On the water, in the bar
The stories of the H28's
of South Perth Yacht club
in 2023
The stories of the H28's
of South Perth Yacht club
in 2023
Wednesday the 24th of May
Doing it twice &
Its nice to be on starboard.
An offer to sail with Anna was snapped up with relish and the boat was readied for the afternoon as the sou easter decided to ease itself down to a more manageable pace (for a while). The team from the First Jindarra were in evidence and they were ready to play.
As can be expected, we were sent up to Martin - Weaver but the tide wasn't as bad as it was last week. Oh yes, we checked and we set ourselves up for a run up to the mark, unfortunately we didn't have a flash start but the catch up was there if you could handle the tacks up to Martin. Unfortunately there was a tardy div two boat who fouled our run at the mark and caused us to have to two tack to Martin. At the same time a charge at Martin from The First Jindarra who had found a better line saw them slip past us. Well sailed Peter Broadbent.
The chase scene was set up and it was a pole or a very broad reach and we played it for a broad reach as the boat went further down the river and picked up the first sniff of the sou wester. To Sampson and harden up with a charge up to a ley line on King over on the south side of the river. And there was a horde of Royal Perth boats heading down to Como. Gaaaah horrors! Not much we can do about it, but a gap opened up and we shot through it over to King, still following Swiftsure Saga with The Jin sitting above us, effectively in second place. Wynella was hanging back at this moment and we weren't too sure what was happening with them. Not as quick as usual on this day.
So around King and further to the channel gates and then toss above the Jin to ensure clear air. As we went up the breeze, the Jin began to drop away and we had good height. Once we could see a clear way into the bay we tacked and went further in and tacked again for the run to Robins with the First Jindarra sitting on us, but we had tacked at the right time and managed to lee bow them, forcing them to tack off. Then we were looking for Robins and we still had the Jin on our right. Both boats kept pace as did SSS who was still out front. As we approached the mark, the Jin was coming down on us at Robins, but we rounded in front and popped up a starboard pole quick smart. Free at last.
This time we were chasing Swiftsure Saga to Print.. Fast sailing and a lot of fun. We were watching the RP boats flowing down to Como again.. ummm this will be interesting as we nailed Print, dropped the pole and took off to Foam. Guess what! We were on starboard and had all the rights in the world. What a change this was. Just call starboard if necessary and even their boats coming down the breeze to the mark were windward of us. Over into the bay again and apart from dodging the odd RP boat, we were doing fine. Up to Robins again and look over our shoulders, we were well clear of the other two and could concentrate on Bill and the boys and they were looking back at us. Get down to Print and across to Como.
Around Como and head for the outer start line with the shortened course flags fluttering on the box, but we were dropping all the time and there would be a couple more tacks to the line and we couldn't rely on the John Wright effect to take us up to the line in one. So it all came back to time over the line. Maybe we could get there. Rough calculations had us 28 seconds behind Bill and the handicaps meant that we might beat him, but The Jin had a low handicap and wasn't that far behind.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and the First Jindarra.
On handicap: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and the First Jindarra.
So that's two wins to John and effectively stiffing his handicap.
Doing it twice &
Its nice to be on starboard.
An offer to sail with Anna was snapped up with relish and the boat was readied for the afternoon as the sou easter decided to ease itself down to a more manageable pace (for a while). The team from the First Jindarra were in evidence and they were ready to play.
As can be expected, we were sent up to Martin - Weaver but the tide wasn't as bad as it was last week. Oh yes, we checked and we set ourselves up for a run up to the mark, unfortunately we didn't have a flash start but the catch up was there if you could handle the tacks up to Martin. Unfortunately there was a tardy div two boat who fouled our run at the mark and caused us to have to two tack to Martin. At the same time a charge at Martin from The First Jindarra who had found a better line saw them slip past us. Well sailed Peter Broadbent.
The chase scene was set up and it was a pole or a very broad reach and we played it for a broad reach as the boat went further down the river and picked up the first sniff of the sou wester. To Sampson and harden up with a charge up to a ley line on King over on the south side of the river. And there was a horde of Royal Perth boats heading down to Como. Gaaaah horrors! Not much we can do about it, but a gap opened up and we shot through it over to King, still following Swiftsure Saga with The Jin sitting above us, effectively in second place. Wynella was hanging back at this moment and we weren't too sure what was happening with them. Not as quick as usual on this day.
So around King and further to the channel gates and then toss above the Jin to ensure clear air. As we went up the breeze, the Jin began to drop away and we had good height. Once we could see a clear way into the bay we tacked and went further in and tacked again for the run to Robins with the First Jindarra sitting on us, but we had tacked at the right time and managed to lee bow them, forcing them to tack off. Then we were looking for Robins and we still had the Jin on our right. Both boats kept pace as did SSS who was still out front. As we approached the mark, the Jin was coming down on us at Robins, but we rounded in front and popped up a starboard pole quick smart. Free at last.
This time we were chasing Swiftsure Saga to Print.. Fast sailing and a lot of fun. We were watching the RP boats flowing down to Como again.. ummm this will be interesting as we nailed Print, dropped the pole and took off to Foam. Guess what! We were on starboard and had all the rights in the world. What a change this was. Just call starboard if necessary and even their boats coming down the breeze to the mark were windward of us. Over into the bay again and apart from dodging the odd RP boat, we were doing fine. Up to Robins again and look over our shoulders, we were well clear of the other two and could concentrate on Bill and the boys and they were looking back at us. Get down to Print and across to Como.
Around Como and head for the outer start line with the shortened course flags fluttering on the box, but we were dropping all the time and there would be a couple more tacks to the line and we couldn't rely on the John Wright effect to take us up to the line in one. So it all came back to time over the line. Maybe we could get there. Rough calculations had us 28 seconds behind Bill and the handicaps meant that we might beat him, but The Jin had a low handicap and wasn't that far behind.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and the First Jindarra.
On handicap: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and the First Jindarra.
So that's two wins to John and effectively stiffing his handicap.
Wednesday the 17th of May .
Another softie &
Another boat.
Well I guess I'm now officially a boat tart. I was offered a ride on Anna today and I took it gratefully. However with only three boats out today it was going to be a thought of who got to the front first and in our case got to stay there. We had Wynella with Glen driving (get better Jocelyn) and Bill with a new crew on board by the name of Nick. No sign of any of the other boats and its a great pity that we couldn't even see the boys from the First Jindarra out to join us.
However they gave us a course four heading up to Martin - Weaver, all of this on a light easterly that moved around like a carousel. But what some of us hadn't allowed for was the pretty heavy outflow of the current/tide. Having to get around Weaver meant going a long way up into the moorings and then praying for enough breeze to keep us moving across the river to the mark. We had watched the prior fleet battle to get around so we knew that we were going to be pushing our luck.
So deep into the moorings we went and flipped over to head back to Weaver. Bill meanwhile had tacked a little early and pushed his luck and the boat to get to the mark before us. Which he did. But in the doing so, he managed to hit the mark. We let the jib go and then proceeded on the main alone, no we didn't tack, but it was a close thing and all the time Glen on Wynella was pushing along his boat closer. So around the mark and then headed off down the breeze with Wynella on our tail and Bill on Swiftsure Saga doing a lazy 360. We had the lead.
A bit of luck with the breeze had us down to Sampson first and then around with the chance to run free to Robins. Well, it was a pole, that didn't hold/then a broad reach then a held out jib and finally we made it to Robins. All the time the pair behind us surged, dallied and surged again. Around Robins and head off to Dolphin East with a slightly cracked headsail for speed. Away we went and it was then that our media man Premo caught up with us. Oh well. Life wasn't meant to be easy, smile and let him take his photos and take one in return. Bend around DE and then away to Como with the thought that Bill might try a separation to try to get the jump on us.
No he didn't, but it was going to be a near thing. So head for the line and keep an eye on the finish box. Yup, flags flying and there amongst the flutters was an S flag and the fleet flag. Just hit the line fast.
Over the line: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
On handicap: As above.
Well done to Aloha who went out on the first frostbite and last Wednesday, well it was a bit blowy and only 2 boats went out. But Wynella kept onto Swiftsure Saga's tail and took the win on handicap.
Another softie &
Another boat.
Well I guess I'm now officially a boat tart. I was offered a ride on Anna today and I took it gratefully. However with only three boats out today it was going to be a thought of who got to the front first and in our case got to stay there. We had Wynella with Glen driving (get better Jocelyn) and Bill with a new crew on board by the name of Nick. No sign of any of the other boats and its a great pity that we couldn't even see the boys from the First Jindarra out to join us.
However they gave us a course four heading up to Martin - Weaver, all of this on a light easterly that moved around like a carousel. But what some of us hadn't allowed for was the pretty heavy outflow of the current/tide. Having to get around Weaver meant going a long way up into the moorings and then praying for enough breeze to keep us moving across the river to the mark. We had watched the prior fleet battle to get around so we knew that we were going to be pushing our luck.
So deep into the moorings we went and flipped over to head back to Weaver. Bill meanwhile had tacked a little early and pushed his luck and the boat to get to the mark before us. Which he did. But in the doing so, he managed to hit the mark. We let the jib go and then proceeded on the main alone, no we didn't tack, but it was a close thing and all the time Glen on Wynella was pushing along his boat closer. So around the mark and then headed off down the breeze with Wynella on our tail and Bill on Swiftsure Saga doing a lazy 360. We had the lead.
A bit of luck with the breeze had us down to Sampson first and then around with the chance to run free to Robins. Well, it was a pole, that didn't hold/then a broad reach then a held out jib and finally we made it to Robins. All the time the pair behind us surged, dallied and surged again. Around Robins and head off to Dolphin East with a slightly cracked headsail for speed. Away we went and it was then that our media man Premo caught up with us. Oh well. Life wasn't meant to be easy, smile and let him take his photos and take one in return. Bend around DE and then away to Como with the thought that Bill might try a separation to try to get the jump on us.
No he didn't, but it was going to be a near thing. So head for the line and keep an eye on the finish box. Yup, flags flying and there amongst the flutters was an S flag and the fleet flag. Just hit the line fast.
Over the line: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
On handicap: As above.
Well done to Aloha who went out on the first frostbite and last Wednesday, well it was a bit blowy and only 2 boats went out. But Wynella kept onto Swiftsure Saga's tail and took the win on handicap.
Wednesday the 3rd of May
Farewell to Rita (Fiji awaits) &
Last boat on the river.
First of all, let me state my thanks to Ernie of Wynella who said quite clearly, no sailor sits on the edge of the river bank waiting for a ride. Come on board. Many thanks Ernie.
However we only had 4 boats out there and it was a crying shame that Mariner didn't go out with Phil at the helm. However that's the game and The First Jindarra joined the fray and gave us one more than the mandatory three. (John Wright was up for a hull clean and anti foul).
Considering that Wynella had done so well last week, I was expecting to see a repeat performance with some really great sailing. We hit the start line doing well and then just watched the other boats draw ahead. By the time we had hit Sampson, Corella was already 100 meters ahead and Swiftsure Saga bent around the mark like a banana.. he was going to be a hard boat to follow. So our joust was to be with the First Jindarra and Barry Skinner had commented that " Oh well, at least we will be 4th today". Not so Barry. It was our turn today.
A weak sou wester gave us the thought that we might have copped a course 4, but not today. A course one had us looking at setting up for a long day on the water. Out to Print, down to Addison and away to Robins. Oh dear.. We managed to sneak in front of the Jin at Print and that was it. She snuck ahead on the down wind and it was a terribly slow process from thereon. I looked across at Heathcote and not one but two boats were on the mud. Oh dear. I wonder who they were.
