Messages

The cat in the hat will be making an appearance

Andy

I sailed Jo's boat with no wing, it was very light so difficult to know how much of a difference it made, but I still felt the wing did make a difference. As soon as there is enough wind they seem to go.

Andy

Ian
Bottom line is they are faster all round the course. I took over a minute out of Caroline Martin up the last beat in the Burton Cup, having sailed through the fleet to ninth. I had gone back at the start thinking I was over the line. You notice it most when you can get the boat going on a reasonably long leg. Down wind they plane earlier and longer, so in marginal conditions we go away from the fleet. I think when the wind gets really up the downwind difference is much less downwind, but most of the boats keeping up with the top guys in DCB's had wings too. 
At the Burton, a well sailed Paradigm (Meds) was about the same speed as a reasonably well sailed DCB (me). The only time i find the boat difficult is in the really light stuff, but I think when we sit forward a bit more (the rig is a lot further back in the boat, an so we sit further back) this may be overcome.
Andy

Hi Guys
Clare and I will be there in the cat in the hat.
Not sure on food yet
Andy

Ian

John Sears first had her on the river in Nottingham both at NSC and Trent Valley. He sailed her there with his then wife sarah for quite a few years. They were the boat to beet in a breeze, having many very close battles with Tony Edwards sailing Gillespie which we used to watch with fascination as kids. I had the chance to crew for John a few times during this time. the boat was sold to another member who never had the same success when John bought Simply Red. It then disappeared for a while, to reappear with Steve Norbury a bit later. Steve was just about the quickest boat at the Llandudno Nats, which is where the iconic picture of bicycle clips was taken. He had similar issues about keeping her upright at that time. He then had her faired an repainted to take a mould off her, from which the Ridge baggys were built. He then went onto win the nats in one of these. I bought clips off him when at uni and sailed her for a couple of years until the money ran out, making a huge jump in performance, but never quite being consistent enough due to lack of time and too many pies. I sold her in about '94 to Chris Barnes, who is the brother of "basher" barnes of L5000, and now B14 fame. I lost track of her after that and have only just come back to 12's myself. Glad to see her going so well still. She is still my fave 12. 
I think there have been a few mods over the years, the centreboard case was always a bit weak to bashes with feet etc, have did have the floor sheathed. I think the part rear tank went at some point.

Andy

I agree with Jane, The courses could be a bit shorter, with similar time for the leaders, and some variation as well, we have the option of the trapezoid course, which I have never experienced in a 12, this gives better overtaking opportunities, as there is a run every lap.
I think the buddy system would be good to see back, with the number of entries we have had recently this could even be a group of three to four boats, with potential for a competition. 
I think the comments from the spinnaker group about spreading the prizes out is a great one, the random prize at Norfolk Week is ever popular, and means very few people go home empty handed.
I hope next year will be a bit more sociable, believe it or not the WPNSA is a lot better than it used to be for socials, at least you can now get a pint. The nly thing we need to make sure for next year is that there is a bearing supplier open over the bank holday.

Andy

Wow, I want that handicap
Andy

Now I know why they called it a Feeling Foolish!

Christened in may 2009, has the usual winged rudder, and first P&B boat to come out with a trim tab board, I expect they will be retrofitted to the others. First impressions are that she is quick out of the box. Name chosen by my 3 year old daughter.
Andy

Certainly seems a step forward on the Foolish, and I loved that boat too.
Andy

Finally got 3529 on the water today, named by my daughter as "Cat in the Hat" Launching with the winged rudder was easy, coming back in was a pain, as it quickly floats up and makes steerage very hard. We had a lee shore and a F4/5 as we came in this afternoon. 
The Fit out by P&B is excellent, and all worked apart from the dangly pole that came apart after about 15 seconds, but was an easy fix with 50 pence worth of string.
Talk about fast upwind though, we had a range of conditions today, and were burning away from reasonably well sailed lasers and an RS200. Hard to tell if the trim tab is making a huge difference, but we pointed higher than everything else. Downwind was more difficult to tell as we were well away from the rest of the fleet by that stage. 
This is an awesome boat, and got so many admiring glances, and much interest in the wings etc. And some reasonable moans about the handicap given the speed we had upwind.
Andy 3529

Don't worry Tim, you will find me at the end of the evening with jono trying to get a last pint out of the barmaid, thats what happened last year anyway.

Andy

No, just got sorted early. Boscowen House is perfect location and cost. And has a drying room to die for.
There are loads of cheap B&B's in Weymouth, much nearer the pubs and clubs as well. But do require a short drive in the mornings. These are where most people have stayed at previous events I have done there. Unless the bar in the academy and the local pubs have improved with the 2012 effect, I expect on at least one night people will head for Weymouth anyway.
Camping distance is similar to other previous venues.
Personally think the reduced cost of my accommodation is yet another benefit of the shorter weekend layout.
Andy

Is it only me who cannot get the new newsletter to download.

Andy

mm, thought the angle of the hull was governed by the highest point you can get sails to set, so hull angle going to have to be pretty similar. This may be an over simplification, but seems obvious. The centerboard angle must change to that effective point of reference. What it may do is effectively allow you to sail lower, while maintaining your centerboard angle the same as a conventional one. Either way, its the sails that set the angle the hull can be set to.

Andy