text:
On the water / In the bar
The stories of the H28 fleet
at SoPYC on the Swan River.
Wednesday the 16th of December The last of the " Spring" Series
Gone and away.
A fitting end to the season.
Still recuperating, its been a long week with not much in the way to do sailing wise. However Wednesday was a good day for the Swiftsure team headed by Bill Richards. Too darned quick. On a course one in 20+ knots the boat excelled in the breeze and despite a spirited chase by the rest of the fleet it was clear to see that Swiftsure Saga was not to be turned.
I came down just in time to watch the last of the H28 fleet making it around the outer line mark ready to sail the last lap. They were flying and for once everyone had a number two or similar up. Bill was well away and despite the claims of the Mariner crew.. all he had to do was to keep his boat between Brian and the next mark. And he was going fast. John Wright was out as well and with a couple of able seamen on board he managed to keep the boat level and fast, though I'd imagine he would have liked a little less breeze. The boys on Wynella gamely kept up and finished not too far from the leaders, but gosh what a good day to go sailing. It was hard work.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Anna
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner
For the "Spring" series: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Mariner
Many thanks to David Atkinson from Jane Brook wines who has supplied the Wednesday fleet very generously with bottles of red wine for the win in each fleet for many years. The boys took home a bottle of Vintage port for the final of the series. A good man indeed.
Friday the 10th of December
The Christmas get together on Herreshoff Hill.
A good number of sailors, both skippers, wives and crew gathered for a rather cool evening on the hill over looking the H28's and while it was a little chilly it was still a good get together for those who rocked up. We had the pleasure of Mark Holland (the Pom) and a surprise visit from Alex and Ivy Mutch ( he used to sail on Georgina with Colin Youngs). Ivy has been through the wars recently so it was lovely to see her out and about. As for the rest it was clear that the crew were there to enjoy themselves as well. G'day Barbie, good to see you there too.
There was lots of food for all and the biggest problem was going to be the seagulls. They took one look at the tucker laid out and for a second or so the table was under attack. A quick regrouping of the fleet around the table kept them away pretty well.
Glen did the right thing and welcomed everyone to the gathering and it was mentioned that the H28's would be gathering down at Rockingham for the annual Cockburn Sound regatta. John Wright and his crew have been in the habit of meeting down there each year on the day after Boxing Day around midday, so please keep that in mind. Its a nice trip down and if you really must you might even get a ride that arvo. The more we can get down there the better.
As the dusk descended on us, so the party quietly broke up and we all wended our way home.
Many thanks to David Locke who found the time to put a table and a few chairs for us to sit on.
Wednesday Summer Sailing 8th of December
Yes its officially summer at last.
Once again I'm not on a boat with the likelihood of my sailing being lessened by a back which refuses to settle. 5 boats went out today with a pushy little Nor Easter in evidence. Half way through the race in comes the seabreeze and those who were doing well found themselves watching their opposition sail away. It happens.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Mariner
On handicap: Mariner, Corella and Swiftsure Saga.
As to Saturday. the 4th of December
Three boats set off on a breezy sou wester and not surprisingly Aloha did well enough to take the win. Fair enough too as they have been out on the water consistently this season and its a great pleasure to have another boat on the water. Sure they are back ending the fleet, but the promise of a new set of sails is keeping the crew together and the chance of being competitive is enough to drive them on.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Aloha.
On handicap: Aloha, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
And Sunday.. the 5th of December
Kate helmed Mariner at the retro races and did well in another rambunctious day on the water with Brian having the chance to blow up his own mainsail block. (It has been replaced and is better for it) However a number of boats chose not to sail.. yes it was that rambunctious! Kate swore black and blue that she saw 8 knots across the wind. If she said so! Jim Spittle and Napea of Carrick decided not to commence.
And finally, the H28's presented David Atkinson the Wednesday sponsor for the last few years with a chunk of wood bearing the name ( IGAWA ) Well done the team.
Sailing Where? 2nd of December
I'm taking a short break to shift house. When my back recovers I'll be back on the camera.
By the way, last Wednesday apparently 4 boats went out and according to those who were there, it was a bit gusty. A choice of a number two and PFD's for everyone.
Saturday Summer Sailing 27th of November
The loneliness of a Saturday sailor &
You parked the boat where?
It's lonely out on the water on a Saturday at the moment. Where we used to have 70 to 80 boats in each club out on the water and way more before the turn of the century our club had about 35 boats out today. And the other clubs weren't much better. When you can sail the entire long course one and not have to even consider a deviation apart from a polite wobble to go around a yacht on starboard. Its lonely out there. Still the company on the boat is fine, but then again without the constant chatter and chafing with other sailors on their boats.
Briefly, we took off on a course one with a light seabreeze beginning to take over the river as we left on what was to be 3 hours on the track. And very hot! Three bottles of water at least. However to amuse our selves we had rigged for a kite and as we finally got to Brickies A and B (almost an hour) we then had avoid a runaway SS 27 who was slightly out of control, they just took us up and up. Damn if I know why. Could it be that he had forgotten about Brickies B ? But we found a gap and dived into it. Set up a spinnaker and made our merry way down the track to Dolphin West and Foam. Separated by now by at least a hundred meters from Ernie Little who was driving Wynella, they too hoisted a big red kite and merrily they followed us.
Up and away to Sanders and using our patented method, we found the mark, rounded it and another spinnaker hoist ensued. ( Eric is getting good at this ) Down to Como politely avoiding the RP boats on Starboard and trying to give the Redwitchs a chance. Around we went and back up to Deepwater via Como where we found a RP boat moored at Robins, right where we needed to be. A close encounter occurred and notes were taken. They were apparently shortening the course for RP div one, but were interfering with boats making their way up the breeze.
Around Deepwater and a pole to Dolphin East with a kite to Addison where we made our way to Thelma and thence to the Finish line. A solitary race with no one to battle against.. where were you Lockie, Brian any one?
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Georgina.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Georgina.
It is proposed that we have another Christmas drinks and nibbles on Herreshoff Hill on Friday the 10th of December. John P or Glen will get the message out.
Spring Wednesday Sailing 24th of November
Enter the Champion on a roaring sou wester &
Eight boats on the water.
Its not often that we get 8 boats on the water at one time and the sight of Rupert prepping the family boat Georgina was a welcome addition. We had the lads from The 1st Jindarra setting up, John W getting the top off Anna, Lockie and his boat of renown, the Hawaiian clad sailors on Aloha, Glen and the farmers boat Wynella, Mariner's misfits, and of course Bill and Swiftsure Saga. A course one on offer and 24 knots on the top of the sou wester.
It was clear from the first run up and down the Canning that it was going to be a blowy day with the three towers creating vortices spinning off the sides of the buildings and slamming into the fleets that were trying to make Martin. Curiously as we got out onto the Swan, it was a little easier, early in the day.
A good start had us charging up to Martin in the lead and we had Swiftsure Saga (SSS) breathing down our necks on a tight rounding that we had to "float" the boat to the mark and ease around carefully. But from then on we were away. A gybe and a pole set at Weaver that was hurriedly released when the wind turned into the sou west. So will we or won't we, all the way to Sampson with SSS echoing our moves.
For the first time in a while, we pointed at Print and made it in one dig. Still in front and the fleet beginning to sort themselves out behind us. Yes it was blowing by now and a regular 20 to 24 knot breeze was testing those who had kept our number 1's on. But we had the weight on the boat, but it didn't stop the boat from going sideways. Down to Addison for the first time and we hit the corner fast trying to get the boat looking upward toward Robins. A brief snafu with the pole probably slowed us down for a moment, but we kept the lead with both SSS and Corella getting better height in the dig across to the bank before looking up the river to the next mark. Two more tacks had us in a better place with the boat running well and SSS on our outside just screaming up the breeze. Gosh that boat is fast on a big day. Sure enough we tacked on the ley line to Robins with Bill tacking a second or so earlier, but further out. He came down with power and grace, rolling us on the way to the mark and ducking around Robins into the lead.
