| CONTENTS | MAR 04 | |||||
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28 March 04 What a great day. Sun bright, clear blue sky, a gentle force 2-3, and a great turnout of fast cats with three, yes count them 3 Nacra 6.0's. The ever-faithful Animal, old hand Pitch Pole Pete, and those dashing newcomers to Nacraland "Dilligaf" (yes I will get to the meaning of the name sometime Mark). Dilligaf was first down on the beach her iridescent, colourful, or nauseating, depending on taste, mainsail of purple, yellow, and green, stirring in the light air. We also have a purple and blue one tucked away for a special occasion! Soon a gaggle of boats built up around us, with Animal as usual precariously close, the exception was Alasdair and Bridgid with Deelirium who were preparing 100 yards or so closer to the water than anyone else. Does Alasdair know something we don't? As usual he had his planning right and the very low tide steadfastly refused to come to meet us, and we all had to up sticks, some of us even having to borrow Deeliriums' trolley to make the water. The first race saw Deelirium make a great start with Dilligaf closely followed by Animal, Pitch Pole Pete had obviously decided to make a scenic detour before the start line and appeared to start about three weeks after the rest of us, unfortunately an unrecoverable position. Dilligaf and Animal kept up with Deelirium for ages; well at least until the first tack. We were having fun on our new beast, in the first few tacks Rick nearly got out on the trapeze. Animal however was keeping an even pace with us, but their very lightweight crew were both out on the wire and looking at times as if they were struggling to hold it. Lardy boys against skinny kids in a force 2-3 are just not on. Come on wind just another knot or two and Simon will be swimming again. I think the equation is 1 Dilligaf crew equals 2 to the power of lager Animal crew. After the second mark, where Deelirium put up a spinnaker that Billy Smarts' big top would have been proud of, the pattern for the race was set and the distance between the first three remained about constant, Dilligaf catching Animal a little on the up wind legs, Deelirium and Animal pulling away again downwind. And with a powerful telescope Pitch Pole Pete was fighting bravely on. Conditions for the second race were similar; the wind had perhaps lightened a little and maybe a small amount of chop from the wind against tide when the tide turned. The start was fun with Animal and Dilligaf doing their best to put each other out of the race, and both having to do a restart. Sorry Simon what was that you were bellowing, must have been the salt water in my ears, and no you didn't have an overlap!! It was good see all six boats start, and this time Peiter on Pitch Pole had switched his sun dial for a stop watch and made a good start. Animal beat Dilligaf away on our restart but was soon overhauled before the first mark. Unfortunately at the second mark, 8, the tide was so low that although we had pulled our boards up, the rudders touched down and broke a fitting. Although rapid temporary repairs were made, by the time these we fixed we had dropped down to last place, and the one of the rudders would not go fully down and was creating a lot of drag (excuses again I know). The rest of the race became a bit of a struggle, particularly when we hit the sandbank in the middle, but we did have a good little fight with the new Inter 18, that was fun. With the tide ebbing fast, and the lure of beer beckoning, we decided to abandon the last race. We could always blame it on the rudder damage. I was glad of the decision as even when we came in the drag up through the mud was no fun, it must have been even worse when the " I must get some more points" brigade came in, by which time we were downing our second glass of amber nectar. Oh the name Dilligaf, well as Simon said it's an Australian term for nonchalance, and far too rude to be spelt out in this forum. Thanks to Adrain Hutchings for the report. Dart Open News New Link Blown off again! The last of the Warm up series last Sunday was cancelled and has left the eager racers cold and the smug know-it-all's sitting it out at home muttering, "I knew it was too windy". For those of you who can no longer remember what it is like to actually go sailing here is an image from the camera of Peter Newton depicting club members George and Pete aboard their boat named..........something like 'The Soggy Moggy'?