But onward and upward we went following the trail of the Jin as Swiftsure and Corella ran away on the light breeze. By this time they had a good lead and the Rita powered Corella was doing really well. Ok, cant be helped, just follow on. Around Robins and send ourselves down to Addison for the first time on a very light breeze. Just watching as we drew further away from the lead. Around the bottom went Corella, then Swiftsure Saga and finally the Jin. That left us to follow. Stone motherless. Back up to Robins again and looked across to Heathcote where one of the two boats was still extricating themselves from the bank. Oh dear.. it was Sky Walker. Shame on shame and so close to the club. Everyone saw it and the penalty was going to be a couple of jugs. No wonder Ian left Cliff to face the music. Oh well big shoulders I guess.
Up and around Robins and then to Como and the outer startline. The main thought was " will Lockie get to the finish line in time" ( ie before 1700 hrs). If not, then the class could be wiped. He did and we did. But we were 13 and a half minutes after Corella and the last boat on the river. Quite a solitary feeling, but it was still a nice day out. Beats sitting in front of a computer.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
On handicap: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
Farewell to Rita.. she flies out to spend some time in Fiji, half her luck and we will expect her back once the place warms up a little. We've lost the Cross's and the Lammonby pair, who else is disappearing?
Farewell to Rita (Fiji awaits) &
Last boat on the river.
First of all, let me state my thanks to Ernie of Wynella who said quite clearly, no sailor sits on the edge of the river bank waiting for a ride. Come on board. Many thanks Ernie.
However we only had 4 boats out there and it was a crying shame that Mariner didn't go out with Phil at the helm. However that's the game and The First Jindarra joined the fray and gave us one more than the mandatory three. (John Wright was up for a hull clean and anti foul).
Considering that Wynella had done so well last week, I was expecting to see a repeat performance with some really great sailing. We hit the start line doing well and then just watched the other boats draw ahead. By the time we had hit Sampson, Corella was already 100 meters ahead and Swiftsure Saga bent around the mark like a banana.. he was going to be a hard boat to follow. So our joust was to be with the First Jindarra and Barry Skinner had commented that " Oh well, at least we will be 4th today". Not so Barry. It was our turn today.
A weak sou wester gave us the thought that we might have copped a course 4, but not today. A course one had us looking at setting up for a long day on the water. Out to Print, down to Addison and away to Robins. Oh dear.. We managed to sneak in front of the Jin at Print and that was it. She snuck ahead on the down wind and it was a terribly slow process from thereon. I looked across at Heathcote and not one but two boats were on the mud. Oh dear. I wonder who they were.
But onward and upward we went following the trail of the Jin as Swiftsure and Corella ran away on the light breeze. By this time they had a good lead and the Rita powered Corella was doing really well. Ok, cant be helped, just follow on. Around Robins and send ourselves down to Addison for the first time on a very light breeze. Just watching as we drew further away from the lead. Around the bottom went Corella, then Swiftsure Saga and finally the Jin. That left us to follow. Stone motherless. Back up to Robins again and looked across to Heathcote where one of the two boats was still extricating themselves from the bank. Oh dear.. it was Sky Walker. Shame on shame and so close to the club. Everyone saw it and the penalty was going to be a couple of jugs. No wonder Ian left Cliff to face the music. Oh well big shoulders I guess.
Up and around Robins and then to Como and the outer startline. The main thought was " will Lockie get to the finish line in time" ( ie before 1700 hrs). If not, then the class could be wiped. He did and we did. But we were 13 and a half minutes after Corella and the last boat on the river. Quite a solitary feeling, but it was still a nice day out. Beats sitting in front of a computer.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
On handicap: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
Farewell to Rita.. she flies out to spend some time in Fiji, half her luck and we will expect her back once the place warms up a little. We've lost the Cross's and the Lammonby pair, who else is disappearing?
Wednesday the 26th of April
The beginning of the Winter season &
Taking the lead (& keeping it).
(My apologies for the lateness of the article, I was elsewhere)
Four boats on the day and it was going to be a brisk afternoon out on the water. We also had the half yearly AGM that night and there was a chance of showers as well.
Off to Martin - Weaver on a course one with a squall coming down the Canning river as we rode along the jetties toward the top mark. We were all brushing the rain out of our eyes as we soared through the gusts with the skipper keeping his eyes firmly locked on the mark and the tell-tales. We had enough height and around we went firmly in the lead and then worked to make our minds up as to a pole or not after rounding Weaver. Not yet was the decision, but behind us the brave were thinking about it.
Bill was riding two up and Eric was doing his usual job on the boat (Octopus sounds about right) and the thought of a pole on a run down the river just wasn't on as the southerly picked up briefly once we got past the Heathcote shadow. Then the turn at Sampson had us looking back at Wynella who was doing a wonderful job of holding second place and the skip had to make the decision. Play safe and keep our boat between Wynella and the next mark. Fortunately Glen sails predictably and we were able to keep a fair cover on them. So up and down from Print to Addison and then away to Robins on a fairly conventional path. Across to Heathcote and tack, then dip into the bay when possible. We didn't go in far enough the first time, but we had the boat going very well and sheer speed was the number for us. Tack into Robins while John Wright and Anna played footsies with Swiftsure Saga to see who was going to be fourth. Anna had four on the boat and that helps a lot.
Around Robins and then down to Addison with a gybe to keep the boat flowing. Repeat the performance with another blazing run up to Robins and it was on the run back to Como that we noticed that it was already past 1600 hrs.. May be the shortened course would be up?
Sure enough and we headed for the line as fast as we could, because the boat behind us was Wynella and their handicap was way lower than ours. We could still lose the race on handicap.
Over the line: Mariner, Wynella and Anna. ( Mariner lead on Wynella 4 mins and 31 secs)
On handicap: Mariner, Wynella and Anna. ( Mariner win by 45 seconds)
As to the next few months.. its going to be a bit ragged as the skipper is going on a 2 month sojourn in the north and Phil our main sheet / part time helm is disappearing to the Baltic states to go sailing with the de Vries. Hi Ho. Yes or no. If I get a ride well and good, if not - nothing to say.
Wednesday the 19th of April
End of the summer season &
Not the best start.
Congratulations to Swiftsure Saga. They have taken out the summer consistency and proved it with a really good sail today. Despite losing Big John to a prostate op on Tuesday and Graeme to bowls (I presume) He managed to swipe Mark to give him an hand and Eric the octopus was a helpful man indeed.
However a light winds course four and a sou easter doing a sou easterly thing with 5 H28's out on the water. The start was going to be the thing with only one chance to get to the lead. Either you did or you failed and we were lined up, going to the pin end on starboard and another boat tried to fit herself in. Just not a good idea and the boat was warned off but still kept coming, forcing us across the line early. So both of us had to go around to the other side of the start line again with the other boat having to expiate their sin by doing a 360 as well.
But we had lost a chance at the lead and were trailing the fleet. Not a good look. So metaphorically we girded our loins and took up the challenge. All this on a reaching course and a yes, no, maybe sort of breeze. Looking for gusts was the main item and when something came our way we celebrated with a dash down the breeze. Of course the reverse applied when someone else picked up a breeze. But after Sampson then to Robins with a fitful breeze, still in second last place while Lockie and Bill fought it out for the lead. John Wright was quite happy about that as it paid off for him. Closer to the lead.
Then the leg to Dolphin East and across to Como with everyone trying to get the jump on the others. Our skip took us into the south, closer to the breeze and we managed to cover all but Swiftsure Saga by the time we got to Como. A nice feeling and then we had a second lap given to us when RO Lynne decided not to exercise the shortened course. So a good chance to catch the boat in front. Around the outer start line and review the distance we had made up. Quite well thank you. A good look at the fleet behind us gave us hope that we might not be caught, but never ever discount Lockie. If he can he will.
So to King with a nice angle and a fair breeze, pretty much a close reach and it got us that bit closer to Bill. Look out Swiftsure Saga we're on our way and then a slightly slow tack with a rope under someone's foot and he took off. Down to Print with a yes and no pole and then flick it over to aim at Thelma via Como. Just chasing the breezes while watching Corella ( Lockie ) power down the breeze toward Como. Never, ever, underestimate the man. But we made it to Thelma ahead of David, still chasing Bill who by this time was heading for home. Over the line second and quite happy at the end of the day.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella
On handicap: The same.
Saturdays Racing and Wynella turned the tables on Swiftsure by a bit of luck and running a kite. Unfortunately Aloha managed to find a park on Heathcote bank and retired prematurely.
Karoleeya is under refurbishment and will be getting a coat of paint as I write. At the end of the day she needs a new owner.
End of the summer season &
Not the best start.
Congratulations to Swiftsure Saga. They have taken out the summer consistency and proved it with a really good sail today. Despite losing Big John to a prostate op on Tuesday and Graeme to bowls (I presume) He managed to swipe Mark to give him an hand and Eric the octopus was a helpful man indeed.
However a light winds course four and a sou easter doing a sou easterly thing with 5 H28's out on the water. The start was going to be the thing with only one chance to get to the lead. Either you did or you failed and we were lined up, going to the pin end on starboard and another boat tried to fit herself in. Just not a good idea and the boat was warned off but still kept coming, forcing us across the line early. So both of us had to go around to the other side of the start line again with the other boat having to expiate their sin by doing a 360 as well.
But we had lost a chance at the lead and were trailing the fleet. Not a good look. So metaphorically we girded our loins and took up the challenge. All this on a reaching course and a yes, no, maybe sort of breeze. Looking for gusts was the main item and when something came our way we celebrated with a dash down the breeze. Of course the reverse applied when someone else picked up a breeze. But after Sampson then to Robins with a fitful breeze, still in second last place while Lockie and Bill fought it out for the lead. John Wright was quite happy about that as it paid off for him. Closer to the lead.
Then the leg to Dolphin East and across to Como with everyone trying to get the jump on the others. Our skip took us into the south, closer to the breeze and we managed to cover all but Swiftsure Saga by the time we got to Como. A nice feeling and then we had a second lap given to us when RO Lynne decided not to exercise the shortened course. So a good chance to catch the boat in front. Around the outer start line and review the distance we had made up. Quite well thank you. A good look at the fleet behind us gave us hope that we might not be caught, but never ever discount Lockie. If he can he will.
So to King with a nice angle and a fair breeze, pretty much a close reach and it got us that bit closer to Bill. Look out Swiftsure Saga we're on our way and then a slightly slow tack with a rope under someone's foot and he took off. Down to Print with a yes and no pole and then flick it over to aim at Thelma via Como. Just chasing the breezes while watching Corella ( Lockie ) power down the breeze toward Como. Never, ever, underestimate the man. But we made it to Thelma ahead of David, still chasing Bill who by this time was heading for home. Over the line second and quite happy at the end of the day.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella
On handicap: The same.
Saturdays Racing and Wynella turned the tables on Swiftsure by a bit of luck and running a kite. Unfortunately Aloha managed to find a park on Heathcote bank and retired prematurely.
Karoleeya is under refurbishment and will be getting a coat of paint as I write. At the end of the day she needs a new owner.
Wednesday the 12th of April
Trying to improve our handicap &
A matter of luck.