By this time, The 1st Jindarra had retired so the next boat in line was Corella and he's no slouch either. Gaining in speed he began to look a menace after rounding Addison for the 2nd time and sure enough he got through us as we worked our way through the Royal P fleet once again on our way to Robins. By this time the skipper was a little grumpy trying to work out why the boat was slow and not pointing well. Perhaps the choice of headsail was catching up with us. Surprisingly, the rest of the fleet was still in touch and the sight of Georgina two up, was great, but I'll bet that Rupert's dad worked harder than he expected to do. By the time we rounded Como Lockie was ahead and Anna was looming in the distance. Going out the back door? I think not. They were both doing really well and we were just coping.
To the outer startline mark and around, with all of us missing the mark and having to double tack to get around. To pole or not, this time we did and took the chance to roll our way down to Sampson with the boat rolling in the slop coming down the breeze. Then to King having gone a little further out than SSS who had gone early in the hope of a lift. We were pointing at the mark and made it fairly well, just dropping in the last 100 meters or so. Then around the mark and down to Print with the sprint to Como on a sloppy reach and a harder more refined ride to Thelma. Then stay on the beach or tack away. We tacked and should have kept going, but we tacked again and then had to double tack to make the finish line. More time wasting, though I appreciate the extra work out. Over the line third.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Mariner.
Well sailed Bill Richards and crew. A fine day on the water.
Summer Saturday Sailing 20th of November 2nd Championship race
A day of two breezes &
So much from so few.
Five boats set off for the 2nd championships on a breeze that could only be described as atrocious. A north easter that came and went, popped up down the river and then faded into obscurity once again.
We had the best of plans, like staying close to the line, starting on starboard etc. And then the breeze went away. We finally crossed the line about 2 minutes later and surprisingly managed to be aimed at the turning mark on a breeze that worked for us. Otherwise we had the drop on Mariner who had taken off on the vaguest excuse of a breeze and had been abandoned by the said zephyr 100 meters from the turning mark..
Then away we went down to Deepwater on a course four with people putting up kites, if they had rigged for them. (We hadn't of course) Mariner and Corella hoisted theirs and immediately took off together battling for supremacy. We simply pointed the boat at the mark and waited for the breeze to come. And it did.. in fits and starts which gradually took us closer to Deepwater. Meanwhile Wynella had a spinnaker up and I presume that Aloha thought about it, but they were crucified by bad breezes at the start line and didn't recover from the shock of it.
Then a thick black line could be seen on the water down near Waterstrom. The seabreeze was in. Geoff the foredeckie on Mariner was busier than a blowfly in November. Crickey he had some good moves on him. The recently dropped spinnaker was re hoisted for the trip across to Hallmark and eventually brought down just before the mark. All to get ahead of Corella. No, he's not competitive?!? Then up to Armstrong and around on our way down to Print amongst a cloud of Dragons and the odd Couta boat. A pole was put out and we settled down to enjoy a fresh sea breeze.
No real problems and we hit the corner ready to head up to Deepwater again. But the Javelins and Cherubs were in evidence and we were careful to ensure that we kept out their way. They were having enough trouble on their own. Proceed into the bay and we had to call a Javelin who was determined to impale himself on our bow. Three calls of starboard and he disappeared from view behind the jib. We continued on to find he had pulled off a crash stop and was going in a different direction.
Up to Deepwater again, watching Mariner and Corella swapping the lead in front of us. Great sailing and of course Wynella wasn't too far from our tail either. Aloha could be seen occasionally as they worked their way around the course. Around the top we went, on the long run down to Addison via Dolphin East. Again a number of boats shared our downward path, but no real problems for us. Behind us the red spinnaker of Wynella was being flown but seemed not to make a difference to us. In front, neither boat flew a kite. Around Addison, we went and then for the final time we worked our way back up the breeze to Deepwater.
The final downward leg from Dolphin East to Addison was to provide the vale for Mariner. After the mark they threw up a spinnaker and then watched in horror as it descended and wrapped itself around the forward half of the hull. All of this in front of a party boat that decided to stop and watch the show. The jammer had blown. And to add more damage to the bill, the spinnaker pole developed a bowyang, looking like a badly designed boomerang. Oh and to finalise the day, the out haul had broken earlier and the foot was saggy. As Corella slipped away and we sailed alongside Mariner, we watched as they packed the strings and sheets away for the spinnaker working in silence. Nothing could be said and we let them contemplate the immediate future as we moved along past them.
Around Addison and down to Thelma with a nice piece of pace from a tasty seabreeze and then roll over the line to take second place. Nice one.
Over the line and for the Championship. Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Corella and Wynella.
Later on in the bar the aforesaid foredeckie, collapsed on a chair inside and swore bluntly that he'd never worked so hard in his life. To which the resident wit on the boat chirped up with, "So much from so few..."
Spring Wednesday Sailing the 17th of November
Wrong way! &
John Wright shows us how its done.
Another wonderful day with at least 10 to 15 knots and a sou wester to boot. Half a dozen boats on the water and a good start had us galloping away on the start line and leading from the get go. How mighty are the fallen? We led all the way to Sampson, shot up the breeze to a ley line on Print and then ran the pole out for the dash to Addison. All was going swimmingly. Around the mark and then the run up to Robins began. There were two choices and we took the wrong one.
We led the fleet over to the bank under Heathcote and then tacked over on to port. OMG Royal Perth was there, yet again. Dip them or tack and run with them. Crossing the fleet would have been a problem so we eventually found ourselves in a frightful mix up. Low, slow and our lead was lost. We then took the outside run instead of going into the bay and lost even more. We had gone from first to third and we had Swiftsure Saga on our tail. It wasn't going to be pretty. More fun at Robins and Swiftsure got through us as well. Dear me, what a mess. So when Ron piped up with 'lets have a beer', it was taken up with alacrity.
The run down to Addison was reasonably uneventful and the beer was fine. The pole was swapped around a couple of times, but Kate was running the front and did fine. Then back up to Robins again with a run to Como this time. Trying to keep up with Bill and his hard working crew was enough to do and it was interesting to see that John Wright on Anna had managed to roll past David Locke and crew. But before anyone says it was a sympathy thing.. nope, David Locke gives nothing away on the water. But we were fourth and no question about it, that's where we were right to the end of the day.
We returned to Como and the run to the outer startline had us mixing with the Div three mob. Oh dear.. we've been there before. Around the mark and just try to keep clear of the placky boats. Down to Sampson and then back to King with a swarm of SS22's and 27's around us. Across to Print with three boats in front of us squabbling for rights and trying to ensure the overlap. Around Print we went and watched as they carted each other up. Wonderful. Just a reach down to Como and a slightly stiffer reach to Thelma. Run along the beach and then make our move to the line, listening to the horn sounding as it registered Anna's win. Well sailed old fox.
The rest of us made our way to the finish line.
Over the line and on handicap: Anna, Corella and Swiftsure Saga.
As Peter who sails with John Wright said. " The less mistakes you make, the more a chance you have of coming first"
Summer Saturday Sailing the 13th of November
A flighty sou easter, getting to Thelma &
Searching for Bartlett.
Three boats made it to the startline and we were hoping that Rupert would join us as well, but this is the middle of Uni exams so the young fellow has all the excuses. Pity as it would have been a good day on the water for him.
The heat could be felt on the water and thankfully they sent us off on a course three. No big deal of course but we would be on our metal to keep ahead of Wynella who had every intention of putting up a big red kite at every opportunity. The breeze didn't help as we had somewhere between 4 to about 10 knots at best. As Bill had decided not to fly a kite, we though that is was a more than fair contest and Aloha was always ready to make it a three way scrap.
Again off the line and Swiftsure Saga pushing Wynella up on the line. He just needs to be a little more aggressive that's all. But it didn't matter as Aloha was a second or so behind the start and managed to take the top spot, sailing quite well. As usual we were heading for the turning mark and waiting for the chance to improve our odds. Around we went, then to the spreader and down the breeze we went. Yes we had the lead, but it wasn't much and we knew that sooner or later the Big Red Kite (BRK) would appear.
