2018/19 DF95 Commodores Cup
12 events held on the first Friday of each month thoughout the year
Round 12 October 12th
Good evening All
Today saw the final round of the Commodores Cup Series for this racing year. The wind was more westerly than previously so we sailed from the spit up to Red 6 (within sight!) with a spreader into the near bay down to the leeward gate and repeat without the spreader. This made for a good beat with the opportunity to pick the right or wrong gate buoy and also a test of choosing the right shifts to follow. Mike Kemp was in his usual Friday form and won the day with 16 points with no position lower than 4th, well dome to Mike for being so consistent. KC was second on 22 points with some good and not so good positions including a justified retirement for a coming together at the gate buoy. Dave Green, always in the hunt came in third with 29 points and then had to go to work!
Mike Stevens launched his boat but from the first race he lost contact with what seems to be a range problem. After eventually getting his boat back from the far bank just as Mike K and Rob arrived to help he tried a few more times but faced the same problem. He eventually left for home to try to figure out the problem. While the two guys were away we sailed a couple of ‘casual’ races with no points recorded just to keep our hands in!
Only two of us for lunch, not sure where the others went??
All for now
Keith
Good evening All
Today saw the final round of the Commodores Cup Series for this racing year. The wind was more westerly than previously so we sailed from the spit up to Red 6 (within sight!) with a spreader into the near bay down to the leeward gate and repeat without the spreader. This made for a good beat with the opportunity to pick the right or wrong gate buoy and also a test of choosing the right shifts to follow. Mike Kemp was in his usual Friday form and won the day with 16 points with no position lower than 4th, well dome to Mike for being so consistent. KC was second on 22 points with some good and not so good positions including a justified retirement for a coming together at the gate buoy. Dave Green, always in the hunt came in third with 29 points and then had to go to work!
Mike Stevens launched his boat but from the first race he lost contact with what seems to be a range problem. After eventually getting his boat back from the far bank just as Mike K and Rob arrived to help he tried a few more times but faced the same problem. He eventually left for home to try to figure out the problem. While the two guys were away we sailed a couple of ‘casual’ races with no points recorded just to keep our hands in!
Only two of us for lunch, not sure where the others went??
All for now
Keith
Friday 6th September - DF95 Commodores Cup Round 11
Hi Folks,
Seven of us made it to 'The Spit' today for the penultimate round of the Commodore's Cup for DF95s. There was some debate initially over which rig to carry in the predominantly South Westerly wind; Dave Green had spent around twenty minutes pre-race time convincing himself that the A rig was the one to use but soon changed his mind after the first few races and joined Paul and Mike K. in a B rig: Dorian and Alex followed suit. Alan and Brian Haith demonstrated that the DF95 can carry it's A rig well into the wind range of the smaller suits. The B rig is probably Mike K's favourite rig for his DF95, with good reason as the score sheet shows.
The course took us from a start between White 7 and White 8 - a short line but just about manageable with a 7 boat fleet - up to White 4, down to Red 7 in the bay and then around the headland to the Eastern Gate:
from there we went back to White 4, returning to the gate and finishing between White 7 and the orange bag at the right hand side of the launching platform. White 4 was once again a challenge for all: some claiming it as an eyesight problem, but all of us were affected by the frustratingly variable wind both in strength and direction. Unusually for the wind strength, direction and variation there were no 'hook-ups' either with other boats or with bouy anchor lines and no visits to either island.
There was no sun visible all morning, a change from what we have experienced for some time now, but no rain - great!
Cheers,
Mike
Hi Folks,
Seven of us made it to 'The Spit' today for the penultimate round of the Commodore's Cup for DF95s. There was some debate initially over which rig to carry in the predominantly South Westerly wind; Dave Green had spent around twenty minutes pre-race time convincing himself that the A rig was the one to use but soon changed his mind after the first few races and joined Paul and Mike K. in a B rig: Dorian and Alex followed suit. Alan and Brian Haith demonstrated that the DF95 can carry it's A rig well into the wind range of the smaller suits. The B rig is probably Mike K's favourite rig for his DF95, with good reason as the score sheet shows.
The course took us from a start between White 7 and White 8 - a short line but just about manageable with a 7 boat fleet - up to White 4, down to Red 7 in the bay and then around the headland to the Eastern Gate:
from there we went back to White 4, returning to the gate and finishing between White 7 and the orange bag at the right hand side of the launching platform. White 4 was once again a challenge for all: some claiming it as an eyesight problem, but all of us were affected by the frustratingly variable wind both in strength and direction. Unusually for the wind strength, direction and variation there were no 'hook-ups' either with other boats or with bouy anchor lines and no visits to either island.
There was no sun visible all morning, a change from what we have experienced for some time now, but no rain - great!