We had half a dozen boats on the water today and we were in for a fine afternoon with a dead set westerly that flicked occasionally into the north and died. So a course two was handed out to us and we were sent off to enjoy ourselves on that giant leap up to Hallmark. All the boats hit the start line well and it was a good run to Sampson with odd chance that we might be quick enough to get the lead.
Well Lockie out-dragged everyone else and found himself in the lead and Mariner managed to shake off the pack and got around second. But found ourselves at the risk of being swamped by the boats who had followed on after us and were beginning to rise above us. Question was .. follow Lockie out to the north or tack off and get clear air. We tacked as soon as we could. Fortunately The First Jindarra decided to go as well and we both went toward Heathcote for a while. We tacked back after perhaps 100 meters and pointed toward Hallmark. Then tacked out further and came back again. Sure enough all these tacks were costing us and Wynella was on a blinder. Just quick enough and aiming in the right direction. All that and Bill was confounding the critics with a superb effort on a boat that normally needs 15 knots. He was gone and away from us as well.
A little dig in around Pelican point to line up to get to Hallmark had us miss it by a little, so two more tacks were required and then the run up to Armstrong had us preparing for the run to Como. It was already getting late and the chance was that we were going for a short course. The skipper was fairly philosophical about it. You cant win them all he said. Well he didn't taken his own advice and the run down the breeze from Armstrong was going to be a tester.
We went over to the South hoping for a touch of a sou wester and were rewarded by enough to keep us hoping. Poor old Lockie was stuck in the middle in the doldrums and watched as Bill on Swiftsure Saga made his way past them. Bill was sailing angles by the way and it was interesting to see him cover a lot of ground but it must have paid off as he had the lead. Wynella was also looking over her shoulder, back at Dave and they picked up a little something that got them going faster. Angles? no, just the right puff at the right time. By the time we had made Como, Bill was well away but Lockie was prepare to challenge Glen on the finish line and very nearly got him.. wily old fox.
Meanwhile we had the Jin on our backside and whatever happened, our goose was cooked. Just not fast enough. That might be just enough to adjust our handicap downward and Wynella's hopefully will be a little higher.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Corella
On handicap: Wynella, The First Jindarra and Swiftsure Saga.
No Saturday Sailing thanks to Easter.
Karoleeya is going up on the slips for a while and will make the move on Friday apparently. Hopefully some work on the hull will happen.
Alma is to have some work done on her uppers and trim by young Rupert. Keep an eye out for him.
Trying to improve our handicap &
A matter of luck.
We had half a dozen boats on the water today and we were in for a fine afternoon with a dead set westerly that flicked occasionally into the north and died. So a course two was handed out to us and we were sent off to enjoy ourselves on that giant leap up to Hallmark. All the boats hit the start line well and it was a good run to Sampson with odd chance that we might be quick enough to get the lead.
Well Lockie out-dragged everyone else and found himself in the lead and Mariner managed to shake off the pack and got around second. But found ourselves at the risk of being swamped by the boats who had followed on after us and were beginning to rise above us. Question was .. follow Lockie out to the north or tack off and get clear air. We tacked as soon as we could. Fortunately The First Jindarra decided to go as well and we both went toward Heathcote for a while. We tacked back after perhaps 100 meters and pointed toward Hallmark. Then tacked out further and came back again. Sure enough all these tacks were costing us and Wynella was on a blinder. Just quick enough and aiming in the right direction. All that and Bill was confounding the critics with a superb effort on a boat that normally needs 15 knots. He was gone and away from us as well.
A little dig in around Pelican point to line up to get to Hallmark had us miss it by a little, so two more tacks were required and then the run up to Armstrong had us preparing for the run to Como. It was already getting late and the chance was that we were going for a short course. The skipper was fairly philosophical about it. You cant win them all he said. Well he didn't taken his own advice and the run down the breeze from Armstrong was going to be a tester.
We went over to the South hoping for a touch of a sou wester and were rewarded by enough to keep us hoping. Poor old Lockie was stuck in the middle in the doldrums and watched as Bill on Swiftsure Saga made his way past them. Bill was sailing angles by the way and it was interesting to see him cover a lot of ground but it must have paid off as he had the lead. Wynella was also looking over her shoulder, back at Dave and they picked up a little something that got them going faster. Angles? no, just the right puff at the right time. By the time we had made Como, Bill was well away but Lockie was prepare to challenge Glen on the finish line and very nearly got him.. wily old fox.
Meanwhile we had the Jin on our backside and whatever happened, our goose was cooked. Just not fast enough. That might be just enough to adjust our handicap downward and Wynella's hopefully will be a little higher.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Corella
On handicap: Wynella, The First Jindarra and Swiftsure Saga.
No Saturday Sailing thanks to Easter.
Karoleeya is going up on the slips for a while and will make the move on Friday apparently. Hopefully some work on the hull will happen.
Alma is to have some work done on her uppers and trim by young Rupert. Keep an eye out for him.
Wednesday the 5th of April
Sailing on Wynella &
Staying in front of the First Jindarra.
At a bit of loss on Wednesday with the skipper hanging around in Augusta still and the alternative skipper sitting in the doctors waiting room. Ok, so go down to the club, sort out a few things and then stop on Herreshoff Hill for a bite of lunch. Bugger me, tapped on the shoulder 10 minutes later and find myself on Wynella for the afternoon. No problems. Bill Richards is setting up lazy jacks on Swiftsure Saga and I must admit its a pretty good idea if you want to just drop the sails and cover them up.
At the same time the S80's legends were building up for a good day on the water, so it was a case of being polite to all these strange RP people wandering around the place. By this time the breeze was beginning to flick up a bit and the crew decided to go for a one and a half rather than the number one. OK not my problem, I've got the main today. About 14 to 19 knots out of the Sou West on offer and the RO decided to sent us off up the Canning. Fine, its a course one anyway.
Ernie is driving the boat today with Russ and Andy running the trim and bow. Happy to let them do that. Sort out the main and there is a chance that they will be buying a new main shortly. My job was to try and get the boat going fast but we unfortunately blew the start and had to go around again. The boat just wont fit in between Corella and the box end pin. So tail end Charlie, but we were doing well enough and began to catch up with the first Jindarra and managed to get onto her tail. Around Sampson and up high so that we weren't being pushed down by the bad air of the rest of the fleet.
Yes we achieved it, but we were as slow as a wet week. Just not helpful. So making our way up to Print and we managed to get in front of Jindarra on the cross tacks and around the mark with the rest of the fleet getting away already. Around the mark and set sight for Robins. Into Heathcote, bounce out and then get a bit further up the river before diving into the bay ready to come out looking at Robins. Well we didn't go in far enough and struggled to make the mark. The Jin had gone in further and simply ran around us as we floundered.
I was cursing as we had the boat going pretty well and getting past the Jin again was going to be hard, so our run down to Addison was a chance to reflect on what had happened. Around the mark and a carbon copy performance but we weren't letting the Jin get away and stayed on their transom as well as we could. But this time we picked up the S80 legends on the way up to Robins and had a merry time finding a gap that we could slip through. And did so. Could we convince them to cover the Jin for us? No, but it was worth a thought on way down even if we nudged a pair of S80's over a little.
It was after 4 pm already and it was a fair chance they would have the flag up and so it was with the hooter going off for Lockie as he took fastest over the line. But not before we watched as Anna manged to throw one of their sheets over board after Como and the boat came to almost a complete stop. Well that's what we were told, but I saw the headsail flogging furiously. They came up ok, but lost considerable time fixing the problem. Maybe even losing a handicap win. But we managed to find the finish line and looked back to see the S80's flowing over the line after us.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Corella.
Saturday results:
The usual three set off for a sail and it wasn't the best day out as it was warm and with almost no breeze to talk of again. Swiftsure Saga F & F, Wynella 2nd and second. Aloha got bored and went home.
Sailing on Wynella &
Staying in front of the First Jindarra.
At a bit of loss on Wednesday with the skipper hanging around in Augusta still and the alternative skipper sitting in the doctors waiting room. Ok, so go down to the club, sort out a few things and then stop on Herreshoff Hill for a bite of lunch. Bugger me, tapped on the shoulder 10 minutes later and find myself on Wynella for the afternoon. No problems. Bill Richards is setting up lazy jacks on Swiftsure Saga and I must admit its a pretty good idea if you want to just drop the sails and cover them up.
At the same time the S80's legends were building up for a good day on the water, so it was a case of being polite to all these strange RP people wandering around the place. By this time the breeze was beginning to flick up a bit and the crew decided to go for a one and a half rather than the number one. OK not my problem, I've got the main today. About 14 to 19 knots out of the Sou West on offer and the RO decided to sent us off up the Canning. Fine, its a course one anyway.
Ernie is driving the boat today with Russ and Andy running the trim and bow. Happy to let them do that. Sort out the main and there is a chance that they will be buying a new main shortly. My job was to try and get the boat going fast but we unfortunately blew the start and had to go around again. The boat just wont fit in between Corella and the box end pin. So tail end Charlie, but we were doing well enough and began to catch up with the first Jindarra and managed to get onto her tail. Around Sampson and up high so that we weren't being pushed down by the bad air of the rest of the fleet.
Yes we achieved it, but we were as slow as a wet week. Just not helpful. So making our way up to Print and we managed to get in front of Jindarra on the cross tacks and around the mark with the rest of the fleet getting away already. Around the mark and set sight for Robins. Into Heathcote, bounce out and then get a bit further up the river before diving into the bay ready to come out looking at Robins. Well we didn't go in far enough and struggled to make the mark. The Jin had gone in further and simply ran around us as we floundered.
I was cursing as we had the boat going pretty well and getting past the Jin again was going to be hard, so our run down to Addison was a chance to reflect on what had happened. Around the mark and a carbon copy performance but we weren't letting the Jin get away and stayed on their transom as well as we could. But this time we picked up the S80 legends on the way up to Robins and had a merry time finding a gap that we could slip through. And did so. Could we convince them to cover the Jin for us? No, but it was worth a thought on way down even if we nudged a pair of S80's over a little.
It was after 4 pm already and it was a fair chance they would have the flag up and so it was with the hooter going off for Lockie as he took fastest over the line. But not before we watched as Anna manged to throw one of their sheets over board after Como and the boat came to almost a complete stop. Well that's what we were told, but I saw the headsail flogging furiously. They came up ok, but lost considerable time fixing the problem. Maybe even losing a handicap win. But we managed to find the finish line and looked back to see the S80's flowing over the line after us.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Corella.
Saturday results:
The usual three set off for a sail and it wasn't the best day out as it was warm and with almost no breeze to talk of again. Swiftsure Saga F & F, Wynella 2nd and second. Aloha got bored and went home.
Wednesday the 29th of March 2023
Working on our handicap. &
Rupert gets a lift out of the pens.
Lockie was missing today. He and Debs were celebrating a couple of occasions and are in one of the big hotels in the city, having a wonderful moment or two. It would have great to see Rita down at the club giving young Rupert a hard time, but other things were happening apparently.
Rupert had Ernie join him on the boat for the afternoon and we were entertained by Bill taking him out with his electric motor. Goes well in forward, but doesn't do much in reverse. Enjoy the video.
Half a dozen was still a good number and a course two was offered on a shifty easterly of 12 to 18 knots. With a Martin Weaver start as well. The start line was predictably interesting, but we got away with a fair start and galloped up the line to Martin with the knowledge that we would have to run past the mark and go a bit deeper to get the angle. But we were still in trouble and were pinching to make Weaver. Eventually ran out of strife by letting the headsail flog as we approached the mark and had the main hiked up to give us some lift.