Up went the BRK and away they went. But Wynella had the same problem we did, where was Bartlett exactly. In front of Nedlands yes, but three marks in the water. Look for the red spit a bit further down and then look to the next mark on the left. That's the one. But Glen went further left and promptly lost half of his lead. So at the mark, we turned.. he was still in front but catchable. The next work was to Dolphin East and then to Thelma, but for some reason he went deep into the bank on the left of the course and lost a lot of height and speed as we took advantage of the puffs coming across the river from the Canning river. Around Dolphin East and then head for Thelma.
Every inch of the way the sou easterly shifted around us, swirling one way or the other. One second we are on the mark, then next.. well we were pointing at the Como jetty. So concentrate on speed and just hope to get closer to the mark. Glen on Wynella was having a field day with all the lifts in the BHP building. He actually took the lead from us and was around the mark and heading for Deepwater before we were at Thelma. Well that made it interesting. He attempted a shy BRK hoist in front of us and I was there to witness it. They made it and got away eventually but the easterly was swinging into the south and gave us the chance to run a reaching course on our number one. We weren't far behind.
Then over to Bartlett again from Deepwater and we both knew where it was. the breeze was right for them to gybe the BRK and across they went to the mark. By this time our relationship with Aloha was pretty distant, but we could get occasional sightings of them as they worked their way around the course.
Around the mark and then down to Addison, a long work, but profitable for us as we managed to catch up with Wynella and get a few metres in front. Then trying to make Thelma from Addison. Hard bl@#dy work. The easterly has the reputation of being flighty, so we approached the mark with trepidation. Just a run line along the freeway to a point where we though we could make a stab at it and then tack into the biggest knock of the year. Pointing at the scout group down the canning river and then a miracle, we lifted 40 degrees to point at the mark. The skipper was excited and even accountant John was rather pleased. A small knock at the end still gave us two tacks, but nothing like the last time.
Around we went and off to Dolphin East under a pole and as soon as Wynella made the mark, up went the BRK again. No relief to us, but we were in front and had a chance, so we played it as best as we could and got around DE with a few metres lead. Then we just pushed it all the way down to Addison and using experience from the last two attempts, we got over to Thelma with the minimum of fuss (and a bit of luck) then just tacked the boat away to the finish line.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Aloha
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Aloha
Wednesday Spring Sailing 10th of November
Confusion and drama at the marks. &
Who said it isn't for sheep stations?
The day was started with the PFD flag in play and the suggestion that we were going to Martin Weaver was also waving in the breeze from the Start box flag stave. But hang on, it was windier than this on Saturday and there was no sign of a flag then.
We had seven H28's on the water today and we all had decent crews on board. In our case Phil Lammonby was back from the bush as the rain had put a hold on cropping and we had a new visitor "Wes" sailing with The First Jindarra. A course one and a sou wester that built to 20 knots and then gracefully declined in pressure by 5 pm.
The dash up to Martin- Weaver was a cracker as we had already observed that you could run up the breeze to the mark and we followed Barry Skinner on the 1st Jindarra who had had a great start. Not that David Locke or Bill Richards were far behind. The best thing was that John Wright has put in an appearance and wasn't far off the mark either. Aloha and Wynella hadn't had the best of starts so they were happy to follow along in their own race. Around Weaver and the job was to catch the Jin, but Barry had a smoke screen going and any one down wind had to put up with cigar fumes. So he kept going and we and the rest of the fore runners took off after him. No joy by Sampson so the next opportunity was going to be the run up to Print and whether we could make the mark. A couple of boats thought they would be better off tacking away and having a fresh angle on the mark. We continued but were high enough to stop the Jin tacking until we were ready.
With 10 metres to go the Jin tacked hoping that we were about to go. Well we were, but he was tacking in our water and while we made the mark and got around, he took out Corella and I think Swiftsure Saga in the process. Much shouting and waving of protest flags. Then on the run down to Addison more shouting and yells as the Jin decided to come down on Swiftsure Saga. It was a good feeling to be out front.
Around we went and then the work up the breeze to Robins with clear air. Some came across with us to to Heathcote bank, others took off up the river ready to tack into the bay when the chance arose.
Making Robins for the first time it was clear that John Wright was doing well. He had caught up and was starting to push Swiftsure Saga. But that's fine, the Jin had fallen back and Corella was becoming a threat (again). Down to the bottom again with only one gybe and we were doing well at the Addison again, but this time there were a few more boats around... all Div. three boats. Oh bother. Back up to Robins again and the Div. three boats came into play bigtime as we dipped in and out of the bay. They had their own agenda and it became a battle to get to the mark with out taking out a plastic boat. Then when we thought we had it right as we aimed at Robins, a 42 foot Royal Perth cruiser came steaming up to the mark on the starboard side and closed the door on us. We couldn't go anywhere. Stymied yes; Cross yes; Angry, not yet. But then the inevitable happened. John Wright saw a chance and went for it. Anna had the lead.
Well done John Wright. Never underestimate the man. Corella and Swiftsure had been held back a little by the plastic fleets as well so now it was a case of chase John and hold off Lockie. All the way down to Como and then set up to dive inside him on the mark. Nope, he closed the door. We were stalled on the water. Perhaps we could have gone around the outside of him using speed to try and get through him.
May be, may be not as we both just made the outer start line. Then around and away to Sampson again in the company of three div. 3 boats. By this time, we had managed to get above Anna and drag raced her to Sampson. First around and inside the plastic fleet then a run up to a ley line to King. Following Talisman we were doing well, but only seconds away we had both Corella and Anna on our tail.
Around the mark, more screaming and shouting behind us as plastic met wood yet again. No damage to anyone (I think) just egos. Down to Print and then the reaches down to Como and then Thelma. Speed and trimming was the thing.. it kept the battle alive as we were carted off beyond the mark by some over eager Div. three boats. Then the need to call the overlap on the way to the mark as we all plunged down to the mark. We rounded the mark as top boat with three other H28s on our tail after the two plastic boats.
Go now or run along the freeway. One of the plastics went right as did Lockie. For the rest of us, along the freeway. As we rose level to the start line we had a SS27 looming on the right and we judged that we would get through him. 'Lee bow him,' said the mainsheet. Duly executed and the following SS27 managed to catch his pulpit in our back stays as he dipped rather than lifted away. We crossed the line and then were swung around by the forward movement of the SS27. "Thump" Into Anna. The next few minutes were spent apologising to Anna, dropping the sails and making our way into the pens. The crew put the boat away while the skipper lodged a protest.
Over the line: Corella, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Corella, Swiftsure Saga equal first and Anna third. (Protest to be heard) Baa Baa
Yes, Mariner crossed the line first, but as it was explained to me, the resulting circle putting us back over the line and consequent confusion on the finish line had the starters take us back to the second time we crossed the line. Hi ho.
And the first photo or two.. Graham from Swiftsure Saga brought his newly made boat down for a show off. looked good.
Summer Saturday Sailing 6th of November The Don Bourne Memorial trophy
Dabbles retires defeated &
A corker of a Sou Wester.
The day was exactly as forecast. An absolute blinder of a sou wester and there was a general consensus that flying a kite would be tantamount to suicide. But one or two boats reserved the right.
Dabbles the duck had had her chicks ( two of them ) and Bill summarily evicted them all as the duck down was becoming a problem with the bilges blocking up.
A course one and by the time the flag dipped it was already 20 knots on the water with a rolling three foot chop coming down the breeze. No matter we had the big one on and 4 on the boat. Wynella had three, Aloha had a cast of thousands and Georgina had the family and two young lads as well. Most of them were running a number two up front, but we thought we could cope. Half way up the run to Brickie's the outer casing on the portside traveller wore through and the traveller had to be locked in the middle and poor Eric who had volunteered to do the main was going to have to work even harder. All the time Rupert and Georgina was on our tail. The new (2nd hand) jib from Brian Cross was a cracker and he was sailing very well with it. Every tack up the breeze was a test for him and his sailing was impressive. But he was just behind us and that's all that mattered. Glen on Wynella wasn't far away but he had gone for a lower line and was going to have to tack for the mark.
