Messages

Sophie,
I hope that you are going to tie the two articles together somehow.  I have always thought that it is very unfair (although entirely logical and unavoidable) that the best crews and helms insist on sailing together.  It is hard for a learner crew to teach a learning helm, and vice versa.  This is something we are constantly trying to tackle when we look at how to run training in the future.

For me all I ask is that my crew is always enthusiastic and dependable, a tactical genius and can move about the boat so well that my own stumbles are not an issue.  Unfortunately I think that they also have to put up with my occassionally shorter than desirable temper, and realise that i am not complaining about them but just to them.

I am very aware that i have been very lucky with my main crews, my sister, Rich Bailey and Jo are right up there on all counts.  I could write you a short, and hopefully amusing series of annecdotes about the people that i have had the pleasure of saiilng the 12 with, but it might not be a good idea.

Antony

Sorry for the belated posting reply to the question from Zoe, but i can now report back with the confidence of somebody that has been there!

John M, Michael, Janet, Kevan and I went to meet the team from TCYC on Saturday.  The place looks lovely, the team are very organised and impressive, and the weather was perfect for a day of championship sailing!

The answer to the question Zoe asked is that the boats will be living on the Teignmouth side, between the little pier and the mouth of the estuary.  There will be a full regatta office and facilities at the dinghy park, as well as the bar and catering for the evenings at the other end of the promenade in the clubhouse.

Time to book the holiday and find some accommodation.........

Antony

As usual Northampton were great hosts both on and off the water.  It was sad that the wind did not show up on Sunday, but a great weekend nonetheless.  Thanks to all involved.

For those not there we had three lightish wind races on Saturday, with Tom and Liz winning from Myself and Jo and Graham and Sam Child were 3rd.   Lots of fireworks and a disco.... and some beer.

Not much wrong with the new boat that a bit of starting practice would not solve!

Antony
N3514

Tim,
The Superspar is basically the 'standard' carbon boom that most people use.  I would not assume that this means that it is the lightest, cheapest or best.  It is supplied ready to go by people like P&B and is very reliable, that is why most people use it.  

I have never used another make of boom, basically because i cannot be bothered and the various Superspars i have had have never failed me, but it is not exactly a very high-tech piece of kit compared to a mast or the sails.

I suspect that Mike can make one cheaper and lighter, and strong enough.

Antony

Well, having sailed the boat for the first time yesterday Jo and I will definitely be there with her.  In contrast to historical precedent the pouring of the champagne did not result in a disaster of any sort.

We are not bringing the boys, so we should be able to enojy the fireworks.

I can also report that the Johnson family were last seen packing up both of their boats at RH last night, so i expect them to show up too!

Antony
N3514

All we have at the moment is the Tourist Information office at:

The Den
Sea Front
Teignmouth
TQ14 8BE
United Kingdom
Email: teigntic@teignbridge.gov.uk

Tel: 01626 215666

The only other thing i can suggest until we have been down there to meet the club is that you play on Google and see what you find.

Antony

Well, there are now four boats built and having seen them all they look good.  Three have been measured, with no issues, and with about 10-12 kg of lead in each one.  These three will all be sailing at Northampton.

It sounds like the only way to be sure of having one of these boats before next summer is to ORDER RIGHT NOW as there is another small batch being planned for immediate production.  There is a risk that Ovi will then put the moulds away for a few months and focus on their 29ers etc.

There are already two orders for this next batch, if you want to join the six of us on the water then I suggest you order a boat now by calling Tom @ P&B on 01604 592808 who can actually tell you the situation and sell you a boat.  Just to make it clear, i have no interest except in the health of the class and nothing i have written should be believed fully without confirmation from P&B!!

Antony

Ted,
This is a good question, and tough to answer while sitting at my desk!  I think that the answer is that most of us lean back and take a very big armful, trap it and do the same again.  We also, probably, begin to sheet in earlier than you might expect unless it is very windy and so use a slightly over sheeted main as well as the leeward heel to help the boat turn without much rudder.

Antony

We'll certainly be there.  It now looks as if we are launching the boat for the first time that Saturday.... nothing like a bit of preperation!  

This means that at least three of the four new P&B Foolishes will be there, book a trial sail now.. order one on the day!

Antony
N3514? Does anybody out there know for sure?

A cheap combi, with a boat sitting on top?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Firefly-historic-sailing-dinghy_W0QQitemZ260171084869QQihZ016QQcategoryZ98955QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Antony

Grafham was excellent, as ever the combination of Kevin and the club made the whole day incredibly smooth and professional.  I think that all of the races started within 6 minutes of the scheduled time!  

For me the mild weather almost made up for the slightly light breezes, but then i have some very cold memories of Grafham.

A lovely last sail in the boat, now to pick up the new one.....

Antony
N341?

The RHYC Winter Series kicks off with three races on Sunday 28th October.  It also happens to be a rather nice high water.  I cannot recall the cost, but it is always very reasonable for non-members (and free for members of course).  The series continues through until Christmas.

More details:  http://www.rhyc.demon.co.uk/dinghyprog.htm

The plan for the first day of the series is to have three races as scheduled, and then try to hold a training based 'de-brief' over lunch.  All being well this will involve some video to watch & analyse, all I need now are the cameraman, camera and TV.

I already have 5 definite for the 28th, so come and join in.  You might also get to see Jo and I launch our new boat for the very first time!  If you are interested in crewing, or know people that might be, then let me know.

Antony
35xx

Jo and I will be there, for a last sail in Fatso.

Antony
N35XX too!

I still think that the results are wrong!  We did not finish the last race, and the results i saw with the write up gave us a finishing position.  If we had tried to finish we would not have got the boat home un-aided!

Antony