Around we went and then aimed at Sampson and it was a case of running our luck across the shallows near the scout hall. We made it. Straight line sailing is mandatory when you are trying to stay in front. To Sampson where we had Swiftsure Saga breathing on our transom and then an entertaining run to Hallmark with a number of Royal Perth boats crossing us or providing wind shadows. But Swiftsure had managed to roll us and we found ourselves battling to get to past him. We were both on port and poled out so the skipper had the main flipped over and then asked Swiftsure to stay clear. To Hallmark and then off to Armstrong where there was a small battle with Swiftsure trying to stay inside our transom, but we broke the overlap with more than 3 boat lengths and got around Armstrong where the next problem presented.
You can lose the race on this leg. You need to get across to the other side and then run down the breeze to Como. There is a a bit of pain involved and we were going to knock all the way. In fact the skipper was sure we were out of phase and was cursing, but we were still staying ahead. Somehow. Rupert on Georgina knew that he had lost his way on the run down the river as he too was out of phase. To Como and around we went with the observations that we weren't going to get a short course today. We made the outer-startline by 1600 hrs so away we went around again.
This time it was a dash off to Dolphin East after Sampson and it was a reach with a pole set in case. Sure enough, out went the pole and away we went, down the breeze again. Stow the pole, go around the mark and try to improve our lead, but as happens, the breeze shifts again and the fleet catches up with us again. Can't win them all can you? So work hard and find Print and aim to get to Como before anyone else, watching as a huge lift picks up the boats behind us. But we were still in front. All we were going to get was FOL, our handicap precludes anything else.
Making Thelma was the next task and from there it was a run to the line trying to build up the time difference so that we weren't stone motherless last on handicap. (March has been very expensive to us handicap wise. We started at .5345 and raced today with .5467, ouch.)
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
Saturday Sailing:
Sailing on a non existent breeze on a shortened course 3, only one boat made it to the line and Swiftsure Saga got there just in time. The other two boats Aloha and Wynella timed out.
Working on our handicap. &
Rupert gets a lift out of the pens.
Lockie was missing today. He and Debs were celebrating a couple of occasions and are in one of the big hotels in the city, having a wonderful moment or two. It would have great to see Rita down at the club giving young Rupert a hard time, but other things were happening apparently.
Rupert had Ernie join him on the boat for the afternoon and we were entertained by Bill taking him out with his electric motor. Goes well in forward, but doesn't do much in reverse. Enjoy the video.
Half a dozen was still a good number and a course two was offered on a shifty easterly of 12 to 18 knots. With a Martin Weaver start as well. The start line was predictably interesting, but we got away with a fair start and galloped up the line to Martin with the knowledge that we would have to run past the mark and go a bit deeper to get the angle. But we were still in trouble and were pinching to make Weaver. Eventually ran out of strife by letting the headsail flog as we approached the mark and had the main hiked up to give us some lift.
Around we went and then aimed at Sampson and it was a case of running our luck across the shallows near the scout hall. We made it. Straight line sailing is mandatory when you are trying to stay in front. To Sampson where we had Swiftsure Saga breathing on our transom and then an entertaining run to Hallmark with a number of Royal Perth boats crossing us or providing wind shadows. But Swiftsure had managed to roll us and we found ourselves battling to get to past him. We were both on port and poled out so the skipper had the main flipped over and then asked Swiftsure to stay clear. To Hallmark and then off to Armstrong where there was a small battle with Swiftsure trying to stay inside our transom, but we broke the overlap with more than 3 boat lengths and got around Armstrong where the next problem presented.
You can lose the race on this leg. You need to get across to the other side and then run down the breeze to Como. There is a a bit of pain involved and we were going to knock all the way. In fact the skipper was sure we were out of phase and was cursing, but we were still staying ahead. Somehow. Rupert on Georgina knew that he had lost his way on the run down the river as he too was out of phase. To Como and around we went with the observations that we weren't going to get a short course today. We made the outer-startline by 1600 hrs so away we went around again.
This time it was a dash off to Dolphin East after Sampson and it was a reach with a pole set in case. Sure enough, out went the pole and away we went, down the breeze again. Stow the pole, go around the mark and try to improve our lead, but as happens, the breeze shifts again and the fleet catches up with us again. Can't win them all can you? So work hard and find Print and aim to get to Como before anyone else, watching as a huge lift picks up the boats behind us. But we were still in front. All we were going to get was FOL, our handicap precludes anything else.
Making Thelma was the next task and from there it was a run to the line trying to build up the time difference so that we weren't stone motherless last on handicap. (March has been very expensive to us handicap wise. We started at .5345 and raced today with .5467, ouch.)
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
Saturday Sailing:
Sailing on a non existent breeze on a shortened course 3, only one boat made it to the line and Swiftsure Saga got there just in time. The other two boats Aloha and Wynella timed out.
Wednesday the 22nd of March 2023
Bedlam at Robins &
A return to the middle of the pack.
A nice start to the day with Graeme bringing down his model yacht and doing some lazy circles in the pond. A very nice way to start the day actually and it kept us all amused during that period before sailing.
Seven boats took off today on a west sou wester and for once we were sent up to Martin-Weaver. The battle royal commenced with Glen on Wynella attempting to make room for himself at the box end of the line and being told very firmly that there was no room for him. Its actually called barging and is frowned upon everywhere.
However he refrained from pushing his luck and circled back for another go at the line. Once again the dash to the top mark was punctuated by some rapid adjustments on the jib and main as we worked our way up along the pens and up to the mark.. pretty easy by the way, as we had a fair bit of westerly in the breeze. Then bend around Martin and set ourselves for Weaver with the horde charging along behind us.
The question was set a pole or not so we put one up on the off chance and didn't use it and watched as those behind us covered our move by setting similar poles and again not using them. The gusts were surging down the river and the skipper was listening to Swiftsure Saga thumping along, not far away. They are very quick on a beam reach and holding them at bay meant that rounding Sampson would need us going high to stop Swiftsure Saga from getting above us. So up we went and the fleet slowly peeled off to get away from the bad air we were throwing back at them.
To Print and then to Addison and our need was to keep John Wright on Anna from rolling us as he had made a smart move at Print and was getting close. But we were heading down to Addison by now under a pole and it was a case of getting the pole away and making the corner. Lockie had done a fine job of getting in front of Swiftsure Saga thanks to that run up to Print and the boys on the Jin were fairly close by as well. Then away to Robins for the first time and go across to Heathcote knocking all the way or go up the middle as two others had done.
Tack and aim toward Robins. John Wright was doing well as was David Locke and even Bill Richards was doing well enough on the run up the Robins. It was a tight race and approaching Robins there was the chance of John Wright getting onto us. Tack and aim for the mark with JW bearing down and preparing to tack. But he couldn't complete his tack to force us away from the mark and had to bear off himself. Fun and games for all. As we disappeared toward Addison again, we looked back and not one, but two boats were doing 360's behind us. More trouble at the mark? Dear me what did we leave behind us?
Swiftsure Saga had made it through unscathed and was now chasing us while Rupert and Georgina was battling with Glen and Wynella. A good tussle was underway as Rupert was holding off Glen nicely. Our job was to make it down to Addison again and then back up to Robins. This time we were more confident with the sou wester and took that big dip into Waylen Bay to bounce out with renewed speed. Surprisingly we noted with the changes in the rig that had happened, the speed of the boat in the relatively flat water was improved and figures in the high 5's were there to enjoy.
Made it to Robins pretty clear of the pack and the penny dropped. It was already after 4 pm and if the starters were to show consistency, they would hang out the shortened course flag. So aim at Como and try to get there as fast as we could. We weren't going to win on handicap, but where we lay overall would count. So a pole that was gybed about to give us hotter angles was in play and we watched as C fleet pulled up on the line. Sure enough they had a short course, so go for the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella
On handicap: The First Jindarra, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
Saturday racing and the usual three were out on an enjoyable 12knot west sou wester. And the usual results. Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Aloha. (both over the line and handicap)
Bedlam at Robins &
A return to the middle of the pack.
A nice start to the day with Graeme bringing down his model yacht and doing some lazy circles in the pond. A very nice way to start the day actually and it kept us all amused during that period before sailing.
Seven boats took off today on a west sou wester and for once we were sent up to Martin-Weaver. The battle royal commenced with Glen on Wynella attempting to make room for himself at the box end of the line and being told very firmly that there was no room for him. Its actually called barging and is frowned upon everywhere.
However he refrained from pushing his luck and circled back for another go at the line. Once again the dash to the top mark was punctuated by some rapid adjustments on the jib and main as we worked our way up along the pens and up to the mark.. pretty easy by the way, as we had a fair bit of westerly in the breeze. Then bend around Martin and set ourselves for Weaver with the horde charging along behind us.
The question was set a pole or not so we put one up on the off chance and didn't use it and watched as those behind us covered our move by setting similar poles and again not using them. The gusts were surging down the river and the skipper was listening to Swiftsure Saga thumping along, not far away. They are very quick on a beam reach and holding them at bay meant that rounding Sampson would need us going high to stop Swiftsure Saga from getting above us. So up we went and the fleet slowly peeled off to get away from the bad air we were throwing back at them.
To Print and then to Addison and our need was to keep John Wright on Anna from rolling us as he had made a smart move at Print and was getting close. But we were heading down to Addison by now under a pole and it was a case of getting the pole away and making the corner. Lockie had done a fine job of getting in front of Swiftsure Saga thanks to that run up to Print and the boys on the Jin were fairly close by as well. Then away to Robins for the first time and go across to Heathcote knocking all the way or go up the middle as two others had done.
Tack and aim toward Robins. John Wright was doing well as was David Locke and even Bill Richards was doing well enough on the run up the Robins. It was a tight race and approaching Robins there was the chance of John Wright getting onto us. Tack and aim for the mark with JW bearing down and preparing to tack. But he couldn't complete his tack to force us away from the mark and had to bear off himself. Fun and games for all. As we disappeared toward Addison again, we looked back and not one, but two boats were doing 360's behind us. More trouble at the mark? Dear me what did we leave behind us?
Swiftsure Saga had made it through unscathed and was now chasing us while Rupert and Georgina was battling with Glen and Wynella. A good tussle was underway as Rupert was holding off Glen nicely. Our job was to make it down to Addison again and then back up to Robins. This time we were more confident with the sou wester and took that big dip into Waylen Bay to bounce out with renewed speed. Surprisingly we noted with the changes in the rig that had happened, the speed of the boat in the relatively flat water was improved and figures in the high 5's were there to enjoy.
Made it to Robins pretty clear of the pack and the penny dropped. It was already after 4 pm and if the starters were to show consistency, they would hang out the shortened course flag. So aim at Como and try to get there as fast as we could. We weren't going to win on handicap, but where we lay overall would count. So a pole that was gybed about to give us hotter angles was in play and we watched as C fleet pulled up on the line. Sure enough they had a short course, so go for the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella
On handicap: The First Jindarra, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
Saturday racing and the usual three were out on an enjoyable 12knot west sou wester. And the usual results. Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Aloha. (both over the line and handicap)
Wednesday the 15th of March 2023
Sailing the angles!
Another shortened course.
With Brian and Phil away on the F15 circuit down at Freo, the offer of a ride on Swiftsure Saga was welcome. There were caveats of course but neither of the Marks ( Holland or Whimhurst) arrived and John P. is still in the east. So there was room.