We forgot. We hadn't been to Brickie's since last year and we over stood it by a country mile. We actually got around Lucky first (giving some grief to a R P 97) and then proceeded on to Brickie's A and B with that gybe at the end as you began the point down the hill toward Dolphin West. We had to keep in mind that the Dragons would also use DW and they needed to be on our starboard side. Managing this took a bit of time as we were just as fast as they were on the down wind. But some careful manoeuvring got them onto the right side and away we went to Foam ready for the next leg up to Sanders.
Into the bay and out again heading up to the loneliest mark on the river. We have a trick we use to find it, but we were knocked off our usual course by a recalcitrant pair of squabbling Sharpies and approached Deepwater from a different angle. Bugger! Where's Sanders now? Its blowing furiously, spray is flying around and trying to find a little yellow stick in the middle of nowhere is a task of its own. Eventually we found it and the rest of the fleet was able to point in our general direction in order to get to it. Around we went and this time down to Como with a couple of gybes in the process. Thank goodness we only had to
get up to Deepwater this time. We were definitely damp with all the water flying around and the waves weren't going to stop coming through, as we had a problem with the big launches heading down the river with their wakes creating counter slop. Not good.
Its coming up to 3.30 and the downwind run was going to be a corker. This time we have to go to Dolphin East and its another pole with a gybe at DE and the run was ok, we were only going down to Addison and we were watching the absorbing battle between Wynella and Georgina as they had run into each other and neither was prepared to let the other through. Wynella eventually broke the bank and scooted away.
Again its a long run down to Addison and we were passed by several Div. one boats who were having a good time with their spinnakers up. Made for some great photos. But we really had to concentrate on keeping the boat on the go and the need was to ensure that we hit the finish line asap. Our handicap didn't give us much room with Wynella and both Aloha and Georgina were lower than Wynella.
We were faster than we thought and managed to stay in front on handicap. A pleasing day to take the Don Bourne Memorial trophy, but it would have been nicer to have a few more boats around.
On handicap and over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella, Georgina and Aloha.
Wednesday Spring Sailing 3rd of November
Well done Lockie and Rita &
Swiftsure Saga was hard to keep under control &
Cut off at the finish line.
A really good day on the water. We walked off the boat and up to the hill with smiles on our faces. A cold beer and inside for results.. but lets tell the tale of what happened.
On a sparkling sou wester of about 12 to 15 knots it was a wonderful afternoon and despite being three up we knew it would be a fun day. Well then there was the start and we blew it. Bottom of the line and buried by everyone. We perhaps should have been a bit more aggressive in our start. However the challenge was laid out in black and white for us. 4 boats to get past. A course one and a crew who knew the boat back to front.
Around Sampson and off to Print. No joy being the end boat so tack off and get clear air. Perhaps we should have gone a little further but the skipper had the bit in his teeth and was eager to get up to the mark. Sure enough, we were knocking up to the mark and we knew we would have to tack again..but the two others who had gone left with us had gone further and were aimed at the mark. Well done the First Jindarra and Wynella. Meanwhile Corella had problems of their own with the headsail dropping (perhaps a block had blown) so David could not maintain his height and was dropping away. The Jin took the honours with Swiftsure slipping in front of Corella, then Wynella and we were last again. So off to Addison for the first time, then begin the march up to Robins.
No matter, we had to cross the creek and we actually did better than the others, picking up Wynella in the process while Swiftsure slipped under Heathcote to get into the bay. The Jin had gone right and Lockie... well, he had Corella boring up the middle aimed at Robins. Again we had to duck the Jin on the way up but they went in to the bay to join Swiftsure Saga ready to come out again. But the bay wasn't working as well and we managed to cross both Swiftsure and the Jin. But Lockie was still ahead.
The first trip down to Addison had us tussling with Swiftsure and unfortunately we weren't as quick as Bills boat. So again we had two boats in front of us and two behind us. BY Addison all three boats in the lead were neck to neck and we rounded one after the other, but we tacked off to get clear air again. And on tacking back we picked up the lift of all lifts. Crossing over into Heathcote we managed to roll Swiftsure yet again. But of course nothing lasts for ever and on the next tack he got us back. There was a distinct lift crossing the creek on starboard where normally you would get knocked.. perhaps a bit of lingering westerly was still in evidence. David by this time was well away and our job was to stay in phase with Swiftsure while Barry Skinner and The Jin fought it out with Glen and his crew of hopefuls on Wynella.
Down the breeze yet again, but this time to Como and the outer startline. The main trick was to keep up and keep the boat flowing fast. we were still with in reach of Swiftsure and Bill had encountered the Div. three boats on the same course as we were. He found himself stuck behind a SS22 and was dropping away ready to create room to tack. David in the meantime had tacked early to cross over to a lay on King (our next mark) and hadn't achieved the same lift he had in the past. Oops, he was only a second or so in front of us as we approached King, ready to roll around it and aim for Print. Bill was behind us and Glen had managed to get past Barry on the Jin. Of course you have to include all the Div. three boats around us as well. They were to cause some final grief a little later on.
Around Print and the final dash to Como, then Thelma and the run along the freeway preparatory to the tack off to the finish line. All was well and David had tacked right early and ran into a problem with the right hand sheet (possibly an overwind). All this time, the div three boats were swarming around us and making their own decisions. We had decided to run up to the line from the beach on a fair lay and watched in disbelief at the problems that David was having. The he sorted out the issue, tacked and found himself below the mark. So he tacked again. We were neck to neck with a green SS22. David aimed at the line - the skipper was pleading with the SS22 to tack "NOW" but he wasn't going to go until he was sure of making the line. Corella crossed the line 7 seconds in front of us officially; to us it felt like 2 or 3 , but it was enough to separate us. Well sailed Lockie and Rita.
We bought the skipper of the SS22 a port after results and I think it's ok, but by gosh, if we had tacked...?
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga
On handicap: Corella. Mariner and Wynella
Bill had a bit of misfortune with that SS22 that split him off from us, but there was nothing against his sailing, he did very well. Its just bad luck that he didn't have another chance to try to get past us.
Till the next time.
A brief note!
Yuna has returned to the river.
Its been a while since she's graced us with her presence and her owner freely admits he has thrown the cheque book at it. Three long years since I saw her in a shed in FSC being poked around with. Surprisingly she hasn't suffered and is going to be one of the shining examples of the H28 fleet. The restoration has been painstaking and the owner has been lucky to have a shipwright who trained in Johansen's boat sheds over in Cottesloe.
A little research has brought up the likely fact that she was possibly the second sloop rig and the third H28 built in Perth. Saga was first in 1947, followed by Nova and then Yuna in 1948. She was sailed by John Fitzhardinge in the 1949 Freo to Bunbury in the company of Loyal Weavers "Nova" and several other yachts of a similar nature. She was sold into ownership at Royal Perth and became a well travelled and much enjoyed cruiser owned by Messer's Pepper and McGilwray. In 1989 she fell into the current owners hands and travelled with him around Australia as his work took him. Eventually she returned to Perth and rested for a while at Mounts Bay Sailing club while her owner wrestled with his work commitments.
Eventually, he looked up and saw an H28 that needed a lot of time spent on her. She was sent to A. J. Woodhall with the plea of her owner to look after her. Three years later she came up from Henderson in superb condition under motor and has been parked up at Royal Perth to become an H28 in residence at the club. She needs to have a mast stepped and the fittings put on, but he has a wooden mast waiting for her and some of the original fittings have been brought back to life and put back onto the boat. Take a look at the photos. I'll be back once he has the mast and trim on.
Summer Saturday Sailing 30th of October 1st Championship
A superb day on the water &
Lost, gone and well in front.
On a day that could only be categorised as a cracker, with 15 knots out of the WSW, five H28s rocked up for a yacht. Corella, Wynella, Swiftsure Saga, Aloha and Georgina. The starters gave us a course 4 (why?) and we were then on the trip which has us running around the track, visiting Deepwater three times and Addison twice.
