We all met at the club, for once Mark was there early. He had taken half a day off.
Sunny blowing 22 gusting 26. No Linda but new bloke Kurt joined us.
Norman had found yet another small sail and we rigged a No. 3 as it was gusty, the High Aspect was in the sail shop and it was Lady's race so Mel was on the tiller.
Off went the Squibs and it was an all in start for the "Laydees" 10 minutes later. About 17 boats churning about for the start with less experienced helms, interesting.
We beat to the windward mark, launched the spinnaker then changed the under powered head sail for the old 2001 No. 1. Yes this boat has more sails than crew. And more No. 1s that is right.
The wind was dropping but they didn't shorten the coarse so eventually we ran out of time which was a shame as we were catching some of the fast boats.
Firefly people all over the club with a pig race in the long shed ! There is a buzz about the club for the regatta that starts Friday. Tanja and I are going to the Caribbean party Saturday night ! !
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Bonus Saturday
Our German visitors liked the look of the RS Favas, who am I to stop them ? Tanja, Charlotte,the visitors and I drove into a crowded Weymouth.
Only problem are the 54 Fireflies doing their nationals from our club.
Well I got past them with a Feva after 10 mins. Rigged the boat and took Sara out into the bay.
10 gusting 11 was not great but we pottered about, it was hot and sunny so I didn't care.
Tacking up the river in the light airs and heavy traffic was slow work and eventually I resorted to the paddle.
I then had a half while Sara changed and Caddy put on Tanja's wetsuit. then we left the slip with the first of the Fireflies. The breeze had picked up a little and after a bit I asked Caddy if she wanted a go. She was a natural pointing the boat without being directed. I was working the jib, main and balance but she could sail a straight coarse and loved it. Being in the front seat I stuck up the Spinnaker and that went well for a bit but I got it tangled because I didn't cleat it correctly on the hoist. Hanging over the front of the dinghy again.
Abandoning the jenniker we continued for a bit. Caddy eventually let me take the boat back up the river. Again more paddling and more traffic with the keel boat fleet going out for their Saturday race. Just Norm and Mark on Nickel Coin today.
Both Sara and Caddy preferred the space and quiet of the bay to the town beach covered in the tourists. The sea front looks great from the bay. The tacky junk is just too small compared to the stately architecture.
Quick shower and home to pick up the boys then off Moonfleet Manor for a spritza and a chill out.
Only problem are the 54 Fireflies doing their nationals from our club.
Well I got past them with a Feva after 10 mins. Rigged the boat and took Sara out into the bay.
10 gusting 11 was not great but we pottered about, it was hot and sunny so I didn't care.
Tacking up the river in the light airs and heavy traffic was slow work and eventually I resorted to the paddle.
I then had a half while Sara changed and Caddy put on Tanja's wetsuit. then we left the slip with the first of the Fireflies. The breeze had picked up a little and after a bit I asked Caddy if she wanted a go. She was a natural pointing the boat without being directed. I was working the jib, main and balance but she could sail a straight coarse and loved it. Being in the front seat I stuck up the Spinnaker and that went well for a bit but I got it tangled because I didn't cleat it correctly on the hoist. Hanging over the front of the dinghy again.
Abandoning the jenniker we continued for a bit. Caddy eventually let me take the boat back up the river. Again more paddling and more traffic with the keel boat fleet going out for their Saturday race. Just Norm and Mark on Nickel Coin today.
Both Sara and Caddy preferred the space and quiet of the bay to the town beach covered in the tourists. The sea front looks great from the bay. The tacky junk is just too small compared to the stately architecture.
Quick shower and home to pick up the boys then off Moonfleet Manor for a spritza and a chill out.
Cadets Friday
Nice breeze and sunny Merlin Rocket weather.
I got to club with my kids (no Essie) and the kids cousin from Bremmen and her friend. We had fish and chips as this is "So English", to be honest it is the only time I eat F & C.
Tanja, Nat and the older girls watched as Ben and Charlotte helped rig the RS Fevas. Phil S vetoed the MR as it was too gust for Cadets :+(
I took Oliver out. Her hopped straight on to the tiller so I was balancing and jib. He made it down the river then told me he didn't know what he was doing. Ha just a lack of confidence Oliver you did great ! We puttled about then Phil set a coarse for us to sail. The other kids were doing capsize drill with Mark Bugler. Ben & Chops had to do it this time and they did.
I put up the jenneker and that was fun . I had a go on the helm for a bit. Oliver put up the jenneker but it didn't come down well, it went under the boat. Phil came over in his tender and pulled it out. It was now wet.
Oliver back on the helm and I up the jenneker and we had a good blast. Getting it down didn't work. The wet sail stuck to every thing it could and wrapped round the bow sprit. Imagine a 40 year old bloke hanging off the front of a little dingy with a novice helm, we managed to recover it but didn't spinnaker after that.
They swapped Oliver for Edwin so Edwin could tack up the river. He didn't do too badly and got us up the river without incident.
Chips beer and home.
I got to club with my kids (no Essie) and the kids cousin from Bremmen and her friend. We had fish and chips as this is "So English", to be honest it is the only time I eat F & C.
Tanja, Nat and the older girls watched as Ben and Charlotte helped rig the RS Fevas. Phil S vetoed the MR as it was too gust for Cadets :+(
I took Oliver out. Her hopped straight on to the tiller so I was balancing and jib. He made it down the river then told me he didn't know what he was doing. Ha just a lack of confidence Oliver you did great ! We puttled about then Phil set a coarse for us to sail. The other kids were doing capsize drill with Mark Bugler. Ben & Chops had to do it this time and they did.
I put up the jenneker and that was fun . I had a go on the helm for a bit. Oliver put up the jenneker but it didn't come down well, it went under the boat. Phil came over in his tender and pulled it out. It was now wet.
Oliver back on the helm and I up the jenneker and we had a good blast. Getting it down didn't work. The wet sail stuck to every thing it could and wrapped round the bow sprit. Imagine a 40 year old bloke hanging off the front of a little dingy with a novice helm, we managed to recover it but didn't spinnaker after that.
They swapped Oliver for Edwin so Edwin could tack up the river. He didn't do too badly and got us up the river without incident.
Chips beer and home.
Thursday with light breezes
We had Mel, Mark, Norm, Pete and I so a not a bad crew.
The new front hatch cover had been fitted now we don't have to worry about standing on the cardboard substitute. This was a nag in the back of your mind when leaping about the small fore deck.
Again the light weight No. 1 and the Big yellow spinnaker.
With Mel on the helm we had a mid fleet start, let try that again as it sounded too negative. Out of 3 boats we were second over the line. Chasing Fred on Idis to the windward mark we adjusted the blocks to get a better shape to the Genoa. On the spinnaker leg we started to catch Fred until a miscommunication when I started the 2 pole jibe early. But this time we didn't loose control of the Genoa sheet, it has a passion for wrapping itself round the dropped spinnaker pole.
The wind was dropping so they shortened the coarse after one round.
On returning we left the mooring early to par take of the RNLI BBQ. A pint of Palmer's Copper and a Crew Berger and a chat.
Life is good.
The new front hatch cover had been fitted now we don't have to worry about standing on the cardboard substitute. This was a nag in the back of your mind when leaping about the small fore deck.
Again the light weight No. 1 and the Big yellow spinnaker.
With Mel on the helm we had a mid fleet start, let try that again as it sounded too negative. Out of 3 boats we were second over the line. Chasing Fred on Idis to the windward mark we adjusted the blocks to get a better shape to the Genoa. On the spinnaker leg we started to catch Fred until a miscommunication when I started the 2 pole jibe early. But this time we didn't loose control of the Genoa sheet, it has a passion for wrapping itself round the dropped spinnaker pole.
The wind was dropping so they shortened the coarse after one round.
On returning we left the mooring early to par take of the RNLI BBQ. A pint of Palmer's Copper and a Crew Berger and a chat.
Life is good.
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