Cliff Lawrence and Ian Stewart had loaned the club their Foundation 36 R2D2 to allow the girls of the state keelboat team a chance to go for a yacht. Many thanks to them for their generosity and I managed to get a photo of the girls before they left.... then got bailed up by Ian and Cliff to do a photo of them as well.
Of course chasing Lockie was on the cards as while the breeze was good to start it was going to drop out as most of the days have done so far. We had 6 boats on the water and it was a fine sight to see a course one fluttering from the hoist. Hitting the start line was the other problem and without a GPS on the boat it was hard to know how fast we were going, so we were working on the principle that if we were being overtaken we weren't going fast enough. No matter, we could sort it out somehow.
On our way to Sampson and we had a good flow down the river with Lockie and Corella in the lead (but not by much) and the rest of the fleet lining up behind us to hit the mark. Around we went and then start looking for Print. There was a fair bit of westerly influence and we were going to have to tack to make the mark.. as was Lockie while others had gone across earlier with the hope of making the mark on one dig. Corella tacked early and began to drop down, we held for another 30 and then went.. sure we were closer to the mark, but still behind Lockie. " At least we'll know which side to put the pole on," Bill said.
But we were close and the run to Addison was reasonably swift.
Around we went and then off to Robins, pretty much straight up the line and we had observed some div three boats who had gone out to the right to take advantage of the westerly. Should we go there? Too late just follow Lockie. And so we did.. chasing him all the way to Robins with that dip in and out of Waylen Bay just to see if there was any influence to help us. Not much really and behind us the field was sorting themselves out. John Wright had his boat flowing very well and despite Craig not being available was holding his own well. Rupert was two up and despite a very showy sail out, was going to be pressed as he hit the start line stone motherless last and had to catch up all afternoon.
So, around Robins and down to Addison and we began to sail the angles to try and make up speed as Lockie was finding ways to get a bit further ahead. But despite our attempts to get close, we somehow threw the brakes on at Addison with Lockie just leaping out of the blocks and disappearing away from us. Were we over strapped? Was there a problem with the angle of the jib sheets? Adjust and try to catch up.. Into Waylen Bay again and out to Robins with slightly different angles as the breeze had dropped and swung a little into to the south. Around the top mark again and we really began to sail the angles with gybes every so often and it was clear that Lockie was in the same mode...just 180 degrees out of sync with us. He was on port-we were on starboard and so on down to Como.
It was after 4 pm by now and sure enough a shortened course flag was flying.. Pack up. park the boat and head into the bar.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Corella.
Wynella was only a second off taking 4th by the way.. missed by a second.
Saturday was a non consistency race, but four boats went out anyway. Well done Wynella, Aloha, Swiftsure Saga and Georgina.
Over the line: SSS, Georgina, Wynella and Aloha.
Wednesday the 8th of March 2023
Its all about Kate vs two Geoffs
Poor Bill.
We've got a Kate.
We gave Kate Lammonby the helm last week and she took the boat to the line and this time she was on trim and Brian ran the helm and we still took the lead. Mind you, good choice of pressure was tantamount and perhaps a bit of luck was involved as well.
Seven boats graced the water today on a course three (rather hard to see the flag actually) and it was another of those easterlies that was going to drive us silly. Just before we started, it had swung into the south and then as we worked our way up to Sampson we again we faced with the choice.... over to the freeway or as Wynella, Georgina and Swiftsure Saga did, they found a separate stream of pressure in the middle of nowhere and charged their way down to the mark. We weren't doing too badly either but a mid fleet start had us working hard to get to the fore of the fleet. Our best chance was to go around the outside of the fleet at the mark, but the skipper found a gap and dived in, with Wynella doing the same and getting inside us. Bother, more work to do on the dash over to King and then the run up to Robins.
Around King reasonably well and then another reach down to Robins with a steady stream of boats following us..but hang on, Glen took Wynella further up into the bay and immediately lost the lead. Bother, we're in front again and looking back, so long as we had a reaching breeze we could maintain it. We had The First Jindarra and Corella on our tail and they were side by side for a while with Lockie slowly drawing ahead. Rupert was doing well with the grey sails on, but a warning Rupert.. one of those seams is going. And the breeze was dropping, it was a case of loading the lee side up to keep the heel on the boat and the boat flowing forward. Around Robins and aim at Print with a leg to Foam shortly afterwards. Yes I was busy and no chance to take photo's.
As we came around Print and aimed at Foam before the reach up to Robins again, we could see the Royal Perth fleet making their way down to Foam with a bunch of Foundo's mixed into the fleet. Those big blocks of flats were going to cause grief everywhere if they ran past you. Well we got past Foam and so did Corella, but it got messy after that. Reports came back that some of the fleet were held up and poor Bill and the boys on Swiftsure Saga. Last seen in irons and held back from the mark by a parade of Foundations. Not a nice feeling and Swiftsure Saga was relegated to the tail of the fleet with the Jin suffering a similar fate and eventually dropping back further.
So to the front again and rounding Robins the chance of the track being shortened again was brought up.. well its nearly 1600 hrs was the comment and the pressure is dropping.. So charge on down the breeze with the boat moving very well. The next thought was what was Corella going to do as he was still on our tail and if anyone could catch us, he could. Make Como and head for the outer start line with a 'perhaps' in the air. Look at the box and sure enough something was waving and a quick photo of the flags and a zoom in told us it was the H28 fleet shortened up. Aim for the line.
Lockie had gone for the kill, taking the boat further up into the breeze and hoping to come down the breeze quickly. But the hoped for lift in the breeze didn't happen and it probably gave us another 10 to 15 seconds lead, but he's done it before and still could do it if our pressure died.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella, and Georgina
On handicap: As above.
Summary: A very testing day. Picking the breeze and staying free of other boats that may give you grief.
Oh and having Kate on board.
Its all about Kate vs two Geoffs
Poor Bill.
We've got a Kate.
We gave Kate Lammonby the helm last week and she took the boat to the line and this time she was on trim and Brian ran the helm and we still took the lead. Mind you, good choice of pressure was tantamount and perhaps a bit of luck was involved as well.
Seven boats graced the water today on a course three (rather hard to see the flag actually) and it was another of those easterlies that was going to drive us silly. Just before we started, it had swung into the south and then as we worked our way up to Sampson we again we faced with the choice.... over to the freeway or as Wynella, Georgina and Swiftsure Saga did, they found a separate stream of pressure in the middle of nowhere and charged their way down to the mark. We weren't doing too badly either but a mid fleet start had us working hard to get to the fore of the fleet. Our best chance was to go around the outside of the fleet at the mark, but the skipper found a gap and dived in, with Wynella doing the same and getting inside us. Bother, more work to do on the dash over to King and then the run up to Robins.
Around King reasonably well and then another reach down to Robins with a steady stream of boats following us..but hang on, Glen took Wynella further up into the bay and immediately lost the lead. Bother, we're in front again and looking back, so long as we had a reaching breeze we could maintain it. We had The First Jindarra and Corella on our tail and they were side by side for a while with Lockie slowly drawing ahead. Rupert was doing well with the grey sails on, but a warning Rupert.. one of those seams is going. And the breeze was dropping, it was a case of loading the lee side up to keep the heel on the boat and the boat flowing forward. Around Robins and aim at Print with a leg to Foam shortly afterwards. Yes I was busy and no chance to take photo's.
As we came around Print and aimed at Foam before the reach up to Robins again, we could see the Royal Perth fleet making their way down to Foam with a bunch of Foundo's mixed into the fleet. Those big blocks of flats were going to cause grief everywhere if they ran past you. Well we got past Foam and so did Corella, but it got messy after that. Reports came back that some of the fleet were held up and poor Bill and the boys on Swiftsure Saga. Last seen in irons and held back from the mark by a parade of Foundations. Not a nice feeling and Swiftsure Saga was relegated to the tail of the fleet with the Jin suffering a similar fate and eventually dropping back further.
So to the front again and rounding Robins the chance of the track being shortened again was brought up.. well its nearly 1600 hrs was the comment and the pressure is dropping.. So charge on down the breeze with the boat moving very well. The next thought was what was Corella going to do as he was still on our tail and if anyone could catch us, he could. Make Como and head for the outer start line with a 'perhaps' in the air. Look at the box and sure enough something was waving and a quick photo of the flags and a zoom in told us it was the H28 fleet shortened up. Aim for the line.
Lockie had gone for the kill, taking the boat further up into the breeze and hoping to come down the breeze quickly. But the hoped for lift in the breeze didn't happen and it probably gave us another 10 to 15 seconds lead, but he's done it before and still could do it if our pressure died.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella, and Georgina
On handicap: As above.
Summary: A very testing day. Picking the breeze and staying free of other boats that may give you grief.
Oh and having Kate on board.
Wednesday the 1st of March 2023 The 60th Anniversary Edition
In the lap of the gods &
A farewell to Nancy Bourne.
A great turn up for the 60th Celebration.
We had 12 H28s out on the water today, one for every five years of our fleets existence at SoPYC.
Would have been even better if one or two others had been able to join the fleet, but with the welcome addition of Manta and Geoff Barr from Fremantle, Bella from Freshie ( T. Hamilton) and Tehana (B. Yeo) now from East Freo, the dozen boats had the Commodore ringing the bell with a grand total of 39 boats on the river today. Co-incidentally it was also a chance for the club to remember centenarian Nancy Bourne (wife to Don Bourne of Wynella fame, who died recently and to ask Len Randell up to celebrate his 97 birthday with a cake and candles provided by Amanda Watson ( well done that girl)
It was not the most likely of days. A stinking easterly that swung into the nor east and fluctuated in pressure, well not fluctuated - simply came through in patches.
A busy div one start line had the breeze shifting and the starters recalled them, so we essentially had to make guesses on what the breeze would do as we didn't have the Div. one boats down the course to show us.
Div. two got away and by the time we were down to the last minute, we were looking at their transoms from about 5 metres. So hit the line and start looking for pressure. We had a polyglot crew with Kate Lammonby on the helm, Phil L on the main, a couple of blow ins in the cockpit (Wayne Hudson and Mark Whimhurst) and your scribe taking the foredeck. ( where was the skipper you ask? On Rottnest doing some serious relaxation with bro in law Ron)
We didn't need them anyway as we got away fairly well, and found ourselves being chased by Rupert on Georgina and chasing David Locke on Corella. The smart money went down to the freeway and picked up the light breeze coming off the land. Bad luck for anyone who had gone out to the west, but the punishing knock as you crossed the canning outflow was worth it as Georgina proved.. Coming down with good speed at us as we double tacked after Corella to get around Sampson. But were we lucky? Probably.. as the spread of boats behind us was growing already.
Then to pole or not to pole as we made our way to Robins. It was a course four and probably shortened as the lightness of the pressure had us searching for every catspaw on the river. We had watched the other side of the river and there were hints already that there was something out of the west. But first we had to get to Robins and get past Lockie if possible. Discussions on the pressure available had us easing past Lockie about 2/3rds of the way up the track to Robins and from then on, it was stay ahead of both he and Rupert.
Around Robins we went and the next question arrived. We were on our way to Dolphin East with a light but consistent breeze.. do we go further to pick up the breeze we could see developing? Or tack at the mark. Well we knocked on the way to DE and as soon as we had a ley line then rolled over. Why? Because the breeze was in and all we had to do run with it. Keep David at bay and hope that the back markers didn't get too close. About then the radio crackled " Shortened course, all fleets". Right that's sorted .. a race to the line. So we cracked on the speed as best we could.