Peter is a professional photographer who has visited the club during events in the past. He produces high quality images that can be ordered for print and make great mementos or gifts. His skill is such that he can make even occasional sailers look adept, proficient and in complete control, (see above). I hear it requires an unbelievably fast shutter speed. Peter is invited for the Dart Open in April. The original images are of a significantly higher quality than can be reproduced on a web site and must be seen to be truly appreciated. The Murder Mystery night tested the deductive powers of club members. Along with the digesting of some tasty dinner they had to ruminate through a list of clues on the trail of a heinious crime. Our Vice Commodore reports that it was an excellent social event providing an opportunity for members from different fleets to get to know one another, a chance to excercise ones intelect and the excuse to inbibe large quantities of drink. Thanks to our Rear Commodores (Social) for the hard work and preparation. It would not have taken a sluth like Maigret to deduce that Sunday was just too windy for safe racing. Several boats in the boat park managed to levitate inches off the ground during the gusts. Wendy Windblows anemometre was spinning up like a Whirling Dirvish on fast forward to register 35+ knots in the SW wind. The Race Officer held off until the published start time and hoisted the inevitable cancelled flag. A few of the more intrepid helms had their survival ensured for one more week.
Intrepid helm trying to convice the Race Officer. "It's norbut a breeze"! (Arhive photo & poetic licence. Entries for the true venue on the back of a £5.00 note please) 11 March 04 10 March 04 Quentin Jones has posted a short report of a recent visit to the Lakes with his Wayfarer. Ist day Start : South Windermere SC 12:00 Crew : Theo Jones
Finish : Pull Wyke Bay ( don't Laugh) 16:30. Slept in Boat and had 3rd Pot Noodle of the day. ( yes it was bloody freezing - I gave up the warm Sleeping bag to the boy and ended up wearing all my spare clothes - 5 layers two hats )
2nd day Start : Pull Wyke bay 08:00 Finish: South Windermere SC 13:00 This weekend was in the way of a trial run for more serious sea cruising as the weather warms up. Quentin Jones. Words and pictures. Fast Cats Warm up series race 1 and 2 Report by Simon Stannard Sunday's Race Report for the Handicap Cats starts on Saturday, some time in the late morning. That's when the author arrived in the club car park to prepare the Flying Shed for some solo action. But surely Ali won't let the Flying Shed race in the Handicap fleet, when its rightful place is rounding up the tail enders amongst its fellow Dart 18s? No, this plan was brought about by the pre-arranged absence of the larger half of the Animal team, Mark having been previously committed. (No, I meant to say, previously committed to the manufacture of essential foodstuffs for starving somnambulants across the country - and who could question such a calling?). Hence the author figured on settling into a new season gently, and set about fettling the Shed, oiling hinges, clearing out the bat droppings, and so on. This against a background of light moderate breezes expected over the weekend, gently warming sunshine, and not a great deal of competitive pressure (more in terms of numbers than quality Simon, Will, Chris, Pete!). A couple of hours later, the job was done, and so I wandered over to the Ark to offer Ade a hand with the finishing touches, when a pretender to Animal's throne emerges from in front of the club house and parks up and bold as you dare smack in the middle of the car park looking for all the world just like another Nacra 6.0. Rather like my Patterdale Terrier, the Animal was snarling and straining at the leash even before the would be victors in the battle of the beasts emerged from their silver chariot, revealing themselves to be none other than Adrian & Rick. Ar Cat took immediate umbrage, shrugged off fond memories of being pasted around the Dee by the bigger beast and, lilting severely to starboard, collapsed into a mood of rejection, reflection and resignation. Buoyed with all the excitement of slaying their Welsh dragon and claiming ownership by dragging its corpse to the very end of Station Road, Thurstaston, Adrian and Rick barely noticed Ar Cat's despondency and set about merry making and pouring life-giving organic juices (Heineken I think, reaching parts that...) over the now revitalised beast and proclaiming it to be named Dilligaf. Still sounds like a Welsh dragon to me, but the conquerors claim it to be an expression of nonchalance. 09 March 04
New Brighton Lighthouse (archive image) First of the warm up series and this author was reluctantly incarcerated under contractual obligation in an emporium of continuous manufacture. During his allotted rest periods he could only gaze longingly out of a canteen window at the perfect sailing conditions. My view is out over the Mersey from Bromborough to Liverpool. Only the far edge on the shoreline is visible between the industrial landscape. I knew in my heart of hearts that every able bodied helm would be flying hulls at warp factor 3 on the other side of the Peninsula. The moist inner of a flaccid bottom lip rested forlornly on the windowsill. This sailing report is therefore constructed purely from hearsay and conjecture. Surprisingly, in the light of my usual unwavering accuracy in the portrayal of 'the facts', this tale may now only be loosely based on the actual events of the day. In a travesty of justice only 4 Dart 18's, 2 Nacra's and 1 Dart 16 ventured out. By that I mean, on the rare occasion when conditions are good, some of those that wanted to could not and some of those that could, did not? Race 1, helms and crew alike hit the water with hibernation cobwebs still firmly attached. Out of the fast cats, one failed to start and the one that started, failed to finish. Did the Darts fare any better? No names, to protect the guilty you understand, but one Dart 18's crew debussed and was quickly hauled aboard another Dart 18, the start sequence was already running. Allegedly, now solo, with a jib attached in a gusty force 3 to 4, sailing on port, the lone helm inadvertently crossed the flight path of another Dart 18 on starboard that was sailing full tilt on his final approach towards the start line. The resounding crunch of the inevitable contact paled as the ensuing vociferous debate into the ownership of blame was conducted. In consequence the only Dart that crossed the line on time was away and building a lead. The final result left the first boat first, the fouled boat second a retirement RTD and a did not finish DNF for the Dart that did the decent thing and rescued a young crew from the chilly, choppy March water. The lone 16 completed both their races in first. The second race and the conditions were a bit more testing with stronger gusts and a general increase in the North Westerly breeze. All Darts managed a place and Adrian and Rick on their new Nacra 6.0 nailed first place. The other fast cat Animal scored a DNF. The conditions built to a 4+ for the third and final Dart 18 race with only one boat completing the course. Finally the archive picture above was taken during the Regatta Series 2003 and does contain several boats in the distance, honest. Note. All past home page news items can be found on News 03 Mar 04 02 Mar 04 Sailing Programme
A big welcome to our new commodore Mr Ian McLean. Future sailing protests will be simplified with an addition to the club rules. A commodores boat will have right of way on all points of sailing. Some would say with due respect to Ian's' sailing style that this will not constitute much of a change. Ian will uphold the dignity and respect of the position but not it may be argued while wearing that hat. For those of you who missed the excellent Pre Season Party you also missed the chance to wine and dine amongst the new flag officers. Congratulations and thanks to Simon and Claire for successfully navigating their first social occasion. Members and Guests were welcomed with a glass of wine or a Harvey Wall banger. There was a brief introduction by our new Rear Commodores Social to introduce the itinerary. The club galley was full of aromatic chilli bubbling away in giant cauldrons. A caption competition was organised and there was the ubiquitous raffle for a range of desirable prizes. The speeches were short and to the point and did not detract from the happy atmosphere and Mexican ambiance. Welcome to Adrian Mould, Vice Commodore and Dr Richard Mounce, Rear Commodore Sailing. A warm welcome to the Hon Treasurer Rob Benson who will continue the excellent work upheld by Percy. The Annual General Meeting 2004 The meeting opened with the adoption of the minutes from the AGM 2003 by retiring Commodore Peter Lathom. Flag officers were proposed, seconded and elected. See the link to Flag Officers for appointments. A new rule was proposed to accommodate the joint tenure of a flag officer, one objection was raised on the basis of a boat should not have two skippers. This was explained by the members' experience of sailing with his son. The objection was noted and the proposal carried with a large majority. A point was raised from the floor concerning the use of the club facilities by non-members. This precipitated a comment relating to the publishing of club rules. It was pointed out that the club rules appear at the back of the handbook published every year. The subject of the 'Cocklers' was raised and answered at length by Hon Gen Sec, Dave Edmundson. The clubs sympathies for the victims and their families of the Morcambe Bay tragedy were conveyed. In brief there will be limited licences issued to cockler's in an effort to control the impact on the local environment. The full implications of the licences are not yet known. The access road the DSC is due for repair and investigations were underway by the President Mike Shillaker liasing with the local council and the Caravan Park. It is unknown at this stage what cost may befall DSC but it is thought that they will be shared between the council, the Caravan Park and DSC. The proposed plans for extending workshop facilities at DSC will be displayed in the club for inspection by members. The club has a wide range of skills in its member base and will depend heavily on the help and support of its members in the execution of this ambitious project. The club itself was built by members and it is hoped that this spirit of involvement will flourish in this new millennium. Constructive comments are welcomed. The meeting was closed with thanks given to the hard work of all members involved in the successful running of Dee Sailing Club. |
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