Cheers,
Mike
DF95 Commodores Cup - Round 10 - 2nd August
Hi Folks,
Twelve of us took to the water this morning under the general guidance of Geoff, the keeper of the dongle. As is our norm, the wind decided to play about with us being generally from the North West to North East and variable strength: such a shame for what ought to be our most favourable direction. The bulk of the nine races were from a start line between Whites 2 & 4, out to Red 4, then Red 3, down to 'Doom' gate, back out to Red 4, returning to the finish by way of the gate for a second time. For a very short while the wind swung around to make an alternative course from Red 7 and the 'Bag', out to Red 3, White 4, Red 7, Red 3, Red 7, to finish between Red 6 and the bag and semi suitable option. After a couple of those we returned to the original. Neither of the courses were really ideal as the start line often had a massive bias one way or the other and on a few occasions it was possible to do the first leg close hauled on one tack, though not everyone could achieve that.
David Green was the most on-form skipper this morning with several of us occasionally getting one over him but all had a pretty up and down morning. After the debacle that was the finish of race two we adopted the 'one skipper drop out' to score each race; this is shown on the attached score sheet as a RDGa which Sailwave speak for a calculated average of the skipper's other races. Sailwave is a scoring system in use, mainly by 'big boat sailors' but increasingly by radio sailors for single heat racing. Among the 'highlights of the morning were an obstruction which floated, semi-submerged, down our way during the pre-race period of race 3 or 4: when retrieved it was seen to be a 'beware wet floor' sign as seen in some work and shop areas.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
Twelve of us took to the water this morning under the general guidance of Geoff, the keeper of the dongle. As is our norm, the wind decided to play about with us being generally from the North West to North East and variable strength: such a shame for what ought to be our most favourable direction. The bulk of the nine races were from a start line between Whites 2 & 4, out to Red 4, then Red 3, down to 'Doom' gate, back out to Red 4, returning to the finish by way of the gate for a second time. For a very short while the wind swung around to make an alternative course from Red 7 and the 'Bag', out to Red 3, White 4, Red 7, Red 3, Red 7, to finish between Red 6 and the bag and semi suitable option. After a couple of those we returned to the original. Neither of the courses were really ideal as the start line often had a massive bias one way or the other and on a few occasions it was possible to do the first leg close hauled on one tack, though not everyone could achieve that.
David Green was the most on-form skipper this morning with several of us occasionally getting one over him but all had a pretty up and down morning. After the debacle that was the finish of race two we adopted the 'one skipper drop out' to score each race; this is shown on the attached score sheet as a RDGa which Sailwave speak for a calculated average of the skipper's other races. Sailwave is a scoring system in use, mainly by 'big boat sailors' but increasingly by radio sailors for single heat racing. Among the 'highlights of the morning were an obstruction which floated, semi-submerged, down our way during the pre-race period of race 3 or 4: when retrieved it was seen to be a 'beware wet floor' sign as seen in some work and shop areas.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Round 9 Commodores Cup - Friday 5th July
Rob Reports :
Today the lonely five sailed from the spit as the Western Island was playing its usual game of hide and seek with the wind – we started from the gate in the channel out to white 5 this proved to be not as straight forward as it first seemed - the wind was constantly changing direction as usual; it was good for some and bad for others but we all had a share of good fortune – then a reach down to red 7 in the bay then a reach/run around the spit to red 9 one of the gate buoys then back out to white 5 with the sausage leg back to red 9 and across the line with the bag once again doing two jobs.
Four different winners today; but Dorian had the beating of us all today, not only did he win but was miles ahead on one or two races. If he was an angel we could clip his wings, but he’s not, Ha!
Rob had a missed judged buoy at white 5 and confused himself big time trying to undo himself – this gave everyone a good laugh – and that's what's it’s about having good sport and good fun.
A good days racing with wall to wall sunshine and a fair breeze, well most of the time.
ROB
Rob Reports :
Today the lonely five sailed from the spit as the Western Island was playing its usual game of hide and seek with the wind – we started from the gate in the channel out to white 5 this proved to be not as straight forward as it first seemed - the wind was constantly changing direction as usual; it was good for some and bad for others but we all had a share of good fortune – then a reach down to red 7 in the bay then a reach/run around the spit to red 9 one of the gate buoys then back out to white 5 with the sausage leg back to red 9 and across the line with the bag once again doing two jobs.
Four different winners today; but Dorian had the beating of us all today, not only did he win but was miles ahead on one or two races. If he was an angel we could clip his wings, but he’s not, Ha!
Rob had a missed judged buoy at white 5 and confused himself big time trying to undo himself – this gave everyone a good laugh – and that's what's it’s about having good sport and good fun.
A good days racing with wall to wall sunshine and a fair breeze, well most of the time.