On the final leg we were behind " Take Cover" and of course his usual habit kicked in.. take them up at all costs. We probably lost 15 - 20 seconds thanks to his idiosyncrasies, but we got to the line and got the horn. Fastest over the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Georgina.
On handicap: Aloha, Mariner and Georgina.
Aloha got the win by 11 seconds, well sailed Andrew with his helm Steve.
Afterwards, we went upstairs for the 60th Year Celebration with a large number of people from former times and it was good to be able catch up with them . I was asked to give a report on the Aust Wooden Boat Festival 2023 and that was duly done. Ernie Little as chairman did a great show of keeping the mob entertained and had a number of people pop up to speak on various topics. All in all a very good evening with old friends and sailing mates given the chance to tell tall tales to each other.. again.
If you would like to see what the AWBF was presenting, Roscoe was kind enough to pass on this precis on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLyUr0fwjKQ
In the lap of the gods &
A farewell to Nancy Bourne.
A great turn up for the 60th Celebration.
We had 12 H28s out on the water today, one for every five years of our fleets existence at SoPYC.
Would have been even better if one or two others had been able to join the fleet, but with the welcome addition of Manta and Geoff Barr from Fremantle, Bella from Freshie ( T. Hamilton) and Tehana (B. Yeo) now from East Freo, the dozen boats had the Commodore ringing the bell with a grand total of 39 boats on the river today. Co-incidentally it was also a chance for the club to remember centenarian Nancy Bourne (wife to Don Bourne of Wynella fame, who died recently and to ask Len Randell up to celebrate his 97 birthday with a cake and candles provided by Amanda Watson ( well done that girl)
It was not the most likely of days. A stinking easterly that swung into the nor east and fluctuated in pressure, well not fluctuated - simply came through in patches.
A busy div one start line had the breeze shifting and the starters recalled them, so we essentially had to make guesses on what the breeze would do as we didn't have the Div. one boats down the course to show us.
Div. two got away and by the time we were down to the last minute, we were looking at their transoms from about 5 metres. So hit the line and start looking for pressure. We had a polyglot crew with Kate Lammonby on the helm, Phil L on the main, a couple of blow ins in the cockpit (Wayne Hudson and Mark Whimhurst) and your scribe taking the foredeck. ( where was the skipper you ask? On Rottnest doing some serious relaxation with bro in law Ron)
We didn't need them anyway as we got away fairly well, and found ourselves being chased by Rupert on Georgina and chasing David Locke on Corella. The smart money went down to the freeway and picked up the light breeze coming off the land. Bad luck for anyone who had gone out to the west, but the punishing knock as you crossed the canning outflow was worth it as Georgina proved.. Coming down with good speed at us as we double tacked after Corella to get around Sampson. But were we lucky? Probably.. as the spread of boats behind us was growing already.
Then to pole or not to pole as we made our way to Robins. It was a course four and probably shortened as the lightness of the pressure had us searching for every catspaw on the river. We had watched the other side of the river and there were hints already that there was something out of the west. But first we had to get to Robins and get past Lockie if possible. Discussions on the pressure available had us easing past Lockie about 2/3rds of the way up the track to Robins and from then on, it was stay ahead of both he and Rupert.
Around Robins we went and the next question arrived. We were on our way to Dolphin East with a light but consistent breeze.. do we go further to pick up the breeze we could see developing? Or tack at the mark. Well we knocked on the way to DE and as soon as we had a ley line then rolled over. Why? Because the breeze was in and all we had to do run with it. Keep David at bay and hope that the back markers didn't get too close. About then the radio crackled " Shortened course, all fleets". Right that's sorted .. a race to the line. So we cracked on the speed as best we could.
On the final leg we were behind " Take Cover" and of course his usual habit kicked in.. take them up at all costs. We probably lost 15 - 20 seconds thanks to his idiosyncrasies, but we got to the line and got the horn. Fastest over the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Georgina.
On handicap: Aloha, Mariner and Georgina.
Aloha got the win by 11 seconds, well sailed Andrew with his helm Steve.
Afterwards, we went upstairs for the 60th Year Celebration with a large number of people from former times and it was good to be able catch up with them . I was asked to give a report on the Aust Wooden Boat Festival 2023 and that was duly done. Ernie Little as chairman did a great show of keeping the mob entertained and had a number of people pop up to speak on various topics. All in all a very good evening with old friends and sailing mates given the chance to tell tall tales to each other.. again.
If you would like to see what the AWBF was presenting, Roscoe was kind enough to pass on this precis on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLyUr0fwjKQ
Wednesday the 22nd of February 2023
Just a lousy second.
Nerrima hits the water and retires &
A little mast rake.
So much to talk about and too little time to do it in. A decent seabreeze and a number two on the front. 4 on the boat with Kate and Phil making it a decent start for Mariner. Nerrima had made a decision to join the fleet and the boat was stocked up with the faithful: Gina, Crowbar, David and Mark. It was going to be a good day on the water for them, but the boat hadn't been sailed for a while and the planks were opening up.. an ominous sign . More later.
A course one was on offer with a dash up to Martin - Weaver to start and it was clear from having watched the first two fleets away, running the jetties was the way to go. So we were lurking on the line while four boats had gone up the channel to build a decent start up. Surprise.. we aimed at the line and were first away.
But before we started, Nerrima made her way to the line and promptly retired with the stuffing box leaking copiously Oh and they managed to break the outhaul as well. The rope snapped and as a result the sail was taken off and the boom was taken off for restringing.
So off we went to Martin with a decent head start and shot off around the mark and down to Weaver in a hurry. A gybe and a pole to begin with, but it was held as we had the breeze on the beam. So continue on past the outer startline and stow the pole. Not required. All the way down to Sampson and then the shuffle between Print and Addison with a good pole required to starboard. We had good pace and at this stage Bill on SSS was doing very well with good height to Print and Lockie stuck in our bad air. A tack to the mark and around we went.
Down to Addison with that pole and then away to Robins. The classic work across the river into Heathcote and then up a little before diving into Frenchie's and the bend up to Robins. Well we were ok, but Dave Locke had gone out to run up the middle. Fair enough lets see what happens. Well darn it we still had SSS and Anna on our tails and Lockie had dropped back. So around the mark and down to Addison.
Repeat performance, back to Addison with a pole and around at the bottom with Lockie choosing to go up the centre again. This time it worked for him. Wonderful; we had the fox after us again. So knuckle down, get around Robins and aim at Como, but this time we had a fair bit of interference from the RP fleet as they swarmed around the bottom of the river before disappearing over to their finish line. Duck, weave and dodge. But Lockie wasn't getting any closer and we had fair speed. Maybe the alteration in the mast rake was working in our favour. We had speed and good height.
Look across on the way to Como and guess what.. flags on the box. We had a shortened course.
Bolt for the line and make it well in front of Lockie. A nice feeling.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella & Swiftsure Saga
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga & Corella ( SSS got the second place by one second to Corella0
One lousy second.
Just a lousy second.
Nerrima hits the water and retires &
A little mast rake.
So much to talk about and too little time to do it in. A decent seabreeze and a number two on the front. 4 on the boat with Kate and Phil making it a decent start for Mariner. Nerrima had made a decision to join the fleet and the boat was stocked up with the faithful: Gina, Crowbar, David and Mark. It was going to be a good day on the water for them, but the boat hadn't been sailed for a while and the planks were opening up.. an ominous sign . More later.
A course one was on offer with a dash up to Martin - Weaver to start and it was clear from having watched the first two fleets away, running the jetties was the way to go. So we were lurking on the line while four boats had gone up the channel to build a decent start up. Surprise.. we aimed at the line and were first away.
But before we started, Nerrima made her way to the line and promptly retired with the stuffing box leaking copiously Oh and they managed to break the outhaul as well. The rope snapped and as a result the sail was taken off and the boom was taken off for restringing.
So off we went to Martin with a decent head start and shot off around the mark and down to Weaver in a hurry. A gybe and a pole to begin with, but it was held as we had the breeze on the beam. So continue on past the outer startline and stow the pole. Not required. All the way down to Sampson and then the shuffle between Print and Addison with a good pole required to starboard. We had good pace and at this stage Bill on SSS was doing very well with good height to Print and Lockie stuck in our bad air. A tack to the mark and around we went.
Down to Addison with that pole and then away to Robins. The classic work across the river into Heathcote and then up a little before diving into Frenchie's and the bend up to Robins. Well we were ok, but Dave Locke had gone out to run up the middle. Fair enough lets see what happens. Well darn it we still had SSS and Anna on our tails and Lockie had dropped back. So around the mark and down to Addison.
Repeat performance, back to Addison with a pole and around at the bottom with Lockie choosing to go up the centre again. This time it worked for him. Wonderful; we had the fox after us again. So knuckle down, get around Robins and aim at Como, but this time we had a fair bit of interference from the RP fleet as they swarmed around the bottom of the river before disappearing over to their finish line. Duck, weave and dodge. But Lockie wasn't getting any closer and we had fair speed. Maybe the alteration in the mast rake was working in our favour. We had speed and good height.
Look across on the way to Como and guess what.. flags on the box. We had a shortened course.
Bolt for the line and make it well in front of Lockie. A nice feeling.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella & Swiftsure Saga
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga & Corella ( SSS got the second place by one second to Corella0
One lousy second.
Wednesday the 15th of February 2023
The shade on Herreshoff Hill &
Too little, two late.
Returning from the Hobart AWBF yesterday, I was hoping for a gentle day and my luck was in. We had a enough crew to go out and enjoy ourselves and we were able to share crew with Swiftsure Saga so that they were able sail three up with Eric still in Tasmania. Well done to Ernie, Glen, Brian and David Locke who put the new shade cloth on Herreshoff Hill. It looks great.
The first thing I should have done was checked my camera. I had recharged it in Hobart and then put it away with the expectation that it would be ok. When I pulled it out to use, it whined at me and flashed an orange screen. Nothing.
We had 5 boats on the water and they gave us a course 4 ( light winds sou wester) We managed to get away very well at the start and we had SSS surging at us all the way to Sampson. But to no avail. The next question was to cross the creek and those below us had tacked off earlier. But SSS held on and tacked a little after us. No problems we thought and continued on. The first tack took us over to near the channel mouth and we managed to sneak past the boats on that beat. The next one was a little closer and while we got past Corella we were quite tight on SSS and it may have been a fairly cheeky decision by the skipper to try to get past.
However we survived and progressed up to Robins having to tack back onto the mark as the rest of the fleet who had gone into the bay a bit further, came charging down on us. But there was more to come as a Shaw 650 sailing in the RP fleet held us out of the rounding and forcing both SSS and us off the mark and almost stalling while the Shaw went through. Corella slipped through and we found ourselves beside Anna who had made their way through as well. Bugger that's two spots lost.
A reach across to Dolphin East and then a similar reach across to Como. No foredeck required. And of course we had to get our way past Anna who had made good on her position. She was in front. But a bit of careful planning and some neat trimming had us up alongside her and inside Anna's transom. We made the corner at Como in second place and were just trying to keep SSS off our tail. Around the outer startline we went and then off to Sampson again.
The skipper was mumbling about doing a course two, but really we had done very well over all and had held our own in a number of tight spots. The next phase was the rounding of Sampson and off to King where once again we managed to get around smartly and we were catching up with Lockie on Corella. Well done us. From here it was all down hill with a broad reach to Print and a gybe that had us on the same broad run to Como that tightened up on the leg to Thelma.
