​Today’s sailing was a frustrating affair in light and variable conditions (again), which boxed the compass. The course had to be changed often by PRO, John Banks, who did a great job in trying to keep on top of the wind variations.
Despite only 3 handicap races being completed before an early lunch, another 5 were completed after lunch. Rod J launched his new V10, which has been prepared in his usually meticulous manner and as expected, showed excellent boat speed. 
 
The mid week co-ordinators bottle of wine prize was awarded to the PRO for a sterling effort today.
 
On another yacht related topic, an amount of RBRYC sailors have “second” yachts that are for sale, both IOM’s and Marbleheads. I personally know of at least four IOM’s and three RM’s ready to go to their next home’s. If you are interested, or know anyone that could be interested in a new 2nd hand yacht, let me know and I’ll put you/them on to the respective owners. With some yachts available locally, it is a fantastic opportunity to introduce some new sailors to the sport and to RBRYC hopefully.
 
Kyle

​Very still conditions greeted the 11 initial starters at the dam. So light in fact, that there was an hour and a half delay before any sailing commenced. The sailors all broke out into an early lunch and members meeting while they waited.
Topics such as the RBRYC Strategic Plan, upcoming AGM, DF95 sailing were discussed. If any members that could not make it today would like to know a bit more, email or call me and I'll fill you in on the details I know.
Back to racing, and Led Hanson started in a blaze of glory, and after the first race, the newest member to the IOM club, an indie built by yours truly finally hit the water for the first time. A long, long night spent trying to get everything right. A successful first launch, with the yacht sitting in the water as designed a good first step. Now, just to get it tuned up a bit.
But, back to racing - Les maintained his momentum, with at fantastically consistent day, with two wins and a drop of just 4 points from the five races sailed. A truly deserving winner on the day. Peter Darcey, similarly consistent took out second place, two points behind Les, on 9, and John Hall, the first of the RM's today, finished third, on 11 points.
 
This coming Wednesday is the March installment of the DF95 Handicap racing, and we then have a break next weekend with the 8hr Day Long Weekend.

​Very light conditions today at the dam before lunch, with only 3 races completed. After lunch, a sea-breeze managed to assert itself and sailing conditions improved. Eight races were completed for the day, with David Jones sailing very well to take out the day, followed by Wayne Behrens & Stuart Harris. Wine today goes to David in 1st and Chris Wood in 5th. Pro's prize goes to Wayne Behrens, for sacrificing his first two races so the buoys could be deployed further out away from the shore.
 
Sunday will be long distance at the dam with a great forecast so come along for some great sailing.

​What a fantastic weekend of sailing. Using all three rigs over the 32 races truly tested the twelve competitors. Unfortunately, I could not see too much of the racing, but was able to manage to watch around six races. From what I saw, it was very keenly contested, and extremely close racing. At the end of the first day, I thought having the top three inside three points was pretty much as close as it can get, but at the conclusion of the 32 races that comprised the series, first place held out by just 0.3 of a single solitary point.
Many thanks to our Pro's for the event, Andrew Wardrop and Mike Hickman, along with Les Hanson for his assistance with calling finishes and observing duties - as well as Ken Dobbie for his assistance with measuring checks prior to the start of the championship.
Thanks also to our competitors from other clubs, Geoff Martin, who made the pilgrimage from the northern end of the state, and Richard Barwick, coming up from the far south. We really do want this event to become a focal point for all the Tasmanian clubs, not only because it is a common class that we all sail, but because all the clubs have ties to George Fish, multiple national and state champion in both dinghy's and RC yachts. A great, and fair competitor - and most of all, was a great guy to catch up with for a few stories and laughs.
Thanks to Ray Joyce, Peter Sylvester, Chris Wood, and Andrew Wardrop for the work behind the scenes, both in helping organise the day, but also for organising the fantastic BBQ and Salad afterwards.
Congratulations to our three place getters, Wayne Behrens - a great consistent regatta, even with winch issues early on. Chris Wood, in second place - we need to be careful as he is not far from taking a clean sweep in the classes he sails, and of course, to the 2019 Tasmanian DF95 Hobby Warehouse George Fish Memorial Champion, Lisa Blackwood, who overcame early transmitter issues, to then catch up to the field in a very consistent regatta.
The quality of competition and friendliness amongst the competitors really shone out over a fantastic weekend.



George would have loved to have competed in this event.

Best fleet (20) of the summer fronted the starting line today in fresh generally B rig NW conditions with some interesting changes in wind directions exacerbated by the low dam level, but it does seem that the drop in level has slowed.
Inside buoys 3 & 5 were moved out a few metres to allow for weed. The usual scratch commenced at 10 am with some close racing. When the handicap started the fleet was split between A & B rigs, with most changing to B rig as the wind increased. Ray, however, stayed with A rig up to lunchtime, which was the foundation for his win today.
Final results saw Ray 1st, Silver Fox 2nd & 112 3rd. Wine today goes to Ray & Rod J in 4th, which is a bit of a travesty as he doesn't drink the stuff. A bottle of wine was also awarded by the PRO, John Banks to the “best & fairest”, Rob Cooney, who came today after a long absence dealing with health issues - good to see you back Rob.
Many thanks to John Banks for a well run series.

A bit of a sad day as well, as we bid farewell to a true gentleman Tony Brewer, who with wife Kim has decided to return to New Zealand after many years in Tasmania. I think you will all agree that it has been a great pleasure to know & sail with Tony & we wish he & Kim well in the future. If they find they can no longer understand the odd language in Kiwi Land, we would surely welcome them back.

Finally I have just been sent a spread sheet by the GCC showing that the installation of the pontoon at Montrose will commence on the 6th of March & be completed by the 26th of March - which year ? your guess is as good as mine. Fingers crossed

Andrew ​

A successful launch of Andrew Wardrop's new Indie today, giving Ray's Grunge a bit more of a fight, along with John Hall, Phil Turnbull and yours truly also providing a challenge at times. In due course, Andrews Indie will push Ray's Grunge a bit further, and will not be long before it really heats up towards the front of the pack.

Of the "Classic" yachts, for lack of a better word, John Hall's Fuzzy Logic proved too consistent, on 18 points, narrowly edging out Kyle Stewart's Boogie on 19, with Phil Turnbull's F-2 just two points further behind.

At the pointy end though, Ray might have been challenged, but he returned a perfect score, to win on 6 points, with Andrew in second overall, on 15 points - a very promising start for the "Porsche".

​Next week is the annual George Fish Memorial DF95 championship, at Montrose Bay Yacht Club. Please get your entries in as soon as possible, so we know who will be coming to this great annual event. Andrew Wardrop will not be sailing this event, but has very kindly offered the services of his yacht to any interested member.

​A good fleet of 17 IOM’s at the dam today for our usual day of an hour of scratch racing followed by the handicap series. Water levels have fallen again which means it is wise to keep away from the bank as the weed is more exposed. Of course a few people did not heed the warning & found the weed easily. 
The fleet started the day in a mix of A & B rigs in gusty & very cold northerly conditions but fairly quickly all changed to B rigs. Course was set from the start at 5-6 to 7-8 then to 2 & the finish through the start. We didn't use mark 1 as it is a bit close to the weed bank. Had a visit from 2 members from the Kawana club who we met at the AWBF, one of them is the developer of the handicap system that we now use. 
 
Rod J clearly won the majority of the scratch racing & Kyle will no doubt come up the results from the handicap series.
Many thanks to John Banks for again undertaking the PRO duties & running a tight series. Also thanks to Peter & Chris for collection & return of the dinghy.
 
A good day.