ROB
Friday 7th June - DF95 Commodores Cup Round 8
Hi Folks,
A quick round up on today's Commodore's Cup Round 8 which saw seven souls arrive in the rain expecting a good 'B' suit breeze. Well, that didn't happen and the early 'B' suit tryers changed up before racing got under way as the rain subsided until finishing time. Using our sparkling new marks we set a course starting between white 2 & 4 heading out to white 8, cunningly placed on the edge of the shadow of the Eastern island, thence to white 5 and down to the doom gate (red and white 1s). There was then a beat back to white 8, returning to doom gate to finish back across the start line. While the starboard end of the line was, as usual, a magnet for the yachts it was not guaranteed to offer the perfect way to the windward mark: what really 'sorted us out' was the approach to and rounding of white 8. At one moment there appeared to be a lovely breeze coming through the channel; a second or two later it swirled, switched yachts from starboard close hauled to port and back again, occasionally leaving them stranded with the sails skaing and going nowhere: no one was immune. Then, when one had finally rounded the windward mark there was the run / reach / drift towards the wing mark where one could hope to pick up a breeze to run down to the gate. The gate introduced yet another opportunity to gain, or more likely lose, a place or two. The course gave lots of opportunites to swap places throughout such that there were few races where anyone really got away from the pack.
Probably the most glaring of place changes was in race 6 when Dorian had a clear lead over Paul and Mike K. on the second approach to the gate: Dorian rounded the left hand mark, carried on port for a short while then tacked onto starboard for his approach to the finish. Mike followed Dorian and tacked onto starboard too, only to find Dorian's yacht almost stationary after failing to complete the tack: Mike went on to win that one and Paul, who I think went right at the gate, followed him into second: Dorian finally got his yacht moving again in time to avoid being overtaken by Keith. Race 6 also saw the demise of Geoff for the morning's sailing as his yacht took off into the wide grey yonder, apparently due to 'water in the works' - the transmitter. Several of us attempted to sail our yachts to catch No. 57 to no avail as it moved out into where all the wind was and decided to ground itself on the opposite shore.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
A quick round up on today's Commodore's Cup Round 8 which saw seven souls arrive in the rain expecting a good 'B' suit breeze. Well, that didn't happen and the early 'B' suit tryers changed up before racing got under way as the rain subsided until finishing time. Using our sparkling new marks we set a course starting between white 2 & 4 heading out to white 8, cunningly placed on the edge of the shadow of the Eastern island, thence to white 5 and down to the doom gate (red and white 1s). There was then a beat back to white 8, returning to doom gate to finish back across the start line. While the starboard end of the line was, as usual, a magnet for the yachts it was not guaranteed to offer the perfect way to the windward mark: what really 'sorted us out' was the approach to and rounding of white 8. At one moment there appeared to be a lovely breeze coming through the channel; a second or two later it swirled, switched yachts from starboard close hauled to port and back again, occasionally leaving them stranded with the sails skaing and going nowhere: no one was immune. Then, when one had finally rounded the windward mark there was the run / reach / drift towards the wing mark where one could hope to pick up a breeze to run down to the gate. The gate introduced yet another opportunity to gain, or more likely lose, a place or two. The course gave lots of opportunites to swap places throughout such that there were few races where anyone really got away from the pack.
Probably the most glaring of place changes was in race 6 when Dorian had a clear lead over Paul and Mike K. on the second approach to the gate: Dorian rounded the left hand mark, carried on port for a short while then tacked onto starboard for his approach to the finish. Mike followed Dorian and tacked onto starboard too, only to find Dorian's yacht almost stationary after failing to complete the tack: Mike went on to win that one and Paul, who I think went right at the gate, followed him into second: Dorian finally got his yacht moving again in time to avoid being overtaken by Keith. Race 6 also saw the demise of Geoff for the morning's sailing as his yacht took off into the wide grey yonder, apparently due to 'water in the works' - the transmitter. Several of us attempted to sail our yachts to catch No. 57 to no avail as it moved out into where all the wind was and decided to ground itself on the opposite shore.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
DF95 Commodores Cup Round 7 - Friday May 3rd
Eight boats out for the Commodores Cup series Round 7. With a WSW wind direction we started race one from the western jetty. After a frustrating race in the wind shadow of the island we decamped to the spit. From there we set a long course starting just off the island, all the way cup to a buoy off of the western jetty with a run down to the buoy off of the end of the eastern island and repeat. This gave a very long beat with real opportunities to change places up and down!
Mike Kemp was his in his usual excellent form with wins in all but two races. He always placed his boat in the right place reading the wind with great skill. Keith Bell on his final appearance before moving back to Ireland was in good consistent form in second place with 16 points just beating KC in third place with 17 points.
Cheers
Keith
Eight boats out for the Commodores Cup series Round 7. With a WSW wind direction we started race one from the western jetty. After a frustrating race in the wind shadow of the island we decamped to the spit. From there we set a long course starting just off the island, all the way cup to a buoy off of the western jetty with a run down to the buoy off of the end of the eastern island and repeat. This gave a very long beat with real opportunities to change places up and down!