And this is where our trouble started. Go early and hope or run along the freeway and tack on the line. We followed Corella and we both knocked as we went up to the line. He made it across to the line and a good win, but the same developing knock just took us further away from the line. Damn. Behind us Swiftsure Saga had held on for another couple of seconds and then tacked and got onto the other side of the knock, in effect a John Wright lift. He got to the line in front of us and took the second place. Yup, we were stiffed. But that's the name of the game.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On handicap: Wynella, Corella and Mariner.
Rupert ( Georgina) went out on Wynella and misfortune to Anna who had a major overwind and had to go head to wind and drop the headsail to clear the sheets. That's not a good look.
Saturday: Only three boats in it and SSS managed to beat Wynella across the line, but Wynella took the handicap win. Aloha started but retired.
The shade on Herreshoff Hill &
Too little, two late.
Returning from the Hobart AWBF yesterday, I was hoping for a gentle day and my luck was in. We had a enough crew to go out and enjoy ourselves and we were able to share crew with Swiftsure Saga so that they were able sail three up with Eric still in Tasmania. Well done to Ernie, Glen, Brian and David Locke who put the new shade cloth on Herreshoff Hill. It looks great.
The first thing I should have done was checked my camera. I had recharged it in Hobart and then put it away with the expectation that it would be ok. When I pulled it out to use, it whined at me and flashed an orange screen. Nothing.
We had 5 boats on the water and they gave us a course 4 ( light winds sou wester) We managed to get away very well at the start and we had SSS surging at us all the way to Sampson. But to no avail. The next question was to cross the creek and those below us had tacked off earlier. But SSS held on and tacked a little after us. No problems we thought and continued on. The first tack took us over to near the channel mouth and we managed to sneak past the boats on that beat. The next one was a little closer and while we got past Corella we were quite tight on SSS and it may have been a fairly cheeky decision by the skipper to try to get past.
However we survived and progressed up to Robins having to tack back onto the mark as the rest of the fleet who had gone into the bay a bit further, came charging down on us. But there was more to come as a Shaw 650 sailing in the RP fleet held us out of the rounding and forcing both SSS and us off the mark and almost stalling while the Shaw went through. Corella slipped through and we found ourselves beside Anna who had made their way through as well. Bugger that's two spots lost.
A reach across to Dolphin East and then a similar reach across to Como. No foredeck required. And of course we had to get our way past Anna who had made good on her position. She was in front. But a bit of careful planning and some neat trimming had us up alongside her and inside Anna's transom. We made the corner at Como in second place and were just trying to keep SSS off our tail. Around the outer startline we went and then off to Sampson again.
The skipper was mumbling about doing a course two, but really we had done very well over all and had held our own in a number of tight spots. The next phase was the rounding of Sampson and off to King where once again we managed to get around smartly and we were catching up with Lockie on Corella. Well done us. From here it was all down hill with a broad reach to Print and a gybe that had us on the same broad run to Como that tightened up on the leg to Thelma.
And this is where our trouble started. Go early and hope or run along the freeway and tack on the line. We followed Corella and we both knocked as we went up to the line. He made it across to the line and a good win, but the same developing knock just took us further away from the line. Damn. Behind us Swiftsure Saga had held on for another couple of seconds and then tacked and got onto the other side of the knock, in effect a John Wright lift. He got to the line in front of us and took the second place. Yup, we were stiffed. But that's the name of the game.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On handicap: Wynella, Corella and Mariner.
Rupert ( Georgina) went out on Wynella and misfortune to Anna who had a major overwind and had to go head to wind and drop the headsail to clear the sheets. That's not a good look.
Saturday: Only three boats in it and SSS managed to beat Wynella across the line, but Wynella took the handicap win. Aloha started but retired.
Wednesday the 1st of February 2023
Two OMG's on the Div 1 start line.
&
The Lyn Rue Davey
&
Greyhound or fox, a choice to make.
Sailing up and down river, waiting for our start we were witnesses to a couple of diabolical moments on the river. The Div. one start line is usually fairly interesting particularly if you are in the frontline. Its an easterly and most of the fleet is on port hoping to run over to the pens and then flip over to make the next mark in one. And someone decides to cross the fleet on starboard. Pandemonium reigns. Boats ducking diving and swerving. Much noise and cursing and some of the highly fancied runners are simply pushed out the back.
The second OMG was the arrival of the pest who's name I cant mention. He was calmly making his way down to the line against the onslaught of eight fairly determined Div. one boats who had already been blooded by the first moment of terror. How he survived is another miracle. I do hope that someone takes him aside and explains the pre start courtesies of yachts not competing in that particular start line. And I don't care if its the starters or the sailing captain.
Our start line was a determined pack of four and we nailed the start. From then it was a matter of trim, trim, trim with the skipper as nervous as a cat on meths. Pull this, ease that, up traveller, down traveller as we ran up the breeze to Martin. First to the mark and then a few extra meters to make it look safe for the tack to the next mark. Everyone followed us this time and Swiftsure Saga had done very well to make it to the mark in front of Corella who had the wonderful Barbie on board. Wynella was not too far behind either.
Then the run down to Sampson with a course three in hand and just to make it interesting Div. 3 were doing a pursuit race and we found ourselves debating a pole to the mark. Up it went and it was put away about 5 minutes later as the breeze just refused to sit still. Around Sampson and go up a little with the intention of tacking to King and thence another reach to Robins. But it was all about the puffs coming along the way. Some times you had them, sometimes you didn't. The followers were on our tail, but with a bit of work we found ourselves moving ahead reasonably well. The lead fluctuated between 40 to 80 seconds as we reached our way around the course with a reach to Print after Robins, then across to Foam and then up to Robins again.
Another greyhound popped up. Oh yes. Swiftsure Saga didn't have the speed he needed and David Locke on Corella got up and passed him. Certainly better being the greyhound rather than the fox out the front. But the fox has the choices available to him. Make a move and then evaluate the results as they get closer to you. And rejoice if the gap opens up again. After the second loop around Robins and Print, the dash to the outer startline had us working the boat on a run that was at times a work and occasionally a reach. Around the mark and then away to Sampson again. The gap opened and closed again and at one stage we had Corella within 20 seconds of us. Yup, the skipper was really nervous now. So a calming run out to King gave us hope and the run over to Addison was helpful as we gained another few seconds.
We turned at the mark and ran a few meters before tacking and aimed at the startline via Como. Curses.. Lockie had tacked at the mark and then just began to run us down. He had height and a similar speed. But he had to tack to make the run to the line and we covered him like a glove. Just tucked ourselves beside him and I found myself staring at Rita his mainsheet hand; neither of us blinked, then tacked once we thought we had a line and he went with us. A drag race to the line and any mistakes would have hung us out to dry. You could hear the bow wave from Corella and the skipper was muttering imprecations under his breath.. no problems Skip, just keep the boat pointing forward.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella.
The Lyn Rue Davey trophy was sailed for today. Nice one!
There is the chance that Alma might re-join the fleet under Mark and Barbie's care with Judith joining the boat as owner/crew. Rupert was seen under the cover of his boat, he'd forgotten to bring an old shirt to wear and was sweating it out rather than get burnt by the sun. But he's short a crew member as his dad had a leg broken by a horse a day or so ago. Not a good thing. The boys from the First Jindarra think that it is too hot, I suspect and were not seen on the water.
Saturday: Two boats with Wynella and Swiftsure Saga trading chances on the day with a softish sou wester blowing through. Bill Richards and Swiftsure Saga took the day with Ernie Little on Wynella following on.
Two OMG's on the Div 1 start line.
&
The Lyn Rue Davey
&
Greyhound or fox, a choice to make.
Sailing up and down river, waiting for our start we were witnesses to a couple of diabolical moments on the river. The Div. one start line is usually fairly interesting particularly if you are in the frontline. Its an easterly and most of the fleet is on port hoping to run over to the pens and then flip over to make the next mark in one. And someone decides to cross the fleet on starboard. Pandemonium reigns. Boats ducking diving and swerving. Much noise and cursing and some of the highly fancied runners are simply pushed out the back.
The second OMG was the arrival of the pest who's name I cant mention. He was calmly making his way down to the line against the onslaught of eight fairly determined Div. one boats who had already been blooded by the first moment of terror. How he survived is another miracle. I do hope that someone takes him aside and explains the pre start courtesies of yachts not competing in that particular start line. And I don't care if its the starters or the sailing captain.
Our start line was a determined pack of four and we nailed the start. From then it was a matter of trim, trim, trim with the skipper as nervous as a cat on meths. Pull this, ease that, up traveller, down traveller as we ran up the breeze to Martin. First to the mark and then a few extra meters to make it look safe for the tack to the next mark. Everyone followed us this time and Swiftsure Saga had done very well to make it to the mark in front of Corella who had the wonderful Barbie on board. Wynella was not too far behind either.
Then the run down to Sampson with a course three in hand and just to make it interesting Div. 3 were doing a pursuit race and we found ourselves debating a pole to the mark. Up it went and it was put away about 5 minutes later as the breeze just refused to sit still. Around Sampson and go up a little with the intention of tacking to King and thence another reach to Robins. But it was all about the puffs coming along the way. Some times you had them, sometimes you didn't. The followers were on our tail, but with a bit of work we found ourselves moving ahead reasonably well. The lead fluctuated between 40 to 80 seconds as we reached our way around the course with a reach to Print after Robins, then across to Foam and then up to Robins again.
Another greyhound popped up. Oh yes. Swiftsure Saga didn't have the speed he needed and David Locke on Corella got up and passed him. Certainly better being the greyhound rather than the fox out the front. But the fox has the choices available to him. Make a move and then evaluate the results as they get closer to you. And rejoice if the gap opens up again. After the second loop around Robins and Print, the dash to the outer startline had us working the boat on a run that was at times a work and occasionally a reach. Around the mark and then away to Sampson again. The gap opened and closed again and at one stage we had Corella within 20 seconds of us. Yup, the skipper was really nervous now. So a calming run out to King gave us hope and the run over to Addison was helpful as we gained another few seconds.
We turned at the mark and ran a few meters before tacking and aimed at the startline via Como. Curses.. Lockie had tacked at the mark and then just began to run us down. He had height and a similar speed. But he had to tack to make the run to the line and we covered him like a glove. Just tucked ourselves beside him and I found myself staring at Rita his mainsheet hand; neither of us blinked, then tacked once we thought we had a line and he went with us. A drag race to the line and any mistakes would have hung us out to dry. You could hear the bow wave from Corella and the skipper was muttering imprecations under his breath.. no problems Skip, just keep the boat pointing forward.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella.
The Lyn Rue Davey trophy was sailed for today. Nice one!
There is the chance that Alma might re-join the fleet under Mark and Barbie's care with Judith joining the boat as owner/crew. Rupert was seen under the cover of his boat, he'd forgotten to bring an old shirt to wear and was sweating it out rather than get burnt by the sun. But he's short a crew member as his dad had a leg broken by a horse a day or so ago. Not a good thing. The boys from the First Jindarra think that it is too hot, I suspect and were not seen on the water.
Saturday: Two boats with Wynella and Swiftsure Saga trading chances on the day with a softish sou wester blowing through. Bill Richards and Swiftsure Saga took the day with Ernie Little on Wynella following on.
Wednesday the 25th of January 2023
Another shortened (late) course &
A Burns night.
