Mid Week IOM Sailing

​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.