Messages

The shellcocks sailed 3004 I think which was called Los Angeles, remember that had a rotating needlespar which had to be pinned to make it legal, I know Debbie Jarvis sailed 3003 when it was called the Liberator in about 83/4

perhaps asking people in the class what they would change to improve things is the wrong approach, they obviously love the class as it is and feel little need to change everything or indeed anything. Perhaps it would be better to ask people who have left the class their reasons for leaving to give a better indication of the health of the class.
In my case the reasons were;
*cost, with two small kids the cost of a competative boat is just way too much
*the one design nature of the class, Final Chapter 20 years old
                                                    Feeling Foolish 10/15 years old
                                                    Big Issue          10ish years old
there is no excitement in the class, no rebels trying to exploit the rules.
When I started sailing 12s back in the very late 70s there was a new design every year, some failures some big hits. Look at the number of boats built  by amateurs and the number of boats in general, as oppossed to 4/5 or 6 boats for the last 10 years. The 12 is just TOO expensive to allow the average sailor to experiment and the desire to experiment seems to have died along with my enthusiasm with the class. Having to find anorexic crews is also a huge disadvantage at many small clubs.
Dagger boards, rotating masts an increase in weight to allow more people to build their own designs, anything to bring back some excitement  

This is the biggest discussion topic for a while and important it is too. Trent Valley S.C. has received a lot of mention and in response to Stu W, and his description of our water as a "horrid little river", I thought that I should add some facts. Club members Dick Wyche in 1938, Mike Nokes in 1960, John Royce in 1976 won the Burton Cup, as did former club members Robert Peebles in 1995 and Graham Camm (many times!) after they had left the area. We have managed to keep a fleet going continuously since 1937, although it has been a struggle at times. There are 9 boats in the dinghy park now and we are desparately keen for friends to come and sail at our three Open Meetings this year (described by Paul Turner in another Discussion Group message), to keep the heritage going. The river is both an attractive and tricky place to sail and Mr W would learn something if he were to get another boat and sail here.   
Ken Goddard, N.2300

Ken I was Actually quoting Tim and being somewhat ironic, if you read my post you will infact realise I was defending the role of clubs like TVSC rather than decrying them as some others are. I sailed for many years in the midlands and enjoyed sailing on rivers and small puddles and fully agree that many helms would learn greatly from the experience which is why these smaller venues produce so many champs especially when compared to the no of sailers they have as members. Long live the smaller venues and long may they continue to serve the class........... 

With attitudes like that Tim Im actually glad Ive sold my 12 until the kids get bigger. Not everybody wants to compete in huge fleets on big waters, some enjoy more sociable sailing at smaller venues and can sail better there as its what they are used to. Having all these big popular events is great for those who can afford it and have no commitments to other people or hobbies/interests. Are these events run so that people can win in big fleets or run to let people enjoy their sailing wherever they want to go. How many past champs has TVSC produced and this is one of those horrid inland rivers you talk about. Many people have grown up on such stretches of water and without their enthusiasm where would the fleet be, Up River, Earlswood, Nottingham etc all produced champ winning helms..........
Do not support such places at your peril.
EX 3317

Didnt 3069 belong to either Mr Sears or Peacock originally?
There was at least 2 symetrical Legals, a wooden one 3063 I think and probably the best made Legal of the lot 3071 ,street legal sailed very well by Wigmore and Curly in79 and still I believe sailed at Earlswood Lakes by Laurebce Carter who bought it in 79. This was a Parker Hull and was fast in 0 wind or loads of wind but not so good in marginal conditions. Nosedived well too

I believe she was owned by the Cowlings for a couple of years around 1985/6 and did pretty well for them at Burton Week back then

As shown on the N12 website, doing what John always said it did very well

:PIf boats are sexy this is almost pornography.....this and the yellow boat (Freak out) are in my opinion the 2 sexiest twelves ever built. And as for the Holy Grail of national 12s..........It has a DAGGERBOARD!!!!!!      WOW!!!!!!    

Owned by Sue Pelling at one time. Crewed for Sue in it 1986 Burton Week at Exemouth.
Then went to Earlswood Lakes SC.

Impact hull decked by Tim Tomlinson and called double top as it was a 40th B day present.
Sold to Nigel Goodhew around 1989 and sailed at Earlswood Lakes SC.Renamed Persephone.
Sold to me and sailed at ELSC and at burton 1990 at Llandudno after major surgery around the front of the C/B case to stiffen it up due to extra loads from raking rig. It also stiffened the hull up immensely.
I sold it to a guy at Olton Mere, R.Cherry who sold it to Richard Pilgrim at TVSC

Super Pig was 3037, won the tubs trophy in 1979 with the designer helming
Stuart

Ok I can see that this would save money for the association but how would this money be spent and how would I as a member who is not active on the open circuit benifit from this???
The only thing I get from the association at present for my membership is the news letter and ratchet, rather an expensive bit of paperwork but I think well worth it.
If this is taken away I will probably not renew my membership because I can have access to the website free of charge and can keep in general touch through these pages and the website as it is. I enjoy the members area but it is no substitute for the news letter/ratchet.
It seems this would be a win win situation for active members who have the time and finances to go to opens/champs as there would be more money in the pot for prizes etc, cos what else will we spend everybodies money on, and remember it is everybodies money however active thewy are in the fleet.
It will be a big lose/lose situation for members like me, with a young family and skint   where the money given to the association is a struggle and a struggle to justify to the wife and kids when they go without, what benifit would it be for me, I would end up with a lot less. I look forewards to somebody refuting this and telling me all the benifits I and others in my situation will gain. Hope i am wrong and people will come up with lots of benefits because I am sure the majority of members are in my situation and only really take part in club racing with no imput from the NTOA.

Stuart Walsh N3317

So should I have got my 2006 newsletter yet  as I seem to have been missed off the mailing list over the last year, cant even remember the last Ratchet..........
Can any one help with this /
Stuart  Walsh
N3317

N3317 could be on the market at a reasonable cost.
Ledger Crusader 88 all the bits, dangly pole etc
If interested I am in the year book or leave a message

Stuart Walsh