The V Commodore Dave Ewart decided that a piper and some haggis was required and he managed to find Greg Power who wields a fine set of pipes and a couple of bonny wee lasses to hand around trays of locally sourced Haggis. It was all very well received, but it would have been wonderful had the traditional piece of Burns prose, 'Address to a Haggis' been offered and then finished with a Selkirk grace.
Short, sharp and a cracker of a breeze .
No matter what, it was going to be over and done by 1730 hours. The starters were on mind altering substances as the fleet copped two course ones, a course two and a course three.. But it was a pumping sou wester of 15 to 19 knots and Waylen bay was working. Originally with 5 boats, we started with 4 as John Wrights transom opened up, once a load was put on by the boats sailing. Not good at all.
But the other four were seasoned campaigners with Corella, Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella sailing. For once they sent us away down to Sampson in a bit of a hurry and while Mariners start wasn't flash we were still in the mix and the chase was on to find the lay line to King on the course three we were given. We went later and found ourselves with speed and lifting. Nearly caught the two in front, but it was then a chase all the way up to Robins and the seabreeze gave us a big lift. The two in front had gone out and come back in again while we drove up the bay. A nice feeling to watch the GPS throwing out high 5's and the occasional 6. We were that little bit closer.
Down the breeze on a starboard pole the first time and we were by the lee for most of the run and we had the fun of Div. one crossing in front of us. No ducking required. Lose the pole and harden up across the river to Foam and then back up the bay for a repeat of the last run. But this time when Corella came back we had him. Enough to let us stay in front for the rest of the run as this time we were on a port pole down to Print and then just flopped the main over, running on a two sail reach. 7 knots or better.
Around Como and aim for the line, letting Swiftsure Saga run away. There was no catching Bill today as the boat is just quick. But getting in front of Corella was the major thing and Wynella is really considering a new main. They need it to be competitive as the first three boats crossed the line in under a minute with Wynella a good 2 minutes behind on a really good day for racing.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga. Mariner and Wynella.
We do feel sorry for div three who once again were caught a little short timewise and five of the six boats didn't make it.
Saturdays racing and it was the Bill, Ernie and Phil show. Brian Cross had offered the helm to Phil Lammonby and Phil took it like a man possessed. However apart from a breeze that was a soft as a spring lambs bottom, apparently Phil threw a few too many tacks and consequently might not have been as quick as possible. All that and Brian had the spinnaker running well, but the problem was that even with a big fat spinnaker up, they still couldn't catch Swiftsure Saga. Another wag in the tail was the behaviour of Wynella with Ernie at the helm. He caught Phil on the hop and just held him down using tactics he'd learnt back on the 1990's. Phil must have forgotten, but he eventually caught on and got past him. But too late. Bill didn't need to hoist a kite and still got to take the win over the line but Wynella had done enough to keep themselves in the race and took the win on handicap.
Another shortened (late) course &
A Burns night.
The V Commodore Dave Ewart decided that a piper and some haggis was required and he managed to find Greg Power who wields a fine set of pipes and a couple of bonny wee lasses to hand around trays of locally sourced Haggis. It was all very well received, but it would have been wonderful had the traditional piece of Burns prose, 'Address to a Haggis' been offered and then finished with a Selkirk grace.
Short, sharp and a cracker of a breeze .
No matter what, it was going to be over and done by 1730 hours. The starters were on mind altering substances as the fleet copped two course ones, a course two and a course three.. But it was a pumping sou wester of 15 to 19 knots and Waylen bay was working. Originally with 5 boats, we started with 4 as John Wrights transom opened up, once a load was put on by the boats sailing. Not good at all.
But the other four were seasoned campaigners with Corella, Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella sailing. For once they sent us away down to Sampson in a bit of a hurry and while Mariners start wasn't flash we were still in the mix and the chase was on to find the lay line to King on the course three we were given. We went later and found ourselves with speed and lifting. Nearly caught the two in front, but it was then a chase all the way up to Robins and the seabreeze gave us a big lift. The two in front had gone out and come back in again while we drove up the bay. A nice feeling to watch the GPS throwing out high 5's and the occasional 6. We were that little bit closer.
Down the breeze on a starboard pole the first time and we were by the lee for most of the run and we had the fun of Div. one crossing in front of us. No ducking required. Lose the pole and harden up across the river to Foam and then back up the bay for a repeat of the last run. But this time when Corella came back we had him. Enough to let us stay in front for the rest of the run as this time we were on a port pole down to Print and then just flopped the main over, running on a two sail reach. 7 knots or better.
Around Como and aim for the line, letting Swiftsure Saga run away. There was no catching Bill today as the boat is just quick. But getting in front of Corella was the major thing and Wynella is really considering a new main. They need it to be competitive as the first three boats crossed the line in under a minute with Wynella a good 2 minutes behind on a really good day for racing.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga. Mariner and Wynella.
We do feel sorry for div three who once again were caught a little short timewise and five of the six boats didn't make it.
Saturdays racing and it was the Bill, Ernie and Phil show. Brian Cross had offered the helm to Phil Lammonby and Phil took it like a man possessed. However apart from a breeze that was a soft as a spring lambs bottom, apparently Phil threw a few too many tacks and consequently might not have been as quick as possible. All that and Brian had the spinnaker running well, but the problem was that even with a big fat spinnaker up, they still couldn't catch Swiftsure Saga. Another wag in the tail was the behaviour of Wynella with Ernie at the helm. He caught Phil on the hop and just held him down using tactics he'd learnt back on the 1990's. Phil must have forgotten, but he eventually caught on and got past him. But too late. Bill didn't need to hoist a kite and still got to take the win over the line but Wynella had done enough to keep themselves in the race and took the win on handicap.
Wednesday the 18th of January 2023
A special course &
All the Easterlies can offer.
The Contender were having their Worlds down the other end of the river so SoPYC was confined to the eastern end of the river. And as a plus the Royal club decided to play in Matilda Bay. But we had enough to deal with as the easterly breeze played merry hell with the fleets as they worked their way around the limited course.
But it was a fun course. Yes, really! We were just doing a bunch of triangles that were set out in the eastern end of the river and it was really a case of working the breeze. No more than 15 knots in our minds and holes in the breeze all over.
Five boats and good competition with the run up to Martin- Weaver and the skipper bemoaning the start as we were trounced by the boats above us. So we went up to get free air and guess what- we were first to the mark. Good trimming and a bit of luck took us past our tormentors and we got the overlap on The First Jindarra who had sailed very well to have the lead half way to the mark. Around we went, and kept going with a tack just before the boats on the moorings. It worked a treat as we came down on Weaver at a clip. Those who took a chance go early were pinching and were slow. So around the mark and away to Sampson. From there it was a pole or a very broad reach down to the bottom mark. Working the foredeck, I didn't have much of a chance to take photos.
The rest of the fleet were playing the gusts as they came through and weren't that far behind. A clever move however from Wynella had them go over into the south and they picked up a steady breeze from the Canning. Oh how the rest of the fleet gnashed their teeth and wailed their discontent as Glen and his crew took the lead, but there was someone else lurking in the pack. More later. We had gone down the middle and suffered as a result, but with good helming we maintained our spot as second and fought off the challenges from those around us.
The next run up was a carbon copy of the first. A pole, a gybe, a broad reach ... take your pick. This time we shot over into the south and watched as the middle fired up. Sure we had a good run, but the competition was right beside us. The other side of things was that we had the bigger boats from C fleet catching up with us as well and it became quite clear that they weren't going to budge when they got in our road. Down and around again and get to the front with a bit of luck going our way. Then to Print for the first of a double small triangles which sent us on a starboard pole over to the mark.
The next phase took us on a work to the bottom marks again and we were rounding in amongst another dozen boats or so. Not fun. And even more so.. not fun.. Lockie and Corella were in front. Good sailing and he played the breezes to his advantage. But Rita made a rare mistake and sent them off to the finish line...No Rita-we still had another lap to do! So the skipper yelled, but too late, we had snatched back the lead and we were not going to let that one go. No mistakes allowed. Up to Print and down to the freeway and then turn for the line, riding a decent breeze. But Lockie had gone a little further and then turned. He could run for the line secure in the fact that he could survive a decent knock.
The knock came and we gritted our teeth, will there be a lift on the other side? Hold your line and hope. We made it by about 3 feet and didn't have to tack. It would have been interesting as Lockie was only 20 seconds behind us eventually. The two tacks would have cost us that. Win or lose. Its only a chance to take. But the rest of the fleet was on our heels and the results were different.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Wynella.
On handicap : Wynella, The First Jindarra and Mariner.
A special course &
All the Easterlies can offer.
The Contender were having their Worlds down the other end of the river so SoPYC was confined to the eastern end of the river. And as a plus the Royal club decided to play in Matilda Bay. But we had enough to deal with as the easterly breeze played merry hell with the fleets as they worked their way around the limited course.
But it was a fun course. Yes, really! We were just doing a bunch of triangles that were set out in the eastern end of the river and it was really a case of working the breeze. No more than 15 knots in our minds and holes in the breeze all over.
Five boats and good competition with the run up to Martin- Weaver and the skipper bemoaning the start as we were trounced by the boats above us. So we went up to get free air and guess what- we were first to the mark. Good trimming and a bit of luck took us past our tormentors and we got the overlap on The First Jindarra who had sailed very well to have the lead half way to the mark. Around we went, and kept going with a tack just before the boats on the moorings. It worked a treat as we came down on Weaver at a clip. Those who took a chance go early were pinching and were slow. So around the mark and away to Sampson. From there it was a pole or a very broad reach down to the bottom mark. Working the foredeck, I didn't have much of a chance to take photos.
The rest of the fleet were playing the gusts as they came through and weren't that far behind. A clever move however from Wynella had them go over into the south and they picked up a steady breeze from the Canning. Oh how the rest of the fleet gnashed their teeth and wailed their discontent as Glen and his crew took the lead, but there was someone else lurking in the pack. More later. We had gone down the middle and suffered as a result, but with good helming we maintained our spot as second and fought off the challenges from those around us.
The next run up was a carbon copy of the first. A pole, a gybe, a broad reach ... take your pick. This time we shot over into the south and watched as the middle fired up. Sure we had a good run, but the competition was right beside us. The other side of things was that we had the bigger boats from C fleet catching up with us as well and it became quite clear that they weren't going to budge when they got in our road. Down and around again and get to the front with a bit of luck going our way. Then to Print for the first of a double small triangles which sent us on a starboard pole over to the mark.
The next phase took us on a work to the bottom marks again and we were rounding in amongst another dozen boats or so. Not fun. And even more so.. not fun.. Lockie and Corella were in front. Good sailing and he played the breezes to his advantage. But Rita made a rare mistake and sent them off to the finish line...No Rita-we still had another lap to do! So the skipper yelled, but too late, we had snatched back the lead and we were not going to let that one go. No mistakes allowed. Up to Print and down to the freeway and then turn for the line, riding a decent breeze. But Lockie had gone a little further and then turned. He could run for the line secure in the fact that he could survive a decent knock.
The knock came and we gritted our teeth, will there be a lift on the other side? Hold your line and hope. We made it by about 3 feet and didn't have to tack. It would have been interesting as Lockie was only 20 seconds behind us eventually. The two tacks would have cost us that. Win or lose. Its only a chance to take. But the rest of the fleet was on our heels and the results were different.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Wynella.
On handicap : Wynella, The First Jindarra and Mariner.