Mike Kemp was his in his usual excellent form with wins in all but two races. He always placed his boat in the right place reading the wind with great skill. Keith Bell on his final appearance before moving back to Ireland was in good consistent form in second place with 16 points just beating KC in third place with 17 points.
Cheers
Keith
Friday 5th April - DF95 Commodore's Cup Round 6
Hi Folks,
Theoretically the ten of us who arrived at the lake this morning would face a nice clear 8 to 15 mph wind from the South East. That, of course, is not what we actually had to play with as the houses, trees, grassy banks and, maybe, even passers by did rotten things to the wind such that there gasps of exasperation throughout the morning as boats swung this way and that, and sometimes just stopped dead in the water.
We sailed from a start between the white 2 and 3 just off the left hand platform and into the right hand bay to round Red 7 before running, theoretically, to Red 2 which was also rounded to port. Red 7 was next on the journey from which we went back to Red 2 and returned to finish between Red 6 and the front edge of the right hand platform. The first challenge was getting a good start which was tricky as, often with seconds to go, the wind would disappear for a short while. Again, in theory, it was a simple starboard tack on the wind around our control area to approach Red 7 on starboard: I don't remember anyone actually achieving that in the variable winds of the bay. The beat back from Red 2 was equally challenging with each of the possibilities having spots on the water where the wind wasn't - that was it, it just was not there for moments or it was swirling around making choice of tacks difficult to say the least.
Keith and Mike K. managed to make the best of it this morning, with several really close battles; sometimes closer than either wanted: but there were similar close contests going on throughout the fleet so, after discards, the gaps between competitor scores were relatively small. Count back on numbers of high places was needed to separate 55 and 37 who both ended with 12 points, the latter took top spot with 4 firsts to the 3 of boat 55. Alan Smedley did his usual solid job to take third place while Rob, normally a force to be reckoned with in the stronger winds, seemed to be off-form today.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
Theoretically the ten of us who arrived at the lake this morning would face a nice clear 8 to 15 mph wind from the South East. That, of course, is not what we actually had to play with as the houses, trees, grassy banks and, maybe, even passers by did rotten things to the wind such that there gasps of exasperation throughout the morning as boats swung this way and that, and sometimes just stopped dead in the water.
We sailed from a start between the white 2 and 3 just off the left hand platform and into the right hand bay to round Red 7 before running, theoretically, to Red 2 which was also rounded to port. Red 7 was next on the journey from which we went back to Red 2 and returned to finish between Red 6 and the front edge of the right hand platform. The first challenge was getting a good start which was tricky as, often with seconds to go, the wind would disappear for a short while. Again, in theory, it was a simple starboard tack on the wind around our control area to approach Red 7 on starboard: I don't remember anyone actually achieving that in the variable winds of the bay. The beat back from Red 2 was equally challenging with each of the possibilities having spots on the water where the wind wasn't - that was it, it just was not there for moments or it was swirling around making choice of tacks difficult to say the least.
Keith and Mike K. managed to make the best of it this morning, with several really close battles; sometimes closer than either wanted: but there were similar close contests going on throughout the fleet so, after discards, the gaps between competitor scores were relatively small. Count back on numbers of high places was needed to separate 55 and 37 who both ended with 12 points, the latter took top spot with 4 firsts to the 3 of boat 55. Alan Smedley did his usual solid job to take third place while Rob, normally a force to be reckoned with in the stronger winds, seemed to be off-form today.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Friday March 1st Round 5
Hi Folks,
Thirteen DF95s took to the water this morning to fight their way around a course starting from between Red 6 and the Safety Bag (on the left hand edge of the right hand launching platform) going out to take Red 2 to port and go back to Red 7 in the right hand bay, passing around White 1 on the first down wind leg. Two laps later they passed across the finish line. The wind had gone sufficiently around to the North West to make the windward legs a beat of sorts. The westerly island had a real influence on the wind which saw areas of calm followed by sudden port tack lifts which scared those who had gone out wide to the right hand side of the course only to see a bunch of yachts chasing up an almost direct route from the leeward mark to the windward mark. They could relax a bit when those 'lifted yachts' just drifted to an almost standstill a few metres from that tantalising pesky new red bouy that sat just short of what 'real' wind there was out in the open. The only consistent thing during that sailing was that there was no consistently good way to get up to windward.
