Unfortunately couldn’t make it today, but on reports given, it was a fine but fickle day at MBYC. Light conditions, varying from almost still through to the top end of A rig conditions. Little to no weed was experienced. Maybe the flush out with the rain over the last few weeks has helped in that regard.
Great to see there was a good turnout today, with three skippers unable to make it, we still had seven on the water. Welcome to Paul Jewel, who, I think, sailed his Jive for the first time. The experience will do a world of good, and we will soon see him challenging those further up the rankings.
 
On an aside to that, if there are any skippers who would like to have a sail of an RM on a Sunday, contact me, as I have an RM gathering dust, that is available to any member willing to have a go with it. A good yacht with some history in it – being Brad Gibsons very own some time ago.
 
Back to today, it was good to see Ray challenged throughout the day. Shows our standard is lifting, and makes it a challenge for the Joyce/Grunge combo to stay in front. Great also seeing that Rod Marshall, with his Mantra 2 right up there, taking out a few podium spots as well, with John Hall nipping on his heels.
 
Well done to Ray, taking the day out with 12 points. Lisa Blackwood, who brought out the Skalpel, to show the older yachts can still perform remarkably well, came in second on 18 points, with John Cole-Cook, also sailing his Skalpel, in third on 23 points.

​Wednesday is IOM Handicap day. Hoping for a good day, after last weeks horrible weather cancelled the day. Currently showers are predicted, but that can mean anything. Westerley breezes expected, up to 13 knots at this stage. Button press at 10am for initial scratch starts and 11am for handicap start.
 
Next Sunday is Fathers Day, however, there are some members who have indicated a want to sail. With that in mind, we will have an “unofficial” sail day next Sunday, 1st September for anyone interested. Please let John Hall or myself know if you are intending on coming, so we are aware of numbers to expect.
 
Our next ranking event is the Tasmanian A Class State Championship, held over 7th and 8th September. We have three entries in from the North so far, but none from the South. If you are intending on sailing, please get your entry in as soon as possible. Entry links are at https://www.risdonbrookradioyachtclub.com/club-ranking-events.html , all on-line now, so no need to email the entry forms now. If there are any issues, let me know and I’ll see what I can do to help out. If anyone would like to give some assistance across the two day event, let myself or John Hall know, and we will add you to the list of volunteers for the event.

​What a day sailing today. Started off with a dozen skippers at MBYC, with a mid A Rig breeze from the north. After three races, we had our first break, and during so, the wind strengthened. A few skippers started to change to B Rig, while the rest procrastinated a little, before it really picked up nicely and C Rigs were selected for all the yachts.
 
Unfortunately, a few skippers did not have their C's today, so were happy to sit out, rather than sail with overpowered rigs - very good idea - as the wind strengthened further and the skippers left on the water had a great time. Personally, the C hasn't been out since the 2018 nationals, so it was a real welcome change.
 
In the end, we got 11 races completed, with Mike Hickman (22pts) taking the day out, with Rod Jackman (25pts) returning with form from his winter break, and Lisa Blackwood (28pts) rounding out the top three.
 
Handicap Racing is on Wednesday, as usual, from 10am. Current forecast is around 10C and strong winds, so get those smaller rigs ready, just in case.
Sunday will be RM Scratch Series Round 6 from 10am. If possible, let myself or John Hall know if you are intending on coming, so we can make sure the day is all organised in respect to getting enough help etc for launching the dinghy and getting the day ready for its 10am button press.

​As only 5 sailors turned up it was decided to do scratch races today.
 
Wayne Turner had rudder issues from the start, so was out of the racing and Ray Joyce had a particular  bad day with his boat not playing ball.
 
It was left to the old master to show the way with his first go at DF95s.
 
Thanks to Rod Marshall for helping out today

​Light winds and not much temperature greeted the seven lively sailors this morning. Starting with a mid A rig breeze was nice, and the small amount of chop on the water soon sorted out the more experienced sailors with their tacking proficiency.
An amount of weed was picked up by most during the session, but not enough to quell the enthusiasm or fun for the skippers. Andrew and Phil turned up for a while to watch proceedings.
After our sixth race, the breeze had settled down to almost nothing, and with no more wind on the horizon, it was agreed to pack up and enjoy a pizza, beer and some good company in the bar.
 
During the after race “bar talk” we spoke about ways of making the club more inviting to members and how to encourage more participation to sail days, even with the acknowledgement that this time of year has many sailors with other needs and responsibilities – as well as our members who have travelled to warmer climates for holidays etc. If there is anything that people think we could do to promote and increase participation on sail days, your committee is open to all opinions. I am happy to receive and pass on any to the committee, confidentially if requested.
One thought that did come up was around having a set up and tune session one evening, where an experienced sailor/s could offer their setup tips to other sailors in order to increase our collective knowledge and confidence of setup for sail days. If this sounds like a good idea, let me know and we will look at organising a session for this. I am pretty sure we could break out the BBQ as well for this.
 
On to final results, well done John Cole-Cook (10pts), narrowly taking home the chocolates from Mike Hickman (11pts), with Lisa Blackwood (12pts) just one more point behind.

Wednesday, we will be having the DF95 yachts out again, from 10am, with handicap races commencing from 11. See you there.

​A strong NW breeze greeted the 7 skippers who fronted up at Montrose this morning, A rig in the lulls & B rig in the gusts.
 
A course was set within the bay with a downwind start with the safety line rigged along the sea wall. Due to the small fleet we used an ad hoc handicapping system.
 
Boat handling certainly determined the results particularly with A rigs & rolling waves, downhill produced some excellent rides. John Hall had a winch failure & Phil tried to emulate Peter Sylvester when a patch failed - fortunately quick recovery action saved the day.
 
At lunch time the wind swung to the west so the course was moved with the bottom gate out towards the Behrens so still a down wind start but in flat water. Those boats that changed to B rig paid the price.
 
Good to see Rob Cooney & Stu Harris along for a sail. I understand that the weed removal at the dam is progressing well so perhaps Wednesday’s may move back in a couple of months.
 
Thanks to Wayne B for PRO & rescue duties.