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So come to our coaching session at Spinnaker when we get it set up and we'll address some of those 10 essentials

Thanks Mark

You are right about carbon. It is expensive and in lots of ways, it is largely a psychological factor.

Graham and Zoe's boat is a glass/epoxy hull, nb not carbon or kevlar, but with a carbon floor, and I believe that it made a pretty good showing a couple of weeks ago . .

I was proposing a Kevlar floor etc on the grounds that it is cheaper, has better impact resistance than carbon and I was considering ways to impart as much structural strength at reasonable cost into what might be a softer hull. If you want something as stiff etc then you are looking at a new boat, which is what I was trying to get away from.

A lot of sailing is in the mind, you can beat people before you go on the water. Which is where Jo scores, he doesn't need the boost of having a shiny carbon craft but has produced a functional boat - at low cost.

You can go out and spend a fortune on tailor made golf clubs, that will make the few % difference to the professionals, but not to mere mortals, or you can spend a couple of hundred on workmanlike clubs which will do exactly the same job for you. The principles are the same.

You couldn't ban carbon now, it is already part of the N12, but banning it (on cost grounds) hasn't done any harm to the Fireballs, but who do allow Kevlar.

Didn't make it to Salcombe, sorry guys

Didn't make it to Cowes Week either - but that's a completely different story

Instead we went to Bassenthwaite, in the glorious Lake District, for the latter half of Bass Week and had a wonderful time. Wonderful setting, excellent club facilities, good food and showers with camping on site.

Six N12s at various times through the week. Philip and Helen David scooping some pots in Wendy Windblows (3217), Mike and Alex Storey following close behind in their first season in The Electric Prune (3491) with support from Sue Jones and Ellie Whilton from Nottingham (3263), Dennis King and Matthew/Janice from Attenborough SC (2964), me with Ben and Dawn from Spinnaker (3398 ) and Barry & Peter Lancaster (3275).

A really enjoyable family regatta week at a well organised friendly club with a variety of mini regattas. one off races, pursuits rather than just one long regatta.

It was our first open in Mr Fox with a best result of 4th but Ben won his first sailing prize so he was dead chuffed - first of many I hope!

Definitely recommended and one to consider for next year (2-10 August 2008 )

http://www.bassenthwaite-sc.org.uk/

And the sun shone !
(sunny)

We've stayed at Alston Campsite, just north east of Marlborough for the Yacht Club and/or Town Regattas for the last few years. Decent site, although pitches in the overflow field are not all level (it is Devon!), the garage at Marlborough with its mini Coop is just up the road and it's easy to get to the park and ride.

Big advantage is that it's the only site in the area for which you don't have to book in advance (they don't take bookings), and even during the regatta weeks its not overcrowded and there is plenty of space.

More information from the tourist office website

http://www.salcombeinformation.co.uk/camp.htm

Happy camping!  

(sunny)

[quote by=Mike_Day link=Blah.cgi?b=Cool1,m=1183976779,s=2 date=1183997272]Anne, Flipside and I will be there and expect hot sun and gentle breeze.  Please take all necessary steps ...

Mike D
N3496[/quote]

No problem - Simon has promised . . .

and in answer to Kean, I think we have 9 boats now

See you

Who's coming?

http://www.spinnakerclub.co.uk/index.htm

Saturday 14 July, 4 races, 1st race 11:00

Our fleet continues to grow with another new member this week. We're on the up!

Look forward to seeing you

(sunny)

That guy at Grafham was Peter Saxton.

Not sure when it made its way down to the West Country.

Pete

I would say the buoyancy in the centreboard buoyancy tank was in exactly the right place

Being at the heavier end of the crew weight spectrum, I had been working out how to increase the buoyancy in Fantastic Mr Fox (a Design  8 ). My problem is that, having capsized, even with the crew in the water, the boat floats very low in the water with a shed load of water in it. This is a serious incentive in itself not to capsize  but also to shed some weight from the boat (Cost factor) and me (I'm trying!).

The main criteria is for buoyancy low down and as next winter's project, I was looking at putting in a c/b case buoyancy tank, very similar to Bounders, in carbon/foam sandwich of course. (Anyone else tried this ?)

What I hadn't yet worked out was how and where to lead the rig controls

Could you post or email me some photos of the side of the c/b case and the front end that would show the controls layout?

Thanks

I've used both sand and sugar

Sand is excellent as a non slip but can add 1 1/2 to 2 kg to the weight (ok if you're underweight) . Generally it doesn't work loose but it is very abrasive, can be hard on kit and is best used on the cockpit floor.

Beach sand is ok but should be well washed and dried first.

Aesthetically, it is difficult to get an even looking covering when using varnish but it's fine in paint. (I've found the non slip additives that International sell to be not grippy enough in a small boat)

If varnishing, sugar looks better, works well and is easy to re-apply.

Obviously transomless sailing is OK  (huh2)