We welcomed new member Mike Evans to the fray, he didn't really pick a very good day to get to grips with his new DF95 but he was 'in there' with us all morning. We also welcomed back to the waters edge Ian Burnett who, while not yet fit enough to sail again, did a sterling job manning the score sheet from race 3 onwards. As is usual with these light wind days the finishing order was all over the place: Mike K. managed 3 firsts and then stayed close to the front of the fleet in the others: Colin Davies managed 2 firsts but was then near the back of the fleet for several others. The only other winner was Rob Tottey who, apart from the eleventh that he discarded, was also in and around the front end of the fleet - typical Rob these days. Mike Ewart also had one trip to the back end of the fleet but spent the rest of the time in the top half. Keith had an unusual morning around the middle of the fleet instead of his normal leading role. The larger fleet meant that collections around the marks came to the fore again which gave us more emphasis on the business of assessing the 'overlapped - or not' situation that has been exercising our sailing brains of late. It also meant that there were some close finishes requiring some careful observation of the finish line for numbers, especially as more yachts come to the water with only half their sail numbers displayed. The rules specify that numbers should be carried on the jib as well as the mainsail for just that reason, to ensure visibility during close racing and finishing.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
Thirteen DF95s took to the water this morning to fight their way around a course starting from between Red 6 and the Safety Bag (on the left hand edge of the right hand launching platform) going out to take Red 2 to port and go back to Red 7 in the right hand bay, passing around White 1 on the first down wind leg. Two laps later they passed across the finish line. The wind had gone sufficiently around to the North West to make the windward legs a beat of sorts. The westerly island had a real influence on the wind which saw areas of calm followed by sudden port tack lifts which scared those who had gone out wide to the right hand side of the course only to see a bunch of yachts chasing up an almost direct route from the leeward mark to the windward mark. They could relax a bit when those 'lifted yachts' just drifted to an almost standstill a few metres from that tantalising pesky new red bouy that sat just short of what 'real' wind there was out in the open. The only consistent thing during that sailing was that there was no consistently good way to get up to windward.
We welcomed new member Mike Evans to the fray, he didn't really pick a very good day to get to grips with his new DF95 but he was 'in there' with us all morning. We also welcomed back to the waters edge Ian Burnett who, while not yet fit enough to sail again, did a sterling job manning the score sheet from race 3 onwards. As is usual with these light wind days the finishing order was all over the place: Mike K. managed 3 firsts and then stayed close to the front of the fleet in the others: Colin Davies managed 2 firsts but was then near the back of the fleet for several others. The only other winner was Rob Tottey who, apart from the eleventh that he discarded, was also in and around the front end of the fleet - typical Rob these days. Mike Ewart also had one trip to the back end of the fleet but spent the rest of the time in the top half. Keith had an unusual morning around the middle of the fleet instead of his normal leading role. The larger fleet meant that collections around the marks came to the fore again which gave us more emphasis on the business of assessing the 'overlapped - or not' situation that has been exercising our sailing brains of late. It also meant that there were some close finishes requiring some careful observation of the finish line for numbers, especially as more yachts come to the water with only half their sail numbers displayed. The rules specify that numbers should be carried on the jib as well as the mainsail for just that reason, to ensure visibility during close racing and finishing.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Friday 8th Feb - DF95 Commodores Cup Round 4 ( Second try )
Hi Folks,
It was a pretty hectic session for the DF95 fleet, or 7 of them anyway, this morning.
We started out with a mixture of 'B' and 'C' suits as the forecast strong, gusty, winds still had sufficient power after finding its way through the houses and trees to flatten even a C rigged DF95. Two of the Mikes, Rob, Dorian, and Brian set out in B rig from the start between White 2 & 3, up to Red 1 in 'Doom Bay', down to Red 5, across to Red 4 before repeating the triangle and back to finish across the same line.
By the time Mike K. had finished ahead, Brian's yacht was heading out into the real wind beyond the western island with its jib apparently firmly anchored on the yacht centreline - but reversed! Brian was on his way back to his car to go to the other side of the lake ready to attempt to retrieve the yacht when it finally hit the far shore, somewhere. Mike E. sadly announced that the yacht was now well outside the range of the line carrying safety boat so Mike K. thought he would be a 'clever Richard' and sail it back to our side. To start with it looked as if this would succeed but the yacht could not be forced upwind enough to miss the eastern island and it came to rest a few metres down the outer side of said island. We all thought for a moment and considered "what would we want our club mates to do if we were in that position - carry on sailing and rescue later, or....?"
So sailing was suspended and the dinghy was retrieved, inflated, and manned by Rob and Dorian, it retrieved the ailing red yacht. The 'standard issue' sheet anchor hook had unclipped itself by the wind pressure, allowed the jib to rotate and the balance weight had jammed in the foredeck groove containing the eyes and hook. Brian subsequently retired to drier surroundings, no doubt to undertake repairs. As sailing was resumed Mike S. also retired from sailing but stayed on to man the starter, line, and score sheet: a big thankyou must go to Mike who allowed the rest of us to continually sail in what had, by now, become seriously wet and windy conditions.
Despite the break out for rescue we managed to conclude a further seven races during which all saw some wierd wind in 'doom bay'. Someone was heard to say the area resembled a washing machine and, despite the apparent domination of one by now C rigged yacht, the races were fairly close run affairs with all of the five remaining yachts being somewhere on the final leg when the winner crossed the line.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
It was a pretty hectic session for the DF95 fleet, or 7 of them anyway, this morning.
We started out with a mixture of 'B' and 'C' suits as the forecast strong, gusty, winds still had sufficient power after finding its way through the houses and trees to flatten even a C rigged DF95. Two of the Mikes, Rob, Dorian, and Brian set out in B rig from the start between White 2 & 3, up to Red 1 in 'Doom Bay', down to Red 5, across to Red 4 before repeating the triangle and back to finish across the same line.
By the time Mike K. had finished ahead, Brian's yacht was heading out into the real wind beyond the western island with its jib apparently firmly anchored on the yacht centreline - but reversed! Brian was on his way back to his car to go to the other side of the lake ready to attempt to retrieve the yacht when it finally hit the far shore, somewhere. Mike E. sadly announced that the yacht was now well outside the range of the line carrying safety boat so Mike K. thought he would be a 'clever Richard' and sail it back to our side. To start with it looked as if this would succeed but the yacht could not be forced upwind enough to miss the eastern island and it came to rest a few metres down the outer side of said island. We all thought for a moment and considered "what would we want our club mates to do if we were in that position - carry on sailing and rescue later, or....?"
So sailing was suspended and the dinghy was retrieved, inflated, and manned by Rob and Dorian, it retrieved the ailing red yacht. The 'standard issue' sheet anchor hook had unclipped itself by the wind pressure, allowed the jib to rotate and the balance weight had jammed in the foredeck groove containing the eyes and hook. Brian subsequently retired to drier surroundings, no doubt to undertake repairs. As sailing was resumed Mike S. also retired from sailing but stayed on to man the starter, line, and score sheet: a big thankyou must go to Mike who allowed the rest of us to continually sail in what had, by now, become seriously wet and windy conditions.
Despite the break out for rescue we managed to conclude a further seven races during which all saw some wierd wind in 'doom bay'. Someone was heard to say the area resembled a washing machine and, despite the apparent domination of one by now C rigged yacht, the races were fairly close run affairs with all of the five remaining yachts being somewhere on the final leg when the winner crossed the line.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
DF95 - Commodores Cup Round 4 - Friday February 1st
Hi Folks,
Six of us gathered at the lake this morning, braving the snow - there wasn't much - and the wind which was almost enough to force a 'B' suit decision and it was from the North East which mean't we got it from 'through the channel'.
It was also a morning when the committee members present obviously had other things on their minds because not one of us had a score sheet and dry board with us. Fortunately there was one in the cupboard but, to keep it dry, it had to stay in the case that it had been whiling away its time in. This mean't that at the end of each race the first person home had to multi-task; get the case, open it, hold the papers to stop them blowing away, grab the pen with gloved hands, watch his boat, and write the finishing order.
We had completed three races from a line between white 3 and white 1, out to red 5, on to red 7, and down the red 1 in the left hand bay. It was a short course which kept all marks in pretty clear view and we went around it three times which gave lots of opportunities from tacking and changing places as the 'A'suited boats fought their way through the brisk wind and waves. In race four we had the added excitement of a sizeable ice flow drifting down just beyond the running leg and eventually leaving just enough room to round the leeward mark so on the windward leg away from Red 1 we heard cries of 'Room to Tack' away from the bank and from 'the ice'.
As we were finishing the leader grabbed the result sheet case, opened it just as an inconvenient gust hit and the score sheet set off at a great pace, clearing the bank and landing in the left hand bay; where it sank without trace! An attempt was made to write the remaining finishing order but as Rob had already suffered 'string problems', Geoff and Mike K. had been suffering from a very unusual bout of 'jib sheet catching beneath the gooseneck bearing', and we were all beginning to feel the cold a 'group decision' was taken to abandon this round of the Commodores Cup and postpone it until next Friday which was scheduled to be a 'Social Sailing' day.
I for one have decided that my 'paperdry' will now become an integral part of the assorted 'stuff' that resides in my car. No score sheet today, let's hope things turn out better for the I0M TIRYC Cup Round 10 on Sunday.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
Six of us gathered at the lake this morning, braving the snow - there wasn't much - and the wind which was almost enough to force a 'B' suit decision and it was from the North East which mean't we got it from 'through the channel'.
It was also a morning when the committee members present obviously had other things on their minds because not one of us had a score sheet and dry board with us. Fortunately there was one in the cupboard but, to keep it dry, it had to stay in the case that it had been whiling away its time in. This mean't that at the end of each race the first person home had to multi-task; get the case, open it, hold the papers to stop them blowing away, grab the pen with gloved hands, watch his boat, and write the finishing order.
We had completed three races from a line between white 3 and white 1, out to red 5, on to red 7, and down the red 1 in the left hand bay. It was a short course which kept all marks in pretty clear view and we went around it three times which gave lots of opportunities from tacking and changing places as the 'A'suited boats fought their way through the brisk wind and waves. In race four we had the added excitement of a sizeable ice flow drifting down just beyond the running leg and eventually leaving just enough room to round the leeward mark so on the windward leg away from Red 1 we heard cries of 'Room to Tack' away from the bank and from 'the ice'.
As we were finishing the leader grabbed the result sheet case, opened it just as an inconvenient gust hit and the score sheet set off at a great pace, clearing the bank and landing in the left hand bay; where it sank without trace! An attempt was made to write the remaining finishing order but as Rob had already suffered 'string problems', Geoff and Mike K. had been suffering from a very unusual bout of 'jib sheet catching beneath the gooseneck bearing', and we were all beginning to feel the cold a 'group decision' was taken to abandon this round of the Commodores Cup and postpone it until next Friday which was scheduled to be a 'Social Sailing' day.
I for one have decided that my 'paperdry' will now become an integral part of the assorted 'stuff' that resides in my car. No score sheet today, let's hope things turn out better for the I0M TIRYC Cup Round 10 on Sunday.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
DF95 - Commodores Cup Round 3DF95 - Commodores Cup Round 3 - Friday January 4th
Hi Folks,
Twelve of us gathered at the lake this morning for what someone said looked like being another 'driftathon'. With around 6 to 8mph wind forecast from the West North West - that's largely through and around the houses and then around the western island - the prospects of close racing looked very slim. However, once we got out on the water things weren't as bad as they might have been and we were able to use the same course as last Sunday's DF95 event starting between white 2 and 3, up to red 1, between White 3 and the launching pad on te first lap, then taking red 7 and red 4 to port before heading back to red 1. We returned to red 7 and 4 before finishing across the line between white 2 and 3.
Only two complete triangles were completed today for each race due to time restrictions. Although, as always, it was important to get a good start it was not necessarily a guarantee of a good finish: this was quite clearly demonstrated in race seven when Mike E. and Mike K. got away to have quite a ding-dong all the way around until the last 10 or 12 metres of the race to the finish when they just ran out of useable breeze and coasted almost to a stop. This looked like a gift to Rob and another (sorry I can't remember who) as they took advantage of a stream of wind a little further out towards the middle of the lake to apparently overtake in those last few metres to the finish. Then .... they ran out of wind as well and drifted to a halt to be overtaken by a third group led by Richard who had taken the chance of going even further out and managed to hold on to stream over to the finish; meanwhile the two Mikes who had led virtually from start to finish crept across the line in 7th and 8th. Such changes were not unusual, though not normally as dramatic.
Among the relevant gems heard this morning was a conversation about the temperature - which was low - and how wind chill can affect the feeling but, as Mike Ewart briefly explained, "to get a wind chill first there must be wind!"
Let's hope for a bit more of our driving force for the I0M fleet on Sunday.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
Twelve of us gathered at the lake this morning for what someone said looked like being another 'driftathon'. With around 6 to 8mph wind forecast from the West North West - that's largely through and around the houses and then around the western island - the prospects of close racing looked very slim. However, once we got out on the water things weren't as bad as they might have been and we were able to use the same course as last Sunday's DF95 event starting between white 2 and 3, up to red 1, between White 3 and the launching pad on te first lap, then taking red 7 and red 4 to port before heading back to red 1. We returned to red 7 and 4 before finishing across the line between white 2 and 3.
Only two complete triangles were completed today for each race due to time restrictions. Although, as always, it was important to get a good start it was not necessarily a guarantee of a good finish: this was quite clearly demonstrated in race seven when Mike E. and Mike K. got away to have quite a ding-dong all the way around until the last 10 or 12 metres of the race to the finish when they just ran out of useable breeze and coasted almost to a stop. This looked like a gift to Rob and another (sorry I can't remember who) as they took advantage of a stream of wind a little further out towards the middle of the lake to apparently overtake in those last few metres to the finish. Then .... they ran out of wind as well and drifted to a halt to be overtaken by a third group led by Richard who had taken the chance of going even further out and managed to hold on to stream over to the finish; meanwhile the two Mikes who had led virtually from start to finish crept across the line in 7th and 8th. Such changes were not unusual, though not normally as dramatic.
Among the relevant gems heard this morning was a conversation about the temperature - which was low - and how wind chill can affect the feeling but, as Mike Ewart briefly explained, "to get a wind chill first there must be wind!"
Let's hope for a bit more of our driving force for the I0M fleet on Sunday.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
DF95 Friday - Commodores Cup Round 2 - December 14th
Carried over from the previous week when bad weather prevented sailing
Good morning All
Here are the results for yesterdays driftathon for DF95’s.
In the 12 years or so that I have been a member I can’t remember a day when less wind was present. We sailed just 4 races with the first race taking 40 minutes to finish!
We debated abandoning the racing but with little else to do and with the pub not yet open we carried on.
So we shortened the course to one lap which then took just short of 30 minutes each and the boat that made the best start and ‘got away’ usually won sometimes by a wide margin from the rest of the fleet when clear air (such as it was) was a distinct advantage. Mike Ewart was that man with three first places after discard and therefore just three points.
We then had three skippers all on 8 points. So count back was applied giving Mike Kemp 2nd place and KC third place just from Alan Smedley. We had another couple when count back was applied the difference being on the final race going to Rob Tottey. Brian Haith couldn’t get his boat to go at all and sensibly gave up to watch the sailing, paint drying would have been more fun!
So that is it
All for now
Keith
Carried over from the previous week when bad weather prevented sailing
Good morning All
Here are the results for yesterdays driftathon for DF95’s.
In the 12 years or so that I have been a member I can’t remember a day when less wind was present. We sailed just 4 races with the first race taking 40 minutes to finish!
We debated abandoning the racing but with little else to do and with the pub not yet open we carried on.
So we shortened the course to one lap which then took just short of 30 minutes each and the boat that made the best start and ‘got away’ usually won sometimes by a wide margin from the rest of the fleet when clear air (such as it was) was a distinct advantage. Mike Ewart was that man with three first places after discard and therefore just three points.
We then had three skippers all on 8 points. So count back was applied giving Mike Kemp 2nd place and KC third place just from Alan Smedley. We had another couple when count back was applied the difference being on the final race going to Rob Tottey. Brian Haith couldn’t get his boat to go at all and sensibly gave up to watch the sailing, paint drying would have been more fun!
So that is it
All for now
Keith
DF95 Friday - Commodores Cup - Round 1 - 9th November
Hi Folks,
This morning we gathered to have another go Round 1 of the new Commodores Cup Series. Seven of us made what we could of the South South Westerly wind that was left to us after it had found its way over, around and maybe even through the houses and trees.
We set a course starting between White 4 and Red 7, into the right hand bay around red 8, then outside Red 5 and on to Red 3 before returning to round Red 5 again, after which the course took us out to Red 3 and back to finish across the line between White 4 and Red 7.
The first race saw a degree of confusion as the uncertainty of where on the line was going to be best, followed by the chaos of how to get around the first mark, was compounded by several of us forgetting that the return beat was only to Red 5, not Red 8. The only skipper who really nailed it was Rob who was chased home by Geoff, some distance behind. We debated whether to try a different course but concluded that anything different was likely to be just as 'iffy', so we persevered and eventually worked it out to have a quite decent morning's sailing with each leg of the course offering opportunities for places to be gained - and lost.
The course went from almost complete calm between the start and the bay to almost 'flat on the water' out around Red 3; there were tracks to the right, the left, and even 'up the middle' and none of them were guaranteed to ensure a 'quickest circuit', all this resulted in some very close competition, reflected in the scores. Geoff scraped home ahead of Richard by virtue of one more second place and Alan chased Mike K. hard all morning. Rob's morning was spoiled by some equipment troubles possibly after he unknowingly flipped a control or setting on his new transmitter, but he still claimed 3rd place overall.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
Hi Folks,
This morning we gathered to have another go Round 1 of the new Commodores Cup Series. Seven of us made what we could of the South South Westerly wind that was left to us after it had found its way over, around and maybe even through the houses and trees.
We set a course starting between White 4 and Red 7, into the right hand bay around red 8, then outside Red 5 and on to Red 3 before returning to round Red 5 again, after which the course took us out to Red 3 and back to finish across the line between White 4 and Red 7.
The first race saw a degree of confusion as the uncertainty of where on the line was going to be best, followed by the chaos of how to get around the first mark, was compounded by several of us forgetting that the return beat was only to Red 5, not Red 8. The only skipper who really nailed it was Rob who was chased home by Geoff, some distance behind. We debated whether to try a different course but concluded that anything different was likely to be just as 'iffy', so we persevered and eventually worked it out to have a quite decent morning's sailing with each leg of the course offering opportunities for places to be gained - and lost.
The course went from almost complete calm between the start and the bay to almost 'flat on the water' out around Red 3; there were tracks to the right, the left, and even 'up the middle' and none of them were guaranteed to ensure a 'quickest circuit', all this resulted in some very close competition, reflected in the scores. Geoff scraped home ahead of Richard by virtue of one more second place and Alan chased Mike K. hard all morning. Rob's morning was spoiled by some equipment troubles possibly after he unknowingly flipped a control or setting on his new transmitter, but he still claimed 3rd place overall.
Cheers,
Mike Kemp
