Last Season's Newspage Jan-June 2007
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Last Season's Newspage Jan-June 2007
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NBLaser Hobie Sports Brass Monkey Regatta 9-11/6/2007 With the worst storm in 30 years hitting the Central Coast on Friday, sailing on Saturday seemed unlikely and was in fact cancelled due to forecasts of more freezing winds of 40 knots or more. Sunday was better though still freezing, as expected at a Brass Monkey event. Three races were held, though only eleven boats ventured out - 6 fourteens, 3 big Hobies, and 2 Lasers. Conditions eased off during the day from 15 knots to about 5 by the end. On Monday 7 fourteens and 3 big Hobies tried their luck with winds ranging from 0 to 3 knots. Not much racing happened, but it was a beautiful day and we all had fun. Four boats finished a shortened race, but all had to get towed home. The storms caused problems all weekend, mainly too much water. Our Start/Finish boat, the Griffin, was sunk at its mooring, due to being lashed too low on the post, and facing the wrong way. It had to be salvaged on Saturday. The water came right up over our boat ramp and rigging area by Sunday, leaving just a narrow strip of usable land. By Monday the level had dropped back to uncover some more grass, but left a huge wall of debris, including everything that was floating on or near the lake or from Wyong River, our beach being the destination of the south-westerly winds. Visitors came from Belmont 16, Yowie Bay and Port Kembla clubs. Members and helpers did a terrific job all weekend, organising rosters, manning support boats, feeding everyone, salvaging wrecks, taking photos. Thanks to everyone involved, especially Kevin Winchester who sponsored the event and donated funds to cover all expenses and donated prizes. See the photos, click here. Results:
Weekly Reports: Toowoon Bay Trip On Sunday 6 May seven boats gathered at Cabbage Tree Bay (CTB)to sail down to Toowoon Bay (TB). There were two Hobie 16s (Dave M and Stan, Bob L and his brother John, three Windrush 14s (Danny, Brandon and Jerry) and two Maricats (Rimmo and Brenton). The weather was perfect - 23°C and sunny with a slight westerly blowing. The wind died off the further south we went, but we eventually arrived at TB 2 hrs and 20 mins later. The 16s overshot the mark and took longer. Bob Lockley thought we were going to Terrigal! The distance is 14.6km (Brandon had his GPS). The highlight of the sail down was a close encounter with a pod of dolphins. TB is a beautiful bay and was recently declared the cleanest beach on Central Coast. After a pleasant lunch we set off home again. Dave/Stan and Brandon who didn't have their own trailers went up The Entrance channel and sailed home up Tuggerah Lake, getting back about the same time the others reached CTB. There was a steady NE breeze which got us back by 3.20pm. This was the ocean in a very friendly state, no waves, just a little chop, and scary swell. You think you're on flat water, then another boat 200m away disappears behind a swell with only the rigging showing. If there had been more breeze we were thinking of going out to one of the bulk carriers moored miles off-shore. We were all home by 4.00pm after a really pleasant day out with our mates - you can't beat that! See the photos - click here Weekly Reports: Sunday 29 April 2007 Our last day of the season saw 20 cats on the beach. Not all skippers started as the 20 knot breeze was too much for some prudent sailors. Max decided not to go, and at 72 years of age, probably a wise decision. However young Chris Blackford took Max's Windrush instead of his own flimsier Nacra, a brave choice for a 12 year old in the conditions. Jason Kakato, also 12, didn't hesitate in his Maricat. As it turned out, the wind died down to a much more manageable strength straight after the start and capsizes were confined, as far as I know, to Garry Robinson's 'Predator' suddenly developing a taste for mullet. Tony Kros had the misfortune to bust a side-stay and find himself covered in canvas (or Mylar). Barry Smith, one who decided not to risk it in his Taipan one-up, was already out in the 'Tuffy' with a young crew, and took Tony in tow. Our inflatable is equipped for such emergencies, and we were glad we had deployed it for just such a mishap. The racing was excellent in the good breeze, with the bigger cats lapping most of the fourteens. Not lapped were Brenton and Jason who can be relied on for impressive performances - well done you blokes! They were followed by Brandon in his Windrush, capping off a great season in which he has come from near last to near first (even first last week) - good work BT. Peter Walker is proving hard to beat in his big cat 'Barking Mad', crewed by his daughter Aimee, winning convincingly from Troy and Sharon, and then Jo Mac and Renée in their Hobie 16s. The three usual suspects, Bobcat, Dave M and Stan were next. Bob was beaten by the women by 2 seconds after overlaying the mark to the finish. Stan press-ganged his brother Dave off the 14' Hobie to help him hold down the 16. Liam Riles and his Dad Alan have bought a new Hobie 16, a big jump up from Stan's tired old one, so should improve remarkably next season. It's fantastic to see so many new boats in the club, after all the old crap they used to sail. I'm looking for a sponsor to buy me a new Windrush, if you know anyone. I can offer plenty of plugs on a popular sailing website. The juniors tackled the big wind 2-up in 3 boats, with Terry Watt winning, and Grant, Tyler and Robert not far behind. Troy and Anthony are doing a wonderful job with the kids, and train 28 of 'em every Sunday morning. Bill reckons that they will be able to compete next year in some of the bigger regattas. Come to the Presentation to see them get awards. Kevin Winchester kindly donated some sailing gear for today's winners, and Peter took home a beautiful new mainsheet, Brenton a can of Boatsmart (I should be drinking that), and Grant won a nice Wind Indicator for his mono. Thanks for that, Kevlar, and all the best with your new Laser/Hobie boat business at West Gosford near Bunnings. So, everybody attended a presentation inside after the racing, nearly filling the room. Next season is looking very good for this club, thanks to key personnel like Troy, Anthony, Stan, Bill, Barry and me, and the enthusiastic sailors who make up the club. Keep an eye out for the new calendar, at a button near here. Meanwhile, see you at the Presentation Sunday May 20, and at the AGM in August. Sunday 22 April 2007 A pleasant 10 knots today, with a big rainshower after we rigged up, to wash everything. A former member, Laurie, who has been away for about a year, turned up on Sunday and said, "What's happened? What are all these boats?" Yes, the club is unrecognisable from 12 months ago. Well done, everyone! Twenty-five boats this week, and new people every week. And look at those website stats above! Slightly different format this week - no complete results table, just a run-down on how club members performed. Juniors - Robert first, then Leah, first time in Juniors, then Grant and Jake on the Puffin Pacer, with spinnaker. Henry came next. The other monos were led by Neil Bowles with Bob Stephens 15 seconds behind. Fifteen seconds - after 1 hour 20 minutes... I'm sure these two were never more than 20 seconds apart, they get lonely otherwise. Even Darcy had a go in a Spiral. In the 14s, Brandon did very well, beating Brenton by 5 seconds. Max next, with Danny and Dave miles behind in a different wind world. Garry Robinson continues his amazing form, coming in behind Peter and Renée but ahead of all the other Hobies, with his son Jarrod crewing on their 20 year-old Hobie 17 with outrigger bench seats. Barry Smith hit his top form this week coming 4th in his Taipan ahead of Troy and Tony Kros. Tony broke a rudder pin before the start, so lost 10 minutes then had a ball passing nearly everyone. Paul/Paul, Dave M and Stan weren't far behind. Welcome to all our visitors. Membership application forms will be available next Sunday, subs due next July. Next week, the last day of the season, will be sponsored by Kevlar with prizes for different categories. Sunday 15 April 2007 Twenty-eight boats! Juniors, monos, 14' cats, big cats... A record turnout. Breeze about 12 knots N/E and a beautiful sunny day. There were plenty of new faces, and a lot of old ones. Dave Stewart and James took delivery of their NACRA F18 last Friday, sailed it at Mannering yesterday, and did well here today. They are skiff sailors from Belmont with big ambitions, so watch out. Troy and Sharon Bennett came undone when a forestay bolt pulled through the fibreglass on the bow, and the mast fell down. Nasty! Sharon's foot was wedged under the sidestay while the rest of her was upsidedown in the water. She pulled her dainty foot out of her boot to escape. Jo Mac and Renée W did well again, coming home first of the sixteens. They are planning to compete in the Hobie Worlds' in Fiji next October on the Hobie Sports. Expect to see them practising all through winter here. Former champ Greg Roche on a Manly Graduate (MG) blitzed his class and the fourteens too. Thanks to Matilda who helped Bill in the Start/finish boat, and the support boat crew. Provisional results (can someone confirm these Big Cat placings please?) are as follows:
Sunday 8 April 2007 What started off looking very bleak and rainy turned out to be a beautiful day for sailing. The juniors had a great morning scoffing chocolate and looking for eggs, and their Mums made a lovely sausage sizzle which we all enjoyed. Thanks for that Kerry, Sharon and Julie-Ann. Eighteen cats plus the juniors lined up for racing. With the Maricat Titles on at Tanilba Bay, several regulars were absent. The wind was very tricky, with strength and direction changing every few minutes. As we headed out for the start a huge rainstorm blotted out the view south in Tuggerah Lake, but it kindly left us alone. It would have been a great weather shot for NBN with brightly coloured catamaran sails against a rainy backdrop. Only two juniors started, with Grant Makin leading Robert Veugen home. In the Big cats a newcomer, Peter Walker, on his Taipan 'Barking Mad' beat the others by 7 minutes. Bill Johnstone on his beautiful Hobi 14 Turbo also had about a 5 minute margin over the smaller cats. Geoff Earle is feeling much better this week after his nasty accident last Sunday. The All-Women crew of Jo McNamara and Renée came second last, but this would be because they went ashore to pick up some kids in the middle of the race. Come on girls, you have to take this seriously! I'm not sure what happened to Garry Tuck, but his number didn't come up on the finish sheet. The results then, as best I can determine, are as follows:
Sunday 1 April 2007 Twenty boats lined up for a start today including three juniors. Wind was a southerly of around 15 knots and the sky was sunny - perfect conditions. A false start triggered a General Re-call, but unfortunately several of the big cats were already so far from the start boat that they didn't hear it and sailed off into the middle of the lake. Anthony had to chase 'em down in the 'rescue' boat thus delaying the new start. Geoff Earle was knocked unconscious during a gybe when distracted by tangled gear and woke up on the tramp covered in blood. Luckily there was medical help on hand when he made it back to the club-house. He looked a bit shaken and had stitches in his head later. Steve Halliday led the fourteens all the way only to get pipped on the finish line. Brenton and Jason had a mighty race to the line, but Jason swung upwind at the last second to cross first. Danny came 4th after being 2nd behind Steve at the halfway mark. This uncharacteristic good form came from using a borrowed sail from Darcy. In the big cats an all-female crew (Renée Winchester and Jo McNamara) on the Hobie Sports came third and will be worth watching in future. (!) Troy has a new mast after last week's disaster and he and Sharon romped home first. In the juniors, Jake came home first, followed by Grant then Robert. Other results are as follows:
Sunday 25 March 2007 Quite different today... Winds southerly from 20 to 42 knots. Not a lot of interest shown by members, however Troy went out on his H16 with Leah and Rhianna but a big gust of wind broke his mast in half in the middle of the lake. Amazingly his sail survived intact. Anthony Makin and Brandon went out in the tinnie (8hp) and towed them back. As it was a Club Championship day Danny and Brandon were keen to sail, but Bill said you need three starters to make a race. Reckless boys that they are, D & B went out anyway, and sailed across to Wallarah Bay to see how Stan was going crocheting his doylies. As they got level with the bridge a big storm hit, with lots of rain and winds gusting to 42 knots. In a tribute to Windrushes the intrepid pair survived and made it back to Toukley intact through waves of about one metre and 30knt plus winds. Unfortunately everyone else had gone home so there were no scores recorded, and no prizes handed out. Sunday 18 March 2007 This was one of those days - a drifter! As you can see from the Seabreeze graph below, the wind speed varied from -2 to +7 knots for most of the race, which was shortened to one triangle and one loop so we could finish in time for tea. Those higher winds near 5.00pm just helped the tail-enders get to the finish more quickly. In fact they were the fastest boats across the line, but still way behind the leaders. The wind changed from southerly to northerly during the race, at times leaving us all drifting aimlessly. As the wind direction was unpredictable it was a gamble on when to tack. This mixed the field up so early leaders such as Troy and Brenton were brought undone and, amazingly, Stan won, but only because Jason (12 y.o.) in his Maricat waited before the finish line for Stan (Hobie16) because "he felt sorry for him". Jason, by-the-way, came second in the Maricat Nationals in Queensland in January. Dave Dixon and Geoff Earle, who at race middle were miles behind, perservered and with the rising breeze made a respectable finish. The Juniors started behind the cats today with 5 starters including Chris Blackford (12) from Mannering Park, who is National Nacra 14 square Champion, in a Spiral. Results:
Sunday 11 March 2007
Sunday 4 March 2007 Big comeback! Twenty-four sailboats on the beach! More than Mannering Park! Most exciting of all was the appearance of our juniors who have been busy training on Sunday mornings. Quite a few regulars were missing, so our potential turn-up is even more. The wind was slight, starting off about 5-8 knots, but building to 12 by the last lap. A few DNFs, worth relating - Chris Blackford's mast fell down due to shackle not checked, Steve Donnelly had trouble with his rudder, and, I'm sorry Bob, but it has to be said, someone forgot to put his bungs in. Also our sole female junior, Matilda, decided to leave the boys to it. Paul Beazley on Blackbeard and Richard Campbell on his new Blade F18 had their own spinnaker course, and finished in that order. The other results are as follows:
Sunday 25 Feb 2007 A look at the seabreeze report below, plus grey skies and wind chill factor of 30+ (or is that the sunblock?) and you can guess what happened this day. Only five hardy souls turned up, and we talked ourselves out of it. Sadly, though, as the graph shows, the rest of the day was 15-20 lovely knots. Sunday 18 Feb 2007 Series 3 Race 1 Very pleasant sailing here today: 12-14 knots of breeze, 13 cats,28°C, a huge lake all to ourselves... magic! Results were as follows:
Failing
to finish after gallant effort were Rob Rimington, Liam and Alan Riles,
and Tim Mancell, due to equipment failures. Sunday
11 Feb 2007 |
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