On the water, in the bar.
The stories of the H28's
of South of Perth Yacht club
in 2023
The stories of the H28's
of South of Perth Yacht club
in 2023
Wednesday the 29th of November
The ladies came to lunch &
A dirty bottom wins no races.
Caught up with the skipper on Friday and he was bemoaning the fact that he had a slow, slow boat. Apparently it all goes back to the time when a power boat blew up months ago and he wasn't able to use the slips that weekend to put a new antifoul on. Bingo... slow boat .
As my back is still in trouble and probably will be for a while, he ventured out onto the water with reasonable Geoff and our new man Graham. They giggled their way around the course (his words) and achieved a wonderful 6th on handicap and 4th over the line. You can guess who had a great time, Lockie Bill and John. One, Two Three in that order on handicap and over the line.
However the girls had come down to have lunch and it was great to catch up with them again. Ernie was so enamoured of the idea, he pulled his phone out and the photos can be seen below.
Till I get back onto the water again...
The ladies came to lunch &
A dirty bottom wins no races.
Caught up with the skipper on Friday and he was bemoaning the fact that he had a slow, slow boat. Apparently it all goes back to the time when a power boat blew up months ago and he wasn't able to use the slips that weekend to put a new antifoul on. Bingo... slow boat .
As my back is still in trouble and probably will be for a while, he ventured out onto the water with reasonable Geoff and our new man Graham. They giggled their way around the course (his words) and achieved a wonderful 6th on handicap and 4th over the line. You can guess who had a great time, Lockie Bill and John. One, Two Three in that order on handicap and over the line.
However the girls had come down to have lunch and it was great to catch up with them again. Ernie was so enamoured of the idea, he pulled his phone out and the photos can be seen below.
Till I get back onto the water again...
Saturday the 25th of November . The second championship race.
As can be predicted, I wasn't on a boat, but I did slip down to the old Hotel Majestic point and aimed a camera at the fleet as they worked their way around the river.
The four boats did a great job and apart from Lockie and Ernie not flying a spinnaker (short staffed apparently) it was a good day on the water with a moderate westerly ( not a sou wester as they say it was) and the fleets looked great. Like that new spinnaker Les. A pity about the advertising on it...did you have it ok'd by the club?
Anyway.
Over the line: Corella, Nerrima, Wynella and Aloha.
On handicap: Nerrima, Aloha, Wynella and Corella.
And last Wednesday was blown out by the easterlies. No racing.
As can be predicted, I wasn't on a boat, but I did slip down to the old Hotel Majestic point and aimed a camera at the fleet as they worked their way around the river.
The four boats did a great job and apart from Lockie and Ernie not flying a spinnaker (short staffed apparently) it was a good day on the water with a moderate westerly ( not a sou wester as they say it was) and the fleets looked great. Like that new spinnaker Les. A pity about the advertising on it...did you have it ok'd by the club?
Anyway.
Over the line: Corella, Nerrima, Wynella and Aloha.
On handicap: Nerrima, Aloha, Wynella and Corella.
And last Wednesday was blown out by the easterlies. No racing.
Wednesday the 15th of November - The Don Bourne Memorial Trophy
Another day on the job &
Geoff has been seen on the jetty.
A lot of lessons learnt from last week.
1) get to the line on time, in time.
2) minimise the mistakes.
3) no-ones perfect.
The day started with a course three and a slightly shifty sou easterly that created a certain amount of consternation on that first beat up to Martin and Weaver. Which way to go? Tack now? No, aim for the mark and hang on as the breeze took us up on a nice run to the mark. Not too shabby but we weren't in the lead by a long chalk. Behind us Nerrima and Wynella hadn't had much luck on the start and what was to be a reaching course, were to suffer the tortures of the dammed.
There's only one way to find out and four of the six boats on the water were locked in a dash down to Sampson having made it to Martin/Weaver more or less locked in place. John Wright had the lead and Lockie had the inside running of the three of the following boats and we were closest to the breeze fortunately. So making it to Sampson, we watched as the lead three swung around the mark then gathered up our sails and whipped into the corner as hard as we could. Beauty! Highest on the breeze and aimed at King. Right on the nose. From there all the boats were howling across the sou easter with the best to the mark going to be the ones smiling as we ran down to Robins.
The breeze dropped in and out on the run up to Robins and the skip was a little worried, but our luck prevailed and all the changes in the four lead boats were behind us with Lockie taking a solid second around the mark with John Wright and Bill Richards in close pursuit. The next aspect was the reach over to Print and the harden up across to Foam before we headed off back to Robins again. Only a mistake would hand the lead back to Corella and after last week, we were working to minimise that thought. So on that reaching course we could barrel our way up to Robins, confident that the recently scrubbed hull would serve us well.
Away to Como and then the outer start line where Corella was hung up by Ralph Newtons Eun an Mara and found himself having to deal with the bigger boat. It gave us the winning margin, though we didn't know it at the time. Around the mark and off to Sampson with the thought that we were doing well enough. And the skipper chose this moment to let us know that we were sailing for the Don Bourne memorial trophy. No pressure at all. So of course on the final leg from Addison to Como, inevitably there was a hang up on the jib sheets and after a few seconds cursing they were freed, but we had lost that height and it meant that indeed we would have to tack to make Como. Corella had gone deeper and were roaring toward the line with no need to tack. Stress!
We made the two tacks and fired up the boat for the final run to the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Anna.
On handicap: Mariner, Nerrima and Anna.
Geoff has been seen around the jetties recently and he's working on the boat. Hopefully some of the new crew we are getting around us will find a place on the boat. The First Jindarra is looking for a new helm as her owners have had to come to grips with the fact that they aren't getting any younger. So if anyone in the fleet would like to put their name forward? Have a chat to Peter and Barry to see what it entails.
Glen is still off Wynella until his ear heals. Get better please as Ernie needs your support.
Saturday and a fairly light fleet with Aloha and Georgina taking to the water. Well sailed Aloha to take the win for the day.
Another day on the job &
Geoff has been seen on the jetty.
A lot of lessons learnt from last week.
1) get to the line on time, in time.
2) minimise the mistakes.
3) no-ones perfect.
The day started with a course three and a slightly shifty sou easterly that created a certain amount of consternation on that first beat up to Martin and Weaver. Which way to go? Tack now? No, aim for the mark and hang on as the breeze took us up on a nice run to the mark. Not too shabby but we weren't in the lead by a long chalk. Behind us Nerrima and Wynella hadn't had much luck on the start and what was to be a reaching course, were to suffer the tortures of the dammed.
There's only one way to find out and four of the six boats on the water were locked in a dash down to Sampson having made it to Martin/Weaver more or less locked in place. John Wright had the lead and Lockie had the inside running of the three of the following boats and we were closest to the breeze fortunately. So making it to Sampson, we watched as the lead three swung around the mark then gathered up our sails and whipped into the corner as hard as we could. Beauty! Highest on the breeze and aimed at King. Right on the nose. From there all the boats were howling across the sou easter with the best to the mark going to be the ones smiling as we ran down to Robins.
The breeze dropped in and out on the run up to Robins and the skip was a little worried, but our luck prevailed and all the changes in the four lead boats were behind us with Lockie taking a solid second around the mark with John Wright and Bill Richards in close pursuit. The next aspect was the reach over to Print and the harden up across to Foam before we headed off back to Robins again. Only a mistake would hand the lead back to Corella and after last week, we were working to minimise that thought. So on that reaching course we could barrel our way up to Robins, confident that the recently scrubbed hull would serve us well.
Away to Como and then the outer start line where Corella was hung up by Ralph Newtons Eun an Mara and found himself having to deal with the bigger boat. It gave us the winning margin, though we didn't know it at the time. Around the mark and off to Sampson with the thought that we were doing well enough. And the skipper chose this moment to let us know that we were sailing for the Don Bourne memorial trophy. No pressure at all. So of course on the final leg from Addison to Como, inevitably there was a hang up on the jib sheets and after a few seconds cursing they were freed, but we had lost that height and it meant that indeed we would have to tack to make Como. Corella had gone deeper and were roaring toward the line with no need to tack. Stress!
We made the two tacks and fired up the boat for the final run to the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Anna.
On handicap: Mariner, Nerrima and Anna.
Geoff has been seen around the jetties recently and he's working on the boat. Hopefully some of the new crew we are getting around us will find a place on the boat. The First Jindarra is looking for a new helm as her owners have had to come to grips with the fact that they aren't getting any younger. So if anyone in the fleet would like to put their name forward? Have a chat to Peter and Barry to see what it entails.
Glen is still off Wynella until his ear heals. Get better please as Ernie needs your support.
Saturday and a fairly light fleet with Aloha and Georgina taking to the water. Well sailed Aloha to take the win for the day.
Wednesday the 8th of November
Starting, starting, starting. &
A view from the back of the fleet.
I think you can guess where we are going here and the classic excuse is, if you don't break the line a couple of times a season, you aren't really trying. Ok, we've had our two and that's it. Trying to be on top of the line with two minutes to go is not productive and other boats can and will be tempted to ram you in the transom and push you over..
Wynella was a surprise non inclusion in the fleet with Covid hitting on Carol and Ernie with Glen out of action as well...come to think of it I didn't see Russell either and most of them went for a sail on Saturday. Welcome back Big John, he's been recovering from a visit to the surgeon who relieved him of another couple of cm of cancerous flesh. No sign of the Jin either, but we had the fast and the furious with us for the day. It was going to be a great course one with about 15 knots out of the SW.
Five boats in the fleet and a guest on board. (G'day Graham) We set off reasonably well, just letting our guest get the feel of the boat and then lining up for the start. As the first paragraph tells you, we ended up sailing with Nerrima for the rest of the race and the rest of the fleet soared away from us. Not much to report though, as the rest of the afternoon was a follow me as we ran up the breeze to Martin and Weaver then to Sampson and found Print and away to Addison. The rest of the afternoon was tracking predictably up and down to Robins and back. A couple of bright minutes when Les and his team managed to get past us on the second leg up to Robins and we got them back on the downwind to Como before we turned right to aim for the finish line where a shortened course flag waited for us.
Over the line: Corella, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and Corella.
However we had a couple of wonderful moments with Glen Thomas's Problem Child with a crew that had three former H28 sailors. The first was one of those passing moments and the other was the dash to the line with Glenn having to double tack to make the line. (nearly clipped the finishing buoy)
And Saturday. First fleet championships race. How can we forget the story one hears about throwing away the old courses at the end of the year? Bill really needed to check his supply of courses as he was doing well on Saturday, but one of his crew pulled out the old Saturday course..... he retired gracefully.
However Lockie pulled together a scrap crew of local heroes to cream the fleet by some 13 minutes on a course one with an easterly breeze.
Over the line: Corella, Nerrima and Wynella.
On handicap: Corella, Nerrima and Georgina.
Starting, starting, starting. &
A view from the back of the fleet.
I think you can guess where we are going here and the classic excuse is, if you don't break the line a couple of times a season, you aren't really trying. Ok, we've had our two and that's it. Trying to be on top of the line with two minutes to go is not productive and other boats can and will be tempted to ram you in the transom and push you over..
Wynella was a surprise non inclusion in the fleet with Covid hitting on Carol and Ernie with Glen out of action as well...come to think of it I didn't see Russell either and most of them went for a sail on Saturday. Welcome back Big John, he's been recovering from a visit to the surgeon who relieved him of another couple of cm of cancerous flesh. No sign of the Jin either, but we had the fast and the furious with us for the day. It was going to be a great course one with about 15 knots out of the SW.
Five boats in the fleet and a guest on board. (G'day Graham) We set off reasonably well, just letting our guest get the feel of the boat and then lining up for the start. As the first paragraph tells you, we ended up sailing with Nerrima for the rest of the race and the rest of the fleet soared away from us. Not much to report though, as the rest of the afternoon was a follow me as we ran up the breeze to Martin and Weaver then to Sampson and found Print and away to Addison. The rest of the afternoon was tracking predictably up and down to Robins and back. A couple of bright minutes when Les and his team managed to get past us on the second leg up to Robins and we got them back on the downwind to Como before we turned right to aim for the finish line where a shortened course flag waited for us.
Over the line: Corella, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and Corella.
However we had a couple of wonderful moments with Glen Thomas's Problem Child with a crew that had three former H28 sailors. The first was one of those passing moments and the other was the dash to the line with Glenn having to double tack to make the line. (nearly clipped the finishing buoy)
And Saturday. First fleet championships race. How can we forget the story one hears about throwing away the old courses at the end of the year? Bill really needed to check his supply of courses as he was doing well on Saturday, but one of his crew pulled out the old Saturday course..... he retired gracefully.
However Lockie pulled together a scrap crew of local heroes to cream the fleet by some 13 minutes on a course one with an easterly breeze.
Over the line: Corella, Nerrima and Wynella.
On handicap: Corella, Nerrima and Georgina.
Wednesday the 1st of November.
A hard lesson to learn &
A reek of the river.
We've been having some pretty low tides recently and the mudflats have been exposed. The sou wester we were riding on, had the distinct whiff of rotting vegetation and I wasn't the only one to notice it. But its the time of the year I guess.
The afternoon began with a choice of headsails and running on Ron's suggestion we strapped on a number one and set off. We had a young lass by the name of Christina on board and she had sailed over at RP for a while and decided to come across for a ride with the H28 fleet. She was originally due to sail with Nerrima, but thanks to a deal progressed with our skipper she came aboard Mariner for the day. The hull had been cleaned and the boat was going to be as slick as she ever could be. The breeze was suggested to rise through the afternoon so the choice of a one or a one and a half had some go the slightly lesser sail to keep them pointing higher.
A fleet of 6 boats and once again we were a little early, but we were joined by Wynella who broke the line and Corella who was shut out of the line. So two waves with Swiftsure Saga, Nerrima and Anna jumping away and the other half swinging around the line again on a course one heading out toward Sampson. A small tussle developed between Swiftsure Saga and Nerrima as to who had the lead with both of them challenging for the right. But Les on Nerrima was first around Sampson.
By Sampson, we had caught up quite well and were close enough to have a choice of courses. Some decided to go left and then aim straight at the mark, while others decided to ride their luck and point as close to the mark (Print) as possible. But there was a slight problem. Les Brooker and Nerrima had the wrong course sheets on board and was last seen heading off to Deepwater. OMG that's a hard lesson to learn as he had nailed the start and was well away in the lead. Once we had determined what had happened he was hailed and invited to re-join the fleet which he did, but the lead was thoroughly lost.
A pole to Addison and then the works up to Robins began with the skipper deciding to stay out and in front of Corella who was going to be our main rival for the day. We still had Swiftsure and Anna close by and it was only on the down winds that we managed to get some separation. Getting the pole up and down wasn't a problem but staying ahead of Lockie had the mantra 'keep an eye on him at all times'. So we found ourselves with Lockie right on our heels for the first rounding and a good set of tacks had the boat around the mark and a gybe with the full weight of a strong puff had the boat settling into a comfortable run to Addison.
To Addison again and the rest of the fleet stretched out behind us with Wynella at the back (and a pity too as if they hadn't broken they may have had the lead.) It was a repeat performance on the way up again and while the original concept was to dive into the bay and come out, the breeze was too enticing and we barrelled up the centre again, dragging Corella with us. Around the top with another venture onto the foredeck to set a pole on the run to Como and then the need to keep the boat high enough on the way to the outer startline.
Around we went with an enormous thump on the gybe. The small lap had us keeping well ahead of the rest of the fleet with a momentary concern when a slightly disabled S80 (Fair Game) loomed in front of us between Print and Thelma, but we were covering Corella and when he tacked soon after Thelma, we followed shortly after. He threw in an early tack to see if we would follow and indeed we did, with both of us short of the line, but tack and tack again got us over the line first, which is all we wanted really. He had thrown the kitchen sink at us and we survived.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
Sorry, a bit busy on the boat today .. not many chances to take a photo.
A hard lesson to learn &
A reek of the river.
We've been having some pretty low tides recently and the mudflats have been exposed. The sou wester we were riding on, had the distinct whiff of rotting vegetation and I wasn't the only one to notice it. But its the time of the year I guess.
The afternoon began with a choice of headsails and running on Ron's suggestion we strapped on a number one and set off. We had a young lass by the name of Christina on board and she had sailed over at RP for a while and decided to come across for a ride with the H28 fleet. She was originally due to sail with Nerrima, but thanks to a deal progressed with our skipper she came aboard Mariner for the day. The hull had been cleaned and the boat was going to be as slick as she ever could be. The breeze was suggested to rise through the afternoon so the choice of a one or a one and a half had some go the slightly lesser sail to keep them pointing higher.
A fleet of 6 boats and once again we were a little early, but we were joined by Wynella who broke the line and Corella who was shut out of the line. So two waves with Swiftsure Saga, Nerrima and Anna jumping away and the other half swinging around the line again on a course one heading out toward Sampson. A small tussle developed between Swiftsure Saga and Nerrima as to who had the lead with both of them challenging for the right. But Les on Nerrima was first around Sampson.
By Sampson, we had caught up quite well and were close enough to have a choice of courses. Some decided to go left and then aim straight at the mark, while others decided to ride their luck and point as close to the mark (Print) as possible. But there was a slight problem. Les Brooker and Nerrima had the wrong course sheets on board and was last seen heading off to Deepwater. OMG that's a hard lesson to learn as he had nailed the start and was well away in the lead. Once we had determined what had happened he was hailed and invited to re-join the fleet which he did, but the lead was thoroughly lost.
A pole to Addison and then the works up to Robins began with the skipper deciding to stay out and in front of Corella who was going to be our main rival for the day. We still had Swiftsure and Anna close by and it was only on the down winds that we managed to get some separation. Getting the pole up and down wasn't a problem but staying ahead of Lockie had the mantra 'keep an eye on him at all times'. So we found ourselves with Lockie right on our heels for the first rounding and a good set of tacks had the boat around the mark and a gybe with the full weight of a strong puff had the boat settling into a comfortable run to Addison.
To Addison again and the rest of the fleet stretched out behind us with Wynella at the back (and a pity too as if they hadn't broken they may have had the lead.) It was a repeat performance on the way up again and while the original concept was to dive into the bay and come out, the breeze was too enticing and we barrelled up the centre again, dragging Corella with us. Around the top with another venture onto the foredeck to set a pole on the run to Como and then the need to keep the boat high enough on the way to the outer startline.
Around we went with an enormous thump on the gybe. The small lap had us keeping well ahead of the rest of the fleet with a momentary concern when a slightly disabled S80 (Fair Game) loomed in front of us between Print and Thelma, but we were covering Corella and when he tacked soon after Thelma, we followed shortly after. He threw in an early tack to see if we would follow and indeed we did, with both of us short of the line, but tack and tack again got us over the line first, which is all we wanted really. He had thrown the kitchen sink at us and we survived.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
Sorry, a bit busy on the boat today .. not many chances to take a photo.
Wednesday the 25th of October
A slow start on a course one &
I should have listened to the crew.
The day was set with a whistling nor easter rattling the rigging and the hope that it might drop out. There may have been the chance of a seabreeze later in the afternoon, but going on yesterday it wasn't a big offer. Half a dozen H28s rolled up and it was going to be a good day on the water. Before we got going, a fire broke out in Kings Park and was smartly doused by the fire control parties who were working on the remnants of the fires of the day before.
Div One got a way to a great start with Len on the Avenue inserting himself into the charge and the Foundo driven by the 'Slippery when Wet' team was so far over the line that getting back was a problem as they were held in place by the oncoming fleet. .
There we were on Mariner, hunting the line well before the start and looking for a chance to get going. But it wasn't to be and once again the skipper was murmuring the words "handicap adjustment day". The vagaries of the breeze were such that despite our attempts to crack on, we were last around Sampson and faced with the challenge of the battle of Print and Addison. You can and you can't on that leg and today we could. Swiftsure Saga and Corella had managed to get away nicely. It was a very nice drag race up to Print and we managed to roll both Wynella and The First Jindarra before we turned to head to Addison. However we had John Wright in front of us still....
The next leg was up to Robins and we were carrying a pole pretty quickly as the breeze swung yet again. Not fast though as the wind had died away and the clock was still ticking. Chasing the gusts as ever and aiming to get through Anna on the way down to Robins. A quick pole drop did the trick and we headed to Addison on a beat that took us out and then tacking back to cover Anna. Ahead of us, Swiftsure Saga was holding off Corella quite well with Bill keeping a cover on David at all times. Mind you he had Erich back from his travels to Europe and was consequently doing quite well.
Around Addison again, harden up and watch as the club safety boat towed the S80 Shadowfax back home with a broken mast. A meeting with Graeme Monkhouse's MaxStar had taken him out and the insurance companies will be talking to each other. Meantime a freshening of the breeze had us moving fairly well and while we were under pole, a cold beer was had. Arriving at Robins again we watched as Bill and David went away on their own private battle over in the north while we ran up the breeze toward Como. But there was a problem for Bill... he should have covered Corella and as he commented ruefully after we had parked up. 'I should have listened to the crew.' David had got through him and led all the way to the shortened finish line. Some 33 seconds ahead.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Wynella.
Yes the seabreeze came in. We had parked up in the pen and were putting things to rights when the westerly boomed in and the remnants of the fleet were scattered about on the water, while coping with gusts into the mid 20's. They all made it home, but no slow and gentle ride in... a couple of boats had fun and games getting into their pens.
A slow start on a course one &
I should have listened to the crew.
The day was set with a whistling nor easter rattling the rigging and the hope that it might drop out. There may have been the chance of a seabreeze later in the afternoon, but going on yesterday it wasn't a big offer. Half a dozen H28s rolled up and it was going to be a good day on the water. Before we got going, a fire broke out in Kings Park and was smartly doused by the fire control parties who were working on the remnants of the fires of the day before.
Div One got a way to a great start with Len on the Avenue inserting himself into the charge and the Foundo driven by the 'Slippery when Wet' team was so far over the line that getting back was a problem as they were held in place by the oncoming fleet. .
There we were on Mariner, hunting the line well before the start and looking for a chance to get going. But it wasn't to be and once again the skipper was murmuring the words "handicap adjustment day". The vagaries of the breeze were such that despite our attempts to crack on, we were last around Sampson and faced with the challenge of the battle of Print and Addison. You can and you can't on that leg and today we could. Swiftsure Saga and Corella had managed to get away nicely. It was a very nice drag race up to Print and we managed to roll both Wynella and The First Jindarra before we turned to head to Addison. However we had John Wright in front of us still....
The next leg was up to Robins and we were carrying a pole pretty quickly as the breeze swung yet again. Not fast though as the wind had died away and the clock was still ticking. Chasing the gusts as ever and aiming to get through Anna on the way down to Robins. A quick pole drop did the trick and we headed to Addison on a beat that took us out and then tacking back to cover Anna. Ahead of us, Swiftsure Saga was holding off Corella quite well with Bill keeping a cover on David at all times. Mind you he had Erich back from his travels to Europe and was consequently doing quite well.
Around Addison again, harden up and watch as the club safety boat towed the S80 Shadowfax back home with a broken mast. A meeting with Graeme Monkhouse's MaxStar had taken him out and the insurance companies will be talking to each other. Meantime a freshening of the breeze had us moving fairly well and while we were under pole, a cold beer was had. Arriving at Robins again we watched as Bill and David went away on their own private battle over in the north while we ran up the breeze toward Como. But there was a problem for Bill... he should have covered Corella and as he commented ruefully after we had parked up. 'I should have listened to the crew.' David had got through him and led all the way to the shortened finish line. Some 33 seconds ahead.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Wynella.
Yes the seabreeze came in. We had parked up in the pen and were putting things to rights when the westerly boomed in and the remnants of the fleet were scattered about on the water, while coping with gusts into the mid 20's. They all made it home, but no slow and gentle ride in... a couple of boats had fun and games getting into their pens.
Wednesday the 18th of October
A visitor joins us &
A brisk breeze blows all in front of it.
Phil's gone away driving trucks up in the grain country.. He'll be returning in December they reckon; but the story goes that the camp cook hasn't rocked up yet, so perhaps he might be reprising a time when he did a stint as a cook on a muster a few years ago. But we still have Kate on the boat and she's good value.
We had a visitor today. Jan, one of the starters had organised to put her friend Lyn on our H28 for the day and she was invited on board as well. Bill Richards was short staffed and was promptly loaned Jan for the run. All was well. Lyn owns a 40+ Jeanneau and cruises in Queensland so it was expected that she knew how to operate a winch and the various technical terms. Boy was she in for a surprise.
Seven boats launched from the pens and we took off on a building sou wester of about 16 knots. Yep, the number one was about right. The full number one course was on offer with Martin-Weaver tucked into the mix. Away we went and were lucky enough to get to the front and maintain the spot all the way up and around Martin and Weaver and the long drag race to Sampson commenced. Swiftsure Saga was quite competitive and sat on our transom while we worked the sails to keep the speed constant. Behind us, Lockie had sat down low as Vic Court used to do and the other four boats vied for position with Les on Nerrima doing a famous job. The boat is quick. ( well so was every one on that reach across the river)
We had to give Swiftsure room at Sampson and then we were buried by Bill as we tried to match him for height on the way to Print. Just not going to happen. Behind us the rest of the fleet was pounding up the track and it was quite clear that it was going to be a bit of madness as we all had to tack to make Print. There were a few howls of protest during this period. Dodging and ducking was the order of the day and Nerrima was lucky not to have us straight through him. Oh well it didn't cost us too much and we ended up chasing Swiftsure Saga down to Addison and then preparing for the work up to Robins.
Harden everything up and just go for it. Getting across the creek had us hitting the mid to high numbers in the 5 knot bracket and then the tack out to see how we would lie. Do we go in to the bay, or do we stay out? Well darn it, most of them were with us through the middle of the river and fortunately the waves weren't that bad. As I was on the main, I didn't have the chance to record much of what was happening, but I certainly know that by making Robins out of the middle of the river we were doing ok, but we couldn't duck the rest of the boats coming at us on the same lay that we came in on. It was heard on the radio that Jindarra had retired and its a pity as they were quite competitive during the early part of the race.
A pole and a run down with a gybe that took us all the way to Addison. Very few changes in the race schedule behind us, but the racing was fast and furious at all times. Hardening up the main a little early gave Bill a chance to get a little further away on the return to Robins again, but at the same time the skipper was practising scalloping with a high rate of success. If we could put them below us, it all helped. This time we had gone in to the bay and that scalloping worked well enough to get us Robins and around the mark in good time. There was a little madness with the div one boats and Slippery when Wet had to crash tack to avoid a Bakewell 8 on starboard. Another pole to Como and we met up with a number div. one boats heading for the finish line with Helios II and Paul Eldrid on the rail. Mutual photos were taken.
Around the outer startline we went and were holding good speed all the way on the small loop and found ourselves approaching Thelma with trepidation as there were boats running along the freeway on a very shallow bit of water.. a div. 3 boat managed to find the bottom momentarily and stood up right, but was able to get away scot free. We were running the freeway as well chasing Swiftsure Saga, but Corella had decided to tack off to the middle and try his run from there. We had tacked for the line, but found ourselves facing another boat on starboard (Nerrima?) , so a huge dump of the main got us past him and we continued on for another few metres before tacking for the line.
But Corella had done the impossible. He went all the way from the middle, dropped a bit and had to tack to come back, but he hit the line before we did. The skip wasn't impressed. How on earth could he do that? Ah well, no ones perfect.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Wynella.
Well sailed all and the competition is certainly hotting up with 5 minutes separating the whole fleet over the full course one.
A visitor joins us &
A brisk breeze blows all in front of it.
Phil's gone away driving trucks up in the grain country.. He'll be returning in December they reckon; but the story goes that the camp cook hasn't rocked up yet, so perhaps he might be reprising a time when he did a stint as a cook on a muster a few years ago. But we still have Kate on the boat and she's good value.
We had a visitor today. Jan, one of the starters had organised to put her friend Lyn on our H28 for the day and she was invited on board as well. Bill Richards was short staffed and was promptly loaned Jan for the run. All was well. Lyn owns a 40+ Jeanneau and cruises in Queensland so it was expected that she knew how to operate a winch and the various technical terms. Boy was she in for a surprise.
Seven boats launched from the pens and we took off on a building sou wester of about 16 knots. Yep, the number one was about right. The full number one course was on offer with Martin-Weaver tucked into the mix. Away we went and were lucky enough to get to the front and maintain the spot all the way up and around Martin and Weaver and the long drag race to Sampson commenced. Swiftsure Saga was quite competitive and sat on our transom while we worked the sails to keep the speed constant. Behind us, Lockie had sat down low as Vic Court used to do and the other four boats vied for position with Les on Nerrima doing a famous job. The boat is quick. ( well so was every one on that reach across the river)
We had to give Swiftsure room at Sampson and then we were buried by Bill as we tried to match him for height on the way to Print. Just not going to happen. Behind us the rest of the fleet was pounding up the track and it was quite clear that it was going to be a bit of madness as we all had to tack to make Print. There were a few howls of protest during this period. Dodging and ducking was the order of the day and Nerrima was lucky not to have us straight through him. Oh well it didn't cost us too much and we ended up chasing Swiftsure Saga down to Addison and then preparing for the work up to Robins.
Harden everything up and just go for it. Getting across the creek had us hitting the mid to high numbers in the 5 knot bracket and then the tack out to see how we would lie. Do we go in to the bay, or do we stay out? Well darn it, most of them were with us through the middle of the river and fortunately the waves weren't that bad. As I was on the main, I didn't have the chance to record much of what was happening, but I certainly know that by making Robins out of the middle of the river we were doing ok, but we couldn't duck the rest of the boats coming at us on the same lay that we came in on. It was heard on the radio that Jindarra had retired and its a pity as they were quite competitive during the early part of the race.
A pole and a run down with a gybe that took us all the way to Addison. Very few changes in the race schedule behind us, but the racing was fast and furious at all times. Hardening up the main a little early gave Bill a chance to get a little further away on the return to Robins again, but at the same time the skipper was practising scalloping with a high rate of success. If we could put them below us, it all helped. This time we had gone in to the bay and that scalloping worked well enough to get us Robins and around the mark in good time. There was a little madness with the div one boats and Slippery when Wet had to crash tack to avoid a Bakewell 8 on starboard. Another pole to Como and we met up with a number div. one boats heading for the finish line with Helios II and Paul Eldrid on the rail. Mutual photos were taken.
Around the outer startline we went and were holding good speed all the way on the small loop and found ourselves approaching Thelma with trepidation as there were boats running along the freeway on a very shallow bit of water.. a div. 3 boat managed to find the bottom momentarily and stood up right, but was able to get away scot free. We were running the freeway as well chasing Swiftsure Saga, but Corella had decided to tack off to the middle and try his run from there. We had tacked for the line, but found ourselves facing another boat on starboard (Nerrima?) , so a huge dump of the main got us past him and we continued on for another few metres before tacking for the line.
But Corella had done the impossible. He went all the way from the middle, dropped a bit and had to tack to come back, but he hit the line before we did. The skip wasn't impressed. How on earth could he do that? Ah well, no ones perfect.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Wynella.
Well sailed all and the competition is certainly hotting up with 5 minutes separating the whole fleet over the full course one.
This video was shot on Saturday the 14th of October.. and yes it features H28s a little later on.
Wednesday the 11th of October. The Jim Leach Memorial Trophy
Only a second in it.
What was Swiftsure Saga thinking?
I'm not even going to discuss the starters choice of course with a booming sou wester in play. A course two? Eeeep. Oh well, first to Sampson gets the win.
That was very much the story as well, as all five H28s headed off to the start line with diminished foresails. Lets face it, being blown sideways just aint fun. So returning to the start line, we were all late (at least 30 seconds) and no matter what the skipper said, the resulting drag race down to Sampson was sorted out with Mariner and Swiftsure indulging in a little bit of fun and games to make sure that we had and kept the lead. But Lockie was already away and with the breeze in his hair he was gone and we knew that our job was to try and keep up with him.
Heading up to Hallmark was going to be a decent run and of course we were going to run the gauntlet of the Royal Fleet as they sallied forward out of Matilda Bay. We were already beginning to spread out as we shot off up the track to Hallmark and we had Swiftsure Saga about 100 metres behind us. Corella had run clear of the advancing RP fleet and a careful look under the boom judged us clear as well. "Swiftsure might have problems" murmured the skipper.
And so it was. Perhaps Bill thought he could have made it but reality kicked in and I'm pretty sure that the crew nearly wore brown shorts as the Royal Perth fleet closed on them. They tacked just in time and were absolutely buried by the fleet. No one else was affected and Wynella was leading the charge to Hallmark after us with Anna not far behind and Bill coaxing life back into his crew as they sat at the back. Actually they recovered fairly well when all was said and done. From Hallmark up to Armstrong and then the bend back down the breeze with Corella electing to run with her jib. We had chosen to pole the jib out on the leeside while those behind us popped out poles for their jibs, but places had changed faces when Anna out manoeuvred Wynella to slip into third.
Down to Como we went, with the skipper doing the foredeck (well he wanted to!) and then lined up with a bunch of the slower div one boats for a rambunctious ride to the outer start line. Woohoo! A slightly wild trip and we had to let Eun Na Mara through over us as she was just too bloody big to ignore, but we kept Take Cover below us. Then back to Sampson chasing Lockie (as ever). Harden up and aim for Dolphin East after we swung around Sampson and we were getting mighty wet as we slogged our way up through the wind built waves to the next mark.
No, we didn't do it in one leg and had to tack to make the mark.. about 75 meters behind Corella. Not bad really, we had been working hard to keep up with him and the mob behind us were working just as hard with Anna ensuring that the pair behind them were under control. Barely under control, but Wynella and Swiftsure were battling to send the other to the back. From there it was a run down to Print, with a slight harden up to Como and then the dash to Thelma with the GPS reporting 8 knots in the slide down the waves and the gusts as they came through. All around were other fleets and we found ourselves battling with a couple of Div 3 boats and coming out more or less on top. Just had to keep a little green SS22 off our backside.
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Anna.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
Wynella took the win and the Jim Leach Trophy by one second to both Swiftsure Saga and Mariner with Anna another 5 seconds behind the pair. And even Corella wasn't that far away with 20 seconds behind Anna (on handicap)
Well done the handicapper.
As to Opening Day.. I'll put some photos up shortly..
This was a case of those who would be first, came last on handicap. A pity about that David you guys sailed well.
Only a second in it.
What was Swiftsure Saga thinking?
I'm not even going to discuss the starters choice of course with a booming sou wester in play. A course two? Eeeep. Oh well, first to Sampson gets the win.
That was very much the story as well, as all five H28s headed off to the start line with diminished foresails. Lets face it, being blown sideways just aint fun. So returning to the start line, we were all late (at least 30 seconds) and no matter what the skipper said, the resulting drag race down to Sampson was sorted out with Mariner and Swiftsure indulging in a little bit of fun and games to make sure that we had and kept the lead. But Lockie was already away and with the breeze in his hair he was gone and we knew that our job was to try and keep up with him.
Heading up to Hallmark was going to be a decent run and of course we were going to run the gauntlet of the Royal Fleet as they sallied forward out of Matilda Bay. We were already beginning to spread out as we shot off up the track to Hallmark and we had Swiftsure Saga about 100 metres behind us. Corella had run clear of the advancing RP fleet and a careful look under the boom judged us clear as well. "Swiftsure might have problems" murmured the skipper.
And so it was. Perhaps Bill thought he could have made it but reality kicked in and I'm pretty sure that the crew nearly wore brown shorts as the Royal Perth fleet closed on them. They tacked just in time and were absolutely buried by the fleet. No one else was affected and Wynella was leading the charge to Hallmark after us with Anna not far behind and Bill coaxing life back into his crew as they sat at the back. Actually they recovered fairly well when all was said and done. From Hallmark up to Armstrong and then the bend back down the breeze with Corella electing to run with her jib. We had chosen to pole the jib out on the leeside while those behind us popped out poles for their jibs, but places had changed faces when Anna out manoeuvred Wynella to slip into third.
Down to Como we went, with the skipper doing the foredeck (well he wanted to!) and then lined up with a bunch of the slower div one boats for a rambunctious ride to the outer start line. Woohoo! A slightly wild trip and we had to let Eun Na Mara through over us as she was just too bloody big to ignore, but we kept Take Cover below us. Then back to Sampson chasing Lockie (as ever). Harden up and aim for Dolphin East after we swung around Sampson and we were getting mighty wet as we slogged our way up through the wind built waves to the next mark.
No, we didn't do it in one leg and had to tack to make the mark.. about 75 meters behind Corella. Not bad really, we had been working hard to keep up with him and the mob behind us were working just as hard with Anna ensuring that the pair behind them were under control. Barely under control, but Wynella and Swiftsure were battling to send the other to the back. From there it was a run down to Print, with a slight harden up to Como and then the dash to Thelma with the GPS reporting 8 knots in the slide down the waves and the gusts as they came through. All around were other fleets and we found ourselves battling with a couple of Div 3 boats and coming out more or less on top. Just had to keep a little green SS22 off our backside.
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Anna.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
Wynella took the win and the Jim Leach Trophy by one second to both Swiftsure Saga and Mariner with Anna another 5 seconds behind the pair. And even Corella wasn't that far away with 20 seconds behind Anna (on handicap)
Well done the handicapper.
As to Opening Day.. I'll put some photos up shortly..
This was a case of those who would be first, came last on handicap. A pity about that David you guys sailed well.
Opening Day 2023 on water.
Wednesday the 4th of October Spring has begun.
Where's Dolphin East?
Simply out-sailed.
A late start for the day and a great day for a sail. We were held back to allow for a Westsail regatta during the school holidays and it was a monty that we would get a short course. But the weather was in favour of the day and it was a grand day to be on the water.
Seven H28s made it onto the water and it was nice to have to battle for room on the line, but the skip made a good job of it and we were in front from the start line. The course was simple, turn left at Sampson and head up to Robins and our mission was to cover Lockie who (as usual) was on our tail.
Its not that easy covering the fellow and we learnt very quickly that he wasn't going to let us get away easily. By Heathcote, he was scalloping furiously to get above us (and incidentally keep off the mudbank) then waited till we tossed, then headed off up the breeze toward Robins. We'd tacked a little early possibly and found ourselves working hard to make the mark. Lockie had no problems as he was that little bit higher and shot off down to the mark. Faster and higher. He rounded Robins first.
Behind us, the field was sorting itself out with Les and Nerima doing a sterling job and taking the early lead. Of course John Wright and Bill couldn't take it lying down and were hammering away after Les, but the boys on Wynella said "lets do something different" and went up the middle which wasn't a bad idea as there was little wind slop. The Jin was very much in there at this stage and were gnawing on the heels of the fleet.
However there were two fleets already and with Mariner and Corella gone away, the gang at the back were trying to sort out the minors. But worse was to come. As we headed down to Dolphin East, we realised that it wasn't there and shouts of turn Lockie turn, finally had him tacking to indicate the corner that we scrupulously followed and then watched behind us to see the back fleet make up their own minds as to the marks position. A bit of ground was made up, I'd expect.
So down to Como and a pole, then turn to aim at the outer startline with the boat doing very well, but we fully realised that any mistakes would just let Lockie get that bit further ahead. Around we went at the mark and then a quick call for a pole, had it up and down again within a hundred meters as the breeze changed again. The back fleet were doing a great job, but they were battling with the Div. 3 boats who caused grief with their own racing tactics and possibly they might profit from reviewing sailing rules. The order in the fleet changed a little as a result but they were still bunched up after the outer start line and by King after Sampson Wynella had the lead of the pack with Anna close behind him.
Still chasing Lockie, we watched as a battle between some div one boats made the corner at Como interesting and then we viewed their continued struggle down to the finish line with the third boat in the battle just not able to stay up with the other two. A pity to see a Foundo in such dire straits. In the mean time we were heading down to Thelma after Como with a run along the foreshore and then tacking for the line. Again the fleet behind us was having troubles with interference from Div 3 causing problems with rounding at Thelma and some boats nearly pushed onto the putty. Not really good manners.
Over the line and on handicap: Corella, Mariner and Wynella.
The new sails are working Glen!
Where's Dolphin East?
Simply out-sailed.
A late start for the day and a great day for a sail. We were held back to allow for a Westsail regatta during the school holidays and it was a monty that we would get a short course. But the weather was in favour of the day and it was a grand day to be on the water.
Seven H28s made it onto the water and it was nice to have to battle for room on the line, but the skip made a good job of it and we were in front from the start line. The course was simple, turn left at Sampson and head up to Robins and our mission was to cover Lockie who (as usual) was on our tail.
Its not that easy covering the fellow and we learnt very quickly that he wasn't going to let us get away easily. By Heathcote, he was scalloping furiously to get above us (and incidentally keep off the mudbank) then waited till we tossed, then headed off up the breeze toward Robins. We'd tacked a little early possibly and found ourselves working hard to make the mark. Lockie had no problems as he was that little bit higher and shot off down to the mark. Faster and higher. He rounded Robins first.
Behind us, the field was sorting itself out with Les and Nerima doing a sterling job and taking the early lead. Of course John Wright and Bill couldn't take it lying down and were hammering away after Les, but the boys on Wynella said "lets do something different" and went up the middle which wasn't a bad idea as there was little wind slop. The Jin was very much in there at this stage and were gnawing on the heels of the fleet.
However there were two fleets already and with Mariner and Corella gone away, the gang at the back were trying to sort out the minors. But worse was to come. As we headed down to Dolphin East, we realised that it wasn't there and shouts of turn Lockie turn, finally had him tacking to indicate the corner that we scrupulously followed and then watched behind us to see the back fleet make up their own minds as to the marks position. A bit of ground was made up, I'd expect.
So down to Como and a pole, then turn to aim at the outer startline with the boat doing very well, but we fully realised that any mistakes would just let Lockie get that bit further ahead. Around we went at the mark and then a quick call for a pole, had it up and down again within a hundred meters as the breeze changed again. The back fleet were doing a great job, but they were battling with the Div. 3 boats who caused grief with their own racing tactics and possibly they might profit from reviewing sailing rules. The order in the fleet changed a little as a result but they were still bunched up after the outer start line and by King after Sampson Wynella had the lead of the pack with Anna close behind him.
Still chasing Lockie, we watched as a battle between some div one boats made the corner at Como interesting and then we viewed their continued struggle down to the finish line with the third boat in the battle just not able to stay up with the other two. A pity to see a Foundo in such dire straits. In the mean time we were heading down to Thelma after Como with a run along the foreshore and then tacking for the line. Again the fleet behind us was having troubles with interference from Div 3 causing problems with rounding at Thelma and some boats nearly pushed onto the putty. Not really good manners.
Over the line and on handicap: Corella, Mariner and Wynella.
The new sails are working Glen!
Wednesday the 27th of September - end of the Winter season.
Rita's back &
An unlucky start.
Well done to the H28's with 6 boats out today. Wonderful stuff. Though the starters choice of course had us wondering a little. A course three on a day where a course 4 might have been appropriate. However it gave us a good sail once the breeze made its mind up to come in.
Yes, Rita is back and was subject to hugs etc as she readied Corella for yet another day on the water. However the real star was Les Brooker with Nerrima and the return of Mark Whimhurst to the river again. Les threatened to make it out last year, but this time the boat hit the water running.
The start was all about getting over to the freeway to pick up whatever was running along the shore and either you did or you didn't. But in the fracas Wynella was left behind and didn't make it over the line till 5 minutes had lapsed. Bingo, an instant fail. A pity though as the race was set to be a battle between Mariner and Wynella and their handicap should have helped them enormously. However we didn't know that and managed to pick up a ghostly zephyr that pointed us at Sampson as we watched the rest of the boats either struggle near the freeway or follow on after us along the ghost zephyr path. Around Sampson and then point at King with the faint hope that the breeze would be sufficient to get us there.
The breeze deserted us and while we had a lead, the new pressure built behind us bringing all the fleet down to us. No other options as we saw the fleet surround us at Robins and we had to relinquish our lead to Swiftsure Saga. But the breeze was in and from now on it was a case of chase the breezes and the read the variations that were coming through. Away down to Print and then across to Foam with another dig into the bay to take us out to Robins again. We were lucky to have Brian's grandson Josh on board and he took an active role on the boat letting off and reloading the winches for his uncle Ron who was trimming for the day. He even piloted the boat into the berth, handling it with aplomb.
Around Robins and then watch as Wynella was testing their new sails against Les and Nerrima. Doing well too, but the problem still is that they may have to put new tracks on the boat to accommodate the length of the foot. But the sail was a better fit along the luff. Anna kept on tracking well and really made us work hard to keep above him as he can and does have better height on occasions.
By this time the clock had made 1600 hrs and as we headed down to Print, we set up for a two sail reach which would give us a poled out jib on the other side when we hit Print and gybed the main. We had to weave our way though the Div one fleet and did so admirably with waves to all on the way through. From there it was a run to Como, stow the pole and head off to the finish line where we could see the shortened course flying. A nice way to finish the day.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Anna
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Mariner.
The results for the winter season: Mariner, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga.
The last photo is the ladies heading over to the Women's match racing in Adelaide. Keep an eye out for them.
Rita's back &
An unlucky start.
Well done to the H28's with 6 boats out today. Wonderful stuff. Though the starters choice of course had us wondering a little. A course three on a day where a course 4 might have been appropriate. However it gave us a good sail once the breeze made its mind up to come in.
Yes, Rita is back and was subject to hugs etc as she readied Corella for yet another day on the water. However the real star was Les Brooker with Nerrima and the return of Mark Whimhurst to the river again. Les threatened to make it out last year, but this time the boat hit the water running.
The start was all about getting over to the freeway to pick up whatever was running along the shore and either you did or you didn't. But in the fracas Wynella was left behind and didn't make it over the line till 5 minutes had lapsed. Bingo, an instant fail. A pity though as the race was set to be a battle between Mariner and Wynella and their handicap should have helped them enormously. However we didn't know that and managed to pick up a ghostly zephyr that pointed us at Sampson as we watched the rest of the boats either struggle near the freeway or follow on after us along the ghost zephyr path. Around Sampson and then point at King with the faint hope that the breeze would be sufficient to get us there.
The breeze deserted us and while we had a lead, the new pressure built behind us bringing all the fleet down to us. No other options as we saw the fleet surround us at Robins and we had to relinquish our lead to Swiftsure Saga. But the breeze was in and from now on it was a case of chase the breezes and the read the variations that were coming through. Away down to Print and then across to Foam with another dig into the bay to take us out to Robins again. We were lucky to have Brian's grandson Josh on board and he took an active role on the boat letting off and reloading the winches for his uncle Ron who was trimming for the day. He even piloted the boat into the berth, handling it with aplomb.
Around Robins and then watch as Wynella was testing their new sails against Les and Nerrima. Doing well too, but the problem still is that they may have to put new tracks on the boat to accommodate the length of the foot. But the sail was a better fit along the luff. Anna kept on tracking well and really made us work hard to keep above him as he can and does have better height on occasions.
By this time the clock had made 1600 hrs and as we headed down to Print, we set up for a two sail reach which would give us a poled out jib on the other side when we hit Print and gybed the main. We had to weave our way though the Div one fleet and did so admirably with waves to all on the way through. From there it was a run to Como, stow the pole and head off to the finish line where we could see the shortened course flying. A nice way to finish the day.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Anna
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Anna and Mariner.
The results for the winter season: Mariner, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga.
The last photo is the ladies heading over to the Women's match racing in Adelaide. Keep an eye out for them.
Wednesday the 20th of September
Banking! & a new sail.
Never underestimate John Wright.
The starters decided to hand out a course one on a glorious afternoon with the best of 12 to 15 knots out of the SSW. Fair call. We had four boats on the water and the run up to Martin - Weaver was put aside for once. A good day to start with. The boys on Wynella were trying out the new number one and had already decided that it was a bit too big for the boat and would have to be recut. A pity, because even in its current state, the boat was quicker. Bill on Swiftsure Saga had to sit this one out, as he had two of his crew away and Nick was no where to be seen. Had there been more crew available, then we could have shared to keep him going, but not today.
We got away to the start line fairly well and took the lead with Anna and The First Jindarra playing games on the dash to Sampson. But never under estimate John Wright, he'll get you if he can. So take him up and guess what, he sailed over him and into second place. So to Sampson and around the corner with the dash to Print and the first pole of the day to Addison. An early drop and a smart rounding sent us on our way over to the channel before heading up the breeze to Robins. And surprise surprise, there is the Jin lifting like crazy, rolling Anna and even we were questioning whether we would get past him. But the same question was put to us by Anna who had returned for a dip into the bay before heading out to Robins.
We looked back and the so confident Jindarra had forgotten that the tide was well down today and lodged themselves on the bank outside the Western Hardstand. Bother and blast. So we sailed on. But it didn't take John on Anna long before he snuck past us. As Brian said later on.. 'we should have kept a loose cover on Anna instead of trying to get more out of the breeze we were in'. So chasing Anna all afternoon and while we would close up on the down winds, he would pull away on the up winds, just lifting a little better.
In the meantime, the boys on Wynella had their own issues with the over sized # 1. It was ok on a reach and downwind, but couldn't help at all on the up wind where you need it. I had a look at the jib on the slightly cracked reach across to the outer start line and there is a photo on board. Make your own observations. But the new main is certainly helping them to remain competitive.
The last leg was the small run around the close by marks, Sampson - King - Print - Como - Thelma- home. And we had to double tack at King. Another 30 seconds into Anna's lap. Oh well.
Over the line: Anna, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Anna, Wynella and Mariner
Banking! & a new sail.
Never underestimate John Wright.
The starters decided to hand out a course one on a glorious afternoon with the best of 12 to 15 knots out of the SSW. Fair call. We had four boats on the water and the run up to Martin - Weaver was put aside for once. A good day to start with. The boys on Wynella were trying out the new number one and had already decided that it was a bit too big for the boat and would have to be recut. A pity, because even in its current state, the boat was quicker. Bill on Swiftsure Saga had to sit this one out, as he had two of his crew away and Nick was no where to be seen. Had there been more crew available, then we could have shared to keep him going, but not today.
We got away to the start line fairly well and took the lead with Anna and The First Jindarra playing games on the dash to Sampson. But never under estimate John Wright, he'll get you if he can. So take him up and guess what, he sailed over him and into second place. So to Sampson and around the corner with the dash to Print and the first pole of the day to Addison. An early drop and a smart rounding sent us on our way over to the channel before heading up the breeze to Robins. And surprise surprise, there is the Jin lifting like crazy, rolling Anna and even we were questioning whether we would get past him. But the same question was put to us by Anna who had returned for a dip into the bay before heading out to Robins.
We looked back and the so confident Jindarra had forgotten that the tide was well down today and lodged themselves on the bank outside the Western Hardstand. Bother and blast. So we sailed on. But it didn't take John on Anna long before he snuck past us. As Brian said later on.. 'we should have kept a loose cover on Anna instead of trying to get more out of the breeze we were in'. So chasing Anna all afternoon and while we would close up on the down winds, he would pull away on the up winds, just lifting a little better.
In the meantime, the boys on Wynella had their own issues with the over sized # 1. It was ok on a reach and downwind, but couldn't help at all on the up wind where you need it. I had a look at the jib on the slightly cracked reach across to the outer start line and there is a photo on board. Make your own observations. But the new main is certainly helping them to remain competitive.
The last leg was the small run around the close by marks, Sampson - King - Print - Como - Thelma- home. And we had to double tack at King. Another 30 seconds into Anna's lap. Oh well.
Over the line: Anna, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Anna, Wynella and Mariner
Wednesday the 13th of September
The Mariner wine appreciation society &
Some mad fellow on a SS27.
It was quite clear that sailing today was out of the question. Base 20 and gusting to 32 and occasionally 40 knots. Mad, bad and very expensive.
A table was found on the Quarter deck and we began to watch as the new wave reduction panels on jetty one were put to the test. Not bad at all frankly. However we had an excuse to sit down and watch the world go by and we did so with the crew of Wynella, Richard Evans and David Atkinson with Andy Colquhoun joining us later. But that was not all, we had John Midolo celebrating his 70th birthday on the Q deck with family and later on, Chris Higham and crew made it onto the Qdeck for lunch as well.
The star of the day was Matt Rose who was preparing his boat and crew for the Gero this year and took the opportunity to take the boat out onto the water with a full storm rig. Two or three reefs, and a number two, then a number three then the storm jib. Sailed really well with the storm jib and decided to take the boat for a run up the breeze. Awesome.
But all good things come to an end and we slowly slipped away, but before I left.. the house swans had their family of cygnets out on the lawn near the centreboard club house and there were still 7 cygnets left. Great to see.
Sailing was abandoned for the day.. no flags flown and no warning given by sms or by email cancelling sailing.
Enjoy the images
The Mariner wine appreciation society &
Some mad fellow on a SS27.
It was quite clear that sailing today was out of the question. Base 20 and gusting to 32 and occasionally 40 knots. Mad, bad and very expensive.
A table was found on the Quarter deck and we began to watch as the new wave reduction panels on jetty one were put to the test. Not bad at all frankly. However we had an excuse to sit down and watch the world go by and we did so with the crew of Wynella, Richard Evans and David Atkinson with Andy Colquhoun joining us later. But that was not all, we had John Midolo celebrating his 70th birthday on the Q deck with family and later on, Chris Higham and crew made it onto the Qdeck for lunch as well.
The star of the day was Matt Rose who was preparing his boat and crew for the Gero this year and took the opportunity to take the boat out onto the water with a full storm rig. Two or three reefs, and a number two, then a number three then the storm jib. Sailed really well with the storm jib and decided to take the boat for a run up the breeze. Awesome.
But all good things come to an end and we slowly slipped away, but before I left.. the house swans had their family of cygnets out on the lawn near the centreboard club house and there were still 7 cygnets left. Great to see.
Sailing was abandoned for the day.. no flags flown and no warning given by sms or by email cancelling sailing.
Enjoy the images
Wednesday the 6th of September
A rambunctious day on the water &
Wynella and a new suite of sails.
There is nothing more exasperating than having written up the entire afternoons sailing to have the website sneeze and I lost the lot.
Ok, I'm over it. It was indeed a rambunctious afternoon with a base 18 knots gusting some say as high as 24. Certainly the starters had given us the PFD warnings and away we went with a slightly fluttery feeling in our bellies. This is like the days of old.
Wynella had new sails on board and the old girl looked a treat all gussied up, but as they had elected to go with a new # 1 only, they left that in the bag and put up a favourite #2 rather than stretch the # 1 on its first day out. Good choice actually as no matter what, they had the chance to roll Bill on Swiftsure on what would normally be his favourite type of day.
On a pitching, heaving cauldron of a river with the wind chop giving us waves to plough through, we covered the distance from softer and calmer regions of the Canning and made it to down to Sampson and turned left heading up to Print for the first trip down to Addison. We'd had a bit of luck at the start ('only 5 seconds late on the line' said the skipper) and made it around Martin - Weaver in the lead managing to sneak past a tardy Div 2 boat who was still battling with the day. But the day wasn't over for anyone we had chosen a sensible path on the way up to Robins.. get into the bay as fast as possible then use the breeze to take us up to the mark.
But Bill and Glen were deciding which track and Bill stayed on our path more or less while Glen chose to go up the middle and slog his way through the chop in the river. Fortunately he had Paul Eldrid along for the ride and Paul elected to stay on the rail for the afternoon. Cold, yes, Wet, yes.. But that's where he was happy to be. It certainly kept the boat flat. The first rounding saw Bill in the lead, but by the second trip up the river to Como, the position was reversed and Glen and their new livery had regained second place. Well done Wynella.
After the two runs up to Robins, the last lap was a short run around the lower marks and for some reason the skipper over-stood the ley to King and probably added another 2- 3 minutes to our time. Oh well. We were around the marks in fine time and once again headed for the line, after a slightly chancy run along the freeway. Behind us, we watched as the other two made their way back to the line and as Bill came in, he ran out of luck and had to be assisted to get the boat into the pen. But that's the way the fleet operates. Just be there to help.
Over the line and on handicap:
Mariner, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga
Nerrima is up on the hard for some restorative work and Les would be delighted if you could assist. There will be some caulking work to be done and he's got the gear and the rope to do it with. Pop down and see him. After all, we want him out on the water this summer.
A rambunctious day on the water &
Wynella and a new suite of sails.
There is nothing more exasperating than having written up the entire afternoons sailing to have the website sneeze and I lost the lot.
Ok, I'm over it. It was indeed a rambunctious afternoon with a base 18 knots gusting some say as high as 24. Certainly the starters had given us the PFD warnings and away we went with a slightly fluttery feeling in our bellies. This is like the days of old.
Wynella had new sails on board and the old girl looked a treat all gussied up, but as they had elected to go with a new # 1 only, they left that in the bag and put up a favourite #2 rather than stretch the # 1 on its first day out. Good choice actually as no matter what, they had the chance to roll Bill on Swiftsure on what would normally be his favourite type of day.
On a pitching, heaving cauldron of a river with the wind chop giving us waves to plough through, we covered the distance from softer and calmer regions of the Canning and made it to down to Sampson and turned left heading up to Print for the first trip down to Addison. We'd had a bit of luck at the start ('only 5 seconds late on the line' said the skipper) and made it around Martin - Weaver in the lead managing to sneak past a tardy Div 2 boat who was still battling with the day. But the day wasn't over for anyone we had chosen a sensible path on the way up to Robins.. get into the bay as fast as possible then use the breeze to take us up to the mark.
But Bill and Glen were deciding which track and Bill stayed on our path more or less while Glen chose to go up the middle and slog his way through the chop in the river. Fortunately he had Paul Eldrid along for the ride and Paul elected to stay on the rail for the afternoon. Cold, yes, Wet, yes.. But that's where he was happy to be. It certainly kept the boat flat. The first rounding saw Bill in the lead, but by the second trip up the river to Como, the position was reversed and Glen and their new livery had regained second place. Well done Wynella.
After the two runs up to Robins, the last lap was a short run around the lower marks and for some reason the skipper over-stood the ley to King and probably added another 2- 3 minutes to our time. Oh well. We were around the marks in fine time and once again headed for the line, after a slightly chancy run along the freeway. Behind us, we watched as the other two made their way back to the line and as Bill came in, he ran out of luck and had to be assisted to get the boat into the pen. But that's the way the fleet operates. Just be there to help.
Over the line and on handicap:
Mariner, Wynella and Swiftsure Saga
Nerrima is up on the hard for some restorative work and Les would be delighted if you could assist. There will be some caulking work to be done and he's got the gear and the rope to do it with. Pop down and see him. After all, we want him out on the water this summer.
Wednesday the 30th of August
Welcome to Roghan Anderson (Tehana) &
Geoff Sneezby (Nerrima) gets his 50 year pin &
A slow day on the water.
A phone call a day or so ago had a young fellow Roghan Anderson who used to own Tehana (RFBYC) on the other end. He's over from Melbourne and wanted to come down and join the fleet for the day. The word was passed around and he would have had a spot on a boat, but with a son who was ill, he was content to come down and have a look at the boats again. He's currently restoring a 30 something foot ketch that he picked up for a song and as all timber boat people know.. he's throwing pots of money at it. Good on him.
Yes it was a slow day on the water, but we had 5 boats on the race track and that meant a bit of competition. Particularly when John Wright had pulled Anna out of the water to clean her hull. He meant to be quick today. The breeze was a bendy almost easterly, but going up the Canning to do Martin and Weaver it was almost a southerly and we had a huge tidal outflow from the Canning. Crossing from Martin to Weaver was fraught with pain for many boats. We had started well, but with the variable winds we found ourselves in our own particular hole as everyone else slipped past us and then went to tackle the run between Martin and Weaver.
A lucky breeze had us lifting well and it was only the push from the Canning that had us dropping below the mark. No matter that we were doing well enough, we were just going sideways. Let the heady go and shoot it...maybe, but we watched The First Jindarra catch the mark and simply stall there. Eventually we spun the boat around and re shot the mark and bore away to try the run down the river to Sampson.
We had div three with us by this time and it was clear that they were going to be around us for the day, so the fleet sorted itself out and made their way around Sampson and then spread out across the river to find the best pressure. Wynella went into the south, with Anna and Swiftsure Saga running up the middle and Mariner to the North a little. Yes we were all chasing the gusts and we could see lines that sat there, infuriatingly close, but not close enough. A pole, then a two sail run, then a pole again... the variety was endless. Even the Royal Perth fleet was going slow, but they were reaching pretty much all the way.
The radio crackled.. its going to be a shortened course.. ok, so now we want to be as close to the front as possible and by the time we made it to Hallmark, it was a line ball decision at the mark to say that we were clear ahead. Wynella and Swiftsure Saga were behind us and by this time I believe that the First Jindarra had packed their sails away and retired from the race. Actually not a bad decision as the likely hood of us getting to the line by 1715 was fairly remote. But we pushed on to Armstrong rounded the mark and then do we go further out to the south or tack now? We tacked. And it was a long, slow process made interesting by the RP boats who were crossing us regularly. It was easier to duck them than force a tack which would have left them sitting on top of us.
1645 came and went, still running down the line to Como and we looked at the distance. Will we make it in time? Around Como with Anna grimly hanging on and then a chance to let the boat run a bit with fresh breeze down in the Canning. Hang on, that's 5 knots on the GPS. we are going great guns. We crossed the line at 5 and a half minutes after 5pm and Anna only 2 minutes and 22 seconds behind. Swiftsure Saga made it home with less than 40 seconds to the 1715 dead line and unfortunately Wynella had not made it home in time. ( Neither did any from Div 3)
Over the line: Mariner, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Anna, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
A pleasant award was made that evening when long time H28 owner, sailor and start team member Geoff Sneezby was given his 50 year pin. He was unable to attend the 20/30/40/50 year dinner next Friday week and was acknowledged by the H28 fleet and his peers in the club by a generous round of applause.
Welcome to Roghan Anderson (Tehana) &
Geoff Sneezby (Nerrima) gets his 50 year pin &
A slow day on the water.
A phone call a day or so ago had a young fellow Roghan Anderson who used to own Tehana (RFBYC) on the other end. He's over from Melbourne and wanted to come down and join the fleet for the day. The word was passed around and he would have had a spot on a boat, but with a son who was ill, he was content to come down and have a look at the boats again. He's currently restoring a 30 something foot ketch that he picked up for a song and as all timber boat people know.. he's throwing pots of money at it. Good on him.
Yes it was a slow day on the water, but we had 5 boats on the race track and that meant a bit of competition. Particularly when John Wright had pulled Anna out of the water to clean her hull. He meant to be quick today. The breeze was a bendy almost easterly, but going up the Canning to do Martin and Weaver it was almost a southerly and we had a huge tidal outflow from the Canning. Crossing from Martin to Weaver was fraught with pain for many boats. We had started well, but with the variable winds we found ourselves in our own particular hole as everyone else slipped past us and then went to tackle the run between Martin and Weaver.
A lucky breeze had us lifting well and it was only the push from the Canning that had us dropping below the mark. No matter that we were doing well enough, we were just going sideways. Let the heady go and shoot it...maybe, but we watched The First Jindarra catch the mark and simply stall there. Eventually we spun the boat around and re shot the mark and bore away to try the run down the river to Sampson.
We had div three with us by this time and it was clear that they were going to be around us for the day, so the fleet sorted itself out and made their way around Sampson and then spread out across the river to find the best pressure. Wynella went into the south, with Anna and Swiftsure Saga running up the middle and Mariner to the North a little. Yes we were all chasing the gusts and we could see lines that sat there, infuriatingly close, but not close enough. A pole, then a two sail run, then a pole again... the variety was endless. Even the Royal Perth fleet was going slow, but they were reaching pretty much all the way.
The radio crackled.. its going to be a shortened course.. ok, so now we want to be as close to the front as possible and by the time we made it to Hallmark, it was a line ball decision at the mark to say that we were clear ahead. Wynella and Swiftsure Saga were behind us and by this time I believe that the First Jindarra had packed their sails away and retired from the race. Actually not a bad decision as the likely hood of us getting to the line by 1715 was fairly remote. But we pushed on to Armstrong rounded the mark and then do we go further out to the south or tack now? We tacked. And it was a long, slow process made interesting by the RP boats who were crossing us regularly. It was easier to duck them than force a tack which would have left them sitting on top of us.
1645 came and went, still running down the line to Como and we looked at the distance. Will we make it in time? Around Como with Anna grimly hanging on and then a chance to let the boat run a bit with fresh breeze down in the Canning. Hang on, that's 5 knots on the GPS. we are going great guns. We crossed the line at 5 and a half minutes after 5pm and Anna only 2 minutes and 22 seconds behind. Swiftsure Saga made it home with less than 40 seconds to the 1715 dead line and unfortunately Wynella had not made it home in time. ( Neither did any from Div 3)
Over the line: Mariner, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Anna, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
A pleasant award was made that evening when long time H28 owner, sailor and start team member Geoff Sneezby was given his 50 year pin. He was unable to attend the 20/30/40/50 year dinner next Friday week and was acknowledged by the H28 fleet and his peers in the club by a generous round of applause.
Wednesday the 16th of August
A lazy south sou wester &
A great ride in the gusts.
It was a frisky breeze today with at least three layers of jumpers/vests/shirts on. The breeze began in the south and wandered between the south and the sou east where we where on the Canning, but out on Melville water, the breeze has settled into a sou sou wester that just went straight through you.
The race began with a dash up to Martin - Weaver on a course three and of course the Div. one boats tried the run up the jetties, but knocked down on the wandering gusts. Everyone had to tack. We though about it and on our attempt we aimed to cross the line on starboard and very nearly didn't make it when the breeze just went into the East. Behind us, Wynella had the same issue and recovered far better than we did. Bill on the other hand was away early in the piece and had a good lead established. We'd blown the start. Oh well we can only get better from here.
The next effort was to get to Martin and try to roll Wynella who had gone over to the freeway while we chose to stay closer to the jetties. It worked and we managed to get through Wynella with some smart tacking and a bit of luck with the breeze. Around we went and then across to Weaver where it became a line ball call as to whether we ran a pole or not. Once we got past the start line then the pole ran out and while a little shy on occasions it got us to Sampson at a steady clip and few issues. Then up the breeze for a moment and across to King with Swiftsure Saga surprisingly over standing the mark and giving us a chance to pull in a couple of boat lengths. Then the effort to get up to Robins.
Dip into Heathcote and out again following Bill in Swiftsure Saga and get some great photos as he flew past on a cross. The boat laid over and the crew working to keep the boat on a good angle. Around Robins we went and then down to Print under a pole that might have been a little to the lee side. But that's fine. Just deal with it and hit the corner and flat out to Foam buoy just slightly cracked and harden up to get to into Waylen Bay with the boat on its ear as the bigger gusts came rolling through. We were hitting 6.6 knots and the main was cracked to vent the breeze off it. I'd imagine the other boats were in a similar situation.
Swiftsure Saga had chose to go out as had Wynella and coming back to Robins it was noticeable that Wynella had caught up with Swiftsure Saga and were ahead of the two.. around Robins, a pole and a slight battle with Cliff Lawrence on the Foundo as they roared past us, they could have taken us to kingdom come if they wished but we managed to get through. Back down to Como and down to the outer startline where we met up with another boat quietly dawdling their way to the outer startline. We let them round first and then ducked inside them and shot through off to Sampson.
The small triangle and our chances improved as we drew further ahead and well we did, as the winning margin on handicap wasn't by much. Around King again and then away to Addison with, you guessed it, another pole. Well done Kate on the foredeck. The run back to the finish line had us dropping down to Thelma and run along the foreshore till we thought we could get the John Wright effect and we lifted all the way to the line. Good one.
Over the line and on handicap. Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
The last of the frostbites is on this weekend. Be there or be square!
A lazy south sou wester &
A great ride in the gusts.
It was a frisky breeze today with at least three layers of jumpers/vests/shirts on. The breeze began in the south and wandered between the south and the sou east where we where on the Canning, but out on Melville water, the breeze has settled into a sou sou wester that just went straight through you.
The race began with a dash up to Martin - Weaver on a course three and of course the Div. one boats tried the run up the jetties, but knocked down on the wandering gusts. Everyone had to tack. We though about it and on our attempt we aimed to cross the line on starboard and very nearly didn't make it when the breeze just went into the East. Behind us, Wynella had the same issue and recovered far better than we did. Bill on the other hand was away early in the piece and had a good lead established. We'd blown the start. Oh well we can only get better from here.
The next effort was to get to Martin and try to roll Wynella who had gone over to the freeway while we chose to stay closer to the jetties. It worked and we managed to get through Wynella with some smart tacking and a bit of luck with the breeze. Around we went and then across to Weaver where it became a line ball call as to whether we ran a pole or not. Once we got past the start line then the pole ran out and while a little shy on occasions it got us to Sampson at a steady clip and few issues. Then up the breeze for a moment and across to King with Swiftsure Saga surprisingly over standing the mark and giving us a chance to pull in a couple of boat lengths. Then the effort to get up to Robins.
Dip into Heathcote and out again following Bill in Swiftsure Saga and get some great photos as he flew past on a cross. The boat laid over and the crew working to keep the boat on a good angle. Around Robins we went and then down to Print under a pole that might have been a little to the lee side. But that's fine. Just deal with it and hit the corner and flat out to Foam buoy just slightly cracked and harden up to get to into Waylen Bay with the boat on its ear as the bigger gusts came rolling through. We were hitting 6.6 knots and the main was cracked to vent the breeze off it. I'd imagine the other boats were in a similar situation.
Swiftsure Saga had chose to go out as had Wynella and coming back to Robins it was noticeable that Wynella had caught up with Swiftsure Saga and were ahead of the two.. around Robins, a pole and a slight battle with Cliff Lawrence on the Foundo as they roared past us, they could have taken us to kingdom come if they wished but we managed to get through. Back down to Como and down to the outer startline where we met up with another boat quietly dawdling their way to the outer startline. We let them round first and then ducked inside them and shot through off to Sampson.
The small triangle and our chances improved as we drew further ahead and well we did, as the winning margin on handicap wasn't by much. Around King again and then away to Addison with, you guessed it, another pole. Well done Kate on the foredeck. The run back to the finish line had us dropping down to Thelma and run along the foreshore till we thought we could get the John Wright effect and we lifted all the way to the line. Good one.
Over the line and on handicap. Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
The last of the frostbites is on this weekend. Be there or be square!
Wednesday the 9th of August
Dolphins &
A slow day on the water.
Yes it was a very slow day on the water and even when the starters hung out the AP for all to see, we were sailing on zephyrs for most of the day. However beggars cant be choosers and on a sunny (cool) winter afternoon 2 boats slipped out onto the water. Bill and Swiftsure were not starters as he has done his shoulder in and John Wright survived another bout with the skin specialist and just could lift his head up high enough to drive down for a coffee. (get better both of you please) However Wynella had a full boat and we had had two more of our crew return from overseas so with Erich from Swiftsure joining us we were in fine fettle.
The start was fine on an average sort of a day, but the run to Sampson was punctuated by the arrival of a pod of dolphins who worked Wynella over properly: soaring, diving, spouting and splashing around the hull for at least a minute with Ernie clapping and cheering to keep them interested in the boat. Fair enough .. it worked.
To Sampson and around and the discussion became animated, where to from here.. we all knew that we wanted to get to Robins, but the patches of pressure meant that we had to go the long way around and of course reading the other boats became the game, with picking the far off lines of pressure coming up the river as the star trick of the afternoon. Unfortunately Wynella over judged the depth of the water underneath Heathcote and spent a while poling themselves off the bank, but who hasn't been there?
Eventually after much diversion we found ourselves jousting for Robins with the little blue boat Hellas, who had tried to make it around with our bow firmly inside their transom. They conceded the room only to have the Royal Perth boat a little further out howling that we weren't under their transom and that they didn't have to get out of our way. Well starboard beats port anytime buster, so what do you have to say about that?
Around we went with the offer of beers from Ron that he'd picked up from Sydney allegedly from the Pride March back in April. "g@y" beers he called them. Dunno about that, but they were just a slightly fizzy pale ale from Little Creatures. So off to Dolphin East on a constant but light west sou west with all the fleets combining around us on the flow to Como there after. By this time Wynella had become unstuck and was doing very well to catch up with us on the better pressure up near Robins, but as soon as they began to head down wind, then they also slowed down.
Poled out and drifting, we polished off the g@y beers and then readied ourselves for Como and the journey to the finish line where we could see the flags already hung out for us and gaily flapping in the breeze.
Over the line and on handicap: Mariner and Wynella
To the Frostbite last Sunday and didn't we have fun.
3 H28s on the water and Mariner was duelling with the lightweight boats, Commotion and Hellas on a course two on a very soft day. But every inch of the course was contested and only in the second last leg did the blue boat Hellas manage to get away from us. Not by much, but enough to say he was ahead at the finish line. Three up on Mariner, we were able to run a spinnaker on the soft day as did both Aloha and Wynella with Glen Stanley reprising his early days on the foredeck and helping Wynella to be the second H28 over the line. But the lesson learned from this race was, make sure you had clear air on the start as the other H28s joined the top end of the line and the fracas that was happening up there ensured that they would be gassed by the lighter, faster placky boats.
Dolphins &
A slow day on the water.
Yes it was a very slow day on the water and even when the starters hung out the AP for all to see, we were sailing on zephyrs for most of the day. However beggars cant be choosers and on a sunny (cool) winter afternoon 2 boats slipped out onto the water. Bill and Swiftsure were not starters as he has done his shoulder in and John Wright survived another bout with the skin specialist and just could lift his head up high enough to drive down for a coffee. (get better both of you please) However Wynella had a full boat and we had had two more of our crew return from overseas so with Erich from Swiftsure joining us we were in fine fettle.
The start was fine on an average sort of a day, but the run to Sampson was punctuated by the arrival of a pod of dolphins who worked Wynella over properly: soaring, diving, spouting and splashing around the hull for at least a minute with Ernie clapping and cheering to keep them interested in the boat. Fair enough .. it worked.
To Sampson and around and the discussion became animated, where to from here.. we all knew that we wanted to get to Robins, but the patches of pressure meant that we had to go the long way around and of course reading the other boats became the game, with picking the far off lines of pressure coming up the river as the star trick of the afternoon. Unfortunately Wynella over judged the depth of the water underneath Heathcote and spent a while poling themselves off the bank, but who hasn't been there?
Eventually after much diversion we found ourselves jousting for Robins with the little blue boat Hellas, who had tried to make it around with our bow firmly inside their transom. They conceded the room only to have the Royal Perth boat a little further out howling that we weren't under their transom and that they didn't have to get out of our way. Well starboard beats port anytime buster, so what do you have to say about that?
Around we went with the offer of beers from Ron that he'd picked up from Sydney allegedly from the Pride March back in April. "g@y" beers he called them. Dunno about that, but they were just a slightly fizzy pale ale from Little Creatures. So off to Dolphin East on a constant but light west sou west with all the fleets combining around us on the flow to Como there after. By this time Wynella had become unstuck and was doing very well to catch up with us on the better pressure up near Robins, but as soon as they began to head down wind, then they also slowed down.
Poled out and drifting, we polished off the g@y beers and then readied ourselves for Como and the journey to the finish line where we could see the flags already hung out for us and gaily flapping in the breeze.
Over the line and on handicap: Mariner and Wynella
To the Frostbite last Sunday and didn't we have fun.
3 H28s on the water and Mariner was duelling with the lightweight boats, Commotion and Hellas on a course two on a very soft day. But every inch of the course was contested and only in the second last leg did the blue boat Hellas manage to get away from us. Not by much, but enough to say he was ahead at the finish line. Three up on Mariner, we were able to run a spinnaker on the soft day as did both Aloha and Wynella with Glen Stanley reprising his early days on the foredeck and helping Wynella to be the second H28 over the line. But the lesson learned from this race was, make sure you had clear air on the start as the other H28s joined the top end of the line and the fracas that was happening up there ensured that they would be gassed by the lighter, faster placky boats.
A day on the Quarterdeck. 2nd of August
Once again the weather &
Lots of conversations.
The forecast was dreadful. High winds, thunderstorms; even Royal Perth decided that it wasn't worth their while going out on the water.. So without much else to do, the Mariner Wine Appreciation Society met in the bar around 12.30 and while settling in, were joined by three of the Wynella crew and we picked up two of the crew from Tapestry, the rather fast Jeanneau 3600 and decided to have a beer then lunch.
All the time, the weather was punching through, but without the promised bangs and rattles.
But the starter had had a chat to the Sail Admin and R/C Regatta. Bumph! no sailing. So he pulled up a chair at the table as well. More people followed as the meal progressed with more of the crew from Wynella and the Pierzaks.. John and Helen holding up the Swiftsure Saga end of the table.. Then more of the Tapestry mob rocked up as well.. The table was positively buzzing. Who knows we may get a new H28 owner out of the afternoon?
However the realisation that we had another frostbite next Sunday has left skippers scrambling to find crew and it will be the second last event for the winter. But the rain was holding off, while all around the Perth Metro the storms were punching it out to all and sundry. Bunbury finished with 80 mm for the day with other centres doing well out of it, but we might have had 6 to 8 mm for the day.
We eventually left around the 3.30 mark and most of us took it carefully down the side streets.
No formal announcement by the club that sailing was cancelled, but at least they put a flag up.
Once again the weather &
Lots of conversations.
The forecast was dreadful. High winds, thunderstorms; even Royal Perth decided that it wasn't worth their while going out on the water.. So without much else to do, the Mariner Wine Appreciation Society met in the bar around 12.30 and while settling in, were joined by three of the Wynella crew and we picked up two of the crew from Tapestry, the rather fast Jeanneau 3600 and decided to have a beer then lunch.
All the time, the weather was punching through, but without the promised bangs and rattles.
But the starter had had a chat to the Sail Admin and R/C Regatta. Bumph! no sailing. So he pulled up a chair at the table as well. More people followed as the meal progressed with more of the crew from Wynella and the Pierzaks.. John and Helen holding up the Swiftsure Saga end of the table.. Then more of the Tapestry mob rocked up as well.. The table was positively buzzing. Who knows we may get a new H28 owner out of the afternoon?
However the realisation that we had another frostbite next Sunday has left skippers scrambling to find crew and it will be the second last event for the winter. But the rain was holding off, while all around the Perth Metro the storms were punching it out to all and sundry. Bunbury finished with 80 mm for the day with other centres doing well out of it, but we might have had 6 to 8 mm for the day.
We eventually left around the 3.30 mark and most of us took it carefully down the side streets.
No formal announcement by the club that sailing was cancelled, but at least they put a flag up.
Sunday the 30th of July
A not so quick Frostbite today &
Aloha was dead lucky.
Continuing along with the theme of frostbiting, todays event was almost a non event with no breeze to speak of until the starters threw up an AP to let a nor wester arrive. It also let all the boats who had drifted down below the start line on the outgoing tide make their way back. Boy wasn't Aloha lucky. They were down at Como by this time and made it back to the line with about a minute up their sleeve.
A course three was on offer and was essentially a reach/work up to Deepwater and then a beam reach across to Dolphin West (where we should have worn a spinnaker) with a kite run all the way past Print to Como and then to the finish line.
Getting the start right is the big one and once again we found ourselves climbing back through the fleet with the crack boats out the front, But it was good practice for us and we were very happy to end up mid fleet. Though on reflection if we had put that spinnaker up for the beam reach we might have improved our position by at least a place.
So to the line and a good finish and thanks to R/C Vicki Blanks who did the results early.. we could go home a little quicker.
A quick look at the river before the breeze came in.
A not so quick Frostbite today &
Aloha was dead lucky.
Continuing along with the theme of frostbiting, todays event was almost a non event with no breeze to speak of until the starters threw up an AP to let a nor wester arrive. It also let all the boats who had drifted down below the start line on the outgoing tide make their way back. Boy wasn't Aloha lucky. They were down at Como by this time and made it back to the line with about a minute up their sleeve.
A course three was on offer and was essentially a reach/work up to Deepwater and then a beam reach across to Dolphin West (where we should have worn a spinnaker) with a kite run all the way past Print to Como and then to the finish line.
Getting the start right is the big one and once again we found ourselves climbing back through the fleet with the crack boats out the front, But it was good practice for us and we were very happy to end up mid fleet. Though on reflection if we had put that spinnaker up for the beam reach we might have improved our position by at least a place.
So to the line and a good finish and thanks to R/C Vicki Blanks who did the results early.. we could go home a little quicker.
A quick look at the river before the breeze came in.
A note in-between. 30th of July
A couple of Frostbites &
The Mariner Wine Appreciation Society is in session.
Frostbites have always been a chance to go for a sail without having to take photos and record the results on line. However, the last few Wednesdays have been awful and the fleet has decided against taking to the water. So the chance to put something up will be taken and I'll duly record the fun and games of the frostbites.
Swiftsure Saga is taking a break this season and Wynella and Aloha are taking on the challenge. Though as it may be guessed, with sporadic results. That little blue boat Hellas is doing fine and though we have had him behind us, he's a cunning fellow and has managed to get past us on the final legs. Fair enough, that's the whole story of the game. It also is a challenge as we have Wildfire and Commotion creating merry hell and even Aloha is in front of Wynella at the moment thanks to a retirement brought upon us.
Most of the events have slipped from memory, but the course two a couple of weeks ago still sticks in my mind as we were doing very well until the final lap and that essentially required a leg out to Dolphin East from King on a reach that was as light as a feather. But instead of aiming at it as the rest of the boats were doing, we were dropping away while the rest of the fleet soared up to the mark. Wrong side of the breeze and in retrospect, the smart thing to do would have been to take the punishment and tack across to get into the lifting stuff. Too late and we watched both Wildfire and Hellas slip past us and even Aloha picked up a nice run and with a low handicap snaffled the win. Good on them.
But that's half the story.
Winter Wednesday sailing has been put on a hold recently with some truly nasty stuff coming through on, yes you guessed it, Wednesdays. The last couple of weeks have been spent in the club house watching 12 and then 16 boats go out in foul weather. It's got to the stage that the Mariner Wine Appreciation Society has begun to review the whites on the wine list and sample the delights of the menu on offer. In fact we were joined by some of the lads from Wynella who had come down for coffee and they sea-gulled the remaining chips from our plates while we discussed the to and fro of the river.
Next week looks like a veritable maelstrom to descend on us on Wednesday and it may be that the H28's decide to sit this one out. If so, please join us on the Quarterdeck for lunch if the skipper decides that wet and windy isn't a great day for a yot.
A couple of Frostbites &
The Mariner Wine Appreciation Society is in session.
Frostbites have always been a chance to go for a sail without having to take photos and record the results on line. However, the last few Wednesdays have been awful and the fleet has decided against taking to the water. So the chance to put something up will be taken and I'll duly record the fun and games of the frostbites.
Swiftsure Saga is taking a break this season and Wynella and Aloha are taking on the challenge. Though as it may be guessed, with sporadic results. That little blue boat Hellas is doing fine and though we have had him behind us, he's a cunning fellow and has managed to get past us on the final legs. Fair enough, that's the whole story of the game. It also is a challenge as we have Wildfire and Commotion creating merry hell and even Aloha is in front of Wynella at the moment thanks to a retirement brought upon us.
Most of the events have slipped from memory, but the course two a couple of weeks ago still sticks in my mind as we were doing very well until the final lap and that essentially required a leg out to Dolphin East from King on a reach that was as light as a feather. But instead of aiming at it as the rest of the boats were doing, we were dropping away while the rest of the fleet soared up to the mark. Wrong side of the breeze and in retrospect, the smart thing to do would have been to take the punishment and tack across to get into the lifting stuff. Too late and we watched both Wildfire and Hellas slip past us and even Aloha picked up a nice run and with a low handicap snaffled the win. Good on them.
But that's half the story.
Winter Wednesday sailing has been put on a hold recently with some truly nasty stuff coming through on, yes you guessed it, Wednesdays. The last couple of weeks have been spent in the club house watching 12 and then 16 boats go out in foul weather. It's got to the stage that the Mariner Wine Appreciation Society has begun to review the whites on the wine list and sample the delights of the menu on offer. In fact we were joined by some of the lads from Wynella who had come down for coffee and they sea-gulled the remaining chips from our plates while we discussed the to and fro of the river.
Next week looks like a veritable maelstrom to descend on us on Wednesday and it may be that the H28's decide to sit this one out. If so, please join us on the Quarterdeck for lunch if the skipper decides that wet and windy isn't a great day for a yot.
Wednesday the 12th of July
Back on the boat &
A nice blow!
Nice to be back on the boat again as the lack of serious sailors has been a problem. However the skipper came up with a young fellow (mid 60's) who was game enough to come out with us. We had Wynella and Swiftsure up against us and these two well seasoned boats were going to test us mightily.
A course three was on offer and we had a nor-nor westerly that was fluctuating backwards and forwards with a pulsing 16 to 25 knots and some of the gusts were absolute crackers. We noted 7.9 knots a couple of times on the reaches of which there were a few.
The start, well nothing flash and although the three boats hit the line pretty much together, we had no momentum and we were behind the 8 ball as we fell down toward Como jetty and had to double tack to make the mark, as did Wynella, but Swiftsure Saga managed to hold their line all the way to the mark, tacking only once. From there we had to make our way to King on a tight reach and we had the chance to close up on the pair in front.
Robins was next and again a reach that had the boats pumping with the skipper and crew cursing as another wave slapped the bow and brought a few gallons of river water on board. The pair of boats in front were beginning to challenge each other and the whiff of competition was in the air. So we could wait to see if a mistake was made.
From Robins to Print with a horror gybe and then across to Foam with a loosely flown jib out on the other side to the main. Too short a run to bother with a pole, but enough to keep the boat flowing. Around Foam and them off to Robins again with the RP fleet mixing it up with us. We were lucky and slipped through as did Swiftsure Saga but Glen and Wynella found themselves being carted off by the RP fleet with much cursing and gnashing of teeth. Wynella at this stage had the lead and managed to stay there, but with a much reduced lead. So up to Robins again with another rounding and then away to Print and Como.
This is all off the breeze reaching and the boats are continually in the mid 7.2's to 7.7's. The strain on the rig is immense and continual adjustments to vang, outhaul and cunningham serve to keep the boats flying. Every gybe in these conditions is a challenge to both the boat and the crew and bad gybes can slow the boat down as they recover. But again coming to Como, Swiftsure Saga put Wynella to the test and managed to break the overlap that Wynella had and the next step was the dash under a pole to the outer startline. We got the pole up and were doing well with the pair still in front.
Down came the pole and around we went and the next thing we saw was Wynella doing a 360 and I have to presume they hit the mark on the rounding. Well that opened the door and the boat leapt forward. All we had to do was stay in front. Again that run down to Sampson was nearly our death knell with Swiftsure Saga doing well to make the mark. Wynella had tacked early and was coming down on the mark, we surprisingly began to lift toward the mark so the double tack was minimal. It worked well enough for us to stay in front, but Swiftsure by consideration of not having to tack picked up a healthy lead.
So to King again and then the run to Addison, hard on the breeze with the leech as tight as a drum and the jib as flat as possible, working the traveller to keep the boat powering forward. Everyone must have been doing the same because our distance from each other didn't change very much. Around Addison, pop up a pole and actually relax as we ran to the finish line past Como. Something happened on the finish line between Swiftsure and a SS27 with a lot of shouting, but we were concentrating on getting to the line ourselves and it was only later that we heard a little bit about it. Nothing to say at this stage and the skippers will need to talk it out. However no protest flag was flown.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Mariner
Back on the boat &
A nice blow!
Nice to be back on the boat again as the lack of serious sailors has been a problem. However the skipper came up with a young fellow (mid 60's) who was game enough to come out with us. We had Wynella and Swiftsure up against us and these two well seasoned boats were going to test us mightily.
A course three was on offer and we had a nor-nor westerly that was fluctuating backwards and forwards with a pulsing 16 to 25 knots and some of the gusts were absolute crackers. We noted 7.9 knots a couple of times on the reaches of which there were a few.
The start, well nothing flash and although the three boats hit the line pretty much together, we had no momentum and we were behind the 8 ball as we fell down toward Como jetty and had to double tack to make the mark, as did Wynella, but Swiftsure Saga managed to hold their line all the way to the mark, tacking only once. From there we had to make our way to King on a tight reach and we had the chance to close up on the pair in front.
Robins was next and again a reach that had the boats pumping with the skipper and crew cursing as another wave slapped the bow and brought a few gallons of river water on board. The pair of boats in front were beginning to challenge each other and the whiff of competition was in the air. So we could wait to see if a mistake was made.
From Robins to Print with a horror gybe and then across to Foam with a loosely flown jib out on the other side to the main. Too short a run to bother with a pole, but enough to keep the boat flowing. Around Foam and them off to Robins again with the RP fleet mixing it up with us. We were lucky and slipped through as did Swiftsure Saga but Glen and Wynella found themselves being carted off by the RP fleet with much cursing and gnashing of teeth. Wynella at this stage had the lead and managed to stay there, but with a much reduced lead. So up to Robins again with another rounding and then away to Print and Como.
This is all off the breeze reaching and the boats are continually in the mid 7.2's to 7.7's. The strain on the rig is immense and continual adjustments to vang, outhaul and cunningham serve to keep the boats flying. Every gybe in these conditions is a challenge to both the boat and the crew and bad gybes can slow the boat down as they recover. But again coming to Como, Swiftsure Saga put Wynella to the test and managed to break the overlap that Wynella had and the next step was the dash under a pole to the outer startline. We got the pole up and were doing well with the pair still in front.
Down came the pole and around we went and the next thing we saw was Wynella doing a 360 and I have to presume they hit the mark on the rounding. Well that opened the door and the boat leapt forward. All we had to do was stay in front. Again that run down to Sampson was nearly our death knell with Swiftsure Saga doing well to make the mark. Wynella had tacked early and was coming down on the mark, we surprisingly began to lift toward the mark so the double tack was minimal. It worked well enough for us to stay in front, but Swiftsure by consideration of not having to tack picked up a healthy lead.
So to King again and then the run to Addison, hard on the breeze with the leech as tight as a drum and the jib as flat as possible, working the traveller to keep the boat powering forward. Everyone must have been doing the same because our distance from each other didn't change very much. Around Addison, pop up a pole and actually relax as we ran to the finish line past Como. Something happened on the finish line between Swiftsure and a SS27 with a lot of shouting, but we were concentrating on getting to the line ourselves and it was only later that we heard a little bit about it. Nothing to say at this stage and the skippers will need to talk it out. However no protest flag was flown.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Mariner
Wednesday the 21st of June
Match Racing ?
Off the water for a while.
Unfortunately your scribe is off the water for a while as he deals with efudix and the consequences thereof. The downside is that it's taken another boat off the water as Brian is short staffed as it is and if I can't (won't) go out in the sunlight. All of his other crew are scattered around the globe unfortunately and it has essentially stranded the boat in the pen.
Ernie has done some fine work with the help of the bosuns and a number of the H28 fraternity and the trees are back on Herreshoff hill. Not necessarily where we thought they might go but there nonetheless.
Two boats leapt into the fray on Wednesday last and the thought that sprang to mind was "match racing". Both the skippers have the skill and enough knowledge in the crews to make it happen. Well everything was fine and they were lined up at the start with Bill in a slightly lower position, but still viable. Wynella just hardened up the sails and shot off into the distance with Swiftsure Saga floundering in their wake. Speaking to one of the crew on Saga, it only got worse from there while Glen and his crew sailed off with smiles on their faces on a course 3 with a half way decent breeze to go on.
And they stayed in front for the rest of the race, finishing 5 minutes and some odd seconds in front.
Over the line: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga.
Mariner is up for sale folks and your scribe will possibly be looking for an occasional berth on another boat. Think kindly of him.
I have appreciated and enjoyed the last 20 years on Mariner with Gerry and Brian and may wish to continue further. Certainly to record the doings and deeds of the H28 fleet on the water and in the bar.
Match Racing ?
Off the water for a while.
Unfortunately your scribe is off the water for a while as he deals with efudix and the consequences thereof. The downside is that it's taken another boat off the water as Brian is short staffed as it is and if I can't (won't) go out in the sunlight. All of his other crew are scattered around the globe unfortunately and it has essentially stranded the boat in the pen.
Ernie has done some fine work with the help of the bosuns and a number of the H28 fraternity and the trees are back on Herreshoff hill. Not necessarily where we thought they might go but there nonetheless.
Two boats leapt into the fray on Wednesday last and the thought that sprang to mind was "match racing". Both the skippers have the skill and enough knowledge in the crews to make it happen. Well everything was fine and they were lined up at the start with Bill in a slightly lower position, but still viable. Wynella just hardened up the sails and shot off into the distance with Swiftsure Saga floundering in their wake. Speaking to one of the crew on Saga, it only got worse from there while Glen and his crew sailed off with smiles on their faces on a course 3 with a half way decent breeze to go on.
And they stayed in front for the rest of the race, finishing 5 minutes and some odd seconds in front.
Over the line: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga.
Mariner is up for sale folks and your scribe will possibly be looking for an occasional berth on another boat. Think kindly of him.
I have appreciated and enjoyed the last 20 years on Mariner with Gerry and Brian and may wish to continue further. Certainly to record the doings and deeds of the H28 fleet on the water and in the bar.
Wednesday the 14th of June
Fighting with the Fox &
Couldn't beat a big handicap.
An almost perfect day to go sailing.
Five boats on the water and a reasonable breeze that was going to drop away. The starters decided to offer us a course four and the choice suited us. Mariner was only two up with one of our regulars dropping out with cactus juice in his eye, though why on earth he was looking into a nearly empty tequila bottle that early in the day is beyond me. However, that was how it panned out. Two up with competition from Swiftsure Saga, Anna, Wynella and The First Jindarra. All of whom could be trouble on the day.
A good start had us working the breeze down to Sampson with a few boat lengths lead and the hope that we could maintain it. So the first mark approached us and the boats lined up behind us with the Jin and Anna competing for second place. Around the mark and then look back as the boats lined up behind us. It wasn't long before Wynella peeled off and was followed by Swiftsure with the boys planning to get over and then head up the hill from the other side of the river. Well we had The Jin and Anna on our tail and when we tacked Anna went that little bit further while the Jin tacked on our line. But we were all on a dash across the river and to our surprise and pleasure we were lifting.
We watched as Anna just kept on lifting above us and not surprisingly he managed to get to Robins before we did. We had gone as far into the shore near the jetty as possible and then tacked away for the mark. It was close and we slipped in between Anna and Robins and then took them on for the run to Dolphin East. Behind us, Swiftsure and Wynella were trading blows with Swiftsure wearing her winter main and just not as quick as she can be. There is talk that Wynella has a new main on the way and what's the betting that it will be a Paul Eldrid creation. Wait and see, as it will be a real change for the boys.
Down to DE and then a poled out jib on the starboard side. We did every thing right and nearly got through John on Anna, but he managed to break the overlap and got clear away at Como. Putting the pole away after the rounding we headed for the outer start line with Wynella in front of Swiftsure and keeping well up on the leaders. Around the mark and away to Sampson again managing to get past Anna thanks to a Jenny Craig manoeuvre that got us above her and with speed. Then down to Sampson and around in the lead.
It didn't last long though as John had tacked almost immediately and was relying on his ability to pick the boat up by its britches and rise above us. Well we covered him and then realised that we were no match for him in his ability to pinch. A good look at his jib had the skipper questioning his own set up and changes may be made. Still that's for another day. Around King and off to Print with another reach, it's hard to catch a boat on a reach and after rounding Print and on the way to Como, we didn't even think of a pole though with three up we might have gone for it. Anna didn't bother either though I did see a whisker pole carried forward, just used on the wrong side. :-( Behind us, Wynella had gone the pole and was making good time down the breeze, but just not fast enough to catch us.
From Como, the reach tightened a little and it was on for all of us. Just go as fast as possible to Thelma and harden up for the finish line. The wily old fox had successfully warded us off and more power to him. Wynella was on our tail, but was struggling to make the mark with a SS27 riding over him. Apparently Anna and Mariner had been riding that lovely little lift to the line known as the John Wright effect and Wynella was on the wrong side of it. Well sailed John and thanks for the lift to the line.
Over the line: Anna, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Wynella, Anna and The First Jindarra.
Despite our best efforts Mariner shared the top handicap with Corella and we ended up dead last on handicap and over two minutes behind.
This article was re-edited on the 20th of June.
Fighting with the Fox &
Couldn't beat a big handicap.
An almost perfect day to go sailing.
Five boats on the water and a reasonable breeze that was going to drop away. The starters decided to offer us a course four and the choice suited us. Mariner was only two up with one of our regulars dropping out with cactus juice in his eye, though why on earth he was looking into a nearly empty tequila bottle that early in the day is beyond me. However, that was how it panned out. Two up with competition from Swiftsure Saga, Anna, Wynella and The First Jindarra. All of whom could be trouble on the day.
A good start had us working the breeze down to Sampson with a few boat lengths lead and the hope that we could maintain it. So the first mark approached us and the boats lined up behind us with the Jin and Anna competing for second place. Around the mark and then look back as the boats lined up behind us. It wasn't long before Wynella peeled off and was followed by Swiftsure with the boys planning to get over and then head up the hill from the other side of the river. Well we had The Jin and Anna on our tail and when we tacked Anna went that little bit further while the Jin tacked on our line. But we were all on a dash across the river and to our surprise and pleasure we were lifting.
We watched as Anna just kept on lifting above us and not surprisingly he managed to get to Robins before we did. We had gone as far into the shore near the jetty as possible and then tacked away for the mark. It was close and we slipped in between Anna and Robins and then took them on for the run to Dolphin East. Behind us, Swiftsure and Wynella were trading blows with Swiftsure wearing her winter main and just not as quick as she can be. There is talk that Wynella has a new main on the way and what's the betting that it will be a Paul Eldrid creation. Wait and see, as it will be a real change for the boys.
Down to DE and then a poled out jib on the starboard side. We did every thing right and nearly got through John on Anna, but he managed to break the overlap and got clear away at Como. Putting the pole away after the rounding we headed for the outer start line with Wynella in front of Swiftsure and keeping well up on the leaders. Around the mark and away to Sampson again managing to get past Anna thanks to a Jenny Craig manoeuvre that got us above her and with speed. Then down to Sampson and around in the lead.
It didn't last long though as John had tacked almost immediately and was relying on his ability to pick the boat up by its britches and rise above us. Well we covered him and then realised that we were no match for him in his ability to pinch. A good look at his jib had the skipper questioning his own set up and changes may be made. Still that's for another day. Around King and off to Print with another reach, it's hard to catch a boat on a reach and after rounding Print and on the way to Como, we didn't even think of a pole though with three up we might have gone for it. Anna didn't bother either though I did see a whisker pole carried forward, just used on the wrong side. :-( Behind us, Wynella had gone the pole and was making good time down the breeze, but just not fast enough to catch us.
From Como, the reach tightened a little and it was on for all of us. Just go as fast as possible to Thelma and harden up for the finish line. The wily old fox had successfully warded us off and more power to him. Wynella was on our tail, but was struggling to make the mark with a SS27 riding over him. Apparently Anna and Mariner had been riding that lovely little lift to the line known as the John Wright effect and Wynella was on the wrong side of it. Well sailed John and thanks for the lift to the line.
Over the line: Anna, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Wynella, Anna and The First Jindarra.
Despite our best efforts Mariner shared the top handicap with Corella and we ended up dead last on handicap and over two minutes behind.
This article was re-edited on the 20th of June.
Wednesday the 7th of June.
Whither goes the tide? &
Abandon all hope.
Four boats out on the water today with Brian and Mariner returning to the fray.
But life wasn't meant to easy as former PM Mal Frazer was heard to say and the lack of a breeze was apparent. It was only the urging from H28 supremo Ernie who was heard to say... come on you lot, lets start setting up Wynella that had the rest of us moving down to the boats and getting the covers off.
Bill was still fiddling around in the bottom of his boat putting in another motor and it seemed to work. We were ready to give them a tow out, but the motor spun merrily enough and they charged out on their own.
We were only two, but Bill was kind enough to loan us Eric for the afternoon, so we were all three up apart from the Jin who had a four pack on board. So out onto the water and be very careful to be on the right side of the line as the breeze was frail and the tidal flow was strong. Unfortunately Wynella and The First Jindarra were on the wrong side and failed to fire up their motors when they could to return to the other side. Swiftsure Saga had left themselves on the right side so that all they had to do was to drift down to the line and make sure they hit the line after the start. Mariner, well we were below the line to the right and we fought every inch of the way to get past the line and run a little further before we rolled over the line to take the start in front of SSS. And so we stayed.
On the way down to Sampson we passed Wynella and told them to go back, cross the line and restart (late yes, but still sailing) more later. The Jin was already heading for the pens, so we left them to their own devices. Our next task was to avoid the log jam at Sampson where the breeze had dropped away and we managed to get around, but a bit of bad luck on the tack had us in irons for a moment and Bill managed to catch up. Oh damn muttered the skipper, but we settled down and just ran the boat as best as we could. Keep the boat loose and aim to use what breeze there was.
It worked and with a gentle scalloping motion, we were able to rise above SSS's line and the boat continued to lift all the way up to Robins. Mind you were were on the North side of the river and crossing the creek was going to be a disaster no matter what. So, gently the skipper rolled the boat over and we put our minds on getting to see the best side of Robins where half a dozen boats were malingering. No breeze on this side of the river either and we were discussing the best way to get around Robins with this pack circling the aforesaid mark. We could see Wynella running up to Robins in a very fine manner and they were going to be able to insert themselves between Mariner and Swiftsure Saga. Well sailed Ernie.
The radio crackled ... "Waylen Bay, Waylen Bay; where is the tail end of Div. one?" Eventually the answer was given "Rounding Deepwater". Then minutes later. the radio again. "All SoPYC boats, all boats SoPYC fleet. Abandon race, abandon race." With that we slowly packed up the boat and headed down to the finish line, ready to put the boat away. A pity, but we would certainly have not finished in time. But slow sailing is as exacting a task as dealing with a roaring sou wester and the enjoyment/agony is right there in front of you.
Last Wednesday the 31st of May, it was a thoroughly miserable day and we looked at each other and said no. Not one of the H28s hit the water and only half an hour later, while we were having coffee in the bar, the start team came in with lightening rolling around the river. Sailing abandoned for the day.
Back to the previous Frostbite on the 28th of May. Wynella had taken me on board as mainsheet and despite a horrible start, we recovered and ran through the bottom of the fleet until we were in a position to have a crack at 4th spot. And there we stayed while the little blue boat Hellas just ran away. He had done very well and was doing a good job. We had the Keelboat Prize night that evening and not surprisingly Swiftsure Saga scooped the pool. But we took a photo of some of the attendees and it can be found below.
Whither goes the tide? &
Abandon all hope.
Four boats out on the water today with Brian and Mariner returning to the fray.
But life wasn't meant to easy as former PM Mal Frazer was heard to say and the lack of a breeze was apparent. It was only the urging from H28 supremo Ernie who was heard to say... come on you lot, lets start setting up Wynella that had the rest of us moving down to the boats and getting the covers off.
Bill was still fiddling around in the bottom of his boat putting in another motor and it seemed to work. We were ready to give them a tow out, but the motor spun merrily enough and they charged out on their own.
We were only two, but Bill was kind enough to loan us Eric for the afternoon, so we were all three up apart from the Jin who had a four pack on board. So out onto the water and be very careful to be on the right side of the line as the breeze was frail and the tidal flow was strong. Unfortunately Wynella and The First Jindarra were on the wrong side and failed to fire up their motors when they could to return to the other side. Swiftsure Saga had left themselves on the right side so that all they had to do was to drift down to the line and make sure they hit the line after the start. Mariner, well we were below the line to the right and we fought every inch of the way to get past the line and run a little further before we rolled over the line to take the start in front of SSS. And so we stayed.
On the way down to Sampson we passed Wynella and told them to go back, cross the line and restart (late yes, but still sailing) more later. The Jin was already heading for the pens, so we left them to their own devices. Our next task was to avoid the log jam at Sampson where the breeze had dropped away and we managed to get around, but a bit of bad luck on the tack had us in irons for a moment and Bill managed to catch up. Oh damn muttered the skipper, but we settled down and just ran the boat as best as we could. Keep the boat loose and aim to use what breeze there was.
It worked and with a gentle scalloping motion, we were able to rise above SSS's line and the boat continued to lift all the way up to Robins. Mind you were were on the North side of the river and crossing the creek was going to be a disaster no matter what. So, gently the skipper rolled the boat over and we put our minds on getting to see the best side of Robins where half a dozen boats were malingering. No breeze on this side of the river either and we were discussing the best way to get around Robins with this pack circling the aforesaid mark. We could see Wynella running up to Robins in a very fine manner and they were going to be able to insert themselves between Mariner and Swiftsure Saga. Well sailed Ernie.
The radio crackled ... "Waylen Bay, Waylen Bay; where is the tail end of Div. one?" Eventually the answer was given "Rounding Deepwater". Then minutes later. the radio again. "All SoPYC boats, all boats SoPYC fleet. Abandon race, abandon race." With that we slowly packed up the boat and headed down to the finish line, ready to put the boat away. A pity, but we would certainly have not finished in time. But slow sailing is as exacting a task as dealing with a roaring sou wester and the enjoyment/agony is right there in front of you.
Last Wednesday the 31st of May, it was a thoroughly miserable day and we looked at each other and said no. Not one of the H28s hit the water and only half an hour later, while we were having coffee in the bar, the start team came in with lightening rolling around the river. Sailing abandoned for the day.
Back to the previous Frostbite on the 28th of May. Wynella had taken me on board as mainsheet and despite a horrible start, we recovered and ran through the bottom of the fleet until we were in a position to have a crack at 4th spot. And there we stayed while the little blue boat Hellas just ran away. He had done very well and was doing a good job. We had the Keelboat Prize night that evening and not surprisingly Swiftsure Saga scooped the pool. But we took a photo of some of the attendees and it can be found below.
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.