The day was not without its moments and the first was on the start line when Wynella pulled off a tight manoeuvre on the start, ducking between Swiftsure Saga and the start boat causing us to drop down to avoid damage to our boat and howls of protest from the skipper as Glen gained his preferred position on the line. Where's a red flag when you need one? But this was just one of the mad moments as the line settled down and we began to spread ourselves out across the river. Lockie on Corella already had a nice lead and we were being sat on by another boat.
So just hold on and then tack when we could. A pair of tacks later and we were looking into the bay, not too far off Lockie's transom, but far enough away to make it hard to catch him. He had to make the mistake and he doesn't make many. From there on, we were into the bay and trying to bounce out to Deepwater with the other three boats strung out behind us and Georgina was giving Wynella a hard time. Three up and with most of his regular crew doing exams Rupert was going to do it hard, but the family team of Mum and Dad were there to support him.
Around Deepwater and across the river to Hallmark and then a work up to Armstrong, easy enough but we were all following each other.. no passing. At Armstrong we took a chance and just put up a pole. As did Corella and all boats except for Wynella who bravely threw a spinnaker up to try and get past Georgina. Ummm. You have to catch them first! Down to Print and the second time up to Deepwater. Into the bay and out again, riding the burgeoning seabreeze and remark on the lack of boats on the river.. not that many at all. Ahhhh. Freshy was running a windward - leeward race later in the afternoon. But this time we had other boats around us and a visit from Black Betty certainly made for some adventuresome photography. Our next mark after Deepwater was Dolphin East and Bill lost sight of it behind David and called for a mark to be sighted. I called a mark that looked ok and we began to head towards it, then realised our mistake as it was Dolphin West and turned to DE, but not before Lockie was well away and the others had caught up with us. So do it all again and throw up a kite.
Well that worked. We steadily pulled away from the rear guard and began to reel Corella in. But the lead was too great and the next trick was to do something different. So after Addison it was back to Deepwater again. Straight up the middle this time. There was still a hint of a WSW in the air and the boat was doing fine on the upwind leg, but as usual when it comes time to cross the creek and look at Deepwater, we were knocking on a sou wester. Behind us the lead was shared by Rupert and Glen with Aloha bringing up the rear. Around the mark and down the hill again, surrounded by div one boats taking photos as we went. Nice to see the boats doing well in the delightful breeze and I managed to get some decent photos of some of them. well lets be blunt about it...there weren't any H28's near us even though we had thrown up another spinnaker to try and pull Corella back.
Arrive at Addison and pull the kite down and then the run to Thelma on a fairly tight reach. It was fine until we saw the pile of boats surrounding Corella and we had to think hard and fast about our course from there on. Tack at the mark or run down the beach. Corella and her followers had tacked, so the beach was our course and we ran down the river edge till John P started to get nervous. Then tacked. Over the line and drop the sails. All over and done.
Over the line and for the championship. Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Aloha and Corella.
The only question on everyone's lips was. Where was Mariner? The talk had been that she was not going to do the consistency Saturdays, but would front up for the championships. Oh well, there is always the next champs.
Wednesday Spring Sailing 27th of October
What, no sailing again? &
Oh well its probably for the best.
The skipper decided that breaking the boat probably wasn't a good idea and wisely declined to go out on what was a decidedly frisky day. In fact only 16 boats went out on an afternoon that was really booming. A classic sou wester in fact, where the seabreeze doesn't get below 19 knots and the gusts come through in the mid 20's or better.
But two boats went out in the H28 fleet and they were stacking the rails on Wynella with 6 people on the boat. Anything to keep the boat flat on the water. Swiftsure Saga just took off and from what I heard was increasing the lead every moment of the day. Wynella unfortunately had a mad moment when the main sheet attachment to the boom gave way and the fellows decided that it was probably better to retire with only their pride a little injured rather than anything else. ( in fact I did hear that one of the Foundation 36's managed to throw an owner off, they did go back for him)
I did join Wynella as she limped home and congratulated them on surviving and noted that two of the Aloha people were on the boat. Couldn't get the owner to take the boat out and understandably they joined Glen and his crew.
Back in the bar we managed to get a reasonable crowd sitting at the table and eventually they gave Swiftsure a pat on the back for finishing the race.
And its not hard to say, but Swiftsure got first, fastest and last! And on handicap as well.
Hopefully Saturday will be a little better.
A classic Seabreeze
Summer Saturday Sailing 23rd of October
Georgina joins us.
Mad, bad and crazy! (sharpies and wazps)
Four on the river this time and with Div. One and Two away we found ourselves chasing the clock. But that was fine. We were handed a course 4 and set off in about 10 to 14 knots of west sou west that was clocking into the sou west. All bets were off and if you could fly a kite you could. Unfortunately Lockie had his boat up on the hard with some work being done. (I guess)
This time we were a little careful about that line and all four boats cleared the line successfully with Swiftsure Saga lowest on the line. Glen had as usual, hung back and was highest on the line. Aloha was joining us and we had Georgina out with a young crew, but they had a spinnaker and were determined to fly it. We had one too, but we weren't fussed. So we sailed until 2 of the three had peeled off and then successfully tacked to cross Aloha around King. So out into the middle and the river was busy with all the other club fleets being fired off in sequence. Crossing a foreign start line in sequence could draw unwanted attention. So tack a little earlier and then watch in awe as Wynella crept in under Heathcote and successfully made it into the bay. Bugger! That was going to give him a big help if he'd read the breeze right.
He came out well, but he was still behind us so the run up the river continued while Georgina had elected to bang corners and went way out to the right. What he may have forgotten is that you lift on one side and knock on the other in a seabreeze and he lost himself a load of distance on that cross back to Deepwater. But we had rounded Deepwater and were looking for Hallmark. Got it completely wrong and only changed angle when we saw Wynella and Aloha going a lot lower. We lost a bit there, in fact by the time we made it around Hallmark, Wynella was within 20 meters of our transom. About this time we saw a rogue H28 on the water who waved at us and I recognised the boat by her sails (Suzanna). He followed us around the track for a while but we had a race and couldn't stop for So up to Armstrong and away down the river to Print. We chose to put a spinnaker up and promptly pulled it down having put the halyard on the wrong side of the headsail. So it stayed there while Eric sorted out the problem.
Meanwhile Wynella had thrown up her spinnaker and was pulling past us. Suffer in silence was the call and we knew that we would have to catch her on the next upwind work. And that we did as we had the opportunity to make our way through the various fleets and then a moment of madness with a couple of Sharpies and one of the Wazps. They were caught on the wrong side of us ( Wynella and Swiftsure Saga) So they decided to duck through the gap between us. Mad, bad and crazy. One mistake and we would have been pulling splintered bits of boats and men out of the water. You don't mess with 4 tons of h28. Not only that, but we would have had to stop to rescue the sailors and consequently lost any placing in the race. Fair enough, you offer assistance to boats in distress, but this would have been a problem entirely of their own making.
So we progressed up to Deepwater and this time to Dolphin East with another pole run to Addison. Yes we could have put a kite up, but Bill was enjoying the close run and elected to use a poled out headsail. Well we got there slightly inside them and rounded cleanly with another run up to Deepwater on the cards Looking across we had Georgina and Aloha locked into their own battle with Georgina putting up their "new" Spinnaker that they had bought from Phil Lammonby. It seemed to do the job as they were in front when I took the photo, but Steve Hill assured me that that wasn't the case and it was all angles. See for yourself. Then another mad moment when we crossed the bow of IGAWA who was lifting, lifting, lifting. We got there.
Around Deepwater for the last time and away to Dolphin East to attempt our first hoist. Once we had made it to a good angle we tried again to get the spinnaker up and succeeded. We were happy and Eric could add another notch to his belt as a sailor. Looking back, Wynella had lost their kite and had stopped in the water. Hmmmm! No matter, they presently began to move off again, but didn't attempt a kite. Probably a foul up on the foredeck. So we concentrated on the job at hand and made it to Addison where the kite was dropped and then away to Thelma at a fair lick. Run along the foreshore and then tack back to the finish line where Eric announced a thoroughly good overwind (pictured). The skipper was kind enough to head the boat up into the breeze and the overwind was removed. We then tacked for the line.
