Friday, 4 September 2015
Thursday, 3 September 2015
2015 SEASON SO FAR 4TH SEPTEMBER 2015
2015 SEASON SO FAR 4th September 2015
This season has flown by . The Wednesday night sailing finished on the 2nd of September . Where did the summer go . I have two regular crews and this is their 2nd season sailing . Once you get the basics, don't panic when the boat heels over , you can then start building on it . There is a lot to learn and a first season can be difficult . This season we worked on the spinnaker and tacking . In light winds a good roll tack is essential . Get it wrong and the boat stops dead and an old heavy wooden boat is slow to get going again . Other boats will soon pass you . Another thing that happens is your confidence grows in stronger winds , and you become aware of wind direction and the effect it has on the boat . Next season I hope to go back to weekly reports but I got behind this year . I have a repair to sort out as well as I have a leak at the side of the centerboard case . The boat also isn't pointing that well so that is something that needs looking at . My only real expense this season has been a new cover which is performing well .
This season has flown by . The Wednesday night sailing finished on the 2nd of September . Where did the summer go . I have two regular crews and this is their 2nd season sailing . Once you get the basics, don't panic when the boat heels over , you can then start building on it . There is a lot to learn and a first season can be difficult . This season we worked on the spinnaker and tacking . In light winds a good roll tack is essential . Get it wrong and the boat stops dead and an old heavy wooden boat is slow to get going again . Other boats will soon pass you . Another thing that happens is your confidence grows in stronger winds , and you become aware of wind direction and the effect it has on the boat . Next season I hope to go back to weekly reports but I got behind this year . I have a repair to sort out as well as I have a leak at the side of the centerboard case . The boat also isn't pointing that well so that is something that needs looking at . My only real expense this season has been a new cover which is performing well .
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| Flat calm |
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| Good turnout |
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| Tactics |
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| Interesting boat sailed in Slovenia |
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| Taking out the family |
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| Going well |
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| Light winds . Keep the boat moving . |
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| Good Spinnaker work . |
Sunday, 5 October 2014
Sunday 5th October 2014
"Sunday 5th October 2014"
That's me and Jo-Anna sailing in Barts Bash two weeks ago (red boat in centre ) . This week was our best race of the season . I have sailed more than usual this year and I am now getting MY 4 basics right .
1) GET TO THE START ON TIME
2) GET THE COURSE
3)SET YOUR WATCH
4) BE MOVING AND ON THE LINE WHEN THE GUN GOES.
In the two races we sailed (twisted my knee for the last race ) we rounded the first mark in the lead on both occasions . OK in the first race we only held the lead for 3 marks,but I know where I went wrong up the beat. We were going from A all the way up to F . I decided not to tack on a shift and carried on,on starboard. Not only did I miss the wind-shift but I was sailing away from the mark !! . We lost two places and finished 3rd . The next race was a cracker , we had the lead for nearly a lap dropped back to 3rd but got back in the lead with 1 lap to go . Unfortunately we were passed again and it was another 3rd but we definitely gave it a go!
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That's me and Jo-Anna sailing in Barts Bash two weeks ago (red boat in centre ) . This week was our best race of the season . I have sailed more than usual this year and I am now getting MY 4 basics right .
1) GET TO THE START ON TIME
2) GET THE COURSE
3)SET YOUR WATCH
4) BE MOVING AND ON THE LINE WHEN THE GUN GOES.
In the two races we sailed (twisted my knee for the last race ) we rounded the first mark in the lead on both occasions . OK in the first race we only held the lead for 3 marks,but I know where I went wrong up the beat. We were going from A all the way up to F . I decided not to tack on a shift and carried on,on starboard. Not only did I miss the wind-shift but I was sailing away from the mark !! . We lost two places and finished 3rd . The next race was a cracker , we had the lead for nearly a lap dropped back to 3rd but got back in the lead with 1 lap to go . Unfortunately we were passed again and it was another 3rd but we definitely gave it a go!
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Sunday 28th September 2014
"Sunday 28th September 2014"
This was fun . Nothing to do with Sunday but more exciting . I managed to fix my rudder but I think it will go again so I need to look for a new one . It was very light winds today but just enough to get round the course . But where had all the boats gone ? After the very big turnout last week for Bart's Bash we were down to single figures again . Only two GP's sailed the first race and then only us for race 2 and 3 .
It was lovely day though and a very pleasant sail . I was sailing with Jo-Anna and we chatted about the club and the poor turn out of boat's . There was enough wind to race so that wasn't the problem . Maybe the format needs a shakeup ? Plenty of boats turned up last week and you even had to donate to enter ! Wednesday sailing is always popular and the training is proving a big hit so things still look good for the future .
It was lovely day though and a very pleasant sail . I was sailing with Jo-Anna and we chatted about the club and the poor turn out of boat's . There was enough wind to race so that wasn't the problem . Maybe the format needs a shakeup ? Plenty of boats turned up last week and you even had to donate to enter ! Wednesday sailing is always popular and the training is proving a big hit so things still look good for the future .
Sunday, 21 September 2014
Sunday 21st September 2014
'Sunday 21st September 2014'
This Sunday was 'Bart's Bash ' . It was a worldwide record attempt at the total number of boats sailed in a race to raise money for charity on behalf of Andrew' Bart' Simpson who drowned whilst sailing an America's Cup boat . 32 boats took to Hollingworth Lake (18,000 participants world wide ) for a mass start , each making a donation to the charity . The afternoon continued with normal club racing .We had a minor mishap with the tiller .
It had been repaired before a number of years ago and must have been going for a while . Luckily we were still near shore and it was light winds . It could have been a problem in a strong breeze . We managed to borrow a replacement for the rest of the day so still had a good day's sailing in pleasant conditions . I now have it at home and I am attempting a repair , another member is bringing up a spare one on Sunday and I have also been looking on E bay . A new replacement would cost in the region of £350.00 !
It had been repaired before a number of years ago and must have been going for a while . Luckily we were still near shore and it was light winds . It could have been a problem in a strong breeze . We managed to borrow a replacement for the rest of the day so still had a good day's sailing in pleasant conditions . I now have it at home and I am attempting a repair , another member is bringing up a spare one on Sunday and I have also been looking on E bay . A new replacement would cost in the region of £350.00 !
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Wednesday 27th August 2014
I have not sailed for a couple of weeks due to Officer Of The Day (OOD) duty and a weekend in the Lake-District . This Wednesday night sail (the penultimate) did not disappoint. It was a mass start due to fading light which meant a crowded line and plenty of port and starboard on the first beat . We battled round in windy conditions without incident , but I must mention the harbour at H.L.S.C.
But I yearn for a civilized jetty !
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Wednesday 13th August 2014
"Wednesday 13th August 2014"
This was our best race of the season so far . When I started sailing it was normal to get 20 plus boats of the same fleet starting a race.
This doesn't happen anymore at club level with 3 to 4 being the norm . Anyway don't worry because all you need is one boat of similar ability to you and its game on . Racing sailing dinghy's is a very exciting sport and you don't have to be at the front to enjoy the thrill . Keeping a boat of similar ability behind you is hard work and needs concentration and a bit of luck from both helm and crew . Mistakes are costly and the tension grows as the race progresses . The last leg is a nervous time as the race can easily be lost at this stage but it's a great feeling if you can cross the line in front . Make sure you celebrate and enjoy the feeling as you can bet that next time it will be you doing the chasing .! The previous weeks practicing the spinnaker paid off as this is a sail that can lose you a race if you are not careful .
This was our best race of the season so far . When I started sailing it was normal to get 20 plus boats of the same fleet starting a race.
This doesn't happen anymore at club level with 3 to 4 being the norm . Anyway don't worry because all you need is one boat of similar ability to you and its game on . Racing sailing dinghy's is a very exciting sport and you don't have to be at the front to enjoy the thrill . Keeping a boat of similar ability behind you is hard work and needs concentration and a bit of luck from both helm and crew . Mistakes are costly and the tension grows as the race progresses . The last leg is a nervous time as the race can easily be lost at this stage but it's a great feeling if you can cross the line in front . Make sure you celebrate and enjoy the feeling as you can bet that next time it will be you doing the chasing .! The previous weeks practicing the spinnaker paid off as this is a sail that can lose you a race if you are not careful .
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| Going well |
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| Not so well . |
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