​Ideal conditions today by the sounds of it, with the exception of the bitterly cold breeze.

Seven sailors turned up today, and from what I ahve been told, many of the races were extremely close. 

Wind started quite fresh with many feelin they should ahve been on B rigs, but it slowly abated as the day wore on, and by 1pm, it looked a very good idea to pack up, with the wind just about completely gone.

Stu Dawes was the winner today, on 22 points. Rod Marshall just two behind in second, on 24, with Ray Joyce rounding out the top three, on 29 points.

On Handicap, Rod Marshall won the day, with 3 differential points. Adrew Wardrop took out second with two differential points, and Stu dawes and Phil Turnbull tied in third on 0 differential points.

Wednesday is DF95 Monthly handicap at the dam, buttom press at 11am.

Next Sunday is IOM Scratch, followed ass soon as yachts are cleaned up by both the Special General Meeting and then Annual General Meeting. The meeting documentation was sent out a few weeks ago, but if you have misplaced the email, please get in touch and I'll send it to you.

Kyle

There was plenty of fog and just a hint of frost about as we made our way to the Dam this morning but a sunny day was forecast and a katabatic North-Wester of about 8 knots greeted us when we arrived.

PRO Pete Turner got us off well on time and with the thought that the breeze might die conducted 6 races before lunch. Pete set some great courses today and made a good course change call when the wind shifted late in the day. Thanks for your work today Pete.
Who would have thought that we would get a sea-breeze a week before the start of winter? But by the end of the first race after lunch a meek but persistent sea-breeze had filled from the South-West.

Race 9 turned out to be a bit of a debacle when some of the leading boats failed to finish correctly after thinking that there was another leg. In addition to this the PRO’s pen ran out as other boats were finishing correctly. It was consequently decided that the results for this race should not be counted in today’s tally.

It was the middle-handicapped boats that did well today with Phil Jackman taking the honors with consistent high placings. This was demonstrated by the fact that both Trout’s discards were 5th placings.

John Hall took second place and always seemed to be amongst the leaders today.

I managed third overall today getting a couple of race wins early but then finding the handicap penalty a bit onerous.

Incidentally the partial data recorded for the cancelled race 9 data was: 1st - John Hall,   2nd – Phil Jackman,   3rd – Ray Joyce,  4th Wayne Behrens. When I input this into the tally sheet there was no change to the first two places overall Trout wins from John Hall but Wayne Behrens jumpped into third.

And not to rob Trout of any glory but I think that most skippers would agree that on a beautiful day like today ‘Radio Sailing was the winner!’

Next Wednesday’s handicap at the Dam, being the first Wednesday of the month will be for DF95’s.

Sunday’s sailing will be RM Scratch at Montrose with button press at 10am.

John S

A return of Long Distance sailing at the dam today, and we couldn't ahve asked for a better breeze. All day, close to 10 knots from the north. The katabatic at its best.

Eight hardy sailors fronted today. Although the wind was near perfect, the cold associated with it was rather biting.

A mix of an RM, a few IOM's and 5 "A's" on the water, with the "A's" also contesting their scratch series round 3. Eight races were completed in all, with an enjoyable lunch break with a few Sav's and a social chat.

In the Handicap series, the IOM's set the pace all day, with Stu Dawes running out a clear winner, on 8 points, with Andrew Wardrop coming in second, on 12 points. Lisa Blackwood rounded out the top three on 15 points.

For the A Class Scratch Series, Lisa again came out the winner on the day, with 8 points, with Kyle Stewart in second, on 12, just edging out Michael Hickman, third with 13 points.

For the A Classes, the day was particularly enjoyable. A very long upwind beat with not much between the yachts at all, and some fantastic tacking duels amongst every race.

There was some discussion today about the sailing calendar, sailing locations and yacht classes supported. Some ideas around MBYC (radio sailing division) taking on the A Class series monthly on a Saturday to free up the Sunday calendar were discussed. Another one discussed at committee level for consideration was extending the DF days to 4hrs and including both DF65 and DF95 on the day. For example having 8-10 DF65 races, followed then by 8-10 DF95 races for the day. If any members have any thoughts or suggestions they would like to bring forward, please email Kyle so it can be discussed at the first meeting after our AGM, so we can maintain a calendar that best reflects our members wishes. If MBYC were to take on a class or two as a regular sail day on a Saturday, then the Sunday calendar could become more concentrated to fewer classes, enabling more sail days for those with one class of yacht. All just suggestions and the committee are keen to hear any feedback.

One thing the committee agreed to at the last meeting, was that we, as a club need to be a bit more flexible in where we sail, based on conditions. For example, if tides are really poor, or weed is a significant issue, then we will in future be decamping for the day from Montrose and relocating to the dam. This may or may not happen next week, but the premise will be there as will be mentioned below.

On Wednesday, we have our regular IOM Handicap at the dam. 11am button press.

Next Sunday, 29th, we have RM Scratch at MBYC at 10am. We will inspect prior to sailing, and if we have an unacceptable amount of weed, we will decamp to Risdon Brook and start the sail day at 11am, for the same three hour sail session (scheduled finish at 2pm if we go to the dam).

We are working on an sms setup, so we can advise members of weather warnings and change of locations as needed.

Kyle

​Well done to Lisa today, for winning the day on 18 Points.

Ray was second, just three behind on 21, with Rod Jackman two further back in third, on 13.

Lisa took the daily double, also winning on handicap, with Mathew Gray taking out second, and in third was a tie between Rod Jackman, John Hall, Phil Turnbull and Martin Svenson.

Upcoming sail days/events

• Wednesday, 18th May - IOM Mid Week Handicap at Risdon Brook Park, button press 11am
• Sunday, 22nd May - Long Distance/A Class Scratch ay Risdon Brook Park, button press 1030

On Sunday's sailing, please let me know if you intend on sailing an A Class, and we will try to make sure there are enough trolleys to get the yachts to and from the water. I'll email all the A Class yachts at the end of the week with the expectation on numbers, as it may get a bit boring if only one or two come with the "A's".

If you'd like to have a sail of an A, the club has one that can be used. Just let me know and we'll try to sort stuff out for you.

At this stage, we also plan for a BBQ or simlar during the lunch break, for a general chat, something we may have possibly lacked in the past and is a great opportunity to get going again.

Sunny skies and a cool 15 knot Northerly greeted those who ventured to the Dam for today’s IOM handicap. It was pretty much perfect conditions – right at the top end for A-rigs, which were the unanimous choice. The breeze did lighten throughout the day but there was always plenty for fast IOM sailing.

Rod Jackman unfortunately had radio trouble early today and had to rescue his boat even before the first race.

Close finishes which were the order of the day and PRO Peter Sylvester showed extremely fast penmanship in recording the results.  Excellent courses too Pete! Thanks for your work.
Wayne Behrens brother, Leigh, has been a frequent visitor to Wednesday racing and was keenly watching again today. He did tell me he might join us on the water soon. Than would be great Leigh!

I have noticed that steady winds seem to favor the longer handicapped boats and that was what happened today.

Third place was taken by Peter Turner with two race wins a 2nd and a 3rd  . Peter is really enjoying his new Mad Max.

First and second were shared by Phil Jackman and Rod Cooney with Phil steeling the honors on countback. Great sailing and congratulations to all.

I had a really mixed day myself. My boat was suffering from really strong weather-helm, and I couldn’t put a race together all morning. Buzzy gave me a few tuning tips at lunch time. I am always amazed at how even a couple of millimetres of changed tension can completely alter a rig. It made all the difference and I managed to win the last three races consecutively.

Thanks Wayne.

At a committee meeting last night it was recommended that, all DF95 sailing will be at the Dam as it offers better launching and weed-free sailing. Before we make a longer standing decision on the DF sialing location, we would like to get any coments from our members, both for and against a more permanent relocation of DF racing at the dam. 

Please reply to this email, or email Kyle for any comments or if you'd like to provide any input, so we can schedule the next DF day well in advance for all.

So Sunday’s DF95 scratch racing will be at Risdon Brook Dam (10:00 start).

Next Wednesday’s handicap will be for IOM’s also at the dam (11:00 start).

John S