And to our dismay the control box for the motor wasn't doing its job. So we sailed in on the jib and made it at the first attempt.
Georgina is suffering greatly from an over enhanced handicap. Hopefully he will get it sorted.
Last Wednesday was blown out and racing was abandoned.
Phil Scott was sitting on the main of Wynella, when the main inadvertently gybed and flicked Phil into the briny. The skipper was last seen buying drinks for his errors.
Mariner has continued with the tradition set by Karoleeya and joined the Retro fleet with Kate Lammonby at the helm. And won it. Well done Mariner, but Brian wants to borrow Bill's Big Lizzie so that he can go even faster in light breezes. We'll think about that!
Summer Saturday Sailing 16th of October
A JaM declared &
The duck returns.
Some of you may remember the duck that sailed on Swiftsure Saga last year. Well she's back and has chosen the starboard locker to nest in. In fact she caused one of the first bilge blockages with her duck down filtering through to the bilges and blocking the channels. Oh well nice to have her back again.. I think, as she's a little vicious with her beak at the moment.
Three boats were going our way and in consideration of the third party we decided to JaM but were told that if we got to be more than 50 yards in front of the 3rd party they would consider a spinnaker. All's fair in love and war and we set off on a slightly gusty course two with about 14 to 20 at the top of the breeze.
And of course while contesting the line a double horn was heard and sure enough the flag was raised to signify that one of us were over. It had to be Swiftsure or Aloha so we went back and alerted Aloha to the flags. They also returned. (It transpired that we weren't at fault, but the starters were happy, they got a 2 for 1 result). Meanwhile Wynella was disappearing off into the distance. We'd lost about 3 minutes. An important figure later on.
Up to Hallmark and back down to King with a re- arrangement of the lead as we squeaked past Wynella on the early up wind work and promptly lost it on the 2nd half of the leg to Hallmark. So chasing Glen all the way down to King and a big effort to get back up to Deepwater with some interesting works in and out of the bay. We did ok, but with a westerly it was an idea to stay out of the bay except for a quick dip in and out. Around Deepwater just in front and we took a look at Aloha who has a fair bit of coral on his hull. Cant be fast. Then a broad reach across to Dolphin East and away to Thelma from whence we aimed at Robins once more. Finding the blasted thing is the problem... can we have a larger mark there please? So around Robins with Wynella on our tail once more and the smaller jib she was wearing was a seriously good sail. Gave her height and still good speed down wind.
Around Robins and away to Dolphin East again with Addison as our lowest mark on the river, then across to Thelma and a small loop around Print and back to Thelma again with the finish line as our objective.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Aloha.
We needed that 3 minutes. Or may be even more as Wynella's handicap continues to defy description. We were 90 seconds in front and lost on corrected time by 77 seconds. Gaaahh!
Missing in action .. Mariner and Corella.. perhaps even The First Jindarra!
Spring Wednesday Sailing 13th of October
The Doctor is IN! &
Sailing with the new course.
The seabreeze returned with a thump. Posted to be a quiet day, by midday the seabreeze was hammering on Rottnest's back door and by 1.30 pm we had a great seabreeze that was giving us 14 to 20 knots. Perfect for a chance to test the new course with a decent blow.
Half a dozen boats went out with the First Jindarra retiring for an unknown reason half way around. By the time we got back, they were packed up and gone.. but back to the day on the water.
Martin / Weaver was on the cards and sure enough that dash up to Martin is the test of the mainsheet and the trimmer on the headsail. Hard work, but if you get it right, the skipper can get the boat up around the mark and away down to Weaver with the rest of the pack baying at his heels. Then running the boat on the reach with everyone striving to catch you up. More work for the trimmers. The next test is the small dig up to Print and it is the most demanding as if you are really lucky you might get there in one tack.
But no it didn't happen for us, but it was a small tack and away we went down to Addison for the first time. Down we went and around the mark, still in the lead with Corella and Swiftsure Saga on our heels. Wynella wasn't that far behind and both The First Jindarra and Aloha (with Drew Minto on board) were with us at this stage. Off to Robins and the first thing the skipper mentioned was how sloppy the waves were at this end of the river. Well now we know why sailing in Melville Water west is preferred. But our job was to get up to Robins and it was a choice of dipping in and out of the bay as we maintained a loose cover on the two main rivals. We rounded Robins and set our sights on Addison (our second visit).
All the way down with a gybe in the middle and safety being the order of the day, we stowed the pole before heading back up to Robins again. All was well and this time as we made our way past Foam the Royal Perth fleet struck. What? We had changed our course completely to avoid them... but no, there they were on starboard yet again as we tried to make our way into the bay and hopefully they would tack before they began to cause us grief. But no.... one RP yacht found himself in the position to force another two RP boats over and the result was a forced tack for us and this was repeated as we began to approach Robins. This time, the miscreant was a PC of RP sailing a blunderbuss of a boat. He was having fun sitting on top of us, but fortunately he was too fast and we managed to get in behind him, tack and then re-tack for the mark. Made it! Whew.
Still in the lead, the skipper set the course for Addison, but we didn't want Addison and a quick check to confirm the truth - we should have been aiming at Como. Much cursing in the marshes by the skipper who saw his lead evaporate. Bill was in the lead as the boat really romps along on the breeze. Particularly down wind. Even Lockie was close by and with the fleet now heading for Como he was going to be closer still. Wynella by the way, hadn't lost her way and was as close to the fleet as ever. Good sailing from Glen and his mob!. Around the outer startline with a moment or two's problems with a SS27 who just wasn't watching where he was going as he wandered into our path and caused more grief for a skipper who was having a bad day.
Then the reach across to Sampson and disaster struck again on the run to King with the other boats deciding to foul our path. Lockie got in front and I thought we were gone for the money. "From first to third in three tacks" growled the skipper. Well not exactly, but we all shared his feelings. But we had a chance to redeem ourselves and the dash from King to Print allowed us to catch up and smart work on the pole and good trimming got us past Corella. Just a drag race really. We managed to get our nose inside his stern and called for an overlap at Thelma. Around we went and the next problem was to be aware of the low tide and the very good chance of getting stuck in the mud as a boat had already done. So follow Bill and tack a few seconds before he did. Why? His keel is not as deep as ours is. So he was heading for the line and we were after him. Lockie had gone away on the other tack and was making ready to roll over to get to the line comfortably. And Wynella was quite close behind still.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Corella.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
There were a few boats who hit the mud during racing today and apparently an S80 by the name of Spectre managed to sink. The boys on the rescue boat were busy.
Saturday was a good day as well and the fleet comprised only 4 boats with Swiftsure Saga taking the day off while Bill tended to Carol who had had an accident the day before. There was some great sailing apparently with Georgina taking part with a scratch crew. Well done the boat! But he'd forgotten to register. Darn it... Wynella got up for a handicap win with Lockie in second place while Mariner was doing a fine job even after losing the lead. He threw up a kite to get back onto the lead again. But handicaps do catch you up. Mariner was third on handicap and now has the biggest handicap to carry still.
Still there's always next week.
Spring Wednesday Sailing 6th of October
Tight Racing &
You can't hustle Bill.
What an excellent days racing!
Five of the six boats hammering each other all the way around the course with no quarter given at all.
Right up to the finish line it was a battle and a late dash by a fast finishing boat stole 3rd place and ultimately the handicap win. But lets start at the beginning shall we?
A course two on offer with a westerly seabreeze (West sou westerly for the uninitiated) But it was flicking into the sou west as the day progressed, but it didn't matter on the upwind legs. The start was contested and Mariner managed to get a good start in with Corella hard on their transom while the first Jindarra and Wynella had their own battles going down to Sampson. Aloha was dong quite well at this stage and was keeping up with Swiftsure Saga on the run down to the mark. They sorted themselves behind us and then the rounding began.
Heading for Hallmark we watched the fleet peel off to the left avoiding the bad air from those in front. The Jin first, Corella next and shortly followed by Swiftsure Saga. The other two followed us a little further and tossed approximately at the same spot as we did as we maintained a loose cover on the mob who had gone earlier. We got across to the southern side of the river maintaining a lead and then turned toward Hallmark. Just in time for the Royal Perth fleet to come out to play. We were high enough to pass them by as did Corella, but a couple of the boats behind us took avoidance measurers.
Corella took his usual line into Hallmark going into the northern bank and preparing to run along the edge of what should have been a westerly influenced breeze. But we were further out and lifting up to a mark which might have been Hallmark, or it may not have. But all the other boats were following our line, so we smiled quietly and re adjusted our angle to include Hallmark in our trip and then made the run out to Armstrong, unfortunately losing our lead to Corella who was sailing really well. So chasing Lockie again.
Down the breeze with the 10 to 14 knots booming every so often pushing the boats behind us closer and closer. We caught up with Corella, Swiftsure Saga caught up with us and The Jin was looking at all of our transoms. Approaching Como we strung ourselves out and followed the leaders (Corella and Swiftsure Saga) as they rounded the mark and then headed to the outer startline jockeying for a better line out of the o-s line mark. Easy enough. Then down to Sampson again where a choice of runs were available to us. Follow the pair in front and never pass them or tacking off on a line from the mark and perhaps another 300 metres before tacking back to progress up to Dolphin East.
And it worked, lifting all the way we passed the three boats who had gone into the nor west. Nice one. On their return we had them all below us. So now to the mark with a tack and a gybe and a wait for it pole. Once again the gusts coming down the breeze were to play a part and we found ourselves lined up on our next mark with Bill and David beside us. And the Jin and Wynella had closed up as well.
Bend at Print and the battle continued Como our next target and we took Swiftsure up into Corella just at the mark. Corella obliged by having to go the other side of the mark and a swift gybe and tack was required to put them on the right side of the mark. But we still had Bill inside us and a fast finishing Foundation trying to fit in between Bill and the mark. No Room was the call and he didn't have an overlap. We kept on rolling but we weren't going to catch Bill in a hurry. Away to Thelma and around the mark. Follow? Or go away? Well we chose a bit of both and followed for a while then tacked off, aiming for the line. Corella and the Jin had tacked off from Thelma and were aiming to come in high.
Well none of us got what we wanted, though Swiftsure got over the line first with a scrambled shoot of the line at the outer pin end. We tacked and the breeze just died and we made the line 13 seconds after Swiftsure. Up the middle from Thelma on a John Wright special came Wynella, fitting very nicely into third spot. What the! and Where did he come from? Just another day on the river as Barry Skinner and the Jin slipped into 4th with David Locke sucking on his Guinness reflectively in fifth. Aloha finished the race in 6th place.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner, Wynella.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga, The First Jindarra.
Lockie was quite happy he's no longer top handicap and Brian Cross has taken the top spot for a while.
The opening day was covered in the Perth Sailing Photography website and may be accessed. click here.
Enjoy the photos.
Spring Wednesday Sailing 29th of September
An unravelling swage
Read the course &
Sweet revenge.
Today we were joined by Georgina.
About time you might ask, may be, but Rupert had assembled a crew, dressed them out in crew shirts (very snappy) and was ready to rip into the bunch of boats in front of him. My words not his!
The day began with a stinking nor westerly front booming through with rain and gusts into the mid 20's. Not a day to look forward to. But by 2 pm, things had calmed down, the breeze was around 10 to 12 knots out of the north and we had a full crew on board with the skipper taking the day off to take the grandies down to Augusta for a break and Phil Lammonby taking his role
We watched the first two fleets take off and it was going to be a tacking duel all the way up to Sampson, hard work but the first boat around Sampson would be the leader in a follow me race. Yes it was a course two and a lot of off the wind work. So away we went, driving up the start line on starboard with élan. With two seconds to go, Phil swung the rudder over and Mariner followed his guidance and we began to pick up speed as we crossed the line. The First Jindarra and Wynella above us and Swiftsure Saga and Georgina below us, with Georgina crossing the back of the line in order to get a higher spot on the line.
To and fro we tacked, with our luck following us and we made it to Sampson in the lead and then aimed the boat at where we expected to find Hallmark. One long slightly cracked reach up the nor wester. No chance to take photo's, but it was interesting to see that Peter Broadbent driving the Jin was doing so very well and wasn't very far from our transom.. perhaps 5 to 10 boat lengths most of the way up. However the next leg was that run up to Armstrong and again it was a case of point the boat as the breeze was changing again and we were able to open the main and the headsail up.
Of course the return leg to Como wasn't going to be a pole either... another reach all the way to Como and a gybe to take us to the outer startline. By this time the fleet had opened up a bit and Swiftsure Saga had put Wynella behind them. But where was Georgina? Not that far behind surely. Press on with the race and down to the outer startline mark ready to swing around and head back up to Sampson with the Jin firmly on our backside. If anyone was going to win the flag today on handicap, it was going to be Barry and the Jin. Count the H28's flowing back down the breeze and still no sign of Georgina. Ummmm!
Turn left at Sampson and point the boat firmly at Dolphin East and sure enough between the two red spits there she was. But hold on... Barry and the Jin have turned at Print. What!!! Bill on Swiftsure Saga took immediate advantage and slipped into second place while The Jin recovered from their momentary lapse of reason. Up and around Dolphin East and then back down to Print with a pole out for the first time in the race. Behind us and slightly to starboard was "Take Cover" a Cole 32 that was intent on rolling us before we got to Thelma. The skipper covered us with his larger set of sails and slowed us down markedly while he got the drop on us. Frustrating yes, but at Thelma he left the door open and we got the pole down and tucked up inside him with the jib and main coming in together to provide us with the power to get over him to starboard. Bingo.. we had his breeze and as we headed for the finish line we had him breathing our bad air and he probably had to tack again at the finish line. Sweet revenge.
Back into the pens and there was Georgina with the crew a little disconsolate. A swage had begun to unravel. So retire immediately and consider what's to be done next. The new set of winches that were in the offing or perhaps have the rigging re done. I know which one I'd choose.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella.
This was also the last day of the Winter Wednesday series and Bill Richards took the win for the H28's with Brian Cross and Mariner taking second on a count back from Glen Stanley on Wynella.
Well sailed Bill, John and Eric.
Spring Wednesday Sailing 22nd of September
A day at the office &
A west sou wester.
Five boats again today with Locke and Rita not sailing thanks to a recent death in the family and John Wright waiting to get the insurance through on the bingle from a few weeks ago. We were hoping that Rupert and Georgina might have made their way out on the water as the boat was semi rigged, but it was not to be.
Again last week was blowing hard and the racing committee decided that it would be wiser not to sail. What a difference a week makes.
However it was a soft day that was going to get softer, but we had about 9 to 13 knots out of the west sou west. I know that the BOM site said a sou wester, but the lift in the bay just wasn't there. However they gave us a course one and that meant the new course and a possible shortening up if the breeze continued to drop away.
The race turned into a follow me within 30 meters of the start line. Sure there were chances for the slightly slower boats, but the mob on Mariner weren't going to let go of this one and once around Sampson in the lead, the leg to Print was a good one. As this was my first taste of the new course I was interested to see the separation between the RP fleet and ourselves. I watched in fascination as C fleet ran into the RP fleet and they had to work their way through. Won't be long before C fleet joins us I think.
However the next leg for us back to Addison and then out to a fair angle that would let us get into the bay on the other side of the river. But by running along the edge of the bank next to Addison, the skipper became a little nervous, knowing the story of the rocks on the bank and their propensity to rip open hulls. We found a reasonable angle and lo and behold we began to lift on the way over into the bay. Oh gosh, there must be a bit of Westerly in the breeze today. And sure enough on the other side of the tack, we couldn't find a lift for trying. Another two tacks before we got around, but we were clear of the RP fleet (just) and it was a great feeling to get the pole out on the port side and run down the breeze.
Beers, the skipper suggested and for once I heard him. Down the breeze we ran and for the 2nd time we rounded Addison and headed back up with a different idea. Lets try the middle of the river and see if we cant do better. The rest of the fleet must have agreed as they all went separate ways as well. Following us wasn't profitable and they decided to try other routes. We watched as Swiftsure tucked into the beach and The 1st Jindarra went out into the north. Well one of them was going to do better and surprisingly Barry on the Jin did nicely out of it. But Bill wasn't hurt and kept his distance on us.
Up to Robins again, coming in a starboard lay and rounding the mark comfortably then watching as the followers hit a bunch of RP boats who were making it theirs as well. Down to Como this time with a couple of gybes to keep Steve on the foredeck honest and we were looking fine even though the odds were we were going to finish early. We already had a 2 minute lead.
Across to the finish line and sure enough the flags were out. So across the line and wait a few seconds for the horn to be sounded. Everyone happy, so into the pen and pack up the boat then head up to the Hill where the lack of chairs was quite obvious. Rob the bosun has our best interests at heart so he's taken the old ones away and we hope he is planning to replace them as they were falling to pieces. More later.
Over the line and on handicap:
Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and The 1st Jindarra.
A couple of extra images included today. The first is the wood stove on board Ian Weavers Robin Hood II. I've heard of them, but actually seeing them.. wow. You have to be pretty sure of your skills to run one those on a wooden boat.
And the Loyal Weaver Trophy had the cover off, so Glen was kind enough to take a photo of it. (With his sail numbers on show)
Spring Wednesday Sailing 8th of September
Go north young man,
Never die wondering &
Such a damn pity.
A course 2 with a breeze of about 12 to 17 knots. A really nice day to get onto the water.
Sure we knew that it would be a "follow me" sort of a day, but there was enough boats for us to have a chance to have a decent battle. So we thought.
Before we even got going, Anna retired. Port and starboard with a SS22. John was going to keep going but the rip in his jib was enough to convince him the day was over. It wasn't his fault and the SS22 shouldn't have been there as he was too close to the startline. And our reputation as SS22 killers continues.
Never die wondering.. well we were pounding up to the line with the bit in our teeth and it looked like a close thing, but hey, we've been there before. If we'd been a second slower we still would have made it, but 2 seconds was too much. Up went the flag, yes we had broken the line. So around we went and started stone motherless last. They say if you don't break the line at least once a season, you're not trying hard enough. So chase the fleet for the rest of the day with all the usual suspects in front of us.
After Sampson we began to review our position and we had caught up with the fleet nicely, well except for Corella with Lockie and Rita clearing off early. But our job was to get through at least two boats and our first boat was going to be Aloha who had strapped on one of Karoleeya's sails (and I don't know how legit that is) however they fell behind us and we aimed at the hull of Wynella who was being driven by Ernie Little as Glens hip is playing up. You can guess the rest, we got past them in time, but it was really a case of inch by inch on the way up to Hallmark.
In front, the 1st Jindarra was chasing Lockie, but Bill on Swiftsure was chasing the Jin, so as we ran up the breeze and past the Royal Perth fleet, we found ourselves watching Lockie lifting up to the mark. Darn he's good. The rest of us had to tack over to make the mark with Bill on Swiftsure the closest. ( Yes he got past the Jin as well. ) Make the mark and then aim for Armstrong. Easy enough and no major distractions as the next leg was on our way to Print with a shy windward pole to begin, that converted to a leeside pole about half way down.
Print to Como and then off to the Outer startline where we we played with Jindarra on the way to Como eventually getting the inside overlap and a chance to make it to the OS line first. However the reverse was true on the way back to Sampson and we just lost height from the dirty air with the boats higher than us. Tough luck. So the Jin was in front again. And up to Dolphin East we went again.
This time we were tucked in tightly and the race was literally who could maintain speed and height. We did well enough and managed to put them behind us on the way to D.E. . Around the mark we went and then watched while Bill on Swiftsure Saga put in one last determined challenge on Lockie down after Como on the way to Thelma. The corner was close, but David and Rita emerged in front, staying there to cross the line first. Another display of good sailing by both crews.
The skipper was philosophical about it.. a good job and the boat was fast.. yes we could have done better if we had kept further to the north on this nor westerly breeze, but the trade off was the time spent getting there. Its always the way.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and The First Jindarra.
Last week was cancelled with gust of 30+ knots. fair enough.
Winter Wednesday Sailing 25th of August.
An expensive afternoon &
An exemplary display from Rita and David.
H28s bear no grudges, but three of the seven boats that went out today will remember the day well.
However as I wasn't on the water last Wednesday ( I was busy taking photo's of Quokkas) it was all news to me..I found out that Aloha has a new helm. Still owned by the Minto clan, but Stephen Hill has stepped up to drive the boat and all they really need is new sails and a bit of practise together. Here's hoping they do ok in the future.
Sailing on a course 2 with a booming nor wester, the skipper had thought about a number two, but with 5 on the boat it was a case of hold on for your life and maybe the wind will drop. We watched Div one approach the line with gusto and most of them sliding over the line to have to return to start again. I think that our fleet were a little more cautious with the seven fluttering on their sails until the last few seconds. Though we possibly hung on our sails for a couple of beats too long as we were not quickest to the line and we had both Lockie on Corella and Peter B driving the 1st Jindarra in front of us.
And so it continued as we headed around Sampson with the fleet bar us, turning left at the mark to do the run up to Hallmark. Going out that little bit further gave us clean air and a different breeze. Well worth the break and it got us past the Jin and closer to Corella. Working hard we had the boat ready to harden up at Hallmark with the minimum of time lost and then it was a case of using the breeze to get us around Armstrong and looking for a run down the breeze to Como.
Well we had to decide whether to carry a pole or not and Steve on the 4deck was a busy man as the angles changed all the way down to Como. But get there we did and the boat was aimed at the outer startline. We were in second spot and the boat was flying in the puffs. Around the mark and we took off toward Sampson again. But all was not well for the fleet as one of nemesis of the H28 fleet, a S & S 34 got in the road of The First Jindarra at the outer startline by stalling on the mark and of course what did Peter Broadbent do? Run into his boarding ladder and punch in three planks. I guess they will sort that one out.
So our problem was still hanging onto our transom. Bill had put a new coat on the bottom of Swiftsure and she was slick, especially on a breezy day. No matter what we did, he was not going to be shaken off. So we arrived at Dolphin East, possibly a little slower that we liked as we were pinching a little but around we went and still in the clear, but Swiftsure and Mariner were trading passing moves on each other with a little bit of shouting and gesticulation. All the time we were going away from the marks and the fleet behind us were getting closer.
Then to Thelma from Como and it was a case of shove them up as far as possible to prevent the overlap, but Bill is an old hand at this and he got his nose inside our transom before the mark. But maybe he wasn't going as fast as our skipper thought? As both boats swung up into the breeze ready to head to home, a sickening crunch as our bow came into contact with Bills rudder. We did an immediate 360, letting John Wright on Anna through and once again we had the Jin on our tail.
Most disconcerting after having sailed well all day and the approach to the line and crossing thereof was quiet.
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Anna.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella with Corella and Anna sharing third.
Given that it was a soldiers course, it was an exemplary piece of sailing two up from Rita and David. They got to the front and managed to hold the lead successfully from start to finish. No flies on those two.
A reluctant Sou-wester &
Stuck on the mud.
Five boats took off today and from the look of the river the skipper had made the right decision to bring the beers along. Not surprisingly RO Lynne gave us a course 4 and we understood that it would be shortened.
The overall fleet was strong and there were plenty of boats out on the river as well. The only problem was that the wind was light. It was going to be a case of chasing the pressure all the way around the river and we had our eyes out of the boat all day looking for stray gusts. Even Phil's fabled black clouds would have been welcome today.
Well away from the line, we were around Sampson with a good lead and the thought was to see how far we could go before Lockie tacked off. Well he went early and for good reason, he had two slower boats in front of him and he wasn't going to hang around. But we were lifting and the skipper was reluctant to go too early so a loose cover was given and lo and behold we began to lift on the other board. Fantastic.
The rest of the fleet followed suit, but we were away and the idea was to get away from the incoming RP fleet and into the bay where the whispers of a sou wester were beginning to riffle the water. But we didn't want to go too deep into the bay. It looked slow and dangerous, so we bounced out again, