in were looking for. Curse the waves from the Royal Perth fleet and feel the boat almost slam to a halt. So we went out to a starboard lay and then found ourselves following Andy and David as they tacked in to Deepwater. No problems there and a nice rounding had us looking at Print with a port pole. So chase the gusts and curse those behind us as they surged forward.
Around Print and off to Robins with very little interference from the Royal Perth boats who were down the river frolicking with the Div. one and two SoPYC boats. Ok by us. Clean air is preferred but by now the race was settling into a predictable pattern with the only changes coming from the distance between the boats. Across to Dolphin East after Robins and a gybe that took us to Como and around the outer start line with a nice gybe and then chasing the boats in front of us. But we had the small triangle in front of us and following the first two we crossed a little later than the others and watched David Locke miss the mark at Foam and have to tack twice. Ouch, I'll bet that hurt. So around the mark and dash to Foam and then carry a two sail reach across the river to Como and convert it to a reach to Thelma. The outer start line was a formality but looking at the results there were one or two changes.
Over the line: Andy Bell and The First Jindarra, David Locke and Corella and Brian Cross with Mariner.
On handicap: the same three boats with Mariner moving into 2nd and Corella taking 3rd (so I guess that double tack at Foam cost a place)
Jockey poles seem to be the rage at the moment, with 3 boats employing them now, but Brian's new one bent under the strain of a gentle sou wester. The idea is good though and is not as dangerous as poling out the headsail on the spinnaker pole.
The new handicaps are being followed closely by our respected handicappers and appear to be working, but they will know a little more by the end of the season as to the accuracy of the system.
If any one has been wondering where Bill and Glen are in the racing, they can be found at the back of the pack improving their handicaps.
Wynella went up on the slips on Monday and weighed in at 4.3 tonnes.
Fair warning. If you've got new sails or they don't have the measurers' initials on them, you could be protested out a race and or points. The handicappers are David Locke and Andrew Bell. Make sure your sails are legal.
A Summer Saturday the 7th of October
A game of snakes and ladders.
Lets catch up with the news first. Geoff Reason ( x Carina and now foredeck on Corella) has just bought Carina from Vic. Well done Geoff, I hope your pocket book is deep. Rita is back and was complaining about the cold (after three months or more in the islands I'm not surprised). Soraya is up on the slips and has weighed in at 4.8 tonnes. That's 800 kgs heavier than the other three weighed so far.
A course one was on offer and for those who don't know, we are sailing on a changed course with the second run up to Brickies taken out and substituted with a dash up to Deepwater from Como with a bend at Robins (logical if it's a sou wester) and then back down to Dolphin East and thence to Addison, Thelma and home. To begin we had a steady 10 to 14 knots out of the sou west and the expectation that it would stay the same for the afternoon. We were wrong as the breeze just got better and better all day.
Seven boats on the water with three of us three up and deciding not to fly kites. Those who had 4 or more could and did and we were entertained by some great rolling motions when the gusts came through. Particularly from the boats that still had their spinnakers flying from the mast head (Wynella and Nerrima). The start line had all seven boats running down and getting off to a good start with the back three peeling off to get into clear air a little further up. Andy Bell with his troupe of all-stars was doing well digging into Heathcote with Wynella and Swiftsure Saga on his tail. We waited till they tacked and then set off up wind to Brickies. And the game of snakes and ladders commenced.
Tack and cross John Wright, watching Lockie and Andrew battle it out at the front. Then get rolled by Glen and roll him right back again on the next tack. Look sideways and here comes Steve Hill and Karoleeya. Its all happening. Then the skipper decides to go out to the north on the hope that there's still a little Westerly influence. Nope and we lost at least three positions by the time we came back. Then into the bay south of Deepwater and go a long way in. And still don't lay Brickies, but only one little tack right at the end and we rounded in front of Les Brooker and Steve. But every one else was in front and we weren't flying a kite. So set the boat up and just hold on for the ride as the kite flyers rocked and rolled their way down the course and watch them begin to battle each other. Go for it Glen and Les, take each other up, we're getting closer each minute.
Then around the mark and away off to Deepwater, this time we're going into Waylen Bay and riding the sou wester up the bay. Bend past Robins and then Deepwater going for a starboard lay into the mark. We've just got Nerrima back, hooray. Meanwhile John Wright has worked his way past Wynella and Nerrima as well and regained his third position. Well sailed. We made Deepwater just managing to get in front of Wynella at the mark and found ourselves back into fourth spot and a fair reach across to Dolphin East before the run down to Addison. Wynella chose not to fly a kite and gave us the ability to improve on the lead we had. Nerrima threw one up and although they were quick were not losing our lead. Then the gybe at Dolphin East and the run down to Addison with Wynella throwing up a kite as well. But we were still holding our own and happy with the result. Some where along here Andy Bell managed to break his spinnaker pole. How is not known yet.
A quick gybe had us around Addison with a pole to put away and a howling reach across to Thelma. Swiftsure had a solid fourth to protect and a chance at getting third... only a chance, but you never know. Down the freeway after Thelma and may be a lift up to the mark...... Didn't do too badly and watching those in front, we were luckier than some. A tack and another tack had us across the line shortly after John Wright and more than happy with the days sailing.
Over the line Andy Bell, then David Locke with John Wright sailing really well without a spinnaker to take third.
On handicap: Les Brooker and Nerrima, Glen and Wynella and David Locke with Corella.
Handicaps caused the major changes with last years handicaps turning the finish results upside down. And it won't be much better for a while.
Did I mention that it was cold today? It was freezing.
A game of snakes and ladders.
Lets catch up with the news first. Geoff Reason ( x Carina and now foredeck on Corella) has just bought Carina from Vic. Well done Geoff, I hope your pocket book is deep. Rita is back and was complaining about the cold (after three months or more in the islands I'm not surprised). Soraya is up on the slips and has weighed in at 4.8 tonnes. That's 800 kgs heavier than the other three weighed so far.
A course one was on offer and for those who don't know, we are sailing on a changed course with the second run up to Brickies taken out and substituted with a dash up to Deepwater from Como with a bend at Robins (logical if it's a sou wester) and then back down to Dolphin East and thence to Addison, Thelma and home. To begin we had a steady 10 to 14 knots out of the sou west and the expectation that it would stay the same for the afternoon. We were wrong as the breeze just got better and better all day.
Seven boats on the water with three of us three up and deciding not to fly kites. Those who had 4 or more could and did and we were entertained by some great rolling motions when the gusts came through. Particularly from the boats that still had their spinnakers flying from the mast head (Wynella and Nerrima). The start line had all seven boats running down and getting off to a good start with the back three peeling off to get into clear air a little further up. Andy Bell with his troupe of all-stars was doing well digging into Heathcote with Wynella and Swiftsure Saga on his tail. We waited till they tacked and then set off up wind to Brickies. And the game of snakes and ladders commenced.
Tack and cross John Wright, watching Lockie and Andrew battle it out at the front. Then get rolled by Glen and roll him right back again on the next tack. Look sideways and here comes Steve Hill and Karoleeya. Its all happening. Then the skipper decides to go out to the north on the hope that there's still a little Westerly influence. Nope and we lost at least three positions by the time we came back. Then into the bay south of Deepwater and go a long way in. And still don't lay Brickies, but only one little tack right at the end and we rounded in front of Les Brooker and Steve. But every one else was in front and we weren't flying a kite. So set the boat up and just hold on for the ride as the kite flyers rocked and rolled their way down the course and watch them begin to battle each other. Go for it Glen and Les, take each other up, we're getting closer each minute.
Then around the mark and away off to Deepwater, this time we're going into Waylen Bay and riding the sou wester up the bay. Bend past Robins and then Deepwater going for a starboard lay into the mark. We've just got Nerrima back, hooray. Meanwhile John Wright has worked his way past Wynella and Nerrima as well and regained his third position. Well sailed. We made Deepwater just managing to get in front of Wynella at the mark and found ourselves back into fourth spot and a fair reach across to Dolphin East before the run down to Addison. Wynella chose not to fly a kite and gave us the ability to improve on the lead we had. Nerrima threw one up and although they were quick were not losing our lead. Then the gybe at Dolphin East and the run down to Addison with Wynella throwing up a kite as well. But we were still holding our own and happy with the result. Some where along here Andy Bell managed to break his spinnaker pole. How is not known yet.
A quick gybe had us around Addison with a pole to put away and a howling reach across to Thelma. Swiftsure had a solid fourth to protect and a chance at getting third... only a chance, but you never know. Down the freeway after Thelma and may be a lift up to the mark...... Didn't do too badly and watching those in front, we were luckier than some. A tack and another tack had us across the line shortly after John Wright and more than happy with the days sailing.
Over the line Andy Bell, then David Locke with John Wright sailing really well without a spinnaker to take third.
On handicap: Les Brooker and Nerrima, Glen and Wynella and David Locke with Corella.
Handicaps caused the major changes with last years handicaps turning the finish results upside down. And it won't be much better for a while.
Did I mention that it was cold today? It was freezing.
Summer Wednesdays The 4th of October
Waltzing away on a Sou Easterly. Or Smoke gets in your eyes.
A course 2 was given to us (it might have been a course 3) but we were happy with that as we had a course change to assimilate and it was this course. The breeze was out of the sou east with a fair amount of swing in it and a fluctuation in pressure ranging from 10 to 24 knots. Interesting to say the least. 7 boats were lining up and Mark Whimhurst had re-joined Judith on Alma to keep her on the water. Steely was out for a yacht as well and had joined Bill Richards as a trimmer.
A dash up to Martin had us chasing Andrew Bell up to the mark with a bit of luck going our way as we swung around Martin trying to get inside Andrew on the dash across to Weaver. We just made the mark having had to pinch the boat up. A sure sign that we had gone too early. No matter, away down the breeze we went with the boats reaching hard down to Sampson. We were poled out on a two sail reach with Geoff from UK sails riding with Andy Bell.. ( new sails in the offing ?) Just at that time the smoke from the back burn up in the Hills made its way onto the river and hung around in patches for the rest of the day.
Around Sampson and off to Hallmark with the same poled out jib and the main gybed over. Then we had to cross the Royal Perth Fleet as they barrelled down the breeze aiming for Como. My word we had to swerve a little. By this time the fleet had separated with the first three boats well away and the third boat happened to be Swiftsure Saga; sailing like men possessed. Making Hallmark it was a quick harden up and a run to Armstrong on a good reach. 7 knots was achievable.
Turning at Armstrong we decided to go a little further as did Andy and Bill before we turned for Como. All three boats were locked into a work up the river which was not doing us any good and Mariner wanted to tack off with Swiftsure close behind on starboard and with all rights if we tacked on to port. Despite that we tacked and it was only a last second swerve by Bill on Swiftsure Saga that saved us. In retrospect it probably wasn't a good idea to tack at that time.
Returning to the fray with Swiftsure Saga well ahead, the dash continued to Como and we dodged around a Spirit 28 that had been left stranded by Bill Richards when he claimed rights on him. Poor skipper, he must have felt as though he was in the firing line with suicidal H28 skippers bearing down on him from downriver. Down to the outer start line and a gybe around the mark then off to Sampson, simply following the lead boats as they rocketed off to the new mark Dolphin East. Easy to find and get around then back down the same line, past Print and Como and off to Thelma, trying to keep the speed up and catch up to the lead boats. A turn and a reach across the breeze to the outer start line. Over the line and on handicap. The First Jindarra , Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
Lyal Dedman, brother of Roy and long time H28 sailor died recently at the age of 89 and his passing Is noted by the H28 community. A service will be held at Karrakatta Crematorium ( Norfolk Chapel ) on Monday the 16th of October at 10.30 am
Waltzing away on a Sou Easterly. Or Smoke gets in your eyes.
A course 2 was given to us (it might have been a course 3) but we were happy with that as we had a course change to assimilate and it was this course. The breeze was out of the sou east with a fair amount of swing in it and a fluctuation in pressure ranging from 10 to 24 knots. Interesting to say the least. 7 boats were lining up and Mark Whimhurst had re-joined Judith on Alma to keep her on the water. Steely was out for a yacht as well and had joined Bill Richards as a trimmer.
A dash up to Martin had us chasing Andrew Bell up to the mark with a bit of luck going our way as we swung around Martin trying to get inside Andrew on the dash across to Weaver. We just made the mark having had to pinch the boat up. A sure sign that we had gone too early. No matter, away down the breeze we went with the boats reaching hard down to Sampson. We were poled out on a two sail reach with Geoff from UK sails riding with Andy Bell.. ( new sails in the offing ?) Just at that time the smoke from the back burn up in the Hills made its way onto the river and hung around in patches for the rest of the day.
Around Sampson and off to Hallmark with the same poled out jib and the main gybed over. Then we had to cross the Royal Perth Fleet as they barrelled down the breeze aiming for Como. My word we had to swerve a little. By this time the fleet had separated with the first three boats well away and the third boat happened to be Swiftsure Saga; sailing like men possessed. Making Hallmark it was a quick harden up and a run to Armstrong on a good reach. 7 knots was achievable.
Turning at Armstrong we decided to go a little further as did Andy and Bill before we turned for Como. All three boats were locked into a work up the river which was not doing us any good and Mariner wanted to tack off with Swiftsure close behind on starboard and with all rights if we tacked on to port. Despite that we tacked and it was only a last second swerve by Bill on Swiftsure Saga that saved us. In retrospect it probably wasn't a good idea to tack at that time.
Returning to the fray with Swiftsure Saga well ahead, the dash continued to Como and we dodged around a Spirit 28 that had been left stranded by Bill Richards when he claimed rights on him. Poor skipper, he must have felt as though he was in the firing line with suicidal H28 skippers bearing down on him from downriver. Down to the outer start line and a gybe around the mark then off to Sampson, simply following the lead boats as they rocketed off to the new mark Dolphin East. Easy to find and get around then back down the same line, past Print and Como and off to Thelma, trying to keep the speed up and catch up to the lead boats. A turn and a reach across the breeze to the outer start line. Over the line and on handicap. The First Jindarra , Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
Lyal Dedman, brother of Roy and long time H28 sailor died recently at the age of 89 and his passing Is noted by the H28 community. A service will be held at Karrakatta Crematorium ( Norfolk Chapel ) on Monday the 16th of October at 10.30 am
Opening Day Sunday the 1st of October
A great roll up of boats and bugger all to write about.
Lets count the boats that hit the water. We had Wynella, Anna, Swiftsure Saga, Alma, the First Jindarra, Corella, Karoleeya, Mariner and Carina. The jetty looked busy and only the covered boats of Nerrima, Napier of Carrick, Georgina and Aloha brought us down a little. However they probably knew more than we did as the weather wasn't on our side.
After the opening of the new hardstand and the dedication of the new "Check Point" we moved ourselves down to jetty 3 and proceeded to set up the boats. Knowing that there would be a fair amount of time to wait, the skipper decided to go at the last moment... Well I'd rather have been out there a little earlier considering we were towing Vic out and had to push Sagacious up to ensure that Vic didn't get bowled over. We had the mad rush to get the boat set up and then slip into the queue of H28's heading to the start box to take the salute. Done and dusted we headed up the Canning to get wait and found a mooring line to hook up to....but we did it backward. Oh dear, can't do anything right. Eventually the boats started to dribble down to the line and the start board lit up with the fall numbers. I believe that Mariner managed to find the putty (prior to the start), by following The First Jindarra in close to the bank and tacking a metre beyond the Jin. They managed to get off without help, but it wasn't the best way to start the day.
By this time the breeze had dropped even further and the set course started with a dash up to Sampson for all and a down wind run to Sanders. Well the fleet went searching for a breeze. Most of us had managed to get half way down to Sanders and we were spread from one side of the river to the other. We on Swiftsure Saga were well into the north and David Locke on Corella had gone all the way in to the rover bank, hoping to get the first lift from a possible nor wester. By this time the breeze had swapped sides and was now starting to fill in from the west. Andy Bell had been lucky, chasing the breeze all day and had found himself in the lead and first to Sanders with the help of the westerly. I believe that Wynella wasn't too far away either and it was only the three hoots from the siren at the SoPYC start box cancelling the sailing for the day (well it was after 4 pm already). We turned around and dropped the sails.. heading towards Vic on Carina to tow him in.
Mariner was first back to the pen and were under the tree with their wives by the time we arrived back and once the boat was stowed away it was time to have a beer and go in for chips and squid with no results to be had.
A great roll up of boats and bugger all to write about.
Lets count the boats that hit the water. We had Wynella, Anna, Swiftsure Saga, Alma, the First Jindarra, Corella, Karoleeya, Mariner and Carina. The jetty looked busy and only the covered boats of Nerrima, Napier of Carrick, Georgina and Aloha brought us down a little. However they probably knew more than we did as the weather wasn't on our side.
After the opening of the new hardstand and the dedication of the new "Check Point" we moved ourselves down to jetty 3 and proceeded to set up the boats. Knowing that there would be a fair amount of time to wait, the skipper decided to go at the last moment... Well I'd rather have been out there a little earlier considering we were towing Vic out and had to push Sagacious up to ensure that Vic didn't get bowled over. We had the mad rush to get the boat set up and then slip into the queue of H28's heading to the start box to take the salute. Done and dusted we headed up the Canning to get wait and found a mooring line to hook up to....but we did it backward. Oh dear, can't do anything right. Eventually the boats started to dribble down to the line and the start board lit up with the fall numbers. I believe that Mariner managed to find the putty (prior to the start), by following The First Jindarra in close to the bank and tacking a metre beyond the Jin. They managed to get off without help, but it wasn't the best way to start the day.
By this time the breeze had dropped even further and the set course started with a dash up to Sampson for all and a down wind run to Sanders. Well the fleet went searching for a breeze. Most of us had managed to get half way down to Sanders and we were spread from one side of the river to the other. We on Swiftsure Saga were well into the north and David Locke on Corella had gone all the way in to the rover bank, hoping to get the first lift from a possible nor wester. By this time the breeze had swapped sides and was now starting to fill in from the west. Andy Bell had been lucky, chasing the breeze all day and had found himself in the lead and first to Sanders with the help of the westerly. I believe that Wynella wasn't too far away either and it was only the three hoots from the siren at the SoPYC start box cancelling the sailing for the day (well it was after 4 pm already). We turned around and dropped the sails.. heading towards Vic on Carina to tow him in.
Mariner was first back to the pen and were under the tree with their wives by the time we arrived back and once the boat was stowed away it was time to have a beer and go in for chips and squid with no results to be had.
Wedge Wednesday September the 27th
The race you have when you don't have a race gazetted.
Big John gets a drive and Thelma nearly scores again.
I'll freely admit that I was bemused last week when it was announced that the next Wednesday was to be a non consistency race day.
But I was away on a regatta photographing so I wasn't going to be hung out to dry by the skipper for leaving him to sail the final race of the winter series without a mainsheet man. Brian wrote something for me and with the lack of photographs, use your imagination to colour the story.
The start was a northerly on a light breezes course four that had a west nor wester that was swinging into the west and further as the day went on. A prime day to stick to the middle of the river.
This is Brian's story
Away first was Andrew up at the start box, Mariner midway down the start line just above Wynella. Mariner had a bit better speed when they hit the line and slowly overtook Wynella. Both boats pulled away from Andrew heading to Sampson.
First around Sampson was Mariner then Wynella followed by Andrew, Bill with John Pierzak driving and then Vic. Andrew tacked straightaway heading out of Glens dirty air and tacked back onto port after about 100 metres. Glen then tacked away and headed all the way in towards the club. Swiftsure carried on towards royal Perth
We tacked after about 500 metres and headed back towards Frenchman’s to put a loose cover on Andrew and Glen then tacked back after about 500 metres to stay in the middle of the river in the pressure. Vic went a bit further than us and then tacked onto starboard to head into Frenchmen’s. Andrew and vis (?) followed suit. By this time Mariner had about 200 metres on them all.
Mariner tacked back onto starboard to head towards Frenchmen's and picked a fabulous lift up the middle of the river. John Pierzak on Swiftsure Saga went further west then tacked back. Vic and Andrew also decided to go back north as they were on losers dropping below Mariner.
We carried on towards Frenchmen’s looking for a bit of southerly lift that appeared to be there. By the time we started to get closer to the bay the pressure was dropping and the southerly swing had gone. So we tacked back out towards the north and just crossed John P who had come back on starboard. Vic had also come back on starboard and picked up the most incredible lift that took him almost to Robins.
Glen meanwhile had come back out from a disastrous run towards the club and had gone all the way to the north side of the river. He also came back on a blinder and as a result both Vic and Glen beat us around Robins. John P and Andrew were then way behind.
A neck and neck race across to Dolphin East with Vic, Glen and Mariner going around Dolphin East sitting on each other’s transom.
Quick work by Ron had the pole up in record time. There was only Ron, Judith McGee and I on Mariner. Graeme couldn’t make it. We managed to go past Wynella and Carina on the leg down to Como. By the time we all reached Como all three boats were abreast of each other. Mariner inside, Vic next and Glen outside. The leg to the outer start line enabled us to pull some distance on the other three boats as Andrew had made up time coming down to Como mainly due to the tussle from we three boats.
Around the outer start line, down to Sampson then around the mark and up towards Foam with Andrew breaking left first then Vic to cover Andrew, then us to cover Vic. Around Print with Vic & Andrew in hot pursuit.
Around Thelma and we had a nice lift direct to the finish line. Or so we thought. 50 metres out we got a massive knock which headed us towards the Raffles. Vic being a 100 metres back didn’t get it and we were expecting him to roll us. However as luck would have it, he then hit the same knock. We put one final tack in to sneak over the line. Vic I think managed to pinch his boat to make it in one board. Andrew was right behind with Glen 4th I think. John P was quite a way back in 5th.
Full credit to John P for taking the boat on for the race and I did note in results that Dave Locke was the nominated helm on Andrews boat. Ummmm is the handicap any worse or better ? See you on Sunday for Opening Day
The race you have when you don't have a race gazetted.
Big John gets a drive and Thelma nearly scores again.
I'll freely admit that I was bemused last week when it was announced that the next Wednesday was to be a non consistency race day.
But I was away on a regatta photographing so I wasn't going to be hung out to dry by the skipper for leaving him to sail the final race of the winter series without a mainsheet man. Brian wrote something for me and with the lack of photographs, use your imagination to colour the story.
The start was a northerly on a light breezes course four that had a west nor wester that was swinging into the west and further as the day went on. A prime day to stick to the middle of the river.
This is Brian's story
Away first was Andrew up at the start box, Mariner midway down the start line just above Wynella. Mariner had a bit better speed when they hit the line and slowly overtook Wynella. Both boats pulled away from Andrew heading to Sampson.
First around Sampson was Mariner then Wynella followed by Andrew, Bill with John Pierzak driving and then Vic. Andrew tacked straightaway heading out of Glens dirty air and tacked back onto port after about 100 metres. Glen then tacked away and headed all the way in towards the club. Swiftsure carried on towards royal Perth
We tacked after about 500 metres and headed back towards Frenchman’s to put a loose cover on Andrew and Glen then tacked back after about 500 metres to stay in the middle of the river in the pressure. Vic went a bit further than us and then tacked onto starboard to head into Frenchmen’s. Andrew and vis (?) followed suit. By this time Mariner had about 200 metres on them all.
Mariner tacked back onto starboard to head towards Frenchmen's and picked a fabulous lift up the middle of the river. John Pierzak on Swiftsure Saga went further west then tacked back. Vic and Andrew also decided to go back north as they were on losers dropping below Mariner.
We carried on towards Frenchmen’s looking for a bit of southerly lift that appeared to be there. By the time we started to get closer to the bay the pressure was dropping and the southerly swing had gone. So we tacked back out towards the north and just crossed John P who had come back on starboard. Vic had also come back on starboard and picked up the most incredible lift that took him almost to Robins.
Glen meanwhile had come back out from a disastrous run towards the club and had gone all the way to the north side of the river. He also came back on a blinder and as a result both Vic and Glen beat us around Robins. John P and Andrew were then way behind.
A neck and neck race across to Dolphin East with Vic, Glen and Mariner going around Dolphin East sitting on each other’s transom.
Quick work by Ron had the pole up in record time. There was only Ron, Judith McGee and I on Mariner. Graeme couldn’t make it. We managed to go past Wynella and Carina on the leg down to Como. By the time we all reached Como all three boats were abreast of each other. Mariner inside, Vic next and Glen outside. The leg to the outer start line enabled us to pull some distance on the other three boats as Andrew had made up time coming down to Como mainly due to the tussle from we three boats.
Around the outer start line, down to Sampson then around the mark and up towards Foam with Andrew breaking left first then Vic to cover Andrew, then us to cover Vic. Around Print with Vic & Andrew in hot pursuit.
Around Thelma and we had a nice lift direct to the finish line. Or so we thought. 50 metres out we got a massive knock which headed us towards the Raffles. Vic being a 100 metres back didn’t get it and we were expecting him to roll us. However as luck would have it, he then hit the same knock. We put one final tack in to sneak over the line. Vic I think managed to pinch his boat to make it in one board. Andrew was right behind with Glen 4th I think. John P was quite a way back in 5th.
Full credit to John P for taking the boat on for the race and I did note in results that Dave Locke was the nominated helm on Andrews boat. Ummmm is the handicap any worse or better ? See you on Sunday for Opening Day
A Winter Wednesday The final of the Winter series.
The 20th of September
A crashing goodtime for all & a big win for Wynella
Lets start the day off with the weather. A great nor wester with a fluctuating breeze of 10 to 18 knots. Lots of holes! Six boats on the start line and a good day for the chandler as the crunch of boats was heard even before the start line was under way. The first victim was in A fleet when long time yachtie Richard Evans managed to stick Wicked on the mud over near the scout hall. Then the resounding whomp when two A fleet boats had a come together with a B fleet boat becoming part of the party. And to cap it off on the start line, Bill and John decided to have a collision on the start line. Oh well, its a matter of keeping out of the way of each other.
A good start had Vic, Andrew and Glen in front of us and Andrew steadily drawing away from us despite the best efforts of all concerned and a clean hull. Vic was just capitalising on a run he started last week and made it look easy. Glen and Wynella was our best target so we put our attention to them. At the same time, we were looking back at John and Bill with Bill coming toward us on the reaching course.
Then the first of the two windward works as we made our way to Hallmark on a course two. It was pretty simple, but we had to keep to the deep water side of Outer Dolphin. Lined up like carriages on a train we headed off to the mark and while everyone surged, we watched our speed drop to less than 4.5 knots. The skipper was having fits... what's going on? Then we reached the mark and took the option to ease the main a little with an improve in the speed.. But it was still tight on the mark. Then away up to Armstrong and the decision to pole or not to pole and which side? Lots of speed available, you just had to be faster than the other boat.
Down to Como, chasing Glen as hard as we could. Still couldn't get him, but we both were catching up with Vic, who had by now succumbed to Andrew Bell and his crew. Away to the outer start line and a solid gybe on the mark. Then the chase back to Sampson with Glen in our sights.
Away to Dolphin West and another run up the wind to the mark that turned into a reach as the wind swung into the west. By this time we had Glen to rights and the turn around the mark saw us slipping past him on the down wind. By the time we got to Print, Bill was challenging him as well and he slipped past at the mark. Swiftsure Saga then began to challenge us with some fine chasing and got with in striking distance a couple of times, as we were doing to Vic on Carina. By this time the First Jindarra was so far in front, he had the win to himself, but the rest of us you could throw a blanket over. And so it was as we rounded Thelma and headed off to the finish line. With Vic just in front and the other three panting on our heels 34 seconds covered the 5 boats as they finished and Andy Bell was 1 minute and 33 seconds in front of Vic. No matter and we all enjoyed the port afterwards.
Over the line: Andy Bell, Vic Court and Brian Cross. On handicap: The First Jindarra, Carina and Swiftsure Saga.
For the season. Wynella ( Glen Stanley ) first, Bill RIchards and Brian Cross were equal in second place with a count back giving it to Bill RIchards ( Swiftsure Saga ) and Brian Cross ( Mariner ) taking third. Well sailed all.
Next week is a non consistency race ( lord knows how that happened ) and then the Summer season begins. I will be away photographing the state youth Championships at TCYC on the day.
The 20th of September
A crashing goodtime for all & a big win for Wynella
Lets start the day off with the weather. A great nor wester with a fluctuating breeze of 10 to 18 knots. Lots of holes! Six boats on the start line and a good day for the chandler as the crunch of boats was heard even before the start line was under way. The first victim was in A fleet when long time yachtie Richard Evans managed to stick Wicked on the mud over near the scout hall. Then the resounding whomp when two A fleet boats had a come together with a B fleet boat becoming part of the party. And to cap it off on the start line, Bill and John decided to have a collision on the start line. Oh well, its a matter of keeping out of the way of each other.
A good start had Vic, Andrew and Glen in front of us and Andrew steadily drawing away from us despite the best efforts of all concerned and a clean hull. Vic was just capitalising on a run he started last week and made it look easy. Glen and Wynella was our best target so we put our attention to them. At the same time, we were looking back at John and Bill with Bill coming toward us on the reaching course.
Then the first of the two windward works as we made our way to Hallmark on a course two. It was pretty simple, but we had to keep to the deep water side of Outer Dolphin. Lined up like carriages on a train we headed off to the mark and while everyone surged, we watched our speed drop to less than 4.5 knots. The skipper was having fits... what's going on? Then we reached the mark and took the option to ease the main a little with an improve in the speed.. But it was still tight on the mark. Then away up to Armstrong and the decision to pole or not to pole and which side? Lots of speed available, you just had to be faster than the other boat.
Down to Como, chasing Glen as hard as we could. Still couldn't get him, but we both were catching up with Vic, who had by now succumbed to Andrew Bell and his crew. Away to the outer start line and a solid gybe on the mark. Then the chase back to Sampson with Glen in our sights.
Away to Dolphin West and another run up the wind to the mark that turned into a reach as the wind swung into the west. By this time we had Glen to rights and the turn around the mark saw us slipping past him on the down wind. By the time we got to Print, Bill was challenging him as well and he slipped past at the mark. Swiftsure Saga then began to challenge us with some fine chasing and got with in striking distance a couple of times, as we were doing to Vic on Carina. By this time the First Jindarra was so far in front, he had the win to himself, but the rest of us you could throw a blanket over. And so it was as we rounded Thelma and headed off to the finish line. With Vic just in front and the other three panting on our heels 34 seconds covered the 5 boats as they finished and Andy Bell was 1 minute and 33 seconds in front of Vic. No matter and we all enjoyed the port afterwards.
Over the line: Andy Bell, Vic Court and Brian Cross. On handicap: The First Jindarra, Carina and Swiftsure Saga.
For the season. Wynella ( Glen Stanley ) first, Bill RIchards and Brian Cross were equal in second place with a count back giving it to Bill RIchards ( Swiftsure Saga ) and Brian Cross ( Mariner ) taking third. Well sailed all.
Next week is a non consistency race ( lord knows how that happened ) and then the Summer season begins. I will be away photographing the state youth Championships at TCYC on the day.
A Winter Wednesday The 13th of September
"Gone fishin" & Victor Victorious
A soft spring day with bugger all breeze greeted the sailors and the starters were flat out finding a reason to start us up to Martin-Weaver, however they did and despite the promise of no breeze, we and all the other classes made our way up and around the top marks on the Canning with the huge confusion that resulted as the fleets log jammed between the two marks. And then the sou wester came in. Hooray! We picked up a get out of jail card that had us ahead of many in the fleet so our job was to make our way around the course and try to catch up to Vic, Andy and Lockie. They had cleared out and the skipper was left at the back fuming at the indignity of it all. Well we still had three boats behind us, but as usual he wanted to be first.
But let's tell a tale first of Andy Bell and his fishing exploits on the jetty prior to sailing.We always stop for a gas bag and Glen had closed up on Andy Bell and they were just getting into a decent chin wag when a flash was seen as Andy's office key and car key fell off the clip and fell into the water. Bugger, went AB, now how do I get those back? Glen sent him up for the magnet on a string that the local chandlery has for these occasions and in little less than 10 minutes he was looking at a set of keys again. Just to remind Andy, that fishing is banned on the club jetties.
Vic Court had Geoff Barr and Bruce Miller with him and just didn't look back. No questions about it, despite everyone's efforts he was in front and stayed there in a lovely 10 to 12 knot breeze out of the sou west, sure there was the odd soft spot, but it was an indication of what was to come. However in the middle of the pack we were battling our way up to Robins and we took a chance to try and bend the boat out of Waylen Bay up to Robins and make the mark in one go. We were clinging on to a perilous second with the fire breathers on our tail and Lockie and his new sails was a clear and present danger. So was Andy Bell as he had shown a fairly aggressive nature at Weaver where he made a gap where there wasn't one. But we can't linger on that as we were being pursued by the very demons of John Wright, Glen Stanley and Bill Richards with John Wright doing a sterling job of shadowing us on the run down from Dolphin East. In fact by the time we had made our way around the outer start line he had us and was working his way forward. Again the helm was unhappy. So we and three others took our luck on an early cross to Heathcote with a direct run up to Foam hoping to gain an advantage. Lucky for us John W went the other way and we managed to get in front of him on the toss at Foam, but not without a bit of agro from a plastic boat at the mark who may indeed count himself lucky as the next time the helm may not decide to wave him through on a cross.
All this time Lockie and Andrew had been swapping second and third place with Vic just moving further away. Darned good sailing frankly and rubbing our noses in it was his due. We took a fair fourth and watched as the rest of the fleet cascaded over the line. Three and a half minutes separated the seven boats with Vic a minute and a half in the lead. One second separated second ( AB ) from David Locke in third and we were almost a minute behind them with John Wright breathing steam behind us. Bill and Glen finished the race less than a minute later.
On handicap: Carina 1st and fastest. The First Jindarra second and second and Glen's Wynella had a good enough handicap to take third while Lockie and Brian lingered around the bottom.
There was a breakage during the race, fortunately not in the H28 fleet but as the boats ran around the outer start line and took off to Sampson, two boats managed to get too close to each other and there is a very sorry boat owner with the top 6 feet of his mast snapped off. Not his fault either.
The last note... the slips are open and Andy Bell was the first boat to get up onto the concrete pad. Apparently there are electronic scales on board the lifting crane and all three boats that have been hoisted so far are within 50 kgs of each other. Mariner, Corella and the First Jindarra.
"Gone fishin" & Victor Victorious
A soft spring day with bugger all breeze greeted the sailors and the starters were flat out finding a reason to start us up to Martin-Weaver, however they did and despite the promise of no breeze, we and all the other classes made our way up and around the top marks on the Canning with the huge confusion that resulted as the fleets log jammed between the two marks. And then the sou wester came in. Hooray! We picked up a get out of jail card that had us ahead of many in the fleet so our job was to make our way around the course and try to catch up to Vic, Andy and Lockie. They had cleared out and the skipper was left at the back fuming at the indignity of it all. Well we still had three boats behind us, but as usual he wanted to be first.
But let's tell a tale first of Andy Bell and his fishing exploits on the jetty prior to sailing.We always stop for a gas bag and Glen had closed up on Andy Bell and they were just getting into a decent chin wag when a flash was seen as Andy's office key and car key fell off the clip and fell into the water. Bugger, went AB, now how do I get those back? Glen sent him up for the magnet on a string that the local chandlery has for these occasions and in little less than 10 minutes he was looking at a set of keys again. Just to remind Andy, that fishing is banned on the club jetties.
Vic Court had Geoff Barr and Bruce Miller with him and just didn't look back. No questions about it, despite everyone's efforts he was in front and stayed there in a lovely 10 to 12 knot breeze out of the sou west, sure there was the odd soft spot, but it was an indication of what was to come. However in the middle of the pack we were battling our way up to Robins and we took a chance to try and bend the boat out of Waylen Bay up to Robins and make the mark in one go. We were clinging on to a perilous second with the fire breathers on our tail and Lockie and his new sails was a clear and present danger. So was Andy Bell as he had shown a fairly aggressive nature at Weaver where he made a gap where there wasn't one. But we can't linger on that as we were being pursued by the very demons of John Wright, Glen Stanley and Bill Richards with John Wright doing a sterling job of shadowing us on the run down from Dolphin East. In fact by the time we had made our way around the outer start line he had us and was working his way forward. Again the helm was unhappy. So we and three others took our luck on an early cross to Heathcote with a direct run up to Foam hoping to gain an advantage. Lucky for us John W went the other way and we managed to get in front of him on the toss at Foam, but not without a bit of agro from a plastic boat at the mark who may indeed count himself lucky as the next time the helm may not decide to wave him through on a cross.
All this time Lockie and Andrew had been swapping second and third place with Vic just moving further away. Darned good sailing frankly and rubbing our noses in it was his due. We took a fair fourth and watched as the rest of the fleet cascaded over the line. Three and a half minutes separated the seven boats with Vic a minute and a half in the lead. One second separated second ( AB ) from David Locke in third and we were almost a minute behind them with John Wright breathing steam behind us. Bill and Glen finished the race less than a minute later.
On handicap: Carina 1st and fastest. The First Jindarra second and second and Glen's Wynella had a good enough handicap to take third while Lockie and Brian lingered around the bottom.
There was a breakage during the race, fortunately not in the H28 fleet but as the boats ran around the outer start line and took off to Sampson, two boats managed to get too close to each other and there is a very sorry boat owner with the top 6 feet of his mast snapped off. Not his fault either.
The last note... the slips are open and Andy Bell was the first boat to get up onto the concrete pad. Apparently there are electronic scales on board the lifting crane and all three boats that have been hoisted so far are within 50 kgs of each other. Mariner, Corella and the First Jindarra.
A Winter Wednesday The 6th of September
We're just here for the beer! And Lockie's got new sails for summer.
The winter season is coming to a close and the weather is starting warm up a little. Vic has returned from his winter hibernation and once again took to the water. Andy Bell looked at the amount of beer of various brands in the bottom of his esky and decided that the only way to get rid of it was to sail off into the distance with Brad and Patto and try to reduce the contents of the said esky. Well that his excuse for going off into the North on a soft day and not regaining the lead as he was intending to do. It was a soft day as mentioned and with a nor easter that was trying to get around into the sou west, the starters had a problem getting the various fleets going, but eventually they got them under way on a light winds course.
Softly, slowly we got going and as he has done before, Wynella just took off and was first to Sampson and made it look easy. We were lucky and the helm was on our backs continually to keep the speed up. I guess we did ok as we made it to Sampson second, but scrubbing the bottom of the boat was a big help. Then it was a slow speed race to Robins with the vagaries of the breeze to keep us amused. Our mission was to get past Glen on Wynella and we were happy to sneak in under his transom at Robins and make it around the mark. From then on it was stay in a breeze of some sorts and stay in front of Wynella. Off to Dolphin East and we watched as Andy Bell just kept on going into the north on the hope of picking up a hot breeze and coming down on us like a Ferrari. ( ok a wooden one ) Well he got to drink a bit of beer out there.
Running down to the outer start line there was a good chance that they would have hung out a shortened race flag. Didn't happen and around we went again. The pain began to build as the breeze decided to drop away....... Oh dear. It was nearly 5 pm when we made it home and just in time for our fleet as three more managed to get home behind us on the extra 15 minutes granted as we fell over the line before 5 pm. But the rest of the fleets weren't so lucky. One apiece of A Fleet and C Fleet got across the line, but none of B fleet made it. All because the starters were confident about our sailing skills. Everyone is feeling sorry for Bill as he didn't make it home in time, but we reckon he's adjusting his handicap for summer.
Over the line Mariner: Wynella and First Jindarra.
On Handicap: Mariner. Wynella and Carina
The first photo is of a family of ducks that have taken up residence near by the H28 pens. They are being swooped by the seagulls repeatedly and I hope that we can continue to have them with us. Don't make it comfortable for the seagulls!
Sunday frostbites: Dear me... Bill went out in style last Sunday.. couldn't win it for nuts, his handicap was just way too large. But with three H28's on the water (Alma and Karoleeya joined us) we were in good company and Karoleeya took a good third overall for the season. By the way Swiftsure Saga was first over the line by nearly 5 minutes. No spinnaker either.
We're just here for the beer! And Lockie's got new sails for summer.
The winter season is coming to a close and the weather is starting warm up a little. Vic has returned from his winter hibernation and once again took to the water. Andy Bell looked at the amount of beer of various brands in the bottom of his esky and decided that the only way to get rid of it was to sail off into the distance with Brad and Patto and try to reduce the contents of the said esky. Well that his excuse for going off into the North on a soft day and not regaining the lead as he was intending to do. It was a soft day as mentioned and with a nor easter that was trying to get around into the sou west, the starters had a problem getting the various fleets going, but eventually they got them under way on a light winds course.
Softly, slowly we got going and as he has done before, Wynella just took off and was first to Sampson and made it look easy. We were lucky and the helm was on our backs continually to keep the speed up. I guess we did ok as we made it to Sampson second, but scrubbing the bottom of the boat was a big help. Then it was a slow speed race to Robins with the vagaries of the breeze to keep us amused. Our mission was to get past Glen on Wynella and we were happy to sneak in under his transom at Robins and make it around the mark. From then on it was stay in a breeze of some sorts and stay in front of Wynella. Off to Dolphin East and we watched as Andy Bell just kept on going into the north on the hope of picking up a hot breeze and coming down on us like a Ferrari. ( ok a wooden one ) Well he got to drink a bit of beer out there.
Running down to the outer start line there was a good chance that they would have hung out a shortened race flag. Didn't happen and around we went again. The pain began to build as the breeze decided to drop away....... Oh dear. It was nearly 5 pm when we made it home and just in time for our fleet as three more managed to get home behind us on the extra 15 minutes granted as we fell over the line before 5 pm. But the rest of the fleets weren't so lucky. One apiece of A Fleet and C Fleet got across the line, but none of B fleet made it. All because the starters were confident about our sailing skills. Everyone is feeling sorry for Bill as he didn't make it home in time, but we reckon he's adjusting his handicap for summer.
Over the line Mariner: Wynella and First Jindarra.
On Handicap: Mariner. Wynella and Carina
The first photo is of a family of ducks that have taken up residence near by the H28 pens. They are being swooped by the seagulls repeatedly and I hope that we can continue to have them with us. Don't make it comfortable for the seagulls!
Sunday frostbites: Dear me... Bill went out in style last Sunday.. couldn't win it for nuts, his handicap was just way too large. But with three H28's on the water (Alma and Karoleeya joined us) we were in good company and Karoleeya took a good third overall for the season. By the way Swiftsure Saga was first over the line by nearly 5 minutes. No spinnaker either.
A Winters Wednesday The 30th of August
The old fox is back.
He'll kill me for calling him old, but Carina and Vic are back.
Out of the blue, Vic's two stalwarts Bruce and Geoff fronted to give Vic a good day on the water. That and a generous handicap got him over the line second and a good win on handicap. It was vintage sailing and he showed his knowledge of the river and the breeze that was on offer.
We had about 10 knots out of the west sou west and the breeze was pretty consistent, though it did lurch into the sou west occasionally.
We had 6 boats on the start line with Alma celebrating her return to jetty 3 by heading out with Lockie and Colin joining Judith for a yacht. Vic was the surprise as we hadn't seen him for yonks, but when Geoff and Bruce rocked up we knew it was on. Apart from these two, Bill, Glen, Andrew and Brian had their boats out on the water with a visitor by the name of Tom joining Brian and your scribe on Mariner. Said he could sail, so he was given a rope to hold and did pretty well.
Sailing well off the start line on a course one, we had a battle around Sampson with several boats converging on the mark at the same time. Glen had sailed sensibly and below the fleet and was able to forgo the histrionics at the mark where we found ourselves ducking and dodging. Fortunately no damage to anyone but the lead changed. The decision was to continue out and not tack off as we wanted to stay in the westerly that was on offer. It essentially meant that we would stay in the middle of the river with only occasional dips into the bay when we wanted a good run to the mark. And it paid off. We had crossed Vic on the first dig into Heathcote and rolled him, but on the second cross he sailed right through us. Fair enough.. he's good enough to do it.
Meanwhile Andrew had gone into the nor west to try for something different, but to quote Brad from his crew.. "we were out of phase all day, chasing the right stuff and never finding it, it was enough to drive us to drink". Yeah right Brad. Glen was no slouch either, his crew was trimmed back to three and they were working well together. He was at us all day and one mistake would have had him past us. By the same token, Bill had given us trouble right from the start and was a cause of distress at Sampson. However he seemed to drop off a little as we worked our way down the river. Sailing two up he was doing well, but needed that third person to make the sailing flow for him. Lockie and Judith were doing fine, but a questionable decision to go into the bay along with one or two other boats put them behind the run of the fleet and consigned them to the rear.
Getting around Robins after the first dash to Deepwater was the tester for all, as we had Wynella on our tail, but Vic was tantalizingly close by now and the reach across to Dolphin East helped us even further. Vic was looking over his shoulder by now and the downwind run with a pole out was our chance to get past him. Taking his breeze was the only chance and with that done, we slipped past to make Como as the first H28. From then it was keeping him off our tail as Vic is a very good hunter, with a couple of attack machines on his crew... neither of them will let go if there's a chance of win. And Glen wasn't far away either.
The usual story evolved from here. "Keep them behind us at all times", with a nice run up to Foam and across to Print with a slight hiccup at Foam as a suspected foul wind on a winch caused a moment of consternation. Getting through that, we took off again and rounded Print with a pole out to starboard on our way to Como. Dropping the pole we converted to a reach and picked up a couple of Div two boats who were warring in front of us. Their battle continued with Brian becoming worried that their games would affect us. Fortunately they decided that they couldn't lay the line from Thelma so they tacked off to continue their fight one hundred meters or so above us. We set our sights on the finish line and just scrimped, pinched and scraped our way to the outer startline mark with the two div two boats hammering down on top of us from further up the line. Vic and Carina made it across 24 seconds later and that was sufficient to give him the handicap win and a nod as to his skill on the water. Glen on Wynella was a minute or so behind Vic and the rest of the fleet followed in due course. But the three mentioned boat were the winners on handicap.
Over the line: Mariner, Carina and Wynella. On handicap: Carina, Mariner and Wynella.
An entertaining day with a lot of fun in the first dash to Sampson, but over the race period, it was a case of knowing where the breeze was going to be and reading the water to pick up the gusts. Well, that's our story anyway.
Bruce Miller passed on to me a video shot from his phone on the 16th of August. He was under the start box and filmed the entire start of the H28's. It was particularly interesting to note the timing of the start. I'll have it up shortly. It also shows the start of the Div two boats....cunning work by Ted on Maverick.
The old fox is back.
He'll kill me for calling him old, but Carina and Vic are back.
Out of the blue, Vic's two stalwarts Bruce and Geoff fronted to give Vic a good day on the water. That and a generous handicap got him over the line second and a good win on handicap. It was vintage sailing and he showed his knowledge of the river and the breeze that was on offer.
We had about 10 knots out of the west sou west and the breeze was pretty consistent, though it did lurch into the sou west occasionally.
We had 6 boats on the start line with Alma celebrating her return to jetty 3 by heading out with Lockie and Colin joining Judith for a yacht. Vic was the surprise as we hadn't seen him for yonks, but when Geoff and Bruce rocked up we knew it was on. Apart from these two, Bill, Glen, Andrew and Brian had their boats out on the water with a visitor by the name of Tom joining Brian and your scribe on Mariner. Said he could sail, so he was given a rope to hold and did pretty well.
Sailing well off the start line on a course one, we had a battle around Sampson with several boats converging on the mark at the same time. Glen had sailed sensibly and below the fleet and was able to forgo the histrionics at the mark where we found ourselves ducking and dodging. Fortunately no damage to anyone but the lead changed. The decision was to continue out and not tack off as we wanted to stay in the westerly that was on offer. It essentially meant that we would stay in the middle of the river with only occasional dips into the bay when we wanted a good run to the mark. And it paid off. We had crossed Vic on the first dig into Heathcote and rolled him, but on the second cross he sailed right through us. Fair enough.. he's good enough to do it.
Meanwhile Andrew had gone into the nor west to try for something different, but to quote Brad from his crew.. "we were out of phase all day, chasing the right stuff and never finding it, it was enough to drive us to drink". Yeah right Brad. Glen was no slouch either, his crew was trimmed back to three and they were working well together. He was at us all day and one mistake would have had him past us. By the same token, Bill had given us trouble right from the start and was a cause of distress at Sampson. However he seemed to drop off a little as we worked our way down the river. Sailing two up he was doing well, but needed that third person to make the sailing flow for him. Lockie and Judith were doing fine, but a questionable decision to go into the bay along with one or two other boats put them behind the run of the fleet and consigned them to the rear.
Getting around Robins after the first dash to Deepwater was the tester for all, as we had Wynella on our tail, but Vic was tantalizingly close by now and the reach across to Dolphin East helped us even further. Vic was looking over his shoulder by now and the downwind run with a pole out was our chance to get past him. Taking his breeze was the only chance and with that done, we slipped past to make Como as the first H28. From then it was keeping him off our tail as Vic is a very good hunter, with a couple of attack machines on his crew... neither of them will let go if there's a chance of win. And Glen wasn't far away either.
The usual story evolved from here. "Keep them behind us at all times", with a nice run up to Foam and across to Print with a slight hiccup at Foam as a suspected foul wind on a winch caused a moment of consternation. Getting through that, we took off again and rounded Print with a pole out to starboard on our way to Como. Dropping the pole we converted to a reach and picked up a couple of Div two boats who were warring in front of us. Their battle continued with Brian becoming worried that their games would affect us. Fortunately they decided that they couldn't lay the line from Thelma so they tacked off to continue their fight one hundred meters or so above us. We set our sights on the finish line and just scrimped, pinched and scraped our way to the outer startline mark with the two div two boats hammering down on top of us from further up the line. Vic and Carina made it across 24 seconds later and that was sufficient to give him the handicap win and a nod as to his skill on the water. Glen on Wynella was a minute or so behind Vic and the rest of the fleet followed in due course. But the three mentioned boat were the winners on handicap.
Over the line: Mariner, Carina and Wynella. On handicap: Carina, Mariner and Wynella.
An entertaining day with a lot of fun in the first dash to Sampson, but over the race period, it was a case of knowing where the breeze was going to be and reading the water to pick up the gusts. Well, that's our story anyway.
Bruce Miller passed on to me a video shot from his phone on the 16th of August. He was under the start box and filmed the entire start of the H28's. It was particularly interesting to note the timing of the start. I'll have it up shortly. It also shows the start of the Div two boats....cunning work by Ted on Maverick.
A Winters Wednesday The 23rd of August
A perfect day for Wynella.
It finally happened. Glen got into the lead and stayed there all day. He's been building up to this all year and with a smart start he was never headed and the boats behind him were evidence to the decisions made by those who stared at his transom all day.
A soft day with a sou easterly that varied between the east and a east sou easterly, five H28's set off south to Martin - Weaver with some of us failing to incorporate the stiff current flowing out of the Canning, making that rounding of Weaver extremely difficult. No matter; Mariner had managed to clobber Anna pre start and the cost of a new section of toe rail and some work on the rubbing strake for Mariner will be picked up by Brian as the penalty for getting in front of John. That left us three of us late on the line and pointing up the river on port.
Well it ain't rocket science, but we'd all been up to Weaver earlier on and knew that there was a problem with the current. A couple of boats ran into trouble trying to squeak past Weaver and Mariner managed to slip from third to last setting a new worst performance record. Ho hum.
Chasing the rest of the fleet we were last around Sampson and the tight reach to Robins did give us an opportunity to engage passing mode. In fact we were so successful that we found ourselves rolling around Robins with Andy Bell on our tail and only Glen in front of us.. crickey, didn't expect to be that quick. But with Jindarra on our tail we had to decide which way to go after Dolphin East and we began by following after Glen on Wynella and then Andy Bell tacked off and we went to cover him. Oh dear. Wrong move and we battled our way down the middle while the rest ( including Andy by this time ) made their way down the northern side of the river.
By the time we had reached Como, everyone was in front again bar Anna and even she was pushing along. We ran into the SS27 fleet and had issues with a boat that decided to tack on our faces on the way to the outer start line and we had to go deep to get away from him. At the same time I noticed Glen making his way up from the box end of the start line toward the outer pin... must have been hit by a big knock. But he was still well in front. Andy and Bill were trying their best, but Glen had the bit in his teeth and was well away. We had the small loop to do after Sampson with the run to Foam, Print, Como and Thelma before the finish.
Now where was the breeze going to be? We did well enough around Foam and Print and the gallop to Como had us ridding ourselves of the lee poled out jib as the breeze was too flighty to run it. Then to Como riding the freeway special on the heels of Jindarra (Andrew). Swiftsure Saga had followed Glens lead by going up toward the finish line before tacking over into Thelma and was coming in at a fair clip. The battle at Thelma was on and the meeting of Bill and Andrew's boats was going to be interesting with a side issue on our chances of catching on or the other of them if they fell into irons. Oops! No contest. Andrew made it around just before Bill hit the corner, but the photos looked fine. We'd already heard the horn go for Glen as he crossed the line... yes he was that far in front.
So it was with Andy Bell's the First Jindarra following Wynella nearly three and a half minutes later and Swiftsure Saga and Mariner tumbling over the line a few seconds apart. Anna made a dignified finish to the race 2 minutes later.
On handicap; it was a clear win to Wynella ( possibly his first "first and fastest") with Swiftsure Saga second and Mariner third. The First Jindarra and Anna shared fourth place.
A note on the Sunday Frostbite where 6 blokes (of which three were skippers) piled onto Karoleeya and set off to reproduce the first and fastest that Steve had in the last race. They ran out of breeze on the down wind from Bond and made it home just as the line was closing. Its clear that there no wind whisperers on board. It also beggars belief that with three skippers, that they didn't divide their forces and take at least two boats out. If Bill hadn't broken his mast he would have provided competition to the other two boats.
Speaking of Bills broken mast... He set a new record for a quick mast fix... down to the mast mender by Friday and back on Saturday arvo late. He spent the next couple of days putting the bits and pieces back and on Tuesday four of us stood the mast up. He has put in a sleeve and had the bottom of his mast section re-enforced. Good for a few more seasons is the reckoning.
Enjoy the images.
A perfect day for Wynella.
It finally happened. Glen got into the lead and stayed there all day. He's been building up to this all year and with a smart start he was never headed and the boats behind him were evidence to the decisions made by those who stared at his transom all day.
A soft day with a sou easterly that varied between the east and a east sou easterly, five H28's set off south to Martin - Weaver with some of us failing to incorporate the stiff current flowing out of the Canning, making that rounding of Weaver extremely difficult. No matter; Mariner had managed to clobber Anna pre start and the cost of a new section of toe rail and some work on the rubbing strake for Mariner will be picked up by Brian as the penalty for getting in front of John. That left us three of us late on the line and pointing up the river on port.
Well it ain't rocket science, but we'd all been up to Weaver earlier on and knew that there was a problem with the current. A couple of boats ran into trouble trying to squeak past Weaver and Mariner managed to slip from third to last setting a new worst performance record. Ho hum.
Chasing the rest of the fleet we were last around Sampson and the tight reach to Robins did give us an opportunity to engage passing mode. In fact we were so successful that we found ourselves rolling around Robins with Andy Bell on our tail and only Glen in front of us.. crickey, didn't expect to be that quick. But with Jindarra on our tail we had to decide which way to go after Dolphin East and we began by following after Glen on Wynella and then Andy Bell tacked off and we went to cover him. Oh dear. Wrong move and we battled our way down the middle while the rest ( including Andy by this time ) made their way down the northern side of the river.
By the time we had reached Como, everyone was in front again bar Anna and even she was pushing along. We ran into the SS27 fleet and had issues with a boat that decided to tack on our faces on the way to the outer start line and we had to go deep to get away from him. At the same time I noticed Glen making his way up from the box end of the start line toward the outer pin... must have been hit by a big knock. But he was still well in front. Andy and Bill were trying their best, but Glen had the bit in his teeth and was well away. We had the small loop to do after Sampson with the run to Foam, Print, Como and Thelma before the finish.
Now where was the breeze going to be? We did well enough around Foam and Print and the gallop to Como had us ridding ourselves of the lee poled out jib as the breeze was too flighty to run it. Then to Como riding the freeway special on the heels of Jindarra (Andrew). Swiftsure Saga had followed Glens lead by going up toward the finish line before tacking over into Thelma and was coming in at a fair clip. The battle at Thelma was on and the meeting of Bill and Andrew's boats was going to be interesting with a side issue on our chances of catching on or the other of them if they fell into irons. Oops! No contest. Andrew made it around just before Bill hit the corner, but the photos looked fine. We'd already heard the horn go for Glen as he crossed the line... yes he was that far in front.
So it was with Andy Bell's the First Jindarra following Wynella nearly three and a half minutes later and Swiftsure Saga and Mariner tumbling over the line a few seconds apart. Anna made a dignified finish to the race 2 minutes later.
On handicap; it was a clear win to Wynella ( possibly his first "first and fastest") with Swiftsure Saga second and Mariner third. The First Jindarra and Anna shared fourth place.
A note on the Sunday Frostbite where 6 blokes (of which three were skippers) piled onto Karoleeya and set off to reproduce the first and fastest that Steve had in the last race. They ran out of breeze on the down wind from Bond and made it home just as the line was closing. Its clear that there no wind whisperers on board. It also beggars belief that with three skippers, that they didn't divide their forces and take at least two boats out. If Bill hadn't broken his mast he would have provided competition to the other two boats.
Speaking of Bills broken mast... He set a new record for a quick mast fix... down to the mast mender by Friday and back on Saturday arvo late. He spent the next couple of days putting the bits and pieces back and on Tuesday four of us stood the mast up. He has put in a sleeve and had the bottom of his mast section re-enforced. Good for a few more seasons is the reckoning.
Enjoy the images.
A Winters Wednesday The 16th of August
A timely lesson to those who two sail reach.
Again I wasn't on the water and I can only blame the winters illness which has bedevilled me over the last few weeks. I feel like an old tom cat trying to get rid of a fur ball at the back of my throat. Not a pleasant experience. But the quack has given me the all clear and another round of antibiotics. So I'll be on the water shortly.
This weeks tale is a salutary one and involves much wailing and gnashing of teeth from Bill Richards. Yes, he busted a mast.
It was a windy sou wester with 4 boats on the water. The biggest problem was going to be separating the three majors ... Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella. Alma was along for the ride and quite wisely withdrew. As I wasn't there, I'm only able to hypothesise but I spoke to a number of people and gained a knowledge of the event. Mariner had pooched the start meaning that he was in catch up mode with Bill and Swiftsure Saga galloping off into the distance. The race had them dashing off to Martin / Weaver and then away on a course one. Plenty of time to catch Bill. But he was still ahead at the end of the big lap and the small lap loomed.
The use of the two sail reach has meant ease of setting up on a reach with the pole holding the headsail out on a good angle. The danger is not immediately evident, but only occurs when you start to get the boat rolling a little. Every time the pole dips nearer to the water, the closer you are to disaster.
Well Bill fair dipped his pole that day. And of course the brakes went on didn't they. You dip a headsail into the water and you are stopping the boat cold. The pole folds up ( as it did ) and there's every chance that the mast will follow suit. Remember that on a really windy day there is a few tonnes of pressure pushing the boat along and when you apply the brakes something usually gives. In this case Bill is faced with the need to get a sleeve going on his mast or bite the bullet and go for the new mast and a 3 month wait at a minimum.
Fortunately no one was injured and as Brian roared past, he asked the question and was given the ok to continue.
Over the line. Mariner and then Wynella. On handicap Wynella and then Mariner.
At the moment, the bottom of the mast is at the factory already and the rest of the mast is on the way. A sleeve is being proposed and Bill is confident that he'll have the mast on by Wednesday next. Only one photo, but it tells the story.
A number of H28 skippers and crew attended the mass for Neil Field at Scarborough on Thursday. Their presence was welcomed by the family. A wake was held in the Wardroom afterwards.
A timely lesson to those who two sail reach.
Again I wasn't on the water and I can only blame the winters illness which has bedevilled me over the last few weeks. I feel like an old tom cat trying to get rid of a fur ball at the back of my throat. Not a pleasant experience. But the quack has given me the all clear and another round of antibiotics. So I'll be on the water shortly.
This weeks tale is a salutary one and involves much wailing and gnashing of teeth from Bill Richards. Yes, he busted a mast.
It was a windy sou wester with 4 boats on the water. The biggest problem was going to be separating the three majors ... Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella. Alma was along for the ride and quite wisely withdrew. As I wasn't there, I'm only able to hypothesise but I spoke to a number of people and gained a knowledge of the event. Mariner had pooched the start meaning that he was in catch up mode with Bill and Swiftsure Saga galloping off into the distance. The race had them dashing off to Martin / Weaver and then away on a course one. Plenty of time to catch Bill. But he was still ahead at the end of the big lap and the small lap loomed.
The use of the two sail reach has meant ease of setting up on a reach with the pole holding the headsail out on a good angle. The danger is not immediately evident, but only occurs when you start to get the boat rolling a little. Every time the pole dips nearer to the water, the closer you are to disaster.
Well Bill fair dipped his pole that day. And of course the brakes went on didn't they. You dip a headsail into the water and you are stopping the boat cold. The pole folds up ( as it did ) and there's every chance that the mast will follow suit. Remember that on a really windy day there is a few tonnes of pressure pushing the boat along and when you apply the brakes something usually gives. In this case Bill is faced with the need to get a sleeve going on his mast or bite the bullet and go for the new mast and a 3 month wait at a minimum.
Fortunately no one was injured and as Brian roared past, he asked the question and was given the ok to continue.
Over the line. Mariner and then Wynella. On handicap Wynella and then Mariner.
At the moment, the bottom of the mast is at the factory already and the rest of the mast is on the way. A sleeve is being proposed and Bill is confident that he'll have the mast on by Wednesday next. Only one photo, but it tells the story.
A number of H28 skippers and crew attended the mass for Neil Field at Scarborough on Thursday. Their presence was welcomed by the family. A wake was held in the Wardroom afterwards.
Not a Winter Wednesday The 9th of August
This may be an interim note, or worse, the only one you'll get this week.
I've just finished having a chat to Scott from the On Water Group. Yes there is sailing ( well as of 1.33 pm ) and even he reckons the numbers on the water will be light on. It was blowing 23 knots on the bottom with a top of 32.
First.. Brian Cross and David Locke celebrated (in their own way) their 60th birthdays recently. David quietly went about his business and didn't make a fuss.. quite like the man actually.. And then Brian decided that it was time to take a few moments out to celebrate his turning of age. A few sailing friends.... some power boat mates... the family en-masse and then other friends to make up a comfortable backyard full of people on a perfect day. A warm winters afternoon was shared amongst family and friends with Judi Cross ensuring a wonderful afternoon. Most of us staggered out the door replete in good wine and food. Thanks Brian and Judi.
A farewell to a comrade at arms. Neil Field passed away a couple of days ago and I was fortunate enough to have sailed on a couple of boats with him as well as have him help me with one or two electrical issues at home.
When I first met Neil. it was at the Perth Flying Squadron YC and he was fixing all the glass washers in the bar. No problems.. just chat and move on. The next time we bumped into each other, I was sailing with Mariner and Neil was sailing with John Wright's Anna. He seemed to think that I would be a fit and I was invited to join Johns boat on Saturdays to replace a retiring crew member. At the same time Bill Richards was beginning to plan for Swift Sure Saga and Neil had his eye on a spot on the boat. His choice I guess. But it was with regret that he left, for his knowledge of Anna was good and losing him made us work that little bit harder. He joined Bill for the first few years on the water on Swift Sure Saga and I was lucky enough to join them when Swift Sure Saga would journey over to Perth Flying Squadron YC for their Friday sail. Neil kept his private life separate from his sailing life though when we were introduced to Venn it was with pleasure to see that he had some one to accompany him in his later life apart from his children and grand children. Neil retired from sailing to take up duties as the Wednesday evening starter and was unfortunate in that illness took him away from that role. Included are a few images that I took over the last decade or so.
This may be an interim note, or worse, the only one you'll get this week.
I've just finished having a chat to Scott from the On Water Group. Yes there is sailing ( well as of 1.33 pm ) and even he reckons the numbers on the water will be light on. It was blowing 23 knots on the bottom with a top of 32.
First.. Brian Cross and David Locke celebrated (in their own way) their 60th birthdays recently. David quietly went about his business and didn't make a fuss.. quite like the man actually.. And then Brian decided that it was time to take a few moments out to celebrate his turning of age. A few sailing friends.... some power boat mates... the family en-masse and then other friends to make up a comfortable backyard full of people on a perfect day. A warm winters afternoon was shared amongst family and friends with Judi Cross ensuring a wonderful afternoon. Most of us staggered out the door replete in good wine and food. Thanks Brian and Judi.
A farewell to a comrade at arms. Neil Field passed away a couple of days ago and I was fortunate enough to have sailed on a couple of boats with him as well as have him help me with one or two electrical issues at home.
When I first met Neil. it was at the Perth Flying Squadron YC and he was fixing all the glass washers in the bar. No problems.. just chat and move on. The next time we bumped into each other, I was sailing with Mariner and Neil was sailing with John Wright's Anna. He seemed to think that I would be a fit and I was invited to join Johns boat on Saturdays to replace a retiring crew member. At the same time Bill Richards was beginning to plan for Swift Sure Saga and Neil had his eye on a spot on the boat. His choice I guess. But it was with regret that he left, for his knowledge of Anna was good and losing him made us work that little bit harder. He joined Bill for the first few years on the water on Swift Sure Saga and I was lucky enough to join them when Swift Sure Saga would journey over to Perth Flying Squadron YC for their Friday sail. Neil kept his private life separate from his sailing life though when we were introduced to Venn it was with pleasure to see that he had some one to accompany him in his later life apart from his children and grand children. Neil retired from sailing to take up duties as the Wednesday evening starter and was unfortunate in that illness took him away from that role. Included are a few images that I took over the last decade or so.
Some images of Neil Field through the years that I've had the camera going.
Winter Wednesday The 2nd of August
It all happened behind us.
Or the battles, "crise de nerfs", mud finding and the John Wright effect.
Welcome back to John Wright and Craig Bulmer, his mainsheet man; both have agreed that they are sailing to enjoy it from now on and will not be seen out on cold, wet and windy days. Can't say I blame them either... I'm nursing a freshened cold from yesterday.
It was a great day to go for a yacht, sure a little cool, but we had 5 to 10 knots out of the south west and a course 4. The basic requirement for a good start was to get going early and slide down toward the line until the flag dropped. Most of us made the decision to go box end, Wynella and Mariner went low and possibly got the advantage of the current as well. So the fleet was set with Wynella chasing us (again). Must point out that Glen on Wynella has been loaning out his crew to all and sundry and seems to do alright, no matter who he loans out. Many thanks to his generosity and the crews ability to swap around. Anyway Bill RIchards had two of his men onboard and John Wright had one of his as well and Glen still had three on his boat.
At Sampson, the fleet had started to sort itself out and Andy Bell and John Wright decided to go left to do something else, rather than follow us down the river. As we worked our way down to Robins with Wynella in tow, we watched in horror as John Wright came to an abrupt halt under Heathcote with Andy Bell only meters away. Guess who's got a slightly shorter keel. John recalled the last time he got stuck there ( I was on board ) "I jumped overboard and pushed the boat off. " Well at 80 + he wasn't jumping this time and a spinnaker pole was used to pry them off the mud. Andy proceeded on and shooting through under Heathcote he worked his way up Waylen Bay to past Frenchman's mark, before he had to come across. As for Mariner and her shadow, we dug into the edge around Applecross jetty and we both tacked near the line between Applecross spit and the jetty. And proceeded to knock and knock down from Robins. Bill on Swiftsure Saga went that extra 10 metres to the edge of the line and made the mark in one work beating both us and Wynella. Then adding pain to the injury we got taken up by a passing Royal Perth boat (an Adams 10 full of boisterous boys) and we lost all our speed as we waited for him to get past us. So power up and try to get after Bill. Meantime Alma had managed to keep her pace very well and was in front of Andy Bell and staying there.
Down to Dolphin East with a view of Bills transom and Wynella storming along behind us. No rest here, not at all and the skipper is urging us for more speed. A gybe and thence to Como with the chance of a few boats from B fleet fouling up Wynella, or at least separating her from us.
Nothing really happened there and the gybe at Outer start line set us up for the run to Sampson. And the big boats caught us and yes, you can lose speed when a block of flats sails past you. Make Sampson and harden up before we make any decisions. We're pointing all right and we have a chance... Bill tacks early looking for a lift to the mark and we continue on another 200 metres, then lay over. Yes we're lifting we're inside the shift and Bill has fallen away on the other side. Our shadow has clung grimly to our heels and is standing a chance to improve their position.
We cross Bill on the way to Foam and then look back in horror (faint amusement) as Bill gets hit by a bunch of Royal Perth boats rounding the mark as well and Glen and the boys on Wynella make their way around the mark while Bill tries to recover his sanity and regain his direction and purpose. A "true crisis of the nerves." (Did all right too, but that comes later.)
Across to Print and a gybe with a pole to Como... we were in the clear and at last Andy Bell came into view charging across on starboard, unfortunately Alma was still lying fourth and John Wright had given up any chance and was seen heading to the pen. However that's not the JW effect. More later. Down to Thelma with a clean run and we decided to run along the freeway avoiding the current which was still piling down the Canning river. Then a simple board to the finish line and we looked back to watch Glen fighting off Bill at Thelma and both getting the John Wright effect ( that lift that you can get that takes you up to the finish line from Thelma. How many times have I seen JW get that? {Rhetorical question-I'm sorry}
And then it all fell apart for Glen.. a tack was in it and Bill had the height on Glen in the dash for the line, but he was to leeward. Both were below the line. Glen could have done Bills head in if he'd gone a little earlier, but wily old fox Bill saw that there was room and took his chance to come out on top in the tacking duel and found himself looking at the line. Well done Bill. That's the last time Glen will lend you crew Bill.
Well sailed too to John Dennis who sailed Judy's Alma today. Kept up with the fleet and took them to a win for the day.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella
On handicap: Alma, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga.
It all happened behind us.
Or the battles, "crise de nerfs", mud finding and the John Wright effect.
Welcome back to John Wright and Craig Bulmer, his mainsheet man; both have agreed that they are sailing to enjoy it from now on and will not be seen out on cold, wet and windy days. Can't say I blame them either... I'm nursing a freshened cold from yesterday.
It was a great day to go for a yacht, sure a little cool, but we had 5 to 10 knots out of the south west and a course 4. The basic requirement for a good start was to get going early and slide down toward the line until the flag dropped. Most of us made the decision to go box end, Wynella and Mariner went low and possibly got the advantage of the current as well. So the fleet was set with Wynella chasing us (again). Must point out that Glen on Wynella has been loaning out his crew to all and sundry and seems to do alright, no matter who he loans out. Many thanks to his generosity and the crews ability to swap around. Anyway Bill RIchards had two of his men onboard and John Wright had one of his as well and Glen still had three on his boat.
At Sampson, the fleet had started to sort itself out and Andy Bell and John Wright decided to go left to do something else, rather than follow us down the river. As we worked our way down to Robins with Wynella in tow, we watched in horror as John Wright came to an abrupt halt under Heathcote with Andy Bell only meters away. Guess who's got a slightly shorter keel. John recalled the last time he got stuck there ( I was on board ) "I jumped overboard and pushed the boat off. " Well at 80 + he wasn't jumping this time and a spinnaker pole was used to pry them off the mud. Andy proceeded on and shooting through under Heathcote he worked his way up Waylen Bay to past Frenchman's mark, before he had to come across. As for Mariner and her shadow, we dug into the edge around Applecross jetty and we both tacked near the line between Applecross spit and the jetty. And proceeded to knock and knock down from Robins. Bill on Swiftsure Saga went that extra 10 metres to the edge of the line and made the mark in one work beating both us and Wynella. Then adding pain to the injury we got taken up by a passing Royal Perth boat (an Adams 10 full of boisterous boys) and we lost all our speed as we waited for him to get past us. So power up and try to get after Bill. Meantime Alma had managed to keep her pace very well and was in front of Andy Bell and staying there.
Down to Dolphin East with a view of Bills transom and Wynella storming along behind us. No rest here, not at all and the skipper is urging us for more speed. A gybe and thence to Como with the chance of a few boats from B fleet fouling up Wynella, or at least separating her from us.
Nothing really happened there and the gybe at Outer start line set us up for the run to Sampson. And the big boats caught us and yes, you can lose speed when a block of flats sails past you. Make Sampson and harden up before we make any decisions. We're pointing all right and we have a chance... Bill tacks early looking for a lift to the mark and we continue on another 200 metres, then lay over. Yes we're lifting we're inside the shift and Bill has fallen away on the other side. Our shadow has clung grimly to our heels and is standing a chance to improve their position.
We cross Bill on the way to Foam and then look back in horror (faint amusement) as Bill gets hit by a bunch of Royal Perth boats rounding the mark as well and Glen and the boys on Wynella make their way around the mark while Bill tries to recover his sanity and regain his direction and purpose. A "true crisis of the nerves." (Did all right too, but that comes later.)
Across to Print and a gybe with a pole to Como... we were in the clear and at last Andy Bell came into view charging across on starboard, unfortunately Alma was still lying fourth and John Wright had given up any chance and was seen heading to the pen. However that's not the JW effect. More later. Down to Thelma with a clean run and we decided to run along the freeway avoiding the current which was still piling down the Canning river. Then a simple board to the finish line and we looked back to watch Glen fighting off Bill at Thelma and both getting the John Wright effect ( that lift that you can get that takes you up to the finish line from Thelma. How many times have I seen JW get that? {Rhetorical question-I'm sorry}
And then it all fell apart for Glen.. a tack was in it and Bill had the height on Glen in the dash for the line, but he was to leeward. Both were below the line. Glen could have done Bills head in if he'd gone a little earlier, but wily old fox Bill saw that there was room and took his chance to come out on top in the tacking duel and found himself looking at the line. Well done Bill. That's the last time Glen will lend you crew Bill.
Well sailed too to John Dennis who sailed Judy's Alma today. Kept up with the fleet and took them to a win for the day.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella
On handicap: Alma, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga.
Winter Wednesday the 26th of July
At last, it's out of the west.
Only three to play today.
First of all, I'll apologize for the last few weeks where I've had the month as June and not July. (I wonder how many of you noticed?)
We had the sail maker on board today with our new jib, yes it took a while to get here, but apparently they had their problems in the shipping department. And as sail makers do, their mere presence on the boat is enough to give you a win. But not without a bit of fun and games to begin.
A test drive of the sail had Brian purring as we immediately started hitting low sixes in the stiff wsw that was blowing (19 to 25 knots) and Reese had the sail under control very easily. Having that job done and a calibration of the sail under a decent blow, we headed back down to the start line to see whether we had a one or a two as the course for the day. A one, so the prediction of a sou westerly was good and the breeze was already dropping. Alma was out as well, but in the still frisky breeze and with a somewhat unskilled crew, they declined to race and simply went for a cruise.. surprisingly, if they had kept on going, it would have been a good race day for them.
Well away at the start, it was a matter of staying ahead and that we did. Playing with the new headsail as the breeze continued to slow, Brian abandoned the helm in favour of Reese and spent the rest of the race up front playing with the new sail. Picking the breeze up to Deepwater wasn't too hard, but the run down to Print was a matter of going with a pole or not with a pole as the breeze flicked into the west and even further into a wnw as we sailed down the river. Behind us Swiftsure Saga was reaching very well and was actually catching up (in my opinion). But as the breeze swung further into the wnw, it built and we pulled the sail through to get a good reaching run.
Around at Print and off to Robins with a halfway decent lead and about 5 to 8 knots out of the west. We worked our way up to midway and looking back, Bill on Swiftsure had followed us more or less, while Glen had gone out on a chance into the middle of the river on the hope that the breeze would work for him. Nearly did too. When the two boats met at Robins, Bill's lead was reduced by half at least and Glen was in a good spot to pester Bill for the rest of the day. Our lead was beginning to mount and the skipper was worried..... if we led by too much, then our handicap would climb exponentially. Not worth the effort and we were thankful for Swiftsure Saga's continuing attempts to catch us as they reduced our lead for us as we sailed to the shortened finish line. A good day on the water and it's a pity that Andy Bell wasn't able to get his boat onto the water as he had the usual problems with crew not being available (too wet, too cold, too busy).
Yes it rained again and the essential feeling was that anyone who sailed today had done well. Full marks to A fleet, they had half a dozen boats on the water, one in C fleet, three in the H28's and maybe five in B fleet. Very quiet on the water today.
Results: over the line and on handicap. Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
At last, it's out of the west.
Only three to play today.
First of all, I'll apologize for the last few weeks where I've had the month as June and not July. (I wonder how many of you noticed?)
We had the sail maker on board today with our new jib, yes it took a while to get here, but apparently they had their problems in the shipping department. And as sail makers do, their mere presence on the boat is enough to give you a win. But not without a bit of fun and games to begin.
A test drive of the sail had Brian purring as we immediately started hitting low sixes in the stiff wsw that was blowing (19 to 25 knots) and Reese had the sail under control very easily. Having that job done and a calibration of the sail under a decent blow, we headed back down to the start line to see whether we had a one or a two as the course for the day. A one, so the prediction of a sou westerly was good and the breeze was already dropping. Alma was out as well, but in the still frisky breeze and with a somewhat unskilled crew, they declined to race and simply went for a cruise.. surprisingly, if they had kept on going, it would have been a good race day for them.
Well away at the start, it was a matter of staying ahead and that we did. Playing with the new headsail as the breeze continued to slow, Brian abandoned the helm in favour of Reese and spent the rest of the race up front playing with the new sail. Picking the breeze up to Deepwater wasn't too hard, but the run down to Print was a matter of going with a pole or not with a pole as the breeze flicked into the west and even further into a wnw as we sailed down the river. Behind us Swiftsure Saga was reaching very well and was actually catching up (in my opinion). But as the breeze swung further into the wnw, it built and we pulled the sail through to get a good reaching run.
Around at Print and off to Robins with a halfway decent lead and about 5 to 8 knots out of the west. We worked our way up to midway and looking back, Bill on Swiftsure had followed us more or less, while Glen had gone out on a chance into the middle of the river on the hope that the breeze would work for him. Nearly did too. When the two boats met at Robins, Bill's lead was reduced by half at least and Glen was in a good spot to pester Bill for the rest of the day. Our lead was beginning to mount and the skipper was worried..... if we led by too much, then our handicap would climb exponentially. Not worth the effort and we were thankful for Swiftsure Saga's continuing attempts to catch us as they reduced our lead for us as we sailed to the shortened finish line. A good day on the water and it's a pity that Andy Bell wasn't able to get his boat onto the water as he had the usual problems with crew not being available (too wet, too cold, too busy).
Yes it rained again and the essential feeling was that anyone who sailed today had done well. Full marks to A fleet, they had half a dozen boats on the water, one in C fleet, three in the H28's and maybe five in B fleet. Very quiet on the water today.
Results: over the line and on handicap. Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
Winter Wednesday 19th of July
Once again a nor wester.
A day for the Woodenheads.
You cant fault the H28's over the last 3 weeks. Ok, it's been a soldiers course and first to the front is the winner. We have had the 4 same H28's on the water every week and despite the foul weather they've held their nerve and showed the club that we can get out there and sail when the rest of the fleets will not. A course two with 14 knots on the base and gusts to 25 knots.
It was noted that Bill had put in a reef (and picked up Colin to sail with him) and with a full sized headsail was just as dangerous as last week with a full main and a one and a half on the front. We on Mariner had gone for the full main and headsail counting on the breeze being light when the gusts weren't coming in and Andrew had his usual rig. Glen on Wynella had a missing baton in his main and appeared to have a smaller headsail, but he was only suffering in the down winds and appeared to do well enough
Andy Bell got away to a good start and rolled over us on the way to Sampson and from there on it was chase AB. Mind you his handicap is getting to be quite large now and he'll just have to beat us by a larger amount......Meanwhile Glen and Bill had decided to have their own battle at the start line with Glen just managing to save his boat from a good whack in the side from Bill, slowed them down a bit.
Up to Hallmark with a few quite healthy gusts booming through and the traveler working it's way up and down the slide as the boat surged her way through the waves. Getting around Nedlands spit on the deep water side proved to be challenging but the boat didn't drink too much water. Then up to Hallmark with a reach up to Armstrong and a run down the breeze to Como for the first time where we saw that there wasn't a mark for Como and we then noted a temporary buoy that had been dropped in. Had Andrew Bell rounded this mark? It was academic as we racing, not protesting and we took off for the outer start line. A fierce gybe and then back on the wind to Sampson keeping Bill at bay. He'd been sailing well and was catching up well. Then up to Dolphin West with the breeze freshening again. Lots of rain at this stage too and I wont have to wash the salt out of my wet weather gear. A good soaking for every one.
Back down the breeze half on and half off the beam with the chance of a pole coming once we'd managed to get around Print and then the dash to Como and thence to Thelma. Why bother taking the pole down? Just gybe the main and go into a two sail reach to get us home and as we did.. down came the rain again. So stow the sails, start the motor, park the boat and put a cover on as quickly as possible.
Over the line: The First Jindarra, Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and then Wynella. On Handicap; exactly the same.
Not too many photo's today. I was busy.
Best wishes to John Wright, I believe he's not feeling the best at the moment.
Once again a nor wester.
A day for the Woodenheads.
You cant fault the H28's over the last 3 weeks. Ok, it's been a soldiers course and first to the front is the winner. We have had the 4 same H28's on the water every week and despite the foul weather they've held their nerve and showed the club that we can get out there and sail when the rest of the fleets will not. A course two with 14 knots on the base and gusts to 25 knots.
It was noted that Bill had put in a reef (and picked up Colin to sail with him) and with a full sized headsail was just as dangerous as last week with a full main and a one and a half on the front. We on Mariner had gone for the full main and headsail counting on the breeze being light when the gusts weren't coming in and Andrew had his usual rig. Glen on Wynella had a missing baton in his main and appeared to have a smaller headsail, but he was only suffering in the down winds and appeared to do well enough
Andy Bell got away to a good start and rolled over us on the way to Sampson and from there on it was chase AB. Mind you his handicap is getting to be quite large now and he'll just have to beat us by a larger amount......Meanwhile Glen and Bill had decided to have their own battle at the start line with Glen just managing to save his boat from a good whack in the side from Bill, slowed them down a bit.
Up to Hallmark with a few quite healthy gusts booming through and the traveler working it's way up and down the slide as the boat surged her way through the waves. Getting around Nedlands spit on the deep water side proved to be challenging but the boat didn't drink too much water. Then up to Hallmark with a reach up to Armstrong and a run down the breeze to Como for the first time where we saw that there wasn't a mark for Como and we then noted a temporary buoy that had been dropped in. Had Andrew Bell rounded this mark? It was academic as we racing, not protesting and we took off for the outer start line. A fierce gybe and then back on the wind to Sampson keeping Bill at bay. He'd been sailing well and was catching up well. Then up to Dolphin West with the breeze freshening again. Lots of rain at this stage too and I wont have to wash the salt out of my wet weather gear. A good soaking for every one.
Back down the breeze half on and half off the beam with the chance of a pole coming once we'd managed to get around Print and then the dash to Como and thence to Thelma. Why bother taking the pole down? Just gybe the main and go into a two sail reach to get us home and as we did.. down came the rain again. So stow the sails, start the motor, park the boat and put a cover on as quickly as possible.
Over the line: The First Jindarra, Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and then Wynella. On Handicap; exactly the same.
Not too many photo's today. I was busy.
Best wishes to John Wright, I believe he's not feeling the best at the moment.
Winter Wednesday 12th of July
It'll drop out soon.
Blowing possums out of the roof or H28 Weather.
Even the starters couldn't make their minds up. We'd put on a number two again and would regret it later again, but it certainly made it easier to get the headsail in again. No matter. Georgina was to join us, but was let down by that dinky two stroke on the back. A crew had been organized, but deeming that they couldn't get out it was safer that the crew put the boat away while George came out with Bill for the experience.
Blowing possums out of the roof would be a fair description of the breeze today. A screaming nor westerly with a base of 16 knots and booming into the high 20's and one good one of 32 knots. PFD's for everyone and the start team put us on hold for 15 minutes while they made up their minds. Didn't really matter though. A number of boats went out for a look and promptly went back to their pens, one smart boat in Div C crossed the start line and retired shortly after. Only 10 boats made it across the start line and 4 of them were H28's.
Getting away from the start line on a course two was the issue as first boat to Sampson was going to be the winner on a "follow me " course. Slightly cracked, we were hitting high 6's as we howled across the slop on the bottom of the river. Big waves! We had the overlap on Andy Bell and made the fatal mistake of letting him push us up after the rounding at Sampson. Should have sailed higher to begin. A tack away has us on the losing side immediately and from then on it was follow me. And our number two didn't let us have the same draw as we worked our way up the breeze. Busy on the main, I couldn't see what was going on, other than keep the boat balanced in the gusts and there were lots of gusts.
From Hallmark to Armstrong it was a good run with Bill on our tail and Andrew Bell well in front. Glen was doing a fine job in fourth spot and he was still in touch at this stage. Then the down wind run gave us a chance to get up closer to Andrew with a poled out jib and we managed to draw away from Bill a fair bit. About now the biggest gusts came through and the boat could have taken off on foils if it'd had a chance. Everyone just held on. A gybe at Como had the boat rolling a little, but the run to the outer start line was a slog through the waves with the most dangerous gybe of the day put away without comment. Back to Sampson again and watch Bill get closer while we chased Andrew.
Away off to Dolphin West and a work turned into a reach by the time we'd hit the top, and Brian was worried that Bill had finally caught us. NO we were through him and the downwind chase began with high hopes of staying in front. And that's the skippers job. Then down to Print, to Como and around the corner to Thelma with the foredeck looking busy for a while there, but we executed the perfect flick through on the jib and made it to the start line with the pole sticking out forward of the headsail.
And to all the pundits who said that the breeze would drop out, because the forecasters said it would ............. nah!
Over the line: The First Jindarra, Mariner, Swiftsure Saga. On handicap: Andrew Bell, Bill Richards, Brian Cross.
Georgina went out for a sail on Saturday and Sunday.. I happened to be on the water on Sunday for the Solo's and caught a few snaps. Enjoy. (and I think that George was right to sail with Bill on Wednesday...... no questions about nor westers anymore)
It'll drop out soon.
Blowing possums out of the roof or H28 Weather.
Even the starters couldn't make their minds up. We'd put on a number two again and would regret it later again, but it certainly made it easier to get the headsail in again. No matter. Georgina was to join us, but was let down by that dinky two stroke on the back. A crew had been organized, but deeming that they couldn't get out it was safer that the crew put the boat away while George came out with Bill for the experience.
Blowing possums out of the roof would be a fair description of the breeze today. A screaming nor westerly with a base of 16 knots and booming into the high 20's and one good one of 32 knots. PFD's for everyone and the start team put us on hold for 15 minutes while they made up their minds. Didn't really matter though. A number of boats went out for a look and promptly went back to their pens, one smart boat in Div C crossed the start line and retired shortly after. Only 10 boats made it across the start line and 4 of them were H28's.
Getting away from the start line on a course two was the issue as first boat to Sampson was going to be the winner on a "follow me " course. Slightly cracked, we were hitting high 6's as we howled across the slop on the bottom of the river. Big waves! We had the overlap on Andy Bell and made the fatal mistake of letting him push us up after the rounding at Sampson. Should have sailed higher to begin. A tack away has us on the losing side immediately and from then on it was follow me. And our number two didn't let us have the same draw as we worked our way up the breeze. Busy on the main, I couldn't see what was going on, other than keep the boat balanced in the gusts and there were lots of gusts.
From Hallmark to Armstrong it was a good run with Bill on our tail and Andrew Bell well in front. Glen was doing a fine job in fourth spot and he was still in touch at this stage. Then the down wind run gave us a chance to get up closer to Andrew with a poled out jib and we managed to draw away from Bill a fair bit. About now the biggest gusts came through and the boat could have taken off on foils if it'd had a chance. Everyone just held on. A gybe at Como had the boat rolling a little, but the run to the outer start line was a slog through the waves with the most dangerous gybe of the day put away without comment. Back to Sampson again and watch Bill get closer while we chased Andrew.
Away off to Dolphin West and a work turned into a reach by the time we'd hit the top, and Brian was worried that Bill had finally caught us. NO we were through him and the downwind chase began with high hopes of staying in front. And that's the skippers job. Then down to Print, to Como and around the corner to Thelma with the foredeck looking busy for a while there, but we executed the perfect flick through on the jib and made it to the start line with the pole sticking out forward of the headsail.
And to all the pundits who said that the breeze would drop out, because the forecasters said it would ............. nah!
Over the line: The First Jindarra, Mariner, Swiftsure Saga. On handicap: Andrew Bell, Bill Richards, Brian Cross.
Georgina went out for a sail on Saturday and Sunday.. I happened to be on the water on Sunday for the Solo's and caught a few snaps. Enjoy. (and I think that George was right to sail with Bill on Wednesday...... no questions about nor westers anymore)
Winter Wednesday 21st of June
The Winter solstice. And then the wind blew!
It was noticeable that there were people who didn't want to get their feet wet... but then again there were 4 boats who were ok to go. It was certainly a day for the faithful. We got onto the water and had a great time. Sure, the weather was a little chancy with rain forecast as well as a stiff breeze already on the river. "Put the number two on," said the skipper much to our regret later on.
They gave us a course two with a nor wester on offer .. a soldiers course really and the start was all important. We'd lined up with a plan and found ourselves 10 seconds short of the mark, allowing Bill and Andrew to slip over us at the start. Damn.... and then Glen got through us below. Staring at the transoms of three boats we knew it was going to be a handicap adjustment day, but pride had us pushing hard to at least get Glen back and perhaps Swiftsure Saga as well.
For most of the dash to Sampson and thence to Hallmark, it was a drag race with trimming the boats sails as the priority. Another half a knot meant the difference and we began to regret the number two put on. The breeze had dropped a little and we could have done with a little more grunt from the front. Andy Bell had put on his only head sail (a # 1) and was romping away and Bill had strapped on a one and a half and despite being two up was doing very well. The same may be said for Glen with four on board, though he may have had a smaller headsail as well. Hitting Hallmark, we looked at Armstrong with an easing of the sails as we picked up speed again. 6.5 knots is good on a reach and even better when you hit Armstrong and head back to Como with the same speed or better.
The Royal Perth fleet was as light on as ours and we had no problems getting through them. Mind you only 17 SoPYC boats went out today.. not our best showing. So eventually we reached Como having adopted a 2 sail reach set up and swapped to a poled out jib on the run to the outer start line. Still just chasing boats as the smaller jib was holding us back. And then our luck changed a little. A good rounding at the outer start line had us within striking distance of Wynella and our chances were good to get past her.
And so it came about, they went low and we went high managing to draw level and holding our own at Sampson. Thence to Dolphin West with another long slightly cracked run up the breeze. Slowly closing on Swiftsure Saga, (but never quite catching her) we rounded the mark and began the run to Como, Thelma and then home; all of the time reaching......... fast yes, but no passing lanes and not much to do about it.
Rounding at Thelma we were able to look back and count our blessings, there was one boat behind us and Bill wasn't that far away in front.
Over the line... The First Jindarra, Swiftsure Saga, Mariner. On handicap. Andy Bell, Bill Richards and Glen Stanley.
I'll be away next week.. have a good time! :-)
The Winter solstice. And then the wind blew!
It was noticeable that there were people who didn't want to get their feet wet... but then again there were 4 boats who were ok to go. It was certainly a day for the faithful. We got onto the water and had a great time. Sure, the weather was a little chancy with rain forecast as well as a stiff breeze already on the river. "Put the number two on," said the skipper much to our regret later on.
They gave us a course two with a nor wester on offer .. a soldiers course really and the start was all important. We'd lined up with a plan and found ourselves 10 seconds short of the mark, allowing Bill and Andrew to slip over us at the start. Damn.... and then Glen got through us below. Staring at the transoms of three boats we knew it was going to be a handicap adjustment day, but pride had us pushing hard to at least get Glen back and perhaps Swiftsure Saga as well.
For most of the dash to Sampson and thence to Hallmark, it was a drag race with trimming the boats sails as the priority. Another half a knot meant the difference and we began to regret the number two put on. The breeze had dropped a little and we could have done with a little more grunt from the front. Andy Bell had put on his only head sail (a # 1) and was romping away and Bill had strapped on a one and a half and despite being two up was doing very well. The same may be said for Glen with four on board, though he may have had a smaller headsail as well. Hitting Hallmark, we looked at Armstrong with an easing of the sails as we picked up speed again. 6.5 knots is good on a reach and even better when you hit Armstrong and head back to Como with the same speed or better.
The Royal Perth fleet was as light on as ours and we had no problems getting through them. Mind you only 17 SoPYC boats went out today.. not our best showing. So eventually we reached Como having adopted a 2 sail reach set up and swapped to a poled out jib on the run to the outer start line. Still just chasing boats as the smaller jib was holding us back. And then our luck changed a little. A good rounding at the outer start line had us within striking distance of Wynella and our chances were good to get past her.
And so it came about, they went low and we went high managing to draw level and holding our own at Sampson. Thence to Dolphin West with another long slightly cracked run up the breeze. Slowly closing on Swiftsure Saga, (but never quite catching her) we rounded the mark and began the run to Como, Thelma and then home; all of the time reaching......... fast yes, but no passing lanes and not much to do about it.
Rounding at Thelma we were able to look back and count our blessings, there was one boat behind us and Bill wasn't that far away in front.
Over the line... The First Jindarra, Swiftsure Saga, Mariner. On handicap. Andy Bell, Bill Richards and Glen Stanley.
I'll be away next week.. have a good time! :-)
Winter Wednesday 14th of June
Hats off to Anna!
You can't teach old dogs new tricks, but you can watch a master get back every inch of water that he can. A course two was on offer in a dead calm. No they hadn't shortened the race at the start box, but they had sent us away to Sampson on a drifter and it really was a case of "if the breeze came in and where would you like to be." We do feel sorry for Alma who managed to OCS on the day... sailed the entire course and then found out about it. Oh well! Seven boats on the water today.
Half way to Sampson, we were busily trying to get past an S80 who was to cause grief to Andy Bell a little later on. We'd taken off about mid fleet and just scraped past the pin end buoy as did Andy Bell a few seconds later. We worked our way up to the river end of the fleet (nearest to Heathcote Dolphin) and then hoped like heck that a breeze would arrive from the west. The boat was flowing well in the one or two knots of breeze and we managed to pass one or two boats and found ourselves dealing with an S80. Most S80 skippers are cantankerous, nasty and miserable and will take you up, just because. This one must have been having a nice day as we soared past him without comment. In fact the crew looked at us in silence as we slipped past.
Anna meanwhile, was well below the fleet, closer to the freeway, almost adopting a Vic Court posture. However when the breeze eventually came in, we were two thirds of the way to Sampson and had the entire C and H28 fleets behind us. A clean run to Sampson and then the work up to Hallmark. Some of us went into the middle and all on his own, Anna went into the north and sailed really well to make it to Hallmark with very little disturbance... we'd tacked at least 4 times and still managed to hang on to the lead, but John Wright had streeted the field and was on our tail as we made our way up to Armstrong ready to head off to Como.
Again we threw in at least two tacks too many, but could justify it as we'd fallen out of phase and needed to get back into the swing of the breeze. Keeping clear of the Cole 32's was important as they have a habit of blanketing you and a '32 skipper who's having a slow day can cause you continuing grief. Again we'd tacked out to the middle of the river and made our way back into the mark with a nice bit of pressure, only to be met by Anna who'd gone up along the north side. Right back there behind us again. Would not let go! At all.
Then the down wind began and it was a case of clear air required. We'd set up for a two sail reach and Anna may have adopted the same set up. Anna was a hundred metres away for most of the down wind, sometimes shorter, other times longer. Until we started to group up for the rounding of Como. We'd been playing "funny buggers" with a couple of C fleet boats who were having their own race and weren't prepared to let us through. Then Anna and the rest of the fleet began to close up.
Giving room to the first boat at Como, we closed the door on the other and after 20 metres we knew that we would have to tack off, we were slow and bogged down by a plastic boat and the rest of the fleet was chasing us. But they were dropping down. So we tacked and went to a ley line well above where we should have to be. And then went another 10 meters. We could see the shortened course flags hanging on the box mast head. The following 600 metres was fascinating as we dropped like a stone till we were below the pin end again, but everyone else was below us as well. John Wright however was preparing to tack and as the skipper described it, he was on a lift from heaven... pointing at the line. So tack we did, keeping him behind us and waving the C Fleet winner through in the process. But you could never underestimate John and Anna, if we'd made a mistake he would have capitalized on it if he could. A very good win on handicap to Anna indeed.
Over the line. Mariner, Anna and The First Jindarra On handicap. Anna, Wynella and Carina
Hats off to Anna!
You can't teach old dogs new tricks, but you can watch a master get back every inch of water that he can. A course two was on offer in a dead calm. No they hadn't shortened the race at the start box, but they had sent us away to Sampson on a drifter and it really was a case of "if the breeze came in and where would you like to be." We do feel sorry for Alma who managed to OCS on the day... sailed the entire course and then found out about it. Oh well! Seven boats on the water today.
Half way to Sampson, we were busily trying to get past an S80 who was to cause grief to Andy Bell a little later on. We'd taken off about mid fleet and just scraped past the pin end buoy as did Andy Bell a few seconds later. We worked our way up to the river end of the fleet (nearest to Heathcote Dolphin) and then hoped like heck that a breeze would arrive from the west. The boat was flowing well in the one or two knots of breeze and we managed to pass one or two boats and found ourselves dealing with an S80. Most S80 skippers are cantankerous, nasty and miserable and will take you up, just because. This one must have been having a nice day as we soared past him without comment. In fact the crew looked at us in silence as we slipped past.
Anna meanwhile, was well below the fleet, closer to the freeway, almost adopting a Vic Court posture. However when the breeze eventually came in, we were two thirds of the way to Sampson and had the entire C and H28 fleets behind us. A clean run to Sampson and then the work up to Hallmark. Some of us went into the middle and all on his own, Anna went into the north and sailed really well to make it to Hallmark with very little disturbance... we'd tacked at least 4 times and still managed to hang on to the lead, but John Wright had streeted the field and was on our tail as we made our way up to Armstrong ready to head off to Como.
Again we threw in at least two tacks too many, but could justify it as we'd fallen out of phase and needed to get back into the swing of the breeze. Keeping clear of the Cole 32's was important as they have a habit of blanketing you and a '32 skipper who's having a slow day can cause you continuing grief. Again we'd tacked out to the middle of the river and made our way back into the mark with a nice bit of pressure, only to be met by Anna who'd gone up along the north side. Right back there behind us again. Would not let go! At all.
Then the down wind began and it was a case of clear air required. We'd set up for a two sail reach and Anna may have adopted the same set up. Anna was a hundred metres away for most of the down wind, sometimes shorter, other times longer. Until we started to group up for the rounding of Como. We'd been playing "funny buggers" with a couple of C fleet boats who were having their own race and weren't prepared to let us through. Then Anna and the rest of the fleet began to close up.
Giving room to the first boat at Como, we closed the door on the other and after 20 metres we knew that we would have to tack off, we were slow and bogged down by a plastic boat and the rest of the fleet was chasing us. But they were dropping down. So we tacked and went to a ley line well above where we should have to be. And then went another 10 meters. We could see the shortened course flags hanging on the box mast head. The following 600 metres was fascinating as we dropped like a stone till we were below the pin end again, but everyone else was below us as well. John Wright however was preparing to tack and as the skipper described it, he was on a lift from heaven... pointing at the line. So tack we did, keeping him behind us and waving the C Fleet winner through in the process. But you could never underestimate John and Anna, if we'd made a mistake he would have capitalized on it if he could. A very good win on handicap to Anna indeed.
Over the line. Mariner, Anna and The First Jindarra On handicap. Anna, Wynella and Carina
Winter Wednesday 7th of June
Luck and a light breeze
It was a nice day, once the smoke had cleared from the river and with Brian Cross off the boat due to family matters, we had Lockie on board as our skipper. The boat was set up and it was then a case of wait until Lockie could finish work. I had the good fortune to meet George Barr {no relation of Geoff Barr (Manta)}, the new owner of Georgina. He's a fisho from Hillarys and wants to learn more about sailing. He was delighted to see the fleet preparing to take off and might have jumped on board another boat, but decided that he had enough on his hands for the moment. The general consensus is that if he asks, he'll be given all the help he needs.
Lining up on the start with a Martin/Weaver dash in hand, David decided that a quick entry on port might work, unfortunately so thought Andy Bell and it wasn't long before we got rolled and had to flip over onto starboard, missing the pin by inches.
The starters had decreed a shortened course four for us and it was definitely a day to chase the breezes as it was already thin up to Martin. We went into the Scout hall and tacked off before we ran aground, finding ourselves on a good line into the pens. Only Vic was going to be a problem as the breeze had dropped out and stranded the rest in the middle of the river and Vic had shadowed us, keeping in the breeze all the time.
Vic was still in front of us and the next few minutes were testing as we made our way up to Martin; we still had a faint breeze and we had to make the best of it, as we could see the boats at Weaver dropping down on to the pin thanks to the strong current pushing down the Canning. "No good," said Lockie as we got closer. "The higher I point, the slower we go." We gently rubbed the mark on the way around and almost apologetically, Lockie eased the boat away from the sailing line and we slowly revolved in a 360 to expiate our crime. But it didn't matter as both we and Vic had made it around and the breeze had shut down on the other side of the river. We still had a faint whisper from the freeway, but everyone else was in dire straits. Nothing, nada, zippo. And to add insult to injury, a little later on, the first of the H28 fleet around Weaver managed to nudge the pin and was seen doing a very slow revolution.
By this time we were reaching toward Sampson and we had managed to take pressure from the freeway breezes along the way there, getting past Vic on the way. Then the trip to Robins loomed and we knew it wasn't going to be easy unless something happened. We learnt to our pleasure that there was some pressure to take us up to at least to Heathcote and looming further up the river, there was the proverbial pot of gold..... a seabreeze. There was just enough in it to keep us ghosting along at about 2.5 knots and as we approached Robins I looked back at the rest of the combined H28 and C fleets clustered around Sampson. Never say never, but we might be on a good thing.
Then the seabreeze took over and the final approach and rounding of Robins was swift and easy as we set for Dolphin East and watched as the rest of the fleet started to taste the seabreeze and took off to Robins, just in time to have the breeze to pack up and go home. Getting around Robins was going to be a problem for them.
But we had our own problems with the doldrums as we found the gap between the remnants of the seabreeze and the easterly between Print and Como. Finally we found the easterly and it was a case of keep clear of the Div 2 boats around us; go a bit deeper into the shore after Como and then use the freeway pressure to take us home, watching those who went earlier, begin to knock as they approached the line.
Vic and Geoff got home a little after we did and having packed the boat up, we sat back to enjoy the spectacle of the returning boats. First boat was under power and John Wright had packed up and motored home after allegedly failing to make Robins twice. Andy Bell was next home with a tale of woe as his boat was within meters of the finish line as they hauled down the flag. Bill Richards wasn't too far behind Andrew and he was philosophical about it. "It'll be my turn next week I suppose, I wonder if Lockie would be free." And so the tales were told as each boat returned in the gathering gloom. "If we hadn't had that Martin/ Weaver start, then maybe we might have finished." "Are you sure you didn't touch the start pin?"
First and fastest Mariner, second over the line and on handicap Carina.
Luck and a light breeze
It was a nice day, once the smoke had cleared from the river and with Brian Cross off the boat due to family matters, we had Lockie on board as our skipper. The boat was set up and it was then a case of wait until Lockie could finish work. I had the good fortune to meet George Barr {no relation of Geoff Barr (Manta)}, the new owner of Georgina. He's a fisho from Hillarys and wants to learn more about sailing. He was delighted to see the fleet preparing to take off and might have jumped on board another boat, but decided that he had enough on his hands for the moment. The general consensus is that if he asks, he'll be given all the help he needs.
Lining up on the start with a Martin/Weaver dash in hand, David decided that a quick entry on port might work, unfortunately so thought Andy Bell and it wasn't long before we got rolled and had to flip over onto starboard, missing the pin by inches.
The starters had decreed a shortened course four for us and it was definitely a day to chase the breezes as it was already thin up to Martin. We went into the Scout hall and tacked off before we ran aground, finding ourselves on a good line into the pens. Only Vic was going to be a problem as the breeze had dropped out and stranded the rest in the middle of the river and Vic had shadowed us, keeping in the breeze all the time.
Vic was still in front of us and the next few minutes were testing as we made our way up to Martin; we still had a faint breeze and we had to make the best of it, as we could see the boats at Weaver dropping down on to the pin thanks to the strong current pushing down the Canning. "No good," said Lockie as we got closer. "The higher I point, the slower we go." We gently rubbed the mark on the way around and almost apologetically, Lockie eased the boat away from the sailing line and we slowly revolved in a 360 to expiate our crime. But it didn't matter as both we and Vic had made it around and the breeze had shut down on the other side of the river. We still had a faint whisper from the freeway, but everyone else was in dire straits. Nothing, nada, zippo. And to add insult to injury, a little later on, the first of the H28 fleet around Weaver managed to nudge the pin and was seen doing a very slow revolution.
By this time we were reaching toward Sampson and we had managed to take pressure from the freeway breezes along the way there, getting past Vic on the way. Then the trip to Robins loomed and we knew it wasn't going to be easy unless something happened. We learnt to our pleasure that there was some pressure to take us up to at least to Heathcote and looming further up the river, there was the proverbial pot of gold..... a seabreeze. There was just enough in it to keep us ghosting along at about 2.5 knots and as we approached Robins I looked back at the rest of the combined H28 and C fleets clustered around Sampson. Never say never, but we might be on a good thing.
Then the seabreeze took over and the final approach and rounding of Robins was swift and easy as we set for Dolphin East and watched as the rest of the fleet started to taste the seabreeze and took off to Robins, just in time to have the breeze to pack up and go home. Getting around Robins was going to be a problem for them.
But we had our own problems with the doldrums as we found the gap between the remnants of the seabreeze and the easterly between Print and Como. Finally we found the easterly and it was a case of keep clear of the Div 2 boats around us; go a bit deeper into the shore after Como and then use the freeway pressure to take us home, watching those who went earlier, begin to knock as they approached the line.
Vic and Geoff got home a little after we did and having packed the boat up, we sat back to enjoy the spectacle of the returning boats. First boat was under power and John Wright had packed up and motored home after allegedly failing to make Robins twice. Andy Bell was next home with a tale of woe as his boat was within meters of the finish line as they hauled down the flag. Bill Richards wasn't too far behind Andrew and he was philosophical about it. "It'll be my turn next week I suppose, I wonder if Lockie would be free." And so the tales were told as each boat returned in the gathering gloom. "If we hadn't had that Martin/ Weaver start, then maybe we might have finished." "Are you sure you didn't touch the start pin?"
First and fastest Mariner, second over the line and on handicap Carina.
Winter Wednesday The 31st of May
A Starters Course? & "too early at the start line and too early at the finish."
How can we address the issue? The starters in their wisdom might have given us a course two which would have been fine for the nor wester that was in at about 5 to 7 knots and they could have hung a shortened course out for all the fleets as we crossed the outer start line around 4 pm, with the knowledge that the big wind engine (the sun) wasn't going to be producing any breeze later in the afternoon. But no, it was a light winds course four and the course was going to be a soldiers course and clear air was going to be the issue.
Lining up on the start line, early as usual, we found ourselves on the wrong side of the box end pin and had to go around again. So unfortunately did Andy Bell, so we set off - second last and dead last - in that order. "No problems" said the skipper, "lets see how many we can get back." The dash to Sampson began and we were lucky that we had clean air and we were above the fleet. Great stuff. By the time we'd reached Sampson we had three boats behind us and we were sniffing on the heels of Anna, Swiftsure and Wynella with Swiftsure in the lead.
Sailing higher on the breeze, we reeled in Anna and then Wynella leaving Swiftsure in front as we reached Robins. The reach across to Dolphin East was fun and trimming to the breeze, we saw Glen and Wynella firing up as they took off away from Robins and surprisingly they were looking back to see David Locke, two up with Debbie, beginning to push toward them. Aha! another over taking move.
But Dolphin East was in view and the object of the game was to get past Bill on Swiftsure Saga who was also two up with John Pierzak having returned from the East.
Down wind in a dying breeze is not fun for anyone and our chances to get past Bill came to a "made it" and then a "damn, he got away" and even worse as we worked our way down to Como, John Wright and Anna began to make his moves and eventually we found out that they were both in front, with Corella and Wynella sliding down the breeze toward us. Even Andy Bell was coming in out of the cold, having gone way out into the north to pick up a hot angle to come back on. Blast..... they were all going to meet us at the mark.
And the then the Heavens opened up and the angels smiled.
Bill had left a gap as he rounded Como and we were in the position to slip into it and get the height. Bill was busily fending off John Wright on Anna and we were that little bit closer to the breeze and it worked. Not by much, but it was working. Stow the pole, distribute the weight on the boat and trim, trim ,trim.
"Look, isn't that a shortened course flag"
"Yep, for us and C fleet"
"What about those poor B@#$tards in A and B fleet"
"Well I guess they'll have to fend for themselves, they got the long course."
We slipped over the line to take the horn and to congratulate Swiftsure who had made it home some 30 seconds later. John Wright made it home a few seconds behind Bill and Andy Bell showed the courage of going out well into the north on a whim coming in 4th.
On handicap, Swiftsure Saga followed by Anna and Mariner taking third.
On Wynella.
Apparently Glens pride and joy has been suffering from a collapsing compression post for a number of years and recently Glen noticed that the cabin top was descending. Further investigations showed that the plate below the compression post had corroded out and was collapsing causing the post to drop with the weight of the mast and rigging pushing it down. Last Saturday a number of people assembled to rectify the problem and Wynella was performing very well today. I wonder if this might improve her heavy weather performance as well.
On Alma.
Its actually not a good idea to hang around the start line during the start of the fleet before ours. On a busy day, you may be in the road of a Cole 32 or similar who has their sights set on the start line and is oblivious to H28's. Just lurk around the edges like the rest of us. It's less costly in the long run.
A Starters Course? & "too early at the start line and too early at the finish."
How can we address the issue? The starters in their wisdom might have given us a course two which would have been fine for the nor wester that was in at about 5 to 7 knots and they could have hung a shortened course out for all the fleets as we crossed the outer start line around 4 pm, with the knowledge that the big wind engine (the sun) wasn't going to be producing any breeze later in the afternoon. But no, it was a light winds course four and the course was going to be a soldiers course and clear air was going to be the issue.
Lining up on the start line, early as usual, we found ourselves on the wrong side of the box end pin and had to go around again. So unfortunately did Andy Bell, so we set off - second last and dead last - in that order. "No problems" said the skipper, "lets see how many we can get back." The dash to Sampson began and we were lucky that we had clean air and we were above the fleet. Great stuff. By the time we'd reached Sampson we had three boats behind us and we were sniffing on the heels of Anna, Swiftsure and Wynella with Swiftsure in the lead.
Sailing higher on the breeze, we reeled in Anna and then Wynella leaving Swiftsure in front as we reached Robins. The reach across to Dolphin East was fun and trimming to the breeze, we saw Glen and Wynella firing up as they took off away from Robins and surprisingly they were looking back to see David Locke, two up with Debbie, beginning to push toward them. Aha! another over taking move.
But Dolphin East was in view and the object of the game was to get past Bill on Swiftsure Saga who was also two up with John Pierzak having returned from the East.
Down wind in a dying breeze is not fun for anyone and our chances to get past Bill came to a "made it" and then a "damn, he got away" and even worse as we worked our way down to Como, John Wright and Anna began to make his moves and eventually we found out that they were both in front, with Corella and Wynella sliding down the breeze toward us. Even Andy Bell was coming in out of the cold, having gone way out into the north to pick up a hot angle to come back on. Blast..... they were all going to meet us at the mark.
And the then the Heavens opened up and the angels smiled.
Bill had left a gap as he rounded Como and we were in the position to slip into it and get the height. Bill was busily fending off John Wright on Anna and we were that little bit closer to the breeze and it worked. Not by much, but it was working. Stow the pole, distribute the weight on the boat and trim, trim ,trim.
"Look, isn't that a shortened course flag"
"Yep, for us and C fleet"
"What about those poor B@#$tards in A and B fleet"
"Well I guess they'll have to fend for themselves, they got the long course."
We slipped over the line to take the horn and to congratulate Swiftsure who had made it home some 30 seconds later. John Wright made it home a few seconds behind Bill and Andy Bell showed the courage of going out well into the north on a whim coming in 4th.
On handicap, Swiftsure Saga followed by Anna and Mariner taking third.
On Wynella.
Apparently Glens pride and joy has been suffering from a collapsing compression post for a number of years and recently Glen noticed that the cabin top was descending. Further investigations showed that the plate below the compression post had corroded out and was collapsing causing the post to drop with the weight of the mast and rigging pushing it down. Last Saturday a number of people assembled to rectify the problem and Wynella was performing very well today. I wonder if this might improve her heavy weather performance as well.
On Alma.
Its actually not a good idea to hang around the start line during the start of the fleet before ours. On a busy day, you may be in the road of a Cole 32 or similar who has their sights set on the start line and is oblivious to H28's. Just lurk around the edges like the rest of us. It's less costly in the long run.
Winter Wednesday The 24th of May
A Starters Course And the David Locke principle.
The starters knew better than we did and sent us away on a course 4 (light winds) and they were absolutely right. The breeze dropped out around 4 pm and we streeted the opposition managing to get in over 20 minutes before the last boat in the 6 boat fleet crossed the line, in fact the second boat was some 12 minutes and 50+ seconds behind us. What happened you ask?
We employed the David Locke principle. Follow the breeze.
Hanging on the sails seconds from the start, this time we got it right and by the time we got to Sampson we were in front with no over laps to cause us grief. From there the basics were in play. Stay in the breeze and we duly did so while others went further out to see if there was extra breeze to the north and still other boats followed us down the river and then dug into the shore of Waylen Bay looking for a sou wester to help them. Nope! It was a westerly that flicked into a west sou westerly briefly and then came back to the west with even a hint of the northerly that the boats who had gone that bit further into the north were looking for. But too late for them.
Making Robins, it was a great reach across to Dolphin East and then the slow run down the breeze to Como with the rest of the fleet buried in the horde of boats coming down the river. We were in luck for once. Making Como and another blasted SS27 getting in the road we worked on our height and made the Outer start line in one dash with the opportunity to watch the rest of the fleet making their way from Como as we hastened to Sampson. Away then to the small triangle of Foam, Print, Como and Thelma which we duly did, noting that the breeze was dropping more and more. Darn it; get to the line before the breeze dropped out any more. For once the horn went off as we crossed the line and I suspect Lynne had been priming the horn. Atta girl!
Over the line Mariner, Jindarra and Wynella. On handicap. Mariner, Wynella and Alma.
Congratulations to Alma who has finally lost their 1.000 handicap and should enjoy some decent handicap results from now on and John Dennis has taken the helm to give Judy a chance to learn a little more. Good on him.
In regard to next years courses...... Regatta is discussing the re arrangement of the courses to provide a common turning point for all SoPYC fleets on Saturdays with the thought that it would enable the starters to put out a shortened course flag on a day when the breeze was dropping out. Good to know that they have this in hand, but it would have been nice if we had been told about it a little earlier when the word was put out to all the fleets.
The frostbite report. Ok Swiftsure blitzed the fleet and will suffer the consequences again, but Mark Walters is going to hate himself. He managed to find another boat before the start and it whacked into him. An Endeavour I believe. I'm not going to go into who was at fault because I wasn't on the boat but three busted ribs ( on the boat ) and three broken planks was enough to send him back into the pen. Congrats to Steve who took Karoleeya out and picked up a place on the day. Well done Steve and crew.
A Starters Course And the David Locke principle.
The starters knew better than we did and sent us away on a course 4 (light winds) and they were absolutely right. The breeze dropped out around 4 pm and we streeted the opposition managing to get in over 20 minutes before the last boat in the 6 boat fleet crossed the line, in fact the second boat was some 12 minutes and 50+ seconds behind us. What happened you ask?
We employed the David Locke principle. Follow the breeze.
Hanging on the sails seconds from the start, this time we got it right and by the time we got to Sampson we were in front with no over laps to cause us grief. From there the basics were in play. Stay in the breeze and we duly did so while others went further out to see if there was extra breeze to the north and still other boats followed us down the river and then dug into the shore of Waylen Bay looking for a sou wester to help them. Nope! It was a westerly that flicked into a west sou westerly briefly and then came back to the west with even a hint of the northerly that the boats who had gone that bit further into the north were looking for. But too late for them.
Making Robins, it was a great reach across to Dolphin East and then the slow run down the breeze to Como with the rest of the fleet buried in the horde of boats coming down the river. We were in luck for once. Making Como and another blasted SS27 getting in the road we worked on our height and made the Outer start line in one dash with the opportunity to watch the rest of the fleet making their way from Como as we hastened to Sampson. Away then to the small triangle of Foam, Print, Como and Thelma which we duly did, noting that the breeze was dropping more and more. Darn it; get to the line before the breeze dropped out any more. For once the horn went off as we crossed the line and I suspect Lynne had been priming the horn. Atta girl!
Over the line Mariner, Jindarra and Wynella. On handicap. Mariner, Wynella and Alma.
Congratulations to Alma who has finally lost their 1.000 handicap and should enjoy some decent handicap results from now on and John Dennis has taken the helm to give Judy a chance to learn a little more. Good on him.
In regard to next years courses...... Regatta is discussing the re arrangement of the courses to provide a common turning point for all SoPYC fleets on Saturdays with the thought that it would enable the starters to put out a shortened course flag on a day when the breeze was dropping out. Good to know that they have this in hand, but it would have been nice if we had been told about it a little earlier when the word was put out to all the fleets.
The frostbite report. Ok Swiftsure blitzed the fleet and will suffer the consequences again, but Mark Walters is going to hate himself. He managed to find another boat before the start and it whacked into him. An Endeavour I believe. I'm not going to go into who was at fault because I wasn't on the boat but three busted ribs ( on the boat ) and three broken planks was enough to send him back into the pen. Congrats to Steve who took Karoleeya out and picked up a place on the day. Well done Steve and crew.
Winter Wednesday The 17th of May
A Soldiers Course and the Spirit of Wednesday Sailing
A soldiers course was foisted on us by the relief starter when he hoisted a course two rather than a course one. We had a nor easter that swung into the east nor east over the afternoon and that would have been fine for the other course. So ok, the aim was to get to the front and stay there. No problems with that and a good start and a bit of luck had us around Martin and heading off to Weaver still in front of a reasonably small fleet of 5 boats. A good reach across the water to Sampson had us well on our way to a good lead and at Sampson it was then a case of aiming the boat at the general area of Hallmark and playing the gusts as we went down the breeze.
Around Hallmark amongst some of the div two fleet and away to Armstrong ready to make the decision. Go across to get to better pressure or begin the run down the river then and there. Well Wynella tacked off, to stay on the northern side, but Jindarra, Swiftsure and Anna came across with us as well. We must have been doing the right thing. Going on a promise we started our run up the river on a hope and a prayer and still in front. We continued to dig further into the East as we progressed up the river (as did everyone else) and a little bit of (not) fun with some larger boats gave us the impetus to work harder for the dash to Como and thence the tight reach over to the outer start line. Looking behind us, Andy Bell had streeted the opposition and was in the lead of the following pack.
So with gritted teeth we set off for Sampson and then to Dolphin West. The reach across to Sampson was fine and the down wind was then a problem, as Andrew ( Jindarra ) was on the attack playing the shifts in the light gusts with gybe after gybe and Bruce on the foredeck swinging the pole from left to right on demand. A fine job too. Before long he was inside us and had the overlap at Dolphin West. We should have attacked him, taken him up beyond the mark, then gybed back for the mark. Well maybe :-) Then the rounding occurred and having given him sufficient room, his boom got caught on our backstay. Without stepping on the rule book, contact had occurred and it is the duty of all boats to avoid collision at all times. End of story. Fortunately no permanent damage occurred to the boat as far as can be determined though the skipper was injured in releasing the boom from the back stay.
The Spirit of Wednesday Sailing implies that we try and avoid these situations at all times and competiveness to the nth degree is best left in your sailing bag along with your wallet and phone. We're out there to have fun and a little bit of rock and roll on the water is fine, but not when injury to boat or persons can happen.
The rest of the course was finished with Jindarra running away to a good lead and the rest of the fleet doing a fine job in closing up on the pair of us. We had a minor incident with a suicidal SS27 who was hell bent on putting a hole in our side between Print and Como. I actually watched as a face appeared below the mainsail, looked at us and then went back up. I presumed that who ever it was had told the skipper that we were there. The SS27 continued on her path and only loud shouts of Starboard had the SS27 bend away at the last moment. ( it was the same SS27 that dogged us last week )
Over the line: Jindarra, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga. On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Anna.
The new scoring system. There are discussions in the regatta group as to the benefit of the new handicapping. From the views expressed by the chair and the handicapper neither is able to come to a conclusion at this stage. Perhaps some questions need to be put to regatta - who seems to have the same problems with the other fleets. Not everyone is happy, though from observations garnered by myself talking to individual sailors, some are happy to let it work itself out over time.
On presentations this afternoon: No flags present, an annoyed sailing captain ( unsurprisingly ) very late results, ( after 6 pm ) and no public address system.
And finally. Past Commodore Les Swinton, currently sailing Wednesdays when he can, took his oath of Australian Citizenship alongside his wife Trish on Wednesday. Congratulations Les .... it only took 40 years to do it.
A Soldiers Course and the Spirit of Wednesday Sailing
A soldiers course was foisted on us by the relief starter when he hoisted a course two rather than a course one. We had a nor easter that swung into the east nor east over the afternoon and that would have been fine for the other course. So ok, the aim was to get to the front and stay there. No problems with that and a good start and a bit of luck had us around Martin and heading off to Weaver still in front of a reasonably small fleet of 5 boats. A good reach across the water to Sampson had us well on our way to a good lead and at Sampson it was then a case of aiming the boat at the general area of Hallmark and playing the gusts as we went down the breeze.
Around Hallmark amongst some of the div two fleet and away to Armstrong ready to make the decision. Go across to get to better pressure or begin the run down the river then and there. Well Wynella tacked off, to stay on the northern side, but Jindarra, Swiftsure and Anna came across with us as well. We must have been doing the right thing. Going on a promise we started our run up the river on a hope and a prayer and still in front. We continued to dig further into the East as we progressed up the river (as did everyone else) and a little bit of (not) fun with some larger boats gave us the impetus to work harder for the dash to Como and thence the tight reach over to the outer start line. Looking behind us, Andy Bell had streeted the opposition and was in the lead of the following pack.
So with gritted teeth we set off for Sampson and then to Dolphin West. The reach across to Sampson was fine and the down wind was then a problem, as Andrew ( Jindarra ) was on the attack playing the shifts in the light gusts with gybe after gybe and Bruce on the foredeck swinging the pole from left to right on demand. A fine job too. Before long he was inside us and had the overlap at Dolphin West. We should have attacked him, taken him up beyond the mark, then gybed back for the mark. Well maybe :-) Then the rounding occurred and having given him sufficient room, his boom got caught on our backstay. Without stepping on the rule book, contact had occurred and it is the duty of all boats to avoid collision at all times. End of story. Fortunately no permanent damage occurred to the boat as far as can be determined though the skipper was injured in releasing the boom from the back stay.
The Spirit of Wednesday Sailing implies that we try and avoid these situations at all times and competiveness to the nth degree is best left in your sailing bag along with your wallet and phone. We're out there to have fun and a little bit of rock and roll on the water is fine, but not when injury to boat or persons can happen.
The rest of the course was finished with Jindarra running away to a good lead and the rest of the fleet doing a fine job in closing up on the pair of us. We had a minor incident with a suicidal SS27 who was hell bent on putting a hole in our side between Print and Como. I actually watched as a face appeared below the mainsail, looked at us and then went back up. I presumed that who ever it was had told the skipper that we were there. The SS27 continued on her path and only loud shouts of Starboard had the SS27 bend away at the last moment. ( it was the same SS27 that dogged us last week )
Over the line: Jindarra, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga. On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Anna.
The new scoring system. There are discussions in the regatta group as to the benefit of the new handicapping. From the views expressed by the chair and the handicapper neither is able to come to a conclusion at this stage. Perhaps some questions need to be put to regatta - who seems to have the same problems with the other fleets. Not everyone is happy, though from observations garnered by myself talking to individual sailors, some are happy to let it work itself out over time.
On presentations this afternoon: No flags present, an annoyed sailing captain ( unsurprisingly ) very late results, ( after 6 pm ) and no public address system.
And finally. Past Commodore Les Swinton, currently sailing Wednesdays when he can, took his oath of Australian Citizenship alongside his wife Trish on Wednesday. Congratulations Les .... it only took 40 years to do it.
Winter Wednesday The 10th of May
Madness at the start line & the Good ones got away.
Yes folks, it was madness at the start line today as a Whale watching tour boat decided to go up the Canning river at the same time as B fleet was kicking off on the line. Absolute madness on the part of the commercial skipper, though he was we understand he was within his rights and damned dangerous to boot as the B fleet boats were crowded out of the top end of the start line and forced down the line. Fortunately no one was hurt except for their ambitions for a good start and it does bring into question the mindset of the skippers who drive these things. Then of course once he had reached Canning bridge he had to turn around and come back through the last fleet of the day. Personally I wouldn't want to be on the boat he was driving and would query his/her fitness to control such a vessel. Speaking to the starters later on, they had no options but to keep the boats flowing as an AP would have been too late to prevent the unfolding disaster. No radio communications were made.
Then the H28's set off on a light winds course 4 in a sou easter of about 11 to 14 knots that fluctuated throughout the day and swung into the south then flicked back again. Seven of us hit the water with Mark Walters and Koomela returning to the water again in the effort to reduce his handicap to a manageable level. Things didn't happen the way we wanted it to after the start line and we were seriously out of phase with the wind shifts. Once again we were on the back end of the fleet and last around Martin with a lot of catching up to do. Fortunately a bit of luck on the down wind to Sampson had us get past two or three boats and we managed to get past Morning Flite ( a S & S 34 ) who had started with the H28 fleet for some reason. Lord knows why!
However, we had Lockie, Andrew and John Wright in front of us and catching them wasn't going to be easy on a soldiers course.
Off to Robins and battle our way through the RP fleet who had decided to appear and go around Foam....putting a wall of boats between us and where we wanted to go. Bother.. we tried to sneak through and were almost there, but masked by the other boats, we ran out of breeze and time and had to tack off to avoid being caught on port. Mind you, John Wright I was told, had to duck the lot. Ouch!
So eventually we followed the rest of the boats with Andy Bell in the lead ( he got through early) and made it to Robins. Andy then took off in a variety of directions Dolphin West, no..East, no...West and finally Dolphin East again. The rest of us headed for Dolphin East with a gybe and a reach down to Print and then to Como. On the way we were dogged by a SS27 (without it's regular skipper) and with him sitting on our tail and smothering us we lost some speed. Eventually we shook him and headed to the Outer start line from down around Thelma ( we had had to go deep for the line) and we watched in disbelief as Lockie began a 360 just after the Outer Start line mark... must have hit someone or thing. So John Wright caught up big time on him and so did we on both of them on the leg up to Foam from Sampson.
We must have been lucky with the puffs at that stage for we were aiming at Foam and lifted all the way there. Our only problem was going to be oncoming boats as we crossed to Print from Foam and we dodged one or two on the way across. Then the reach again with the boat humming as we shot down to Como and thence to Thelma and set up for the beat to the finish line....yes a soldiers course but we'd done pretty well time wise.
Over the line. Andy Bell, David Locke and John Wright. On handicap: John Wright (Anna), Andy Bell (Jindarra) and Glen Stanley (Wynella).
A little Karma about the SS27 ... apparently one of our fleet covered a former sailing captains boat ( a SS27) and gave him grief. Ok.. I'll leave it alone now.
The frostbite on Sunday was a great day out and Swiftsure flew a kite for her troubles, but mixed in with the regular C fleet we got a third over the line and not that great a placing.. then we don't want to be the best boat in the water. Mark Walters was joined by John Pierzak to see how he sailed, and to lessen the numbers we had on Swiftsure.. He sailed well and picked up a second on handicap.
Many thanks to the H28's who went out to support the power boat opening day... The best part of the day was the post event drinks on Brian and Judy Crosses "Cooinda" on Jetty two. Many thanks to them and all of those who joined the fleet on the day to do the necessary work on opening day for the poweries. Though I do believe that Nerrima had a lot of Sailor Jerry to deal with on the boat.........?
Madness at the start line & the Good ones got away.
Yes folks, it was madness at the start line today as a Whale watching tour boat decided to go up the Canning river at the same time as B fleet was kicking off on the line. Absolute madness on the part of the commercial skipper, though he was we understand he was within his rights and damned dangerous to boot as the B fleet boats were crowded out of the top end of the start line and forced down the line. Fortunately no one was hurt except for their ambitions for a good start and it does bring into question the mindset of the skippers who drive these things. Then of course once he had reached Canning bridge he had to turn around and come back through the last fleet of the day. Personally I wouldn't want to be on the boat he was driving and would query his/her fitness to control such a vessel. Speaking to the starters later on, they had no options but to keep the boats flowing as an AP would have been too late to prevent the unfolding disaster. No radio communications were made.
Then the H28's set off on a light winds course 4 in a sou easter of about 11 to 14 knots that fluctuated throughout the day and swung into the south then flicked back again. Seven of us hit the water with Mark Walters and Koomela returning to the water again in the effort to reduce his handicap to a manageable level. Things didn't happen the way we wanted it to after the start line and we were seriously out of phase with the wind shifts. Once again we were on the back end of the fleet and last around Martin with a lot of catching up to do. Fortunately a bit of luck on the down wind to Sampson had us get past two or three boats and we managed to get past Morning Flite ( a S & S 34 ) who had started with the H28 fleet for some reason. Lord knows why!
However, we had Lockie, Andrew and John Wright in front of us and catching them wasn't going to be easy on a soldiers course.
Off to Robins and battle our way through the RP fleet who had decided to appear and go around Foam....putting a wall of boats between us and where we wanted to go. Bother.. we tried to sneak through and were almost there, but masked by the other boats, we ran out of breeze and time and had to tack off to avoid being caught on port. Mind you, John Wright I was told, had to duck the lot. Ouch!
So eventually we followed the rest of the boats with Andy Bell in the lead ( he got through early) and made it to Robins. Andy then took off in a variety of directions Dolphin West, no..East, no...West and finally Dolphin East again. The rest of us headed for Dolphin East with a gybe and a reach down to Print and then to Como. On the way we were dogged by a SS27 (without it's regular skipper) and with him sitting on our tail and smothering us we lost some speed. Eventually we shook him and headed to the Outer start line from down around Thelma ( we had had to go deep for the line) and we watched in disbelief as Lockie began a 360 just after the Outer Start line mark... must have hit someone or thing. So John Wright caught up big time on him and so did we on both of them on the leg up to Foam from Sampson.
We must have been lucky with the puffs at that stage for we were aiming at Foam and lifted all the way there. Our only problem was going to be oncoming boats as we crossed to Print from Foam and we dodged one or two on the way across. Then the reach again with the boat humming as we shot down to Como and thence to Thelma and set up for the beat to the finish line....yes a soldiers course but we'd done pretty well time wise.
Over the line. Andy Bell, David Locke and John Wright. On handicap: John Wright (Anna), Andy Bell (Jindarra) and Glen Stanley (Wynella).
A little Karma about the SS27 ... apparently one of our fleet covered a former sailing captains boat ( a SS27) and gave him grief. Ok.. I'll leave it alone now.
The frostbite on Sunday was a great day out and Swiftsure flew a kite for her troubles, but mixed in with the regular C fleet we got a third over the line and not that great a placing.. then we don't want to be the best boat in the water. Mark Walters was joined by John Pierzak to see how he sailed, and to lessen the numbers we had on Swiftsure.. He sailed well and picked up a second on handicap.
Many thanks to the H28's who went out to support the power boat opening day... The best part of the day was the post event drinks on Brian and Judy Crosses "Cooinda" on Jetty two. Many thanks to them and all of those who joined the fleet on the day to do the necessary work on opening day for the poweries. Though I do believe that Nerrima had a lot of Sailor Jerry to deal with on the boat.........?
Winter Wednesday. The 3rd of May 2017
The first of the winter season.
A soldiers course.
With the arrival of the TopYacht software, we now have a new results system...everyone got new handicaps and the occasional mistake has been noted in the results. I know that Chelsea is a nice boat and that her name ends in 'a", but she's plastic.......
A nor wester in hand and a flat water race with about 8 to10 knots on the books. The starters decided on a course two and if you were good at the start you were in for a win. Very few passing lanes on the reach and only mistakes would let you through. Which leads to my next point.. does anyone want the big win at the start of the season? Not really, as under the old system you were pooched for the rest of the season.
Fluttering around the start line we hung on our sails until the time bell rang ( figuratively ). 30 seconds later we were away about half way up the line with Glen and Andrew above us. We were slightly troubled by their air as they slid past us, but we were still third to Sampson and we went out a little further to determine who else was going to stay on the line we were on. The others tacked off and it was Mariner and The First Jindarra left, so we tacked shortly after John Wright did and started heading up to Heathcote until we could find a suitable spot to aim for Hallmark. Andrew had followed and tacked a little below us and we were then working our way nor west with the others around us. Good speed too as we were slowly slipping past Anna and Wynella with Swiftsure Saga lurking a little below them. We had a good groove and although we were dropping slowly away from the mark, so was everyone else. Then Andy tacked off to head into Nedlands jetty for the tack across to Hallmark. We hung out for a while and lifted well to the mark, nice one.... tack and we had Andy just inside of us on the mark, but it was then a drag race to Armstrong and we watched him hit the corner ahead, but the down wind was the chance for us and as they addressed their beers we slipped past on the way to Print. Not for long though ... the beers were finished and back up he came. Oh bugger, he passed us and then the unexpected, his main came away from the traveler and the sight of Les and Patto hanging onto the boom while a busy Brad tied the main down with a rope... priceless. (what a pity I left the camera at home) We were reeling them in at this stage, but he was in front at Como and it was chase the boat in front for the rest of the day. Off to the outer start line and around the marks again.
No passing lanes here, though hitting Sampson I looked back and watched Wynella who was having a good race go in skinny and come out skinny. Drop in speed mandatory and I watched as Swiftsure swung out wide and picked up places and Anna moved past Wynella on the same rounding. Not a good day! Back to our story..... up to Dolphin West and back down to Print and bend a little to Como with a pole set and thence to Thelma.... it was now more about speed to try and stay atop of Bill Richards as he was moving very well. Andrew on Jindarra wasn't in a hurry, all he had to do was to cross the line first which he did so. We came along some thirteen seconds later and Bill on Swiftsure was 71 second after us.
On handicap Bill took the win with Mariner second and Wynella third.....
Looks like that extra work we did to try and get some speed at the end of the race, managed to get us past Wynella by three seconds on handicap. ( Some 3 minutes and 35 seconds translated by handicap to 3 seconds.)
As I mentioned in the above.... no camera today. It's still sitting on the dining room table with the charger attached.
The first of the winter season.
A soldiers course.
With the arrival of the TopYacht software, we now have a new results system...everyone got new handicaps and the occasional mistake has been noted in the results. I know that Chelsea is a nice boat and that her name ends in 'a", but she's plastic.......
A nor wester in hand and a flat water race with about 8 to10 knots on the books. The starters decided on a course two and if you were good at the start you were in for a win. Very few passing lanes on the reach and only mistakes would let you through. Which leads to my next point.. does anyone want the big win at the start of the season? Not really, as under the old system you were pooched for the rest of the season.
Fluttering around the start line we hung on our sails until the time bell rang ( figuratively ). 30 seconds later we were away about half way up the line with Glen and Andrew above us. We were slightly troubled by their air as they slid past us, but we were still third to Sampson and we went out a little further to determine who else was going to stay on the line we were on. The others tacked off and it was Mariner and The First Jindarra left, so we tacked shortly after John Wright did and started heading up to Heathcote until we could find a suitable spot to aim for Hallmark. Andrew had followed and tacked a little below us and we were then working our way nor west with the others around us. Good speed too as we were slowly slipping past Anna and Wynella with Swiftsure Saga lurking a little below them. We had a good groove and although we were dropping slowly away from the mark, so was everyone else. Then Andy tacked off to head into Nedlands jetty for the tack across to Hallmark. We hung out for a while and lifted well to the mark, nice one.... tack and we had Andy just inside of us on the mark, but it was then a drag race to Armstrong and we watched him hit the corner ahead, but the down wind was the chance for us and as they addressed their beers we slipped past on the way to Print. Not for long though ... the beers were finished and back up he came. Oh bugger, he passed us and then the unexpected, his main came away from the traveler and the sight of Les and Patto hanging onto the boom while a busy Brad tied the main down with a rope... priceless. (what a pity I left the camera at home) We were reeling them in at this stage, but he was in front at Como and it was chase the boat in front for the rest of the day. Off to the outer start line and around the marks again.
No passing lanes here, though hitting Sampson I looked back and watched Wynella who was having a good race go in skinny and come out skinny. Drop in speed mandatory and I watched as Swiftsure swung out wide and picked up places and Anna moved past Wynella on the same rounding. Not a good day! Back to our story..... up to Dolphin West and back down to Print and bend a little to Como with a pole set and thence to Thelma.... it was now more about speed to try and stay atop of Bill Richards as he was moving very well. Andrew on Jindarra wasn't in a hurry, all he had to do was to cross the line first which he did so. We came along some thirteen seconds later and Bill on Swiftsure was 71 second after us.
On handicap Bill took the win with Mariner second and Wynella third.....
Looks like that extra work we did to try and get some speed at the end of the race, managed to get us past Wynella by three seconds on handicap. ( Some 3 minutes and 35 seconds translated by handicap to 3 seconds.)
As I mentioned in the above.... no camera today. It's still sitting on the dining room table with the charger attached.
Saturday the 29th of April Closing day for the Yachties.
Chasing Glen and keeping Lockie off our tail.
Lets get the preface told. Another glorious day on the river with a cute sea breeze that sat up and sparkled its way down the river. Its a JaM day for the H28's, though we should have flown kites it was that nice a day. No matter, we managed to coax Brian Cross out onto the water (he'd been grounded for working his daughter in law too hard and he had to look after the grandies this weekend) and with a couple of spare crew he was able to put on a competitive time on the water. So seven H28's on the river and everyone hoping for a win.
But it wasn't about Brian Cross or Andy Bell today, it was catch Glen Stanley and Wynella........ Eun Na Mara has been taken off the water to re seal the decks ( some one used European pitch to seal the decking and in the Aussie sun it's melting out ) and Ralph was on board to keep Glen on the mark. And did a fine job too, with a generous handicap start and the light breeze, Glen was hard to catch.
No other clubs were on the river today and we had it to ourselves. 57 boats comprised the fleet and our job was to stay ahead of the H28's behind us and try and catch Nerrima and Wynella. Hard work too as we had a number of crosses where we found ourselves either in front or behind Lockie and we knew that he was going to be our nemesis for the day.
Off to Sampson and the work up to Sanders was the tell to us that the Westerly was still influencing the breeze and the thought of going out to the middle of the river would pay off. Most of the rest banged corners in Waylen Bay, but one or two came out with us and like us, made time on the run up. So much so that we got a lot closer to Lockie who'd managed to slip past us on the up wind beat. So chase Lockie, Glen and Les Brooker
We managed to get back Lockie and passed Les back on the down wind leg from Dolphin West to Como and firmed up our position on Glen, but Wynella is fast in light airs and catching her down wind is darned hard. Still no sign of Andy Bell or Phil Lammonby and we are a little surprised as by this time they should have been sniffing on our heels. Mariner was gaining well and was going to be a problem yes/no? Lockie slipped past us on the up wind from Como unfortunately, but a good leg back up to Robins from Dolphin West had us clear of Mariner and we watched as Lockie had to dip Wynella and then just squeak past Robins before heading off to Sanders. Why Glen didn't tack on top of Corella remains to be seen as he could have pushed him below Robins and probably fouled our air as well, as we were right behind Lockie but making Robins with spare room.
No matter, Glen went further on and then tacked. Great, we've got him and we're chasing Lockie again. Up to Sanders and down to Dolphin East this time with a clean pair of heels, but the run from DE to Como was a shocker for us as both Glen and Mariner made very good time on the down wind using the little puffs coming down the river ( we couldn't find one ) and we had been kept company by a SS22 with a kite up and we were being slowed down by her. By the time we hit Como for the run home, the SS22 was shading us and giving us a bad run with Brian and Glen panting at our heels. We managed to get our bow in front of the SS22 and then kept it there till the finish line, but I got some great shots of Wynella doing their best to catch us.
To the finish and a good win to Lockie and the crew of Corella, second to Bill Richards and his crew aboard Swiftsure Saga and a "very well sailed" to third place getter Glen with his crew of Wynella. And I believe that Andrews slow day may have been a slight problem with an overwind, but he denied it and laid the blame on his dual sheeting system. Phil Lammonby had a rough start and was caught well away from the line with three minutes to go and reckons that was his misfortune for the day. As for Brian... delighted to see him there, but he just wasn't fast enough ........:-)
Chasing Glen and keeping Lockie off our tail.
Lets get the preface told. Another glorious day on the river with a cute sea breeze that sat up and sparkled its way down the river. Its a JaM day for the H28's, though we should have flown kites it was that nice a day. No matter, we managed to coax Brian Cross out onto the water (he'd been grounded for working his daughter in law too hard and he had to look after the grandies this weekend) and with a couple of spare crew he was able to put on a competitive time on the water. So seven H28's on the river and everyone hoping for a win.
But it wasn't about Brian Cross or Andy Bell today, it was catch Glen Stanley and Wynella........ Eun Na Mara has been taken off the water to re seal the decks ( some one used European pitch to seal the decking and in the Aussie sun it's melting out ) and Ralph was on board to keep Glen on the mark. And did a fine job too, with a generous handicap start and the light breeze, Glen was hard to catch.
No other clubs were on the river today and we had it to ourselves. 57 boats comprised the fleet and our job was to stay ahead of the H28's behind us and try and catch Nerrima and Wynella. Hard work too as we had a number of crosses where we found ourselves either in front or behind Lockie and we knew that he was going to be our nemesis for the day.
Off to Sampson and the work up to Sanders was the tell to us that the Westerly was still influencing the breeze and the thought of going out to the middle of the river would pay off. Most of the rest banged corners in Waylen Bay, but one or two came out with us and like us, made time on the run up. So much so that we got a lot closer to Lockie who'd managed to slip past us on the up wind beat. So chase Lockie, Glen and Les Brooker
We managed to get back Lockie and passed Les back on the down wind leg from Dolphin West to Como and firmed up our position on Glen, but Wynella is fast in light airs and catching her down wind is darned hard. Still no sign of Andy Bell or Phil Lammonby and we are a little surprised as by this time they should have been sniffing on our heels. Mariner was gaining well and was going to be a problem yes/no? Lockie slipped past us on the up wind from Como unfortunately, but a good leg back up to Robins from Dolphin West had us clear of Mariner and we watched as Lockie had to dip Wynella and then just squeak past Robins before heading off to Sanders. Why Glen didn't tack on top of Corella remains to be seen as he could have pushed him below Robins and probably fouled our air as well, as we were right behind Lockie but making Robins with spare room.
No matter, Glen went further on and then tacked. Great, we've got him and we're chasing Lockie again. Up to Sanders and down to Dolphin East this time with a clean pair of heels, but the run from DE to Como was a shocker for us as both Glen and Mariner made very good time on the down wind using the little puffs coming down the river ( we couldn't find one ) and we had been kept company by a SS22 with a kite up and we were being slowed down by her. By the time we hit Como for the run home, the SS22 was shading us and giving us a bad run with Brian and Glen panting at our heels. We managed to get our bow in front of the SS22 and then kept it there till the finish line, but I got some great shots of Wynella doing their best to catch us.
To the finish and a good win to Lockie and the crew of Corella, second to Bill Richards and his crew aboard Swiftsure Saga and a "very well sailed" to third place getter Glen with his crew of Wynella. And I believe that Andrews slow day may have been a slight problem with an overwind, but he denied it and laid the blame on his dual sheeting system. Phil Lammonby had a rough start and was caught well away from the line with three minutes to go and reckons that was his misfortune for the day. As for Brian... delighted to see him there, but he just wasn't fast enough ........:-)
Wednesday the 26th of April. The last day of the summer season.
An altercation on the start line. And how to fix an overwind.
Which to tell you about?
Ok, the classic situation. An overwind and you're vulnerable on port and belting up to Deepwater with RP boats likely to roll you on starboard at any time. "Crank it on" said the skip, "we'll deal with it later." Ok, done. Then how to unwind the overwind while keeping the tension on the jib. Fortunately we were rigged with an outside track (we were on the inside today) and we were able to put a spare sheet onto the jib, run it through the outside track block back onto a cabin winch and take the load from the fouled winch. Then all we had to do was to unwind the overwind using the opposing winch on the windward side. Three minutes later and we were home free with the spare sheet taken off and the load taken off the cabin top and back onto the regular winch.
An altercation at the start line.
A tidy little sou wester popped up to farewell us for the summer season and it was a fitting breeze to give Glen a chance to seal the season and take the summer consistency win for the year. ( Which he did ) We had a run up to Martin-Weaver to begin and watching from behind I saw a SS22 lining up to take on the H28's. I don't think Banshee had been sailing this summer and didn't realize that they had their own race. Andy Bell and Bill RIchards had him in between them and Andy was a little miffed with the fellow, particularly when he recognized sail maker Will Hammond on board. I wasn't privy to the conversation, but AB made it clear that he was in the wrong race. The line eventually cleared and we took off with everyone above us and a slight ease of the main to provide drive, elected a growl from the skip as he was trying to stay clear of the foul air just below us. Surprisingly we still made it to Martin in one tack and eased around the corner with Vic and Glen behind us. A tidy gybe at Weaver set us up for Sampson with a chance for a pole, or not as the breeze abruptly changed as we were in the process of pushing it out.
The run up to Deepwater had us taking the port tack up for a while and then tack off to cross the creek. Lockie had gone earlier and lost a bucket (remember he was in front of us) and we crossed him comfortably. One or two tacks further up and we were into the bay with Lockie on our heels and Vic and Glen not far behind. Not far away from us in the lead were Bill and Andrew who had taken off right from the start. The need was now to aim for Applecross Spit and shave it, trying to get as close to Deepwater as possible. Missed it by a whisker and aimed at Deepwater with the need to tack and get around the mark for the down wind to Print. Certainly challenged by Lockie ( with Deb and Zoe ) and it's nice to see the family out for the day. But make it around Print before them and ready for the dash up to Robins. Lockie tacked off and went up the middle, we went into the bay. Just making Robins (but a fair way off) we could see Lockie beginning to cross the creek on a lift... A lift? Yup and he was getting closer and closer. Brian though he could make it, but no, Lockie rolled us and we had to tack then tack to round the mark and immediately drop a 360 after Robins. Damn we're getting good at those.
A two sail reach to Robins let us gybe with the pole out and then two sail reach the other side all the way to Como. Still couldn't catch him and Glen was getting closer. Apparently guest main sheet man Graeme Monkhouse had pulled on a heap of backstay and the boat just took off downwind. (something to think about Glen) None of us were making the outer start line, but I think Andy Bell might have had a chance to shoot it, but I was busy at the time... the rest of us had to tack twice. Then off to Sampson and the run to Foam was incredible, we had the lift from heaven as the Canning river influence had us bending up to Foam (right on the nose) and only about half way up did we start to fall off. A good win. Then the dash to Print and down to Thelma....all predictable and only the run along the freeway was interesting, as I watched Bill begin to fall down on to the bank and Lockie predictably tacked off ( doing something differently). Us... well we ran along the freeway for a few seconds, tacked and found ourselves looking at the finish line. Fourth over the line... not flash but pretty much where we were at the start line.
Over the line.. Andrew Bell, Bill RIchards and David Locke. On handicap Swiftsure Saga, The First Jindarra and Wynella.
For the season. Consistency. Glen Stanley and Wynella , second Bill RIchards on Swiftsure Saga and third Mariner Brian Cross
An altercation on the start line. And how to fix an overwind.
Which to tell you about?
Ok, the classic situation. An overwind and you're vulnerable on port and belting up to Deepwater with RP boats likely to roll you on starboard at any time. "Crank it on" said the skip, "we'll deal with it later." Ok, done. Then how to unwind the overwind while keeping the tension on the jib. Fortunately we were rigged with an outside track (we were on the inside today) and we were able to put a spare sheet onto the jib, run it through the outside track block back onto a cabin winch and take the load from the fouled winch. Then all we had to do was to unwind the overwind using the opposing winch on the windward side. Three minutes later and we were home free with the spare sheet taken off and the load taken off the cabin top and back onto the regular winch.
An altercation at the start line.
A tidy little sou wester popped up to farewell us for the summer season and it was a fitting breeze to give Glen a chance to seal the season and take the summer consistency win for the year. ( Which he did ) We had a run up to Martin-Weaver to begin and watching from behind I saw a SS22 lining up to take on the H28's. I don't think Banshee had been sailing this summer and didn't realize that they had their own race. Andy Bell and Bill RIchards had him in between them and Andy was a little miffed with the fellow, particularly when he recognized sail maker Will Hammond on board. I wasn't privy to the conversation, but AB made it clear that he was in the wrong race. The line eventually cleared and we took off with everyone above us and a slight ease of the main to provide drive, elected a growl from the skip as he was trying to stay clear of the foul air just below us. Surprisingly we still made it to Martin in one tack and eased around the corner with Vic and Glen behind us. A tidy gybe at Weaver set us up for Sampson with a chance for a pole, or not as the breeze abruptly changed as we were in the process of pushing it out.
The run up to Deepwater had us taking the port tack up for a while and then tack off to cross the creek. Lockie had gone earlier and lost a bucket (remember he was in front of us) and we crossed him comfortably. One or two tacks further up and we were into the bay with Lockie on our heels and Vic and Glen not far behind. Not far away from us in the lead were Bill and Andrew who had taken off right from the start. The need was now to aim for Applecross Spit and shave it, trying to get as close to Deepwater as possible. Missed it by a whisker and aimed at Deepwater with the need to tack and get around the mark for the down wind to Print. Certainly challenged by Lockie ( with Deb and Zoe ) and it's nice to see the family out for the day. But make it around Print before them and ready for the dash up to Robins. Lockie tacked off and went up the middle, we went into the bay. Just making Robins (but a fair way off) we could see Lockie beginning to cross the creek on a lift... A lift? Yup and he was getting closer and closer. Brian though he could make it, but no, Lockie rolled us and we had to tack then tack to round the mark and immediately drop a 360 after Robins. Damn we're getting good at those.
A two sail reach to Robins let us gybe with the pole out and then two sail reach the other side all the way to Como. Still couldn't catch him and Glen was getting closer. Apparently guest main sheet man Graeme Monkhouse had pulled on a heap of backstay and the boat just took off downwind. (something to think about Glen) None of us were making the outer start line, but I think Andy Bell might have had a chance to shoot it, but I was busy at the time... the rest of us had to tack twice. Then off to Sampson and the run to Foam was incredible, we had the lift from heaven as the Canning river influence had us bending up to Foam (right on the nose) and only about half way up did we start to fall off. A good win. Then the dash to Print and down to Thelma....all predictable and only the run along the freeway was interesting, as I watched Bill begin to fall down on to the bank and Lockie predictably tacked off ( doing something differently). Us... well we ran along the freeway for a few seconds, tacked and found ourselves looking at the finish line. Fourth over the line... not flash but pretty much where we were at the start line.
Over the line.. Andrew Bell, Bill RIchards and David Locke. On handicap Swiftsure Saga, The First Jindarra and Wynella.
For the season. Consistency. Glen Stanley and Wynella , second Bill RIchards on Swiftsure Saga and third Mariner Brian Cross
Saturday the 22nd of April and the last Championship of the year
Banging corners and then the south westerly came in.
The last of the championships and five boats to contend it. On board Swiftsure Saga, we had to stay well ahead of Nerrima to maintain our second place in consistency. However Lockie knew he was far enough in front to allow us to battle out the minors while he challenged Andy Bell for the championship points. And Andy Bell was down one of his guns with Mark Rodereda out of action for a while. But he had the replacements in hand. One of the gingers from the Murray clan was in place on the day.
An 8 knot westerly with southerly tendencies was in evidence as we rocked up on the start line with Glen and Colin on board. Beauty we can run a spinnaker today. A course one was given and the battle commenced well before we hit the line with Les giving Lockie grief about fifty yards below the start line. We watched in amazement and then promptly lost our speed to the line with the result we were maybe 90 seconds before we crossed and behind everyone.
We all went left and then the divisions started with Swiftsure Saga electing to tack away back out to take advantage of the westerly while the others dug into Waylen Bay to take the supposed lifts. We picked up Nerrima thanks to that and got closer to Anna as well. However Lockie and Andrew got into a corner and Lockie lost out. In my opinion he should have tacked off earlier to prevent Andrew from sitting on him, but I'm not the skipper on the boat. His call. Then away they all went. They crossed the river going all the way into Hallmark or beyond and Lockie must have touched the river bank he was so close. Again we picked up time as Anna and Nerrima had also crossed the creek while we chose to stay in the middle and proceed down the river using the westerly influence we could still feel.
And then the breeze went south. We were working our way up to Brickies A and B with the breeze almost pointing us there. The other four boats had gone over to the southern side and had picked up the lift from the south wester. They were fast and we started to knock. But not badly enough to panic, though we saw First Jindarra and Corella roll around Brickies well in advance. Good! Starboard poles. And Anna and Nerrima were still behind us.
Up went the kite - big, bright and red. So the chase began with Andrew well ahead and Lockie looming in our sights. Anna was still close behind and Les had his spinnaker up and pulling him along. A gybe midway to the bottom and a sensible drop before we rounded Dolphin West and the trip up to Brickies again. This time we all went out into the bay looking for the southerly and the work was more a case of watching those in front of us and behind as we dealt with the slowly rising breeze. Almost 13 knots and the boat was beginning to work well. Around Brickies and close enough to start hoping that we could get Lockie if we were lucky. Just that long haul up the river to Addison and we had a chance ????
Close but no cigar. Off to Deepwater and then a good spinnaker run to Dolphin East with Anna and Nerrima having their private battle at the back ( and Les winning) and Lockie still close enough to smell the Guinness on his breath. A gybe and then off to Addison again, passing a Red Witch full of scouts flying the biggest kite I could imagine. (apparently they don't have a regulation on them yet) A drop and a reach to Thelma with a slightly chancy run along the freeway until we could see the finish line.
Andy Bell and the First Jindarra. FOL and last on handicap. Swiftsure Saga third over the line and first on handicap, Nerrima second on handicap and Corella second over the line and third on handicap.
By the way. John Wright is looking for a water pump for his Stewie........ any helpers ?
Banging corners and then the south westerly came in.
The last of the championships and five boats to contend it. On board Swiftsure Saga, we had to stay well ahead of Nerrima to maintain our second place in consistency. However Lockie knew he was far enough in front to allow us to battle out the minors while he challenged Andy Bell for the championship points. And Andy Bell was down one of his guns with Mark Rodereda out of action for a while. But he had the replacements in hand. One of the gingers from the Murray clan was in place on the day.
An 8 knot westerly with southerly tendencies was in evidence as we rocked up on the start line with Glen and Colin on board. Beauty we can run a spinnaker today. A course one was given and the battle commenced well before we hit the line with Les giving Lockie grief about fifty yards below the start line. We watched in amazement and then promptly lost our speed to the line with the result we were maybe 90 seconds before we crossed and behind everyone.
We all went left and then the divisions started with Swiftsure Saga electing to tack away back out to take advantage of the westerly while the others dug into Waylen Bay to take the supposed lifts. We picked up Nerrima thanks to that and got closer to Anna as well. However Lockie and Andrew got into a corner and Lockie lost out. In my opinion he should have tacked off earlier to prevent Andrew from sitting on him, but I'm not the skipper on the boat. His call. Then away they all went. They crossed the river going all the way into Hallmark or beyond and Lockie must have touched the river bank he was so close. Again we picked up time as Anna and Nerrima had also crossed the creek while we chose to stay in the middle and proceed down the river using the westerly influence we could still feel.
And then the breeze went south. We were working our way up to Brickies A and B with the breeze almost pointing us there. The other four boats had gone over to the southern side and had picked up the lift from the south wester. They were fast and we started to knock. But not badly enough to panic, though we saw First Jindarra and Corella roll around Brickies well in advance. Good! Starboard poles. And Anna and Nerrima were still behind us.
Up went the kite - big, bright and red. So the chase began with Andrew well ahead and Lockie looming in our sights. Anna was still close behind and Les had his spinnaker up and pulling him along. A gybe midway to the bottom and a sensible drop before we rounded Dolphin West and the trip up to Brickies again. This time we all went out into the bay looking for the southerly and the work was more a case of watching those in front of us and behind as we dealt with the slowly rising breeze. Almost 13 knots and the boat was beginning to work well. Around Brickies and close enough to start hoping that we could get Lockie if we were lucky. Just that long haul up the river to Addison and we had a chance ????
Close but no cigar. Off to Deepwater and then a good spinnaker run to Dolphin East with Anna and Nerrima having their private battle at the back ( and Les winning) and Lockie still close enough to smell the Guinness on his breath. A gybe and then off to Addison again, passing a Red Witch full of scouts flying the biggest kite I could imagine. (apparently they don't have a regulation on them yet) A drop and a reach to Thelma with a slightly chancy run along the freeway until we could see the finish line.
Andy Bell and the First Jindarra. FOL and last on handicap. Swiftsure Saga third over the line and first on handicap, Nerrima second on handicap and Corella second over the line and third on handicap.
By the way. John Wright is looking for a water pump for his Stewie........ any helpers ?
Wednesday the 19th April
Watching Andy's transom or where's Lockie?
No it's not a Where's Wally moment, but when the flag dropped, David Locke saddled up his horse and disappeared into the distance. Clear air and all that stuff was quoted, but he got the start right (and some of us didn't) and was clearly ahead by Sampson with a little game going on between Swiftsure and ourselves to see who could get the inside at Sampson. It all costs time folks and with Lockie well ahead.......
The starters had offered us a course one with a northerly start for once and we managed to clear the Royal Perth fleet before ducking into Waylen Bay on the way to Deepwater. Mind you, none of that huge lift that you could get off the spring seabreeze, but there was enough to get us up there and tack across on starboard to the mark. So around we went, with Andrew slightly behind us and the down wind chase began with Swiftsure and Carina for company. Brad was on board with Andy Bell and as foredeckie he found himself with gybe after gybe thrown at him as Andy tested the fleet in front of him. At the seventh gybe something went slightly wrong and he ended up with a sore hand, but it wasn't enough to send downstairs for the first aid box. Painful though, no more gybes for a while.
By this time,Swiftsure Saga was testing us as well while Vic and Carina had moved slightly to the side and was just sailing fast with his new jib in evidence. Coming to Print we had to get a good tack in as Andy had managed to get ahead courtesy to the 7 gybes and everyone else was closing on us. Around we went and tried to get through Andy, but despite our best attempts, the boat refused to get above 5 knots and we found ourselves in a parlous position. But we hung on as the rest of the fleet had tacked off and we dug right into the bay again and aimed the boat at Robins. A few good lifts and we were there but still watching Andy's transom. At this time Vic threw a challenge at us and we managed to slip through him to our benefit, but it was a reminder that everyone else wanted to look at Andy's transom from our position as well.
Around we went and off to Dolphin East with a poled out jib and making 6.4 knots on the reach. Beauty! All we have to do is gybe the main and we're set for the down wind run to Como. And so we did with everyone else setting their poles as well. Turn right at Como and harden up for the run to Outer Start line and the little triangle to follow from Sampson. No real testers as the field had spread out a little and we were all content to try and improve our time. Rounding Thelma for the last leg to the finish line we could see the breeze starting to fade a little and we were just glad to get home in a reasonable time.
Over the line: David Locke in Corella, Andy Bell on the First Jindarra and Brian Cross with Mariner.
On handicap Corella first, Swiftsure Saga second and Mariner third.
A little goss for you. Mark Walters came out today and with any luck should be doing the winter frostbites. Steely sailed with Bill for the day and did a fine job all over the boat. J W had the motor ( the last of the Stewies ) out and was considering a new water pump (electric) and we had seven boats on the water today. BTW big John didn't go east over the Nullabore last week, the news fairy got it wrong (sorry Glen)
Watching Andy's transom or where's Lockie?
No it's not a Where's Wally moment, but when the flag dropped, David Locke saddled up his horse and disappeared into the distance. Clear air and all that stuff was quoted, but he got the start right (and some of us didn't) and was clearly ahead by Sampson with a little game going on between Swiftsure and ourselves to see who could get the inside at Sampson. It all costs time folks and with Lockie well ahead.......
The starters had offered us a course one with a northerly start for once and we managed to clear the Royal Perth fleet before ducking into Waylen Bay on the way to Deepwater. Mind you, none of that huge lift that you could get off the spring seabreeze, but there was enough to get us up there and tack across on starboard to the mark. So around we went, with Andrew slightly behind us and the down wind chase began with Swiftsure and Carina for company. Brad was on board with Andy Bell and as foredeckie he found himself with gybe after gybe thrown at him as Andy tested the fleet in front of him. At the seventh gybe something went slightly wrong and he ended up with a sore hand, but it wasn't enough to send downstairs for the first aid box. Painful though, no more gybes for a while.
By this time,Swiftsure Saga was testing us as well while Vic and Carina had moved slightly to the side and was just sailing fast with his new jib in evidence. Coming to Print we had to get a good tack in as Andy had managed to get ahead courtesy to the 7 gybes and everyone else was closing on us. Around we went and tried to get through Andy, but despite our best attempts, the boat refused to get above 5 knots and we found ourselves in a parlous position. But we hung on as the rest of the fleet had tacked off and we dug right into the bay again and aimed the boat at Robins. A few good lifts and we were there but still watching Andy's transom. At this time Vic threw a challenge at us and we managed to slip through him to our benefit, but it was a reminder that everyone else wanted to look at Andy's transom from our position as well.
Around we went and off to Dolphin East with a poled out jib and making 6.4 knots on the reach. Beauty! All we have to do is gybe the main and we're set for the down wind run to Como. And so we did with everyone else setting their poles as well. Turn right at Como and harden up for the run to Outer Start line and the little triangle to follow from Sampson. No real testers as the field had spread out a little and we were all content to try and improve our time. Rounding Thelma for the last leg to the finish line we could see the breeze starting to fade a little and we were just glad to get home in a reasonable time.
Over the line: David Locke in Corella, Andy Bell on the First Jindarra and Brian Cross with Mariner.
On handicap Corella first, Swiftsure Saga second and Mariner third.
A little goss for you. Mark Walters came out today and with any luck should be doing the winter frostbites. Steely sailed with Bill for the day and did a fine job all over the boat. J W had the motor ( the last of the Stewies ) out and was considering a new water pump (electric) and we had seven boats on the water today. BTW big John didn't go east over the Nullabore last week, the news fairy got it wrong (sorry Glen)
Wednesday the 12th of April
Steeling the breeze.
Or Brian got nailed to the cross.
A nice little sou wester was at hand and Locke had way too many people on board. Conversely Bill on Swiftsure Saga was missing his crew with John crossing the continent by road and the rest of the mob unavailable. So he picked up Lockie's nephew Steely, Judith and a young gentleman. We were four up with the rest of the fleet in as good a position. In fact Andy Bell ended up with Les Swinton and one of his sons Neill and partner.
A course one was offered with a start to Martin-Weaver and the jockeying for the start began. Brian elected to go for the box end and we maneuvered the boat accordingly. Then below us who should appear but Swiftsure Saga with Steely at the helm and driving it like a pro. We'd ducked Andy Bell with John Wright and Glen electing to go a little lower on the line. (wisely in retrospect) Steely took us up as the seconds ticked away and as we lurched toward the line it was clear that there was only a slim chance, so we went for it. Once the flag had dropped Steely had to hold his course and couldn't take us up any further, but unused to the lack of response in an H28, he had stalled the boat and our chance of getting through the gap was gone. We fended him off and clipped the mark at the same time. Damn. Around the mark we went and our 360 was complete. But we were tail end Charlie by now and our race was to get back at least a couple of boats.
Everyone had to tack before making Martin, even John Wright who had hooked into a great lift that had him well in advance of the fleet, but the knock hit him and he too had to tack. That cost him a few spots as Lockie, Andrew Bell and Steely had tacked earlier and had gone deep enough to get the mark in one. We were looking at Glen who was below us and we went that extra meter before tacking and managed to get in front of Glen. One down and four to go. It was a fair chase down to Sampson with no one getting anything out of it at the back end, but the front was sorting itself out and around Sampson it was Andrew Bell,David Locke, Steely with John Wright on his hammer.
Our best run from here was to get into the bay smartly and then work the sou wester to get that lift out of the bay, making sure we weren't disturbed by the Royal fleet. Steely was still in charge and was focusing well on his task while Bill ran around doing the foredeck. The run up to Deepwater was pretty much a standard run with plenty of speed, but not as much height as you can get sometimes. The next leg was off to Print where we had managed to catch up with John Wright and got inside him at the mark. He then took us up to slow us down and then opened up his sails, dropped a little and soared away. How often have we seen that done. Both Dave Locke and Steely went out to the middle of the river to try to improve their position and Dave had to shoot the mark, having tacked a little earlier than he should have. But Steely hadn't improved his position one iota and we had managed to pass him on the way up.
By the time we hit Robins we had a very determined young man on our ginger and the chase from there on was not so much catch John W, but keep Steely off our tail. Off to Dolphin East ( which has been replaced ) and thence to Como and the run to the outer start line ready to commence the last leg. But something was amiss. A horn was sounded and the shortened course flag was flying. What, it was four o'clock!
We could have got around the next leg and been packed by 4.45. However, that's the game.
First over the line Jindarra, second Corella, third Anna. On handicap Anna, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga.
Well sailed Steely. For the record all six boats finished with less than 3 minutes between them.
Steeling the breeze.
Or Brian got nailed to the cross.
A nice little sou wester was at hand and Locke had way too many people on board. Conversely Bill on Swiftsure Saga was missing his crew with John crossing the continent by road and the rest of the mob unavailable. So he picked up Lockie's nephew Steely, Judith and a young gentleman. We were four up with the rest of the fleet in as good a position. In fact Andy Bell ended up with Les Swinton and one of his sons Neill and partner.
A course one was offered with a start to Martin-Weaver and the jockeying for the start began. Brian elected to go for the box end and we maneuvered the boat accordingly. Then below us who should appear but Swiftsure Saga with Steely at the helm and driving it like a pro. We'd ducked Andy Bell with John Wright and Glen electing to go a little lower on the line. (wisely in retrospect) Steely took us up as the seconds ticked away and as we lurched toward the line it was clear that there was only a slim chance, so we went for it. Once the flag had dropped Steely had to hold his course and couldn't take us up any further, but unused to the lack of response in an H28, he had stalled the boat and our chance of getting through the gap was gone. We fended him off and clipped the mark at the same time. Damn. Around the mark we went and our 360 was complete. But we were tail end Charlie by now and our race was to get back at least a couple of boats.
Everyone had to tack before making Martin, even John Wright who had hooked into a great lift that had him well in advance of the fleet, but the knock hit him and he too had to tack. That cost him a few spots as Lockie, Andrew Bell and Steely had tacked earlier and had gone deep enough to get the mark in one. We were looking at Glen who was below us and we went that extra meter before tacking and managed to get in front of Glen. One down and four to go. It was a fair chase down to Sampson with no one getting anything out of it at the back end, but the front was sorting itself out and around Sampson it was Andrew Bell,David Locke, Steely with John Wright on his hammer.
Our best run from here was to get into the bay smartly and then work the sou wester to get that lift out of the bay, making sure we weren't disturbed by the Royal fleet. Steely was still in charge and was focusing well on his task while Bill ran around doing the foredeck. The run up to Deepwater was pretty much a standard run with plenty of speed, but not as much height as you can get sometimes. The next leg was off to Print where we had managed to catch up with John Wright and got inside him at the mark. He then took us up to slow us down and then opened up his sails, dropped a little and soared away. How often have we seen that done. Both Dave Locke and Steely went out to the middle of the river to try to improve their position and Dave had to shoot the mark, having tacked a little earlier than he should have. But Steely hadn't improved his position one iota and we had managed to pass him on the way up.
By the time we hit Robins we had a very determined young man on our ginger and the chase from there on was not so much catch John W, but keep Steely off our tail. Off to Dolphin East ( which has been replaced ) and thence to Como and the run to the outer start line ready to commence the last leg. But something was amiss. A horn was sounded and the shortened course flag was flying. What, it was four o'clock!
We could have got around the next leg and been packed by 4.45. However, that's the game.
First over the line Jindarra, second Corella, third Anna. On handicap Anna, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga.
Well sailed Steely. For the record all six boats finished with less than 3 minutes between them.
Saturday the 8th of April
And then the sea breeze came in.
It's been a while since I lit up the keyboard to tell of the adventures of the H28's and during that period my Wednesday skipper has been doing very well. Ok Brian... do I still have a spot on the boat? And Bill has been languishing in the doldrums on Saturdays. Some say he's preparing for next season, but it's a fair chance to say that with only three on the boat, they haven't been able to throw up a kite and that's been a problem. Championships have come and gone and we've been graced with Mark Walters boat Koomela out on the water on a Wednesday as well. However it looks like Andy Bell has a firm grip on the championships with Corella taking the consistency trophy, if he can cope without having Rita for the last one or two races.
However lets look at last Saturday for a moment shall we?
A mild Saturday with an sou easterly that promised nothing and even the starters thought so too. They sent us away on shortened courses and gave us a light winds course 4. So be it. We had Mark on board, giving us the ability to put up a kite and the four of us set off thinking that it was to be a chase the puffs sort of a day, Nothing major. An average start had Nerrima sitting on top of us off the start so we had to wait until they decided to go, so we gybed around and probably lost a few boat lengths but we were our own masters at last. But we were still 4th out of 5 boats. Over into the bay to see what was developing and ahead of us we could see Lockie doing something different.
Then the Seabreeze came in.
So tighten everything up and then go for Applecross Spit with the traveler up around my ear and Bill was contentedly perched on the rail. We still had Glen and John W in front of us, but by the time we'd made it to Deepwater we'd managed to put John behind us and we were chasing Glen across to Hallmark on a poled out reach with John W throwing up a kite in the effort to catch us. On the way to Armstrong, we dug deeply into the bay near Squadron and came out on a lifter that took us past Glen and Wynella ( he'd gone out wide) and we rounded Armstrong to find ourselves with only Lockie and Corella to catch. But he was a long way away. And didn't bother with a kite either. But we had ours up as JW and Anna were gaining under spinnaker and Wynella was having a little trouble keeping theirs up. So concentrate on getting through the oncoming fleets and try to catch Lockie. But he was having none of it and stayed well away from us all day.
Around Print and up to Deepwater again with the smell of a second in our noses and again John W grew closer to us, but this time we had to run across to Dolphin East and finding it was a problem if you were doing it by eye. Someone had knocked it over again for about the third time this season. We found it, popped a kite and our run to Addison was comfortable in the 17 to 20 knots of sou wester. But we were going to be early home. To Thelma and then to the start line and a run along the freeway with John P a little worried about the water depth. We made it and then tacked on a fair lay line to the finish. However we knew darned well that our handicap was going to cause us grief and that it did. Second over the line and 4th on handicap. Lockie picked up a first and fastest with Anna taking second on handicap and Glen taking third on handicap. Oh well we tried.
A note to finish this report. Glen said that he could have done better, but his #1jib was too big for the day and he hadn't put the smaller one on board. Note to self Glen... don't trust the weather predictions..
Not too many photos I was busy.
And then the sea breeze came in.
It's been a while since I lit up the keyboard to tell of the adventures of the H28's and during that period my Wednesday skipper has been doing very well. Ok Brian... do I still have a spot on the boat? And Bill has been languishing in the doldrums on Saturdays. Some say he's preparing for next season, but it's a fair chance to say that with only three on the boat, they haven't been able to throw up a kite and that's been a problem. Championships have come and gone and we've been graced with Mark Walters boat Koomela out on the water on a Wednesday as well. However it looks like Andy Bell has a firm grip on the championships with Corella taking the consistency trophy, if he can cope without having Rita for the last one or two races.
However lets look at last Saturday for a moment shall we?
A mild Saturday with an sou easterly that promised nothing and even the starters thought so too. They sent us away on shortened courses and gave us a light winds course 4. So be it. We had Mark on board, giving us the ability to put up a kite and the four of us set off thinking that it was to be a chase the puffs sort of a day, Nothing major. An average start had Nerrima sitting on top of us off the start so we had to wait until they decided to go, so we gybed around and probably lost a few boat lengths but we were our own masters at last. But we were still 4th out of 5 boats. Over into the bay to see what was developing and ahead of us we could see Lockie doing something different.
Then the Seabreeze came in.
So tighten everything up and then go for Applecross Spit with the traveler up around my ear and Bill was contentedly perched on the rail. We still had Glen and John W in front of us, but by the time we'd made it to Deepwater we'd managed to put John behind us and we were chasing Glen across to Hallmark on a poled out reach with John W throwing up a kite in the effort to catch us. On the way to Armstrong, we dug deeply into the bay near Squadron and came out on a lifter that took us past Glen and Wynella ( he'd gone out wide) and we rounded Armstrong to find ourselves with only Lockie and Corella to catch. But he was a long way away. And didn't bother with a kite either. But we had ours up as JW and Anna were gaining under spinnaker and Wynella was having a little trouble keeping theirs up. So concentrate on getting through the oncoming fleets and try to catch Lockie. But he was having none of it and stayed well away from us all day.
Around Print and up to Deepwater again with the smell of a second in our noses and again John W grew closer to us, but this time we had to run across to Dolphin East and finding it was a problem if you were doing it by eye. Someone had knocked it over again for about the third time this season. We found it, popped a kite and our run to Addison was comfortable in the 17 to 20 knots of sou wester. But we were going to be early home. To Thelma and then to the start line and a run along the freeway with John P a little worried about the water depth. We made it and then tacked on a fair lay line to the finish. However we knew darned well that our handicap was going to cause us grief and that it did. Second over the line and 4th on handicap. Lockie picked up a first and fastest with Anna taking second on handicap and Glen taking third on handicap. Oh well we tried.
A note to finish this report. Glen said that he could have done better, but his #1jib was too big for the day and he hadn't put the smaller one on board. Note to self Glen... don't trust the weather predictions..
Not too many photos I was busy.
Wednesday the 15th of March
Seven tacks into damnation.
A fair day with a sou westerly on hand that built abruptly from a comfortable 8 to 12 up to a sparkling 14 to 19 knots. My word, if you didn't have four people on the boat, then you were working hard. However it was a good day for the H28's with both Karoleeya and Alma joining the fray for the day. Mark Wimhurst was driving Alma for Dennis and Judy. Steve and Jay were the sole inhabitants of Karoleeya. Otherwise the usual mob were out there.
On Mariner we had a good start and we were impressed by Mark who had Alma working very well to get ahead of us on the run to Martin. He shot out wide on Weaver and we slipped through there, but the sheer speed of the boat had us gasping as they drew away on the reach to Sampson and try as we may, they were ahead at Sampson. So up we went, following them toward the oncoming Royal Perth fleet.
AB tacked off, so we went to maintain a loose cover and watched him tack back after a while. We continued on over to Heathcote to see what we could pick up. Then started a sequence that you wouldn't want to have happen. After we tacked, we crossed Bill and Jay who were nearby and ducked Alma and got her back on the next board. Then get rolled by Anna and have to go back again to try to get away from the RP fleet who were swarming around us. By this time we wanted to go back in again with Lockie and Andy Bell well and truly ahead we had to tack into a loser. Deal with the RP fleet again. but this time we were on starboard. Tack again and hope we were on the right angle to get to Deepwater; still not lifting so throw another two tacks to get closer. By this time our nearest competitor was Swiftsure Saga with Lockie, AB and John W. in front of us.
Around Deepwater we went and across to Print with a pole. A bit further down the track a gybe was taken and we found ourselves looking at Swiftsure Saga who was on our tail. Sure enough he got through us as well on the way up to Robins and the next run to Dolphin East saw us looking at Karoleeya and Wynella who weren't far away. Not funny by this stage, so our mission was to keep them behind us at all costs.
Down to the outer start line on a two sail reach to Como and up to the outer start line nearly hard on, knowing that the run to Sampson would be a tester, but for some reason they weren't able to catch us on this part of the leg. Up and across to Foam and then away to Print. Not too far from Swiftsure, but far enough away to preclude a passing move. Then the two sail reach again to Thelma via Como and for once we had a reasonable run along the beach and up to the finish.
The first run up to Deepwater was our undoing and if we'd been able to keep ourselves in clean air, we would have in a better position. Oh well. Next week.
First and fastest . The First Jindarra, Corella second and second and Anna third on both counts.
I'll be away for a week or so on regatta stuff. I'll report back when I'm on the water again.
Seven tacks into damnation.
A fair day with a sou westerly on hand that built abruptly from a comfortable 8 to 12 up to a sparkling 14 to 19 knots. My word, if you didn't have four people on the boat, then you were working hard. However it was a good day for the H28's with both Karoleeya and Alma joining the fray for the day. Mark Wimhurst was driving Alma for Dennis and Judy. Steve and Jay were the sole inhabitants of Karoleeya. Otherwise the usual mob were out there.
On Mariner we had a good start and we were impressed by Mark who had Alma working very well to get ahead of us on the run to Martin. He shot out wide on Weaver and we slipped through there, but the sheer speed of the boat had us gasping as they drew away on the reach to Sampson and try as we may, they were ahead at Sampson. So up we went, following them toward the oncoming Royal Perth fleet.
AB tacked off, so we went to maintain a loose cover and watched him tack back after a while. We continued on over to Heathcote to see what we could pick up. Then started a sequence that you wouldn't want to have happen. After we tacked, we crossed Bill and Jay who were nearby and ducked Alma and got her back on the next board. Then get rolled by Anna and have to go back again to try to get away from the RP fleet who were swarming around us. By this time we wanted to go back in again with Lockie and Andy Bell well and truly ahead we had to tack into a loser. Deal with the RP fleet again. but this time we were on starboard. Tack again and hope we were on the right angle to get to Deepwater; still not lifting so throw another two tacks to get closer. By this time our nearest competitor was Swiftsure Saga with Lockie, AB and John W. in front of us.
Around Deepwater we went and across to Print with a pole. A bit further down the track a gybe was taken and we found ourselves looking at Swiftsure Saga who was on our tail. Sure enough he got through us as well on the way up to Robins and the next run to Dolphin East saw us looking at Karoleeya and Wynella who weren't far away. Not funny by this stage, so our mission was to keep them behind us at all costs.
Down to the outer start line on a two sail reach to Como and up to the outer start line nearly hard on, knowing that the run to Sampson would be a tester, but for some reason they weren't able to catch us on this part of the leg. Up and across to Foam and then away to Print. Not too far from Swiftsure, but far enough away to preclude a passing move. Then the two sail reach again to Thelma via Como and for once we had a reasonable run along the beach and up to the finish.
The first run up to Deepwater was our undoing and if we'd been able to keep ourselves in clean air, we would have in a better position. Oh well. Next week.
First and fastest . The First Jindarra, Corella second and second and Anna third on both counts.
I'll be away for a week or so on regatta stuff. I'll report back when I'm on the water again.
The Wooden Boat Race and Rally Saturday the 11th of March
Fair Breezes and a great race.
The breeze was encouraging and the chance of a decent afternoon was in the offing. We had visitors from Freshie and Claremont and the big wooden power boat ( Saratoga ) of Steve Winters served as a viewing platform for the power yachties and sponsors.
Owing to a largish function in the club house, we had our pre race briefing meeting adjacent to Herreshoff Hill on the lawn under the umbrellas and the results were held upstairs in the Wardroom. Glad to see John Longley bringing Crazy Bird down to race and Vagabond owned by the Kings came along to keep her honest. Eun na Mara had Wally Jorgensen's old boat Shades ( now owned by Jason Furness) to keep her company and surprisingly, noted Cole 32 sailor George Ruul had joined up with Jason to keep Ralph honest. Another Freshie H28, namely Te Hana helmed by Roghan Anderson joined us for the day as well.
A decent easterly with a hint of the south was on hand and you were at the mercy of the breeze as we watched people lift and knock all day.
The battle at the front encompassed 4 boats with SSsaga, Corella, Anna and Wynella changing spots all the time on a course three.
Swiftsure Saga got away to a blinder of a start and was chased by the three other boats from Sampson up to Hallmark and then across to Dee Rd where a variation in the breeze had Corella and Anna well above us and aiming at Dee Rd. Behind us was Wynella and not far behind was the next wave of boats namely Nerrima, Karoleeya, Soraya, Alma and Te Hana. Flipping onto starboard we made Dee Rd and put Lockie about and surprisingly Anna had stalled on the mark having tried to shoot it and not let the jib loose. Oh well, their pain, our gain.
So the race to Deepwater / Print was on, with a good reach driving us along and undoubtedly helping Wynella who excels in this sort of breeze. No one was prepared to give quarter and it was a case of keeping the boat speed up with two sail reaches and similar. Bending around Deepwater the pace intensified as they closed up around us and looking back there were at least 6 boats within spitting distance. Anyone's race all the way to Print and watch Lockie sneak past with Glen not too far behind us. Then off to Frenchman's in Waylen Bay and up to Robins.
The situation hasn't changed and we've kept Glen at bay while fending off repeated challenges from Anna. Round Robins and have what Lockie describes as a brain fade and put Dolphin East into the computer rather than pointing at Como and saying there it is. That let Glen through and had we had Anna beside us again. So we were under more pressure than ever before.
The chase was from Como to the finish line and the vagary of the easterly played it's part in the race. Lockie was knocking , but still pointing in the right direction, Glen was booming along and really was reeling in Lockie. We were holding our height, but meanwhile John and Anna who started at the same spot as we did rounding Como, started to drop below us and was at least 30 meters below us before the finish. Amazing.
A great race sailed in 13 to 20 knots of swirling sou easterly, either you did or didn't make good and the first four boats never gave an inch voluntarily. Behind us it was just as hard with the others pounding at each others heels.
For the Gaffers. John Longley made it two years in a row and the handicapper will have to take notice of it.
In the combined fleet, Glen managed to put Eun na Mara back into second place by 7 seconds with Karoleeya helmed by Jay Lawry in third place.
In the H28 fleet; Wynella first, Karoleeya second and Corella third.
Over the line. H28's ---- Corella, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga. Combined fleet: Eun na Mara, Shades and Corella.
Fair Breezes and a great race.
The breeze was encouraging and the chance of a decent afternoon was in the offing. We had visitors from Freshie and Claremont and the big wooden power boat ( Saratoga ) of Steve Winters served as a viewing platform for the power yachties and sponsors.
Owing to a largish function in the club house, we had our pre race briefing meeting adjacent to Herreshoff Hill on the lawn under the umbrellas and the results were held upstairs in the Wardroom. Glad to see John Longley bringing Crazy Bird down to race and Vagabond owned by the Kings came along to keep her honest. Eun na Mara had Wally Jorgensen's old boat Shades ( now owned by Jason Furness) to keep her company and surprisingly, noted Cole 32 sailor George Ruul had joined up with Jason to keep Ralph honest. Another Freshie H28, namely Te Hana helmed by Roghan Anderson joined us for the day as well.
A decent easterly with a hint of the south was on hand and you were at the mercy of the breeze as we watched people lift and knock all day.
The battle at the front encompassed 4 boats with SSsaga, Corella, Anna and Wynella changing spots all the time on a course three.
Swiftsure Saga got away to a blinder of a start and was chased by the three other boats from Sampson up to Hallmark and then across to Dee Rd where a variation in the breeze had Corella and Anna well above us and aiming at Dee Rd. Behind us was Wynella and not far behind was the next wave of boats namely Nerrima, Karoleeya, Soraya, Alma and Te Hana. Flipping onto starboard we made Dee Rd and put Lockie about and surprisingly Anna had stalled on the mark having tried to shoot it and not let the jib loose. Oh well, their pain, our gain.
So the race to Deepwater / Print was on, with a good reach driving us along and undoubtedly helping Wynella who excels in this sort of breeze. No one was prepared to give quarter and it was a case of keeping the boat speed up with two sail reaches and similar. Bending around Deepwater the pace intensified as they closed up around us and looking back there were at least 6 boats within spitting distance. Anyone's race all the way to Print and watch Lockie sneak past with Glen not too far behind us. Then off to Frenchman's in Waylen Bay and up to Robins.
The situation hasn't changed and we've kept Glen at bay while fending off repeated challenges from Anna. Round Robins and have what Lockie describes as a brain fade and put Dolphin East into the computer rather than pointing at Como and saying there it is. That let Glen through and had we had Anna beside us again. So we were under more pressure than ever before.
The chase was from Como to the finish line and the vagary of the easterly played it's part in the race. Lockie was knocking , but still pointing in the right direction, Glen was booming along and really was reeling in Lockie. We were holding our height, but meanwhile John and Anna who started at the same spot as we did rounding Como, started to drop below us and was at least 30 meters below us before the finish. Amazing.
A great race sailed in 13 to 20 knots of swirling sou easterly, either you did or didn't make good and the first four boats never gave an inch voluntarily. Behind us it was just as hard with the others pounding at each others heels.
For the Gaffers. John Longley made it two years in a row and the handicapper will have to take notice of it.
In the combined fleet, Glen managed to put Eun na Mara back into second place by 7 seconds with Karoleeya helmed by Jay Lawry in third place.
In the H28 fleet; Wynella first, Karoleeya second and Corella third.
Over the line. H28's ---- Corella, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga. Combined fleet: Eun na Mara, Shades and Corella.
Wednesday the 8th of March
AB does it again.
Its rare that you see a skipper make the same mistake twice and when he does......rub it in!
We had half a dozen boats on the water in 12 to 18 knots (allegedly) out of the sou west. Well the starters didn't think so and sent us off on a course three indicating that they thought it was a southerly. And in a breeze that topped out at 18 knots we wouldn't expect to see the SS22's catching us (which they were doing). Something is wrong with the Inner Dolphin weather station?
So we got away to a terrible start that had everyone rolling over us. At one stage we were about to be spat out the back till we got some clean air and moved up above Swiftsure Saga and got a couple of boats back before we got to Sampson. Thence to King and watch as everyone including ourselves, tacked and re-tacked. No west in this breeze. With a good battle in front of us and Jindarra and Corella swapping the lead on the tacks, it was our turn to get in front of Swiftsure Saga by the time we reached Robins. Getting around, we found ourselves heading off to Print and closing up on the front pair. Turn at Print and prepare for Foam, only to watch Jindarra heading off to Robins..... OMG. He did that once before. Lockie continued on to Foam and rounded, while Andrew roared back to Foam, obviously discomforted by his tactical woops.
And that was that. Lockie had the lead, Andrew chasing him furiously and for the moment Brian was third. The final loop was a simple one. Back from Robins to Print/Como and the outer start line. Thence to Foam and back to Addison and off to the finish line keeping Como to starboard. Well the passing lanes were between Sampson and Foam and most of us went up to Print and turned left to Foam. Not so Swiftsure Saga who went left earl and picked up lifts on both boards, absolutely streeting us on Mariner. Crossed well in front of us and was not to be caught on the rest of the run. But Glen was doing well and had the wick turned up on Wynella.
Over the line, it was Lockie by 30 seconds to Andy Bell and 61 seconds to Rodger ( helming for Bill) on Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap Wynella was well ahead, Swiftsure Saga took second and Corella was third.
AB does it again.
Its rare that you see a skipper make the same mistake twice and when he does......rub it in!
We had half a dozen boats on the water in 12 to 18 knots (allegedly) out of the sou west. Well the starters didn't think so and sent us off on a course three indicating that they thought it was a southerly. And in a breeze that topped out at 18 knots we wouldn't expect to see the SS22's catching us (which they were doing). Something is wrong with the Inner Dolphin weather station?
So we got away to a terrible start that had everyone rolling over us. At one stage we were about to be spat out the back till we got some clean air and moved up above Swiftsure Saga and got a couple of boats back before we got to Sampson. Thence to King and watch as everyone including ourselves, tacked and re-tacked. No west in this breeze. With a good battle in front of us and Jindarra and Corella swapping the lead on the tacks, it was our turn to get in front of Swiftsure Saga by the time we reached Robins. Getting around, we found ourselves heading off to Print and closing up on the front pair. Turn at Print and prepare for Foam, only to watch Jindarra heading off to Robins..... OMG. He did that once before. Lockie continued on to Foam and rounded, while Andrew roared back to Foam, obviously discomforted by his tactical woops.
And that was that. Lockie had the lead, Andrew chasing him furiously and for the moment Brian was third. The final loop was a simple one. Back from Robins to Print/Como and the outer start line. Thence to Foam and back to Addison and off to the finish line keeping Como to starboard. Well the passing lanes were between Sampson and Foam and most of us went up to Print and turned left to Foam. Not so Swiftsure Saga who went left earl and picked up lifts on both boards, absolutely streeting us on Mariner. Crossed well in front of us and was not to be caught on the rest of the run. But Glen was doing well and had the wick turned up on Wynella.
Over the line, it was Lockie by 30 seconds to Andy Bell and 61 seconds to Rodger ( helming for Bill) on Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap Wynella was well ahead, Swiftsure Saga took second and Corella was third.
Wednesday the 1st of March
2 Races in one or Chasing Lockie
On a west sou westerly of about 10 to 12 knots that didn't flinch in speed or direction, we watched the first two fleets get away and made our minds up that hitting the line at speed with clear air was the important thing. And so it was, though we hit the line a few seconds late...but with speed. Brian reckoned we were 5th over the line at the start, but when we hit Sampson we were a good third with only Lockie and Bill in front of us. But no one had checked the flags and though we'd checked the flags earlier and seen a course four we weren't absolutely sure. So watch to see where the lead boats were going and try to get in front of Swiftsure Saga. In the process of getting there we watched Glen sail over Vic (and his new headsail) and then watched Vic just lift the boat over him on the headsail and get his lead back. Well sailed Vic. John and his boat Anna were busy doing their own thing and managed to get to the front of the second pack and led from the front while Wynella and Carina fought it out. The fleet had separated by this time into Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga and then Anna, Wynella and Carina.
A bit of luck had us tack in front of SSSaga at Robins and from there it was tackle Corella as hard as we could while keeping Bill off our tail. Bill wasn't going to lie down either and the down wind runs were interesting as he continually hung on our lee quarter trying to overtake. Nearly did too on the first run to Dolphin East. Fortunately the separation grew a little after that mark, but it was a near thing till then.
Then to Como and the outer start line where we watched Corella knock down and hoped that we wouldn't suffer the same. A quick rounding and the run to Samson was not without the skipper exhorting us to do better. So off to the small triangle and instead of following Lockie to the corner, we tacked off earlier hoping to get a lift up to Foam and covering Bill at the same time. Didn't do too badly either, but Lockie was still leading though he was continually checking us as we chased him.
A glorious two sail reach to Como and drop the pole for the reach to Thelma....good speed all the way. Corella chose to run down the highway and then tack up to the finish line while we elected to harden up and see if the lifts would get us any closer to the line and did well we thought. But to no avail as Lockie slipped over the line 20+ seconds in front us.
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga On handicap: Corella, Wynella and Mariner.
It was wonderful to see Judy Magee ( Alma ) out for a yacht today. She jumped on board with Bill ( Swiftsure Saga ) and experienced all the thrills of a close chase. Hope to see more of you.
2 Races in one or Chasing Lockie
On a west sou westerly of about 10 to 12 knots that didn't flinch in speed or direction, we watched the first two fleets get away and made our minds up that hitting the line at speed with clear air was the important thing. And so it was, though we hit the line a few seconds late...but with speed. Brian reckoned we were 5th over the line at the start, but when we hit Sampson we were a good third with only Lockie and Bill in front of us. But no one had checked the flags and though we'd checked the flags earlier and seen a course four we weren't absolutely sure. So watch to see where the lead boats were going and try to get in front of Swiftsure Saga. In the process of getting there we watched Glen sail over Vic (and his new headsail) and then watched Vic just lift the boat over him on the headsail and get his lead back. Well sailed Vic. John and his boat Anna were busy doing their own thing and managed to get to the front of the second pack and led from the front while Wynella and Carina fought it out. The fleet had separated by this time into Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga and then Anna, Wynella and Carina.
A bit of luck had us tack in front of SSSaga at Robins and from there it was tackle Corella as hard as we could while keeping Bill off our tail. Bill wasn't going to lie down either and the down wind runs were interesting as he continually hung on our lee quarter trying to overtake. Nearly did too on the first run to Dolphin East. Fortunately the separation grew a little after that mark, but it was a near thing till then.
Then to Como and the outer start line where we watched Corella knock down and hoped that we wouldn't suffer the same. A quick rounding and the run to Samson was not without the skipper exhorting us to do better. So off to the small triangle and instead of following Lockie to the corner, we tacked off earlier hoping to get a lift up to Foam and covering Bill at the same time. Didn't do too badly either, but Lockie was still leading though he was continually checking us as we chased him.
A glorious two sail reach to Como and drop the pole for the reach to Thelma....good speed all the way. Corella chose to run down the highway and then tack up to the finish line while we elected to harden up and see if the lifts would get us any closer to the line and did well we thought. But to no avail as Lockie slipped over the line 20+ seconds in front us.
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga On handicap: Corella, Wynella and Mariner.
It was wonderful to see Judy Magee ( Alma ) out for a yacht today. She jumped on board with Bill ( Swiftsure Saga ) and experienced all the thrills of a close chase. Hope to see more of you.
Saturday the 25th of February The Lyn Rue Davey memorial race.
Getting the best out of a lousy day.
I'll preface this session with chairman Glen's preamble for the awarding of the trophy. Lyn was feeling a little weary one Saturday during a race and told his fellow sailors that he was off colour and was " just going down to the cabin for a smoke and a lie down." He passed away during the race and is remembered by the Lyn Rue Davey memorial race held each year.
A stinking hot day with the breeze vacillating between the north and the east with about 5 knots on offer and less or more as the day progressed. There was promise of a westerly later on, but promises are just that. A promise. 4 H28's hit the water and we could have had another easily, had Glen arrived a little earlier, as the boats were overflowing with crew. No matter. Swiftsure Saga had to make good after last weeks farce and Lockie, John Wright and Les Brooker were all there waiting to pounce on our mistakes.
The start was memorable for one thing. The breeze was almost nonexistent and we glided up to the start line 30 seconds late, but shared the pleasure with Lockie of seeing Anna and Nerima caught in the pack of SS22's behind us. Slowly we worked our way up to the rounding mark and managed to get inside Lockie as the pressure began to build and we shot around the mark and prepared for our first hoist. No stuff ups allowed this time and we had checked our strings and sheets carefully. Up the middle we went and we took the dying breeze with us as far as we could. Lockie (Corella) went over to the east on the presumption that if it was going to pick up, it would do so out of the east. Les (Nerrima) started heading off to Hallmark on the mistaken belief we were sailing a course three ( shortened ) rather than the course four that had been offered. Anna followed us, but ran out of wind before we did.
And we waited.
Eventually the breeze started to flicker and some smart work by Glen had our spinnaker being used as almost as an asymmetric kite by dropping the pole and creating a leading edge, then by opening up the back manually we had a draft of air moving the boat forward. We achieved ghosting speeds of 1.5 knots by this method, but considering that everyone else had 1 knot, we were doing fine. Then a real breeze arrived with the sight of full spinnakers coming up towards us from the region of Point Walter. A few moments waiting, drop the spinnaker and away we went to Deepwater. Cross over to Hallmark, then up to Armstrong passing Nerrima on the way. Around Armstrong and our next kite to Print and managed to hold the starboard poled kite to about midway before gybing over to port and making Print on that board. By this time Anna, Corella and Nerrima were in battle with Les having the worst of it and Anna and Corella swapping places occasionally.
Back up to Deepwater again and the run there allowed us to decide which side to throw the spinnaker up on. Nice to not have pressure for once as the foredeck under Mark (from Karoleeya) was doing well. The trip down to Addison was uneventful, but for a bit of fun we decided to carry the spinnaker on a beam reach to Thelma and roaring with delight we had the boat hitting 7 knots on the way. A pity that the other SS22's and SS27's weren't doing it. Even a Cole 32 wasn't doing it. Well H28's can! And sure enough as each H28 hit Addison, they held onto their kites and had the same exhilarating ride. Only spoilt for Anna when they snagged their kite on the cross bars and put them behind Nerrima.
Nothing wrong with lurking Les, you can get better finishes if you're still in the hunt.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Nerrima. On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Nerrima and Corella.
PS thanks to Steelo... took the photo of us with the trophy.
Getting the best out of a lousy day.
I'll preface this session with chairman Glen's preamble for the awarding of the trophy. Lyn was feeling a little weary one Saturday during a race and told his fellow sailors that he was off colour and was " just going down to the cabin for a smoke and a lie down." He passed away during the race and is remembered by the Lyn Rue Davey memorial race held each year.
A stinking hot day with the breeze vacillating between the north and the east with about 5 knots on offer and less or more as the day progressed. There was promise of a westerly later on, but promises are just that. A promise. 4 H28's hit the water and we could have had another easily, had Glen arrived a little earlier, as the boats were overflowing with crew. No matter. Swiftsure Saga had to make good after last weeks farce and Lockie, John Wright and Les Brooker were all there waiting to pounce on our mistakes.
The start was memorable for one thing. The breeze was almost nonexistent and we glided up to the start line 30 seconds late, but shared the pleasure with Lockie of seeing Anna and Nerima caught in the pack of SS22's behind us. Slowly we worked our way up to the rounding mark and managed to get inside Lockie as the pressure began to build and we shot around the mark and prepared for our first hoist. No stuff ups allowed this time and we had checked our strings and sheets carefully. Up the middle we went and we took the dying breeze with us as far as we could. Lockie (Corella) went over to the east on the presumption that if it was going to pick up, it would do so out of the east. Les (Nerrima) started heading off to Hallmark on the mistaken belief we were sailing a course three ( shortened ) rather than the course four that had been offered. Anna followed us, but ran out of wind before we did.
And we waited.
Eventually the breeze started to flicker and some smart work by Glen had our spinnaker being used as almost as an asymmetric kite by dropping the pole and creating a leading edge, then by opening up the back manually we had a draft of air moving the boat forward. We achieved ghosting speeds of 1.5 knots by this method, but considering that everyone else had 1 knot, we were doing fine. Then a real breeze arrived with the sight of full spinnakers coming up towards us from the region of Point Walter. A few moments waiting, drop the spinnaker and away we went to Deepwater. Cross over to Hallmark, then up to Armstrong passing Nerrima on the way. Around Armstrong and our next kite to Print and managed to hold the starboard poled kite to about midway before gybing over to port and making Print on that board. By this time Anna, Corella and Nerrima were in battle with Les having the worst of it and Anna and Corella swapping places occasionally.
Back up to Deepwater again and the run there allowed us to decide which side to throw the spinnaker up on. Nice to not have pressure for once as the foredeck under Mark (from Karoleeya) was doing well. The trip down to Addison was uneventful, but for a bit of fun we decided to carry the spinnaker on a beam reach to Thelma and roaring with delight we had the boat hitting 7 knots on the way. A pity that the other SS22's and SS27's weren't doing it. Even a Cole 32 wasn't doing it. Well H28's can! And sure enough as each H28 hit Addison, they held onto their kites and had the same exhilarating ride. Only spoilt for Anna when they snagged their kite on the cross bars and put them behind Nerrima.
Nothing wrong with lurking Les, you can get better finishes if you're still in the hunt.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Nerrima. On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Nerrima and Corella.
PS thanks to Steelo... took the photo of us with the trophy.
Wednesday the 22nd of February
3 Tacks, a bum headsail and a rounding to forget.
Well that's what the skipper reckons anyway. No height, no power etc. But he was right about those three tacks... more later.
First of all, congrats to Vic who defended his handicap win from last week with another today. Must be the new foresail. He had the sail maker Geoff Bishop along with him making it another two Geoff day on the boat as Geoff Reason is still on the boat while Geoff Barr is on holidays. Didn't spill the port this time either.
A cracker of a start on a flighty sou westerly had Mariner scooting along the jetties up to Martin and making the mark in front of the rest of the H28 fleet of seven boats. Very happy with that. Some shouting behind us indicated that perhaps someone was getting a little eager at Martin, but we were pointing at Weaver and had every intention of getting to Sampson first before the horde caught up. And so we did. First around Samson and the question was when do we go? We could have held on, but the need was to cross the river before we got dirty air from the Royal fleet heading our way. So we took off to Heathcote, as one or two had done already.
Meeting Andy on port tack on the way, we rolled him over and he let us know that he'd be calling for water shortly. And with a flurry of tacks we found ourselves behind and below the First Jindarra. Not a good start to the day. Back into the bay again and look for the southerly lift out of the bay. Not happening and clearly the breeze had flicked into the West again. We made our way up to Deepwater with the skip desolate with the goings on. We'd not only lost our place to Andy B, but with no lift and power in the head sail, we were behind Swiftsure, Corella and Carina as well. Anna was doing very well two up and was side by side with us as we made our way down to Print. We began to sail the angles trying to get more speed and for a moment or two it was looking ok and that we may get Anna back behind us. Then the rounding of Print and a snafu as our poled out headsail fouled on the forestay while attempting the usually speedy trick of leaving the pole up and pulling the sail through. John W. did ask why we had sailed away after the mark and he nodded in appreciation of the problem.
So now we have 5 boats in front us. The run up to Robins was a pinch hitting affair, squeaking past the mark as we wrestled with an unforgiving sou wester. And it remained as such, even though we had some great two sail reaches on the sou westerly, it was now a soldiers course as passing room just didn't exist for us. The remainder of the race was spent watching Andy Bell draw away from the rest of the fleet with even Lockie sitting well behind Andy at the finish. Then a trio of boats headed by Swiftsure Saga(Carina and Anna) made the line with Mariner still lingering in 6th place and Wynella in 7th place.
Over the line. The First Jindarra, Corella and Swiftsure Saga. On handicap: Carina, the First Jindarra and Anna.
My vote for John Wright as Mr. Consistency. He's ben sailing two up while Craig's away and it's a great pleasure to see him do so well.
3 Tacks, a bum headsail and a rounding to forget.
Well that's what the skipper reckons anyway. No height, no power etc. But he was right about those three tacks... more later.
First of all, congrats to Vic who defended his handicap win from last week with another today. Must be the new foresail. He had the sail maker Geoff Bishop along with him making it another two Geoff day on the boat as Geoff Reason is still on the boat while Geoff Barr is on holidays. Didn't spill the port this time either.
A cracker of a start on a flighty sou westerly had Mariner scooting along the jetties up to Martin and making the mark in front of the rest of the H28 fleet of seven boats. Very happy with that. Some shouting behind us indicated that perhaps someone was getting a little eager at Martin, but we were pointing at Weaver and had every intention of getting to Sampson first before the horde caught up. And so we did. First around Samson and the question was when do we go? We could have held on, but the need was to cross the river before we got dirty air from the Royal fleet heading our way. So we took off to Heathcote, as one or two had done already.
Meeting Andy on port tack on the way, we rolled him over and he let us know that he'd be calling for water shortly. And with a flurry of tacks we found ourselves behind and below the First Jindarra. Not a good start to the day. Back into the bay again and look for the southerly lift out of the bay. Not happening and clearly the breeze had flicked into the West again. We made our way up to Deepwater with the skip desolate with the goings on. We'd not only lost our place to Andy B, but with no lift and power in the head sail, we were behind Swiftsure, Corella and Carina as well. Anna was doing very well two up and was side by side with us as we made our way down to Print. We began to sail the angles trying to get more speed and for a moment or two it was looking ok and that we may get Anna back behind us. Then the rounding of Print and a snafu as our poled out headsail fouled on the forestay while attempting the usually speedy trick of leaving the pole up and pulling the sail through. John W. did ask why we had sailed away after the mark and he nodded in appreciation of the problem.
So now we have 5 boats in front us. The run up to Robins was a pinch hitting affair, squeaking past the mark as we wrestled with an unforgiving sou wester. And it remained as such, even though we had some great two sail reaches on the sou westerly, it was now a soldiers course as passing room just didn't exist for us. The remainder of the race was spent watching Andy Bell draw away from the rest of the fleet with even Lockie sitting well behind Andy at the finish. Then a trio of boats headed by Swiftsure Saga(Carina and Anna) made the line with Mariner still lingering in 6th place and Wynella in 7th place.
Over the line. The First Jindarra, Corella and Swiftsure Saga. On handicap: Carina, the First Jindarra and Anna.
My vote for John Wright as Mr. Consistency. He's ben sailing two up while Craig's away and it's a great pleasure to see him do so well.
Saturday the 18th of February The Fifth Championship Day
Abyss part two or Learning Humility
Six boats took off on a Championship day with the breeze flickering out of the East all day( flickering into the north, the south and back to the easterly again.)
Taking off up to a day buoy and a separator, we watched the first 4 fleets make it one way or another to the day buoy and then hoist their spinnakers to take off down the river. Three up, we had put the strings out for the kite, but weren't in a big hurry to put it up.
Andy Bell was already well away and we had managed to get to the buoy second, whipping around the mark and putting up a poled out jib to begin with. And we had the breeze still with us. Lockie on Corella put up a kite and gradually drew level with us and Bill generously beckoned him through (he's got the best chance of beating Andy Bell this season). But we weren't too far behind Lockie all the way to Bartlett and even on the return leg to Thelma via Dolphin East we had Corella's measure. Then the first dip into the abyss as we approached Thelma. The breeze died out and we watched the rest of the field close up on us. But we were confident enough to get around Thelma as the first of the following pack and then we learnt how much pain you can suffer.
Popping a kite is reasonably simple and we'd done it before. But problems were waiting for us as we tried to hoist the kite and we had to drop the spinnaker and try to sort out the tangles. Then we realized the others were already overtaking us. We farewelled the fleet as we struggled with the mess and finally we got the darned thing up. By this time, three boats had slipped past us (Anna, Nerima and Wynella) and Karoleeya was looming at us. All that and no pressure to talk of, but the rest of them were well away.
Following the fleet, we made our way to Deepwater and held a shy spinnaker for a run across the river to Bartlett again. By this time we were close to Wynella and had hopes. But they went over to Waylen Bay and picked up a great run off the easterly as we doddled down the middle of the river. Not a winning position! Back to Thelma again and the abyss beckoned.
A slow rounding and another spinnaker hoist had us pointing toward Dolphin East and Wynella was getting further away (under a poled out jib). The last rounding had us watching Wynella slip over to the bay and get that breeze again. We hadn't learned anything. A farcical finish to the day had us limp over the line in fifth place and in retrospect, the crew and skipper agreed that we would have done far better without the kite and it's associated problems and just done with the poled out headsail.
Well sailed Andy Bell for the win with Dave Locke and John Wright in that order. As for the handicap; Wynella (Glen Stanley). Nerrima (Les Brooker) and Anna (John Wright).
Sitting under the tree on Herreshoff Hill, we thought through the day and next time we'll check the strings and the spinnaker halyard to ensure they are clear. Oh and remember to attach the spinnaker halyard on the right side.
Abyss part two or Learning Humility
Six boats took off on a Championship day with the breeze flickering out of the East all day( flickering into the north, the south and back to the easterly again.)
Taking off up to a day buoy and a separator, we watched the first 4 fleets make it one way or another to the day buoy and then hoist their spinnakers to take off down the river. Three up, we had put the strings out for the kite, but weren't in a big hurry to put it up.
Andy Bell was already well away and we had managed to get to the buoy second, whipping around the mark and putting up a poled out jib to begin with. And we had the breeze still with us. Lockie on Corella put up a kite and gradually drew level with us and Bill generously beckoned him through (he's got the best chance of beating Andy Bell this season). But we weren't too far behind Lockie all the way to Bartlett and even on the return leg to Thelma via Dolphin East we had Corella's measure. Then the first dip into the abyss as we approached Thelma. The breeze died out and we watched the rest of the field close up on us. But we were confident enough to get around Thelma as the first of the following pack and then we learnt how much pain you can suffer.
Popping a kite is reasonably simple and we'd done it before. But problems were waiting for us as we tried to hoist the kite and we had to drop the spinnaker and try to sort out the tangles. Then we realized the others were already overtaking us. We farewelled the fleet as we struggled with the mess and finally we got the darned thing up. By this time, three boats had slipped past us (Anna, Nerima and Wynella) and Karoleeya was looming at us. All that and no pressure to talk of, but the rest of them were well away.
Following the fleet, we made our way to Deepwater and held a shy spinnaker for a run across the river to Bartlett again. By this time we were close to Wynella and had hopes. But they went over to Waylen Bay and picked up a great run off the easterly as we doddled down the middle of the river. Not a winning position! Back to Thelma again and the abyss beckoned.
A slow rounding and another spinnaker hoist had us pointing toward Dolphin East and Wynella was getting further away (under a poled out jib). The last rounding had us watching Wynella slip over to the bay and get that breeze again. We hadn't learned anything. A farcical finish to the day had us limp over the line in fifth place and in retrospect, the crew and skipper agreed that we would have done far better without the kite and it's associated problems and just done with the poled out headsail.
Well sailed Andy Bell for the win with Dave Locke and John Wright in that order. As for the handicap; Wynella (Glen Stanley). Nerrima (Les Brooker) and Anna (John Wright).
Sitting under the tree on Herreshoff Hill, we thought through the day and next time we'll check the strings and the spinnaker halyard to ensure they are clear. Oh and remember to attach the spinnaker halyard on the right side.
Wednesday the 15th of February
Sailing into the Abyss
Geoff Reason was reflecting on the day in the bar after sailing and came up with this phrase. I was happy to credit him for this as it was a good description of the afternoon.
On a course two with a westerly breeze trying to come in, we'd waited until the AP was dropped and loitered up to the start line to sit there with our sails flogging in what was a good breeze out of the west. Trim on and away we went. All I could see was Andy Bell below us and I fixed on him for my speed. Doing Ok I thought, but Swiftsure Saga was above us and got in front of us by Sampson where we were neatly boxed in by the boats around us. Should have ducked him as we had the room below us with Andy Bell having swung out wide to get clear air. But now we dangled in the air as Bill had stalled us and then took off on his own race and in front.
Cross and re-cross as we went up the river sometimes dipping, sometimes making it. By Hallmark we'd gained Wynella but Vic on Carina and his new headsail was doing well, though Geoff did mention that going North and running up the shore wasn't as good an idea as could be hoped for. They lost a few boat lengths. Still with 4 boats in front of us we had work to do all the way to Armstrong and again fell agonizingly short of the mark thanks to an early call. Another two tacks. Out to the middle of the river and look for pressure on the way down and managed to roll not only Vic but Lockie on Corella with his all girl crew. Managed a bit of speed with a great two sail reach in the later half of the run.
Then the first trip into the abyss. The easterly was still pushing through at the mouth of the Canning and getting to the outer start line was hell on 4 wheels. Simple math went out the window as Lockie went West to pick up the remnants of the seabreeze and looked good for a moment and Bill and Andy Bell headed down to pick up the shore breeze. Well; we just pointed at the mark and prayed. Lockie ran out of breeze, Andy and Bill just kept knocking and then found a vagrant breeze that took them up to the mark. We, more or less, kept on going and found the mark fairly well. So two in front of us.
Back up to Sampson with the breeze rotating into the south west about half way up the track. Round Sampson and away to Dolphin West. Miss it by that much and do the necessary two tacks to get around. Off to Como on a pole that was converted into a reach at the mark and soar down to Thelma where a large number of boats were gathered. Oh bugger, the Abyss beckons!
As the speed dropped, we prepared to get to Thelma any old how and found ourselves in a light puff of breeze that kept us moving while the rest of the assembled yachts struggled. Ride the breeze and get around the mark reasonably easily and watch as Vic slides through on the same puff. Well done Vic. The rest of the boats were starting to make a move by now, but we had found the leading edge of an easterly that was coming down the Canning ...out of the Abyss we came and crossed the line as the first boat of the Wednesday fleet to make it there.
After 20 seconds the hoot came from the start box... they recognized us as a claimant.
Over the line: Mariner, The First Jindarra and then Carina. On handicap: Carina, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
Sailing into the Abyss
Geoff Reason was reflecting on the day in the bar after sailing and came up with this phrase. I was happy to credit him for this as it was a good description of the afternoon.
On a course two with a westerly breeze trying to come in, we'd waited until the AP was dropped and loitered up to the start line to sit there with our sails flogging in what was a good breeze out of the west. Trim on and away we went. All I could see was Andy Bell below us and I fixed on him for my speed. Doing Ok I thought, but Swiftsure Saga was above us and got in front of us by Sampson where we were neatly boxed in by the boats around us. Should have ducked him as we had the room below us with Andy Bell having swung out wide to get clear air. But now we dangled in the air as Bill had stalled us and then took off on his own race and in front.
Cross and re-cross as we went up the river sometimes dipping, sometimes making it. By Hallmark we'd gained Wynella but Vic on Carina and his new headsail was doing well, though Geoff did mention that going North and running up the shore wasn't as good an idea as could be hoped for. They lost a few boat lengths. Still with 4 boats in front of us we had work to do all the way to Armstrong and again fell agonizingly short of the mark thanks to an early call. Another two tacks. Out to the middle of the river and look for pressure on the way down and managed to roll not only Vic but Lockie on Corella with his all girl crew. Managed a bit of speed with a great two sail reach in the later half of the run.
Then the first trip into the abyss. The easterly was still pushing through at the mouth of the Canning and getting to the outer start line was hell on 4 wheels. Simple math went out the window as Lockie went West to pick up the remnants of the seabreeze and looked good for a moment and Bill and Andy Bell headed down to pick up the shore breeze. Well; we just pointed at the mark and prayed. Lockie ran out of breeze, Andy and Bill just kept knocking and then found a vagrant breeze that took them up to the mark. We, more or less, kept on going and found the mark fairly well. So two in front of us.
Back up to Sampson with the breeze rotating into the south west about half way up the track. Round Sampson and away to Dolphin West. Miss it by that much and do the necessary two tacks to get around. Off to Como on a pole that was converted into a reach at the mark and soar down to Thelma where a large number of boats were gathered. Oh bugger, the Abyss beckons!
As the speed dropped, we prepared to get to Thelma any old how and found ourselves in a light puff of breeze that kept us moving while the rest of the assembled yachts struggled. Ride the breeze and get around the mark reasonably easily and watch as Vic slides through on the same puff. Well done Vic. The rest of the boats were starting to make a move by now, but we had found the leading edge of an easterly that was coming down the Canning ...out of the Abyss we came and crossed the line as the first boat of the Wednesday fleet to make it there.
After 20 seconds the hoot came from the start box... they recognized us as a claimant.
Over the line: Mariner, The First Jindarra and then Carina. On handicap: Carina, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
Wednesday the 8th of February
Just us three.
A number of boats didn't appear today as their skippers claimed ( ahem ) that their crew thought it was going to be a bit windy. And so it was. A workable 15 to 26 knots out of the se / ese / se and east. Sure it was blowy, but the water was flat and they gave us a course two anyway. So we had Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella on the water. And a merry chase it was; off to Martin / Weaver and probably didn't go as deep into the Canning as we should have, as we ended up having to double tack at Weaver to get around.
But we were in front and remained so for the rest of the day, but the battle was not necessarily with the other boats, but the breeze, as we approached the outer start line mark and knocked and knocked. As did Wynella, but Swiftsure Saga did much better and made up ground.
Away to Sampson and then to Dolphin West. Well where we thought D.W. was and probably over shot it as we gybed back and had Swiftsure on our tail claiming that his GPS was pointing backward by the time we'd gybed. ( we must have been well past it ) That was a healthy lead given away, but we made up for it in the end with good speed to Thelma via Como and then a flying reach to the finish.
Ok no guessing. Over the line Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella. On handicap the same.
Not many photo's, I was busy.
Just us three.
A number of boats didn't appear today as their skippers claimed ( ahem ) that their crew thought it was going to be a bit windy. And so it was. A workable 15 to 26 knots out of the se / ese / se and east. Sure it was blowy, but the water was flat and they gave us a course two anyway. So we had Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella on the water. And a merry chase it was; off to Martin / Weaver and probably didn't go as deep into the Canning as we should have, as we ended up having to double tack at Weaver to get around.
But we were in front and remained so for the rest of the day, but the battle was not necessarily with the other boats, but the breeze, as we approached the outer start line mark and knocked and knocked. As did Wynella, but Swiftsure Saga did much better and made up ground.
Away to Sampson and then to Dolphin West. Well where we thought D.W. was and probably over shot it as we gybed back and had Swiftsure on our tail claiming that his GPS was pointing backward by the time we'd gybed. ( we must have been well past it ) That was a healthy lead given away, but we made up for it in the end with good speed to Thelma via Como and then a flying reach to the finish.
Ok no guessing. Over the line Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella. On handicap the same.
Not many photo's, I was busy.
Saturday the 28th of January 4th Championship for 2017
A reprise of last week!
Hard yards for all today, as the building seabreeze prompted a course one and we set off again on Swiftsure Saga with stand in skipper Brian Cross. Andy Bell had his crew of rock stars ready to create havoc and John W, David Locke and Les Brooker had their normal crews around them. In addition to the fleet Aloha and Georgina came out to add colour to the boats on the water. More later.
Our problems started early with the GPS packing up and therefore no speed/directions. We could do without them (but they are nice to have). So back to the basics. David and John were in fine form and were causing us a bit of grief as they challenged us on every corner of the track with their continuing presence right behind us. But they also had each other to contend with and surprisingly no Andy Bell who had to retire prematurely as his long un sailed Jindarra had opened up and there weren't enough buckets to get the water out. Therefore the battle was not only to get past us, but keep the other boat behind them.
Slightly ahead as we roared up to Deepwater, we watched as Lockie and John gained and lost ground on the way up. Both boats had their regular crew and they trimmed and ran their mains well. Making Deepwater, we went on for a while before making that tack in again, but if only to cover Lockie and John who had already gone in to the bay for the run up to Brickies. We made our rounding at Brickies in one streaming reach just ahead of a cloud of Royal boats amongst which could be found the next two H28's with Les Brooker and Nerrima waiting to pounce on any mistakes a few meters behind. At this stage, I believe we lost Georgina who retired after bumping into a SP yacht, though it may have occurred earlier. :-)
Our rounding of Brickies B completed, we eased a little further out and popped a kite ready for the run down wind to Dolphin West amongst the afore mentioned cloud of other yachts. We hiked out to the south to pick up the gusts coming down the river and kept our distance from the followers. Allowing another boat through, we eased ourselves into the turn with Lockie and John maintaining their own distances and closer to us than we'd prefer. Swiftsure is not as fast down wind as she is on the way up. So once again the battle to get to Brickies A commences.
This time we're a little happier with the boat and our dig into the second bay was optimistic to say the least and no matter how hard the main was worked we were going to have to double tack into Brickies A. The knocks were pushing us down and we'd had a bit of fun with other boats making their way up as well. Around we went and have a slight problem with the first hoist with a sheet coming off the pole side of the spinnaker and the second hoist coming up short by half a meter. By this time J W had come in quite close and the skipper was fretting that we'd be caught. But we got the problems sorted and we were dealing with a gusty sou westerly that was changing direction every few seconds and the spinnaker was ragging like a nappy on a Hills Hoist. Try to pin it down and tighten everything up sort of worked, but we still had to battle for most of the ride down to Addison.
Another good drop had us rounding and setting up for a run to Deepwater with JW and Lockie on our tails. No easy ride for the rest of the day. JW is in a good second and Lockie is continually pushing to see what he can get. We got into Waylen Bay and the lift out was a delight. We skimmed AppleX spit, hardening up to Deepwater with a quick double tack to get us around. Then to a pole run to Dolphin East with an early gybe to get around the mark with a kite up. Quite by the lee too. A slight frisson of danger there. Then away to Addison with a latish drop to keep the wolves (JW and Lockie) off our tails. Whew! The last one. Pack everything away and dash to Thelma.
Just keep our boat between them and the finish line. After Thelma, JW tacked off early and Lockie went to cover him. So we ran along the beach till Brian thought it a good time to go and away we went. Then tacked on the ley line and almost had to shoot the mark, but the call from the lee side trimmer was good, we had enough room. First over the line. A championship for Bill. If this doesn't get Brian into Saturday racing I don't know what will. Anna got a good second and Corella a few moments behind in third. Les Brooker and team sailed well for a creditable fourth with Aloha rounding up the fleet in fifth place. Well sailed all.
On Handicap ( consistency ) Anna , Swiftsure Saga and Corella.
I'll be away on regatta photography for the next week or so.
A reprise of last week!
Hard yards for all today, as the building seabreeze prompted a course one and we set off again on Swiftsure Saga with stand in skipper Brian Cross. Andy Bell had his crew of rock stars ready to create havoc and John W, David Locke and Les Brooker had their normal crews around them. In addition to the fleet Aloha and Georgina came out to add colour to the boats on the water. More later.
Our problems started early with the GPS packing up and therefore no speed/directions. We could do without them (but they are nice to have). So back to the basics. David and John were in fine form and were causing us a bit of grief as they challenged us on every corner of the track with their continuing presence right behind us. But they also had each other to contend with and surprisingly no Andy Bell who had to retire prematurely as his long un sailed Jindarra had opened up and there weren't enough buckets to get the water out. Therefore the battle was not only to get past us, but keep the other boat behind them.
Slightly ahead as we roared up to Deepwater, we watched as Lockie and John gained and lost ground on the way up. Both boats had their regular crew and they trimmed and ran their mains well. Making Deepwater, we went on for a while before making that tack in again, but if only to cover Lockie and John who had already gone in to the bay for the run up to Brickies. We made our rounding at Brickies in one streaming reach just ahead of a cloud of Royal boats amongst which could be found the next two H28's with Les Brooker and Nerrima waiting to pounce on any mistakes a few meters behind. At this stage, I believe we lost Georgina who retired after bumping into a SP yacht, though it may have occurred earlier. :-)
Our rounding of Brickies B completed, we eased a little further out and popped a kite ready for the run down wind to Dolphin West amongst the afore mentioned cloud of other yachts. We hiked out to the south to pick up the gusts coming down the river and kept our distance from the followers. Allowing another boat through, we eased ourselves into the turn with Lockie and John maintaining their own distances and closer to us than we'd prefer. Swiftsure is not as fast down wind as she is on the way up. So once again the battle to get to Brickies A commences.
This time we're a little happier with the boat and our dig into the second bay was optimistic to say the least and no matter how hard the main was worked we were going to have to double tack into Brickies A. The knocks were pushing us down and we'd had a bit of fun with other boats making their way up as well. Around we went and have a slight problem with the first hoist with a sheet coming off the pole side of the spinnaker and the second hoist coming up short by half a meter. By this time J W had come in quite close and the skipper was fretting that we'd be caught. But we got the problems sorted and we were dealing with a gusty sou westerly that was changing direction every few seconds and the spinnaker was ragging like a nappy on a Hills Hoist. Try to pin it down and tighten everything up sort of worked, but we still had to battle for most of the ride down to Addison.
Another good drop had us rounding and setting up for a run to Deepwater with JW and Lockie on our tails. No easy ride for the rest of the day. JW is in a good second and Lockie is continually pushing to see what he can get. We got into Waylen Bay and the lift out was a delight. We skimmed AppleX spit, hardening up to Deepwater with a quick double tack to get us around. Then to a pole run to Dolphin East with an early gybe to get around the mark with a kite up. Quite by the lee too. A slight frisson of danger there. Then away to Addison with a latish drop to keep the wolves (JW and Lockie) off our tails. Whew! The last one. Pack everything away and dash to Thelma.
Just keep our boat between them and the finish line. After Thelma, JW tacked off early and Lockie went to cover him. So we ran along the beach till Brian thought it a good time to go and away we went. Then tacked on the ley line and almost had to shoot the mark, but the call from the lee side trimmer was good, we had enough room. First over the line. A championship for Bill. If this doesn't get Brian into Saturday racing I don't know what will. Anna got a good second and Corella a few moments behind in third. Les Brooker and team sailed well for a creditable fourth with Aloha rounding up the fleet in fifth place. Well sailed all.
On Handicap ( consistency ) Anna , Swiftsure Saga and Corella.
I'll be away on regatta photography for the next week or so.
Wednesday the 25th of January
Short and sweet.
A course one heading north had the skipper grumbling again. He likes the dash up to Martin - Weaver with the gusts swirling around the jetties and the madness of the boats piling up at Martin. But the starters had decreed otherwise and we were going north come what may. But it also took 20 minutes off the race time and in the 38 degrees of heat, anything was welcome that shortened the exposure to the sun.
Didn't get it right, again, and we were chasing most of the fleet and had the indignity of Vic Court rolling over the top of us on the way down to Sampson. So a little separation gave us clear air and a tight rounding at the mark with the chance to climb above the rest of the fleet of five. Only Lockie (Corella) in front of us with Vic (Carina) going low and Kate (Soraya) and Glen (Wynella) tacking off. We continued going up the river on the almost seabreeze with about 12 to 15 knots to drive us forward. Pass Foam and get above the Royal Perth fleet reaching out of Matilda Bay. Well and good with a chance to tack into Waylen Bay and hook up past Applecross Spit heading to Deepwater. For once we went deep enough for us to skim past Applecross and harden up to Deepwater. Only Lockie in front and a chance to run him down.
With the entire Royal fleet around us, our only hope was to go to a starboard ley and cross the fleet. Take a chance on a gap and flip the helm over. Then tack again and duck around Corella heading the other way. Make Deepwater and ease away with a gybe in hand before a pole went up. The run down was only marred by the nagging presence of Carina on our tail as he tried his damnedest to get us. Nice try Vic, but we got away in the end. Lockie was still well away at this time, but perseverance is the name of the game. Across into the bay again and deep enough to work the gusts sufficiently well enough to lift up to Robins. But the skippers still screaming for speed. Around Robins and a reasonably shy pole set half way down gave us a little extra speed to Dolphin East and the gybe at the mark gave us a two sail reach with the wind on the beam and dropping the pole a few inches. Seven and a bit knots. Very respectable! And all the way to Como with the skipper happy in the gains.
Get rid of the pole and head off to the outer start line. We watched with interest as Corella headed for the freeway as we fought to keep the boat above the outer start line mark. He had a big knock happening and was losing time as he sailed away from the line. The tack back up to the line had him get around in front with his lead dramatically reduced. The chase was on as we roared around the mark and set ourselves for the reach up to Sampson again.
Then the chase to Foam with our boat settling into the groove and tacking at Print for the dash back to Foam and around. Corella had tacked early and had just made the mark, losing a little time (I believe) so we were definitely on her transom on the dash across to Print and the gybe and reach to Como/ Thelma. Making Thelma with a little disturbance from a passing div two boat we watched as Lockie dealt with a similar problem with a Cole 32. It was then a case of running down the freeway to a ley line. And even then Lockie still crossed 24 seconds in front. But our race was for the handicap by now and Vic Court 102 seconds behind us was still close enough to take the win. All finished by 4.15 pm.
So over the line. Corella, Mariner and Carina. On handicap: Carina, Mariner and Wynella.
A note. In reference to a number of our skippers out of action. Bill RIchards is recovering from a gall bladder op ( but was seen wandering along jetty three yesterday ) John Wright is probably taking it easy at home as it's too hot and he's had a couple of chunks taken out. As for Andy Bell. He was last seen on Saturday, but was in the surgeons arms on Monday for the removal of a suspicious lump in his neck. He threatens to turn up on Saturday to sail the championships.
Another note. Speaking to a Cole 32 skipper, I was reminded of Jim Merton's talk of tidal currents in the Swan and why we should be tacking into the center of the river on a rising tide to get the assistance of the current. See the mud map that Jim used to illustrate his talk.
Short and sweet.
A course one heading north had the skipper grumbling again. He likes the dash up to Martin - Weaver with the gusts swirling around the jetties and the madness of the boats piling up at Martin. But the starters had decreed otherwise and we were going north come what may. But it also took 20 minutes off the race time and in the 38 degrees of heat, anything was welcome that shortened the exposure to the sun.
Didn't get it right, again, and we were chasing most of the fleet and had the indignity of Vic Court rolling over the top of us on the way down to Sampson. So a little separation gave us clear air and a tight rounding at the mark with the chance to climb above the rest of the fleet of five. Only Lockie (Corella) in front of us with Vic (Carina) going low and Kate (Soraya) and Glen (Wynella) tacking off. We continued going up the river on the almost seabreeze with about 12 to 15 knots to drive us forward. Pass Foam and get above the Royal Perth fleet reaching out of Matilda Bay. Well and good with a chance to tack into Waylen Bay and hook up past Applecross Spit heading to Deepwater. For once we went deep enough for us to skim past Applecross and harden up to Deepwater. Only Lockie in front and a chance to run him down.
With the entire Royal fleet around us, our only hope was to go to a starboard ley and cross the fleet. Take a chance on a gap and flip the helm over. Then tack again and duck around Corella heading the other way. Make Deepwater and ease away with a gybe in hand before a pole went up. The run down was only marred by the nagging presence of Carina on our tail as he tried his damnedest to get us. Nice try Vic, but we got away in the end. Lockie was still well away at this time, but perseverance is the name of the game. Across into the bay again and deep enough to work the gusts sufficiently well enough to lift up to Robins. But the skippers still screaming for speed. Around Robins and a reasonably shy pole set half way down gave us a little extra speed to Dolphin East and the gybe at the mark gave us a two sail reach with the wind on the beam and dropping the pole a few inches. Seven and a bit knots. Very respectable! And all the way to Como with the skipper happy in the gains.
Get rid of the pole and head off to the outer start line. We watched with interest as Corella headed for the freeway as we fought to keep the boat above the outer start line mark. He had a big knock happening and was losing time as he sailed away from the line. The tack back up to the line had him get around in front with his lead dramatically reduced. The chase was on as we roared around the mark and set ourselves for the reach up to Sampson again.
Then the chase to Foam with our boat settling into the groove and tacking at Print for the dash back to Foam and around. Corella had tacked early and had just made the mark, losing a little time (I believe) so we were definitely on her transom on the dash across to Print and the gybe and reach to Como/ Thelma. Making Thelma with a little disturbance from a passing div two boat we watched as Lockie dealt with a similar problem with a Cole 32. It was then a case of running down the freeway to a ley line. And even then Lockie still crossed 24 seconds in front. But our race was for the handicap by now and Vic Court 102 seconds behind us was still close enough to take the win. All finished by 4.15 pm.
So over the line. Corella, Mariner and Carina. On handicap: Carina, Mariner and Wynella.
A note. In reference to a number of our skippers out of action. Bill RIchards is recovering from a gall bladder op ( but was seen wandering along jetty three yesterday ) John Wright is probably taking it easy at home as it's too hot and he's had a couple of chunks taken out. As for Andy Bell. He was last seen on Saturday, but was in the surgeons arms on Monday for the removal of a suspicious lump in his neck. He threatens to turn up on Saturday to sail the championships.
Another note. Speaking to a Cole 32 skipper, I was reminded of Jim Merton's talk of tidal currents in the Swan and why we should be tacking into the center of the river on a rising tide to get the assistance of the current. See the mud map that Jim used to illustrate his talk.
Saturday the 21st of January
For a good cause.
The word had got around that Swiftsure Saga was missing her skipper as he'd had a bit of fright on Friday and was recuperating at home. So Brian Cross had been recruited to keep the boat on the water. So we tossed around to get a crew that could keep the boat going and ended up with Graham and Peter from John Wrights boat ( he wasn't sailing ) and big John P and myself. Beauty! Whose going to do the kite? So Graham stuck his hand up and away we went. We had a seabreeze with potential and Lockie, Glen, Les and the Minto mob for company. 5 boats altogether.
As we were second fleet away, Aloha was still coming down the Canning River as we roared away from the start line and they were going to be behind the eight ball no matter what. Oh well. So four in direct competition and Corella was the boat to beat. Chasing Corella, we found ourselves tucking in behind him at Heathcote and having to get above Les Brooker on Nerrima to get clear tacking. Brian was still working out the boat and all we could do was support his grunts and groans as we tacked again into Waylen Bay to get the lift up the river.
Then the Royal Freshwater Bay fleet took off from their mid river start line over near Nedlands YC and we saw the inevitable. We'd have to tack to get away from them and damn it Lockie had already sailed past them. No such luck for Nerrima, Wynella and ourselves. But we were past Applecross and could go left. So we went as far as we could and then started to thread our way through the Freshie fleet up near Sanders and passed through them without any problems bar a dip or two. So up we went and then over to a starboard ley that wasn't too long and took on all the Freshie boats piling up on Brickies A. Hooray and we'd caught up with Lockie... he wasn't that far ahead. Around we went on a screaming reach and the gybe at Brickies B had us setting the pole for our first kite. Soak down was the order of the day as we'd been caught before on the wrong side of the Freshie fleet at Dolphin West and the drama that occurs is not for polite reading. Boats with kites all around us and the breeze was already starting to pump up into the late teens and gusts above 20 knots. Awesome fun. At this time the camera copped a drink from over spray and was put away.
Reach D.W. and drop the kite and the pole with the chance to chase Corella yet again. Head over to Deepwater on a good lift (there was still some west in the breeze) and then head off to Brickies again. Just about this time we had some issues with a Royal Perth boat that we had to dip and Lockie who was on our port quarter got carried away by the RP boat, losing valuable seconds in the process. Unfortunately that's sailing. Make Brickies in one long screaming reach with the lee rails dipping in and out of the water as we rode the gusts rolling over the water toward us. Around we went and the gybe had us setting up for the long kite run down to Addison.
Sailing well, we noticed Lockie gradually getting closer. He's got his jib up. Damn. there's 0.2 of a knot . Up went ours. Still getting closer, so we looked harder and Brian could see pressure further to the right. Out we went and all of a sudden the boat leapt forward and we are almost planing. 8.2 knots and again he's happy.
Reach Addison with a good drop and wind on the mainsheet. Corella is still on our tail, but the boat is flying and the light weight number one is pulling hard and as flat as we can get it. Into Waylen Bay again and a glorious ride up the southerly lift has us skimming past Applecross with less than a foot between hull and mark. Tighten everything up and get as close to Deepwater as possible. Two tacks, duck Corella coming in on starboard and a pole down to Dolphin East with Lockie adopting the same tactic. Wind speeds were a base of 18 knots and gusting to 24 knots. Pure seabreeze territory, but a number of pockets or lulls were noted, just to make it hard for the mainsheet hand.
Go for an early gybe once we're past D.E. and again the pole goes up with a kite on it this time. This time we were away and Corella couldn't catch us. Down to Addison and drop the lot ready for the reach over to Thelma with the skipper vowing that all he had to do was to stay in between Lockie and the finish line. So down the freeway we went with Big John offering commentary as to the depth of the water below us. Time to go he declared and so we tossed, possibly a little early, but we still had Lockie behind us.
Over the line and wait for the hooter. Sorry Bill, we've ruined the handicap.
Over the line and on handicap : Swiftsure Saga, Corella, Nerrima and Wynella. Aloha retired.
For a good cause.
The word had got around that Swiftsure Saga was missing her skipper as he'd had a bit of fright on Friday and was recuperating at home. So Brian Cross had been recruited to keep the boat on the water. So we tossed around to get a crew that could keep the boat going and ended up with Graham and Peter from John Wrights boat ( he wasn't sailing ) and big John P and myself. Beauty! Whose going to do the kite? So Graham stuck his hand up and away we went. We had a seabreeze with potential and Lockie, Glen, Les and the Minto mob for company. 5 boats altogether.
As we were second fleet away, Aloha was still coming down the Canning River as we roared away from the start line and they were going to be behind the eight ball no matter what. Oh well. So four in direct competition and Corella was the boat to beat. Chasing Corella, we found ourselves tucking in behind him at Heathcote and having to get above Les Brooker on Nerrima to get clear tacking. Brian was still working out the boat and all we could do was support his grunts and groans as we tacked again into Waylen Bay to get the lift up the river.
Then the Royal Freshwater Bay fleet took off from their mid river start line over near Nedlands YC and we saw the inevitable. We'd have to tack to get away from them and damn it Lockie had already sailed past them. No such luck for Nerrima, Wynella and ourselves. But we were past Applecross and could go left. So we went as far as we could and then started to thread our way through the Freshie fleet up near Sanders and passed through them without any problems bar a dip or two. So up we went and then over to a starboard ley that wasn't too long and took on all the Freshie boats piling up on Brickies A. Hooray and we'd caught up with Lockie... he wasn't that far ahead. Around we went on a screaming reach and the gybe at Brickies B had us setting the pole for our first kite. Soak down was the order of the day as we'd been caught before on the wrong side of the Freshie fleet at Dolphin West and the drama that occurs is not for polite reading. Boats with kites all around us and the breeze was already starting to pump up into the late teens and gusts above 20 knots. Awesome fun. At this time the camera copped a drink from over spray and was put away.
Reach D.W. and drop the kite and the pole with the chance to chase Corella yet again. Head over to Deepwater on a good lift (there was still some west in the breeze) and then head off to Brickies again. Just about this time we had some issues with a Royal Perth boat that we had to dip and Lockie who was on our port quarter got carried away by the RP boat, losing valuable seconds in the process. Unfortunately that's sailing. Make Brickies in one long screaming reach with the lee rails dipping in and out of the water as we rode the gusts rolling over the water toward us. Around we went and the gybe had us setting up for the long kite run down to Addison.
Sailing well, we noticed Lockie gradually getting closer. He's got his jib up. Damn. there's 0.2 of a knot . Up went ours. Still getting closer, so we looked harder and Brian could see pressure further to the right. Out we went and all of a sudden the boat leapt forward and we are almost planing. 8.2 knots and again he's happy.
Reach Addison with a good drop and wind on the mainsheet. Corella is still on our tail, but the boat is flying and the light weight number one is pulling hard and as flat as we can get it. Into Waylen Bay again and a glorious ride up the southerly lift has us skimming past Applecross with less than a foot between hull and mark. Tighten everything up and get as close to Deepwater as possible. Two tacks, duck Corella coming in on starboard and a pole down to Dolphin East with Lockie adopting the same tactic. Wind speeds were a base of 18 knots and gusting to 24 knots. Pure seabreeze territory, but a number of pockets or lulls were noted, just to make it hard for the mainsheet hand.
Go for an early gybe once we're past D.E. and again the pole goes up with a kite on it this time. This time we were away and Corella couldn't catch us. Down to Addison and drop the lot ready for the reach over to Thelma with the skipper vowing that all he had to do was to stay in between Lockie and the finish line. So down the freeway we went with Big John offering commentary as to the depth of the water below us. Time to go he declared and so we tossed, possibly a little early, but we still had Lockie behind us.
Over the line and wait for the hooter. Sorry Bill, we've ruined the handicap.
Over the line and on handicap : Swiftsure Saga, Corella, Nerrima and Wynella. Aloha retired.
Wednesday the 18th of January
Not a good start.
Didn't need Andy Bell to front up! Lockie cracked a great win today and the rest of the fleet played catch up. More so us, as we added to our woes by missing the start by some 20 seconds and trailed the field at the line. So suck up the bad air of the rest of the fleet and try to pass someone by the time we got to Sampson. A course one and a building seabreeze that started in the west gave us a bit of confidence to dig into the bay after rounding Sampson, But we had to get around Sampson first.
We'd tucked our bow inside Glens transom and called for overlap and received it as Glen decided to swing wide around the mark. But Kate was right there before us, performing the F U manouervre. Oh darn. Can't go up, can't go down; almost stalled. So that cost us a heap and a tack away was the go. Cross to Heathcote and then put in the necessary tacks to get into Waylen Bay. Once we had an angle then it was a case of sail as best as we could do.
Reaching a ley line, we tossed and crossed the entire lead RP fleet on starboard. A great feeling for once. Then we had to hang on our sails at Deepwater as a laggardly RP boat passed the mark. Could we have made it? Well we could have T boned them or they could have T boned us. Not worth the risk. So we rolled over as soon as possible and set a pole to Print where we managed to get inside Kate on the rounding and got clear away on the chase into the bay again. Still didn't go in as far as we could have and paid the consequences of a couple of tacks. Ouch. Away to Dolphin East and thence to Como with a pole then a reach into Como. Hit the outer start line at pace on a cracked open reach and the gybe had us trying to decide whether to put a pole up or not. Looking ahead, one or two tried and discarded the idea. Good enough, no pole.
The triangle of death was achieved with no great pain and even the oncoming div one boats coming down the wind were not a problem between Foam and Print. The reach across to Thelma was quick and then a run along the freeway had us tucked under John Wright's tail waiting for him to go so we could possibly get inside him. But he'd also over stood it and just pulled away. We'd picked up an annoying over wind and were almost hanging on the breeze trying to clear it before we tacked, but the skipper just pushed the helm over and we crossed the line in fourth position.
However there were three boats in front of us Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Anna all of whom had done better than we. Carina, Wynella and Soraya finished behind us, but Kate's performance was excellent and earned her first on handicap. Over the line David Locke on Corella, Bill Richards on Swiftsure Saga, then John Wright with Anna ( two up -- well done ). On handicap Soraya, Swiftsure Saga then Corella.
Not too many photos today. I was busy.
Not a good start.
Didn't need Andy Bell to front up! Lockie cracked a great win today and the rest of the fleet played catch up. More so us, as we added to our woes by missing the start by some 20 seconds and trailed the field at the line. So suck up the bad air of the rest of the fleet and try to pass someone by the time we got to Sampson. A course one and a building seabreeze that started in the west gave us a bit of confidence to dig into the bay after rounding Sampson, But we had to get around Sampson first.
We'd tucked our bow inside Glens transom and called for overlap and received it as Glen decided to swing wide around the mark. But Kate was right there before us, performing the F U manouervre. Oh darn. Can't go up, can't go down; almost stalled. So that cost us a heap and a tack away was the go. Cross to Heathcote and then put in the necessary tacks to get into Waylen Bay. Once we had an angle then it was a case of sail as best as we could do.
Reaching a ley line, we tossed and crossed the entire lead RP fleet on starboard. A great feeling for once. Then we had to hang on our sails at Deepwater as a laggardly RP boat passed the mark. Could we have made it? Well we could have T boned them or they could have T boned us. Not worth the risk. So we rolled over as soon as possible and set a pole to Print where we managed to get inside Kate on the rounding and got clear away on the chase into the bay again. Still didn't go in as far as we could have and paid the consequences of a couple of tacks. Ouch. Away to Dolphin East and thence to Como with a pole then a reach into Como. Hit the outer start line at pace on a cracked open reach and the gybe had us trying to decide whether to put a pole up or not. Looking ahead, one or two tried and discarded the idea. Good enough, no pole.
The triangle of death was achieved with no great pain and even the oncoming div one boats coming down the wind were not a problem between Foam and Print. The reach across to Thelma was quick and then a run along the freeway had us tucked under John Wright's tail waiting for him to go so we could possibly get inside him. But he'd also over stood it and just pulled away. We'd picked up an annoying over wind and were almost hanging on the breeze trying to clear it before we tacked, but the skipper just pushed the helm over and we crossed the line in fourth position.
However there were three boats in front of us Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Anna all of whom had done better than we. Carina, Wynella and Soraya finished behind us, but Kate's performance was excellent and earned her first on handicap. Over the line David Locke on Corella, Bill Richards on Swiftsure Saga, then John Wright with Anna ( two up -- well done ). On handicap Soraya, Swiftsure Saga then Corella.
Not too many photos today. I was busy.
Saturday the 14th of January
Sometimes you try a little bit harder.
Given a course one, and only three up we were not looking pretty. But we'd set up the spinnaker and we'd fly it if we could remember to get the sheets right.
Getting a good start was the trick and we ended up in the lead ( momentarily we thought ) but others were having their own problems and a good dig into Heathcote had us kissing the mud as the skipper flicked the boat over. Working our way up the river, the westerly influence had us driving up to a lay line on Deepwater so with that in sight we felt the boat knock a little as we crossed the fleet on starboard. Go a little further and then lay over with John Wright and Lockie on our heels. All we could do is go for Brickies A and work the shifts. And made it.
Making sure that Eun Na Mara passed above us, we then set off to Brickies B with a pole ready to set. Out went the jib and we watched behind us. 2 kites went up; Lockie and John. Then Lockie went way to the right with the clear intention of coming in with pace, hoping to get us at Dolphin East. But no, we were well away, but he did manage to squeeze John W. out with the help of a number of SS27's who were rounding at the same time.
Back up to Brickies again and this time didn't waste time covering every tack by the yachts behind. Lockie and John W. were in combat and Les Brooker was lurking in the wings to cause trouble if he could. We missed the mark by a few metres and had to quickly tack to get the mark on to starboard again. But this time we were going to hoist a kite. Around we went and carefully, up went the spinnaker. Good pressure, not too variable and the run down to Addison commenced. Looking back, we were keeping them at bay and caught occasional glimpses of Wynella and Karoleeya as they fought their own battles. However Lockie did make up some ground this leg.
An early drop had us heading away to Deepwater for the final leg and watched Lockie and JW stream around the mark with Les in close pursuit. We made it to Deepwater in the usual fashion, go into the bay and come out on the sou westerly. We made it with a small tack to get us home. Then a jaunty poled reach to Dolphin East with Lockie throwing up a tight kite. We didn't lose much, but an early gybe had us putting up a pole as soon as we could in order to maintain the lead. Hard work for us, but we were watching Lockie as he was dealing with more SS27's. Rather you than us mate. Then the drop at Addison and the reach across to Thelma. Lockie was close enough to be troublesome, so we covered him all the way. Tack for tack and we were grateful for some 97's that decided to try to split us on their run for the line. Lockie closed the door on them, but slowed down as a result. Not the best time to do it.
Over the line. Swiftsure Saga, Corella and then Anna. On handicap Nerrima, Anna and Karoleeya.
Yes I mentioned Glen and Wynella. They had a problem with the main halyard and had to send a man to the top. They were late to the start line and consequently were not mentioned in the racing. Bad luck Glen... but who was the poor sod you sent up the mast?
Sometimes you try a little bit harder.
Given a course one, and only three up we were not looking pretty. But we'd set up the spinnaker and we'd fly it if we could remember to get the sheets right.
Getting a good start was the trick and we ended up in the lead ( momentarily we thought ) but others were having their own problems and a good dig into Heathcote had us kissing the mud as the skipper flicked the boat over. Working our way up the river, the westerly influence had us driving up to a lay line on Deepwater so with that in sight we felt the boat knock a little as we crossed the fleet on starboard. Go a little further and then lay over with John Wright and Lockie on our heels. All we could do is go for Brickies A and work the shifts. And made it.
Making sure that Eun Na Mara passed above us, we then set off to Brickies B with a pole ready to set. Out went the jib and we watched behind us. 2 kites went up; Lockie and John. Then Lockie went way to the right with the clear intention of coming in with pace, hoping to get us at Dolphin East. But no, we were well away, but he did manage to squeeze John W. out with the help of a number of SS27's who were rounding at the same time.
Back up to Brickies again and this time didn't waste time covering every tack by the yachts behind. Lockie and John W. were in combat and Les Brooker was lurking in the wings to cause trouble if he could. We missed the mark by a few metres and had to quickly tack to get the mark on to starboard again. But this time we were going to hoist a kite. Around we went and carefully, up went the spinnaker. Good pressure, not too variable and the run down to Addison commenced. Looking back, we were keeping them at bay and caught occasional glimpses of Wynella and Karoleeya as they fought their own battles. However Lockie did make up some ground this leg.
An early drop had us heading away to Deepwater for the final leg and watched Lockie and JW stream around the mark with Les in close pursuit. We made it to Deepwater in the usual fashion, go into the bay and come out on the sou westerly. We made it with a small tack to get us home. Then a jaunty poled reach to Dolphin East with Lockie throwing up a tight kite. We didn't lose much, but an early gybe had us putting up a pole as soon as we could in order to maintain the lead. Hard work for us, but we were watching Lockie as he was dealing with more SS27's. Rather you than us mate. Then the drop at Addison and the reach across to Thelma. Lockie was close enough to be troublesome, so we covered him all the way. Tack for tack and we were grateful for some 97's that decided to try to split us on their run for the line. Lockie closed the door on them, but slowed down as a result. Not the best time to do it.
Over the line. Swiftsure Saga, Corella and then Anna. On handicap Nerrima, Anna and Karoleeya.
Yes I mentioned Glen and Wynella. They had a problem with the main halyard and had to send a man to the top. They were late to the start line and consequently were not mentioned in the racing. Bad luck Glen... but who was the poor sod you sent up the mast?
Wednesday the 11th of January
Crayfish for Lunch!
Well that's what my skipper was doing at Rotto in Stark bay, so I jumped on board with John Wright as he was short of a mainsheet hand for the day while Craig attended to other matters.
There were pockets of gold in the breeze and despite the official records the breeze was a healthy west sou wester that built from 11 to 15 knots up to a great 15 to 18 knots by 3.30 pm. Of course they gave us a course one, but we started northward for once. Beauty!
But there were gaps in the breeze early in the piece and it was soft in Waylen Bay to begin, so a run up the middle seemed like a good idea. We were chasing Jindarra and Corella all day and they of course were having their own race and managed to jag a nice breeze further in than we were and while we weren't banging corners we couldn't catch them. Behind us we had Swiftsure Saga and Nerrima with Wynella and Aloha in the same group. Wynella had convinced Graeme Monkhouse to take the main sheet and we were expecting better of the boat on the day. No such luck, but if he stays with them....... Also saw young Steely driving his uncles boat prestart. Great stuff.
The start again, was all and we had Swiftsure, Corella and Jindarra ahead and the need to catch at least one of them by the time we hit the top. Bill got caught by Lockie down near Heathcote and was held back, then Lockie just left him for dead in a drag race to Deepwater with Andrew looming as a target to catch. The chase from Deepwater to Print had Bill looming over us and he went out wide trying to hook up under our transom at the mark. The door was closed in his face.
The next run was to Robins and with a bigger breeze, Waylen bay was the logical choice. Go in deep and make the board in one. Sweet.
A sparkling reach across to Dolphin East, a gybe and a pole to Como had us off to the outer start line clear of any immediate yachts.
The next need was to deal with the triangle of death ( or as others call it " the chance to pick up a place or two" )
A fortunate tack on to starboard had us pointing at Foam and we watched as AB and Lockie both missed the mark coming up from near Anderson and had to double tack to make the mark. Great we're a bit closer. So chase down to Print, put up a pole and go for Thelma via Como. Hit Thelma and run along the freeway hoping that Bill who was on a great lift couldn't catch us. Get the lift, hit the ley line and tack for the line. Nearly caught Lockie who was having problems with Div. one finishers, but just couldn't make catch him.
Over the line.... the First Jindarra, Corella then Anna. On handicap Nerrima, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
Seen on the water ...... Gina is looking at joining the Wednesday fleet. Hooray !
Crayfish for Lunch!
Well that's what my skipper was doing at Rotto in Stark bay, so I jumped on board with John Wright as he was short of a mainsheet hand for the day while Craig attended to other matters.
There were pockets of gold in the breeze and despite the official records the breeze was a healthy west sou wester that built from 11 to 15 knots up to a great 15 to 18 knots by 3.30 pm. Of course they gave us a course one, but we started northward for once. Beauty!
But there were gaps in the breeze early in the piece and it was soft in Waylen Bay to begin, so a run up the middle seemed like a good idea. We were chasing Jindarra and Corella all day and they of course were having their own race and managed to jag a nice breeze further in than we were and while we weren't banging corners we couldn't catch them. Behind us we had Swiftsure Saga and Nerrima with Wynella and Aloha in the same group. Wynella had convinced Graeme Monkhouse to take the main sheet and we were expecting better of the boat on the day. No such luck, but if he stays with them....... Also saw young Steely driving his uncles boat prestart. Great stuff.
The start again, was all and we had Swiftsure, Corella and Jindarra ahead and the need to catch at least one of them by the time we hit the top. Bill got caught by Lockie down near Heathcote and was held back, then Lockie just left him for dead in a drag race to Deepwater with Andrew looming as a target to catch. The chase from Deepwater to Print had Bill looming over us and he went out wide trying to hook up under our transom at the mark. The door was closed in his face.
The next run was to Robins and with a bigger breeze, Waylen bay was the logical choice. Go in deep and make the board in one. Sweet.
A sparkling reach across to Dolphin East, a gybe and a pole to Como had us off to the outer start line clear of any immediate yachts.
The next need was to deal with the triangle of death ( or as others call it " the chance to pick up a place or two" )
A fortunate tack on to starboard had us pointing at Foam and we watched as AB and Lockie both missed the mark coming up from near Anderson and had to double tack to make the mark. Great we're a bit closer. So chase down to Print, put up a pole and go for Thelma via Como. Hit Thelma and run along the freeway hoping that Bill who was on a great lift couldn't catch us. Get the lift, hit the ley line and tack for the line. Nearly caught Lockie who was having problems with Div. one finishers, but just couldn't make catch him.
Over the line.... the First Jindarra, Corella then Anna. On handicap Nerrima, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
Seen on the water ...... Gina is looking at joining the Wednesday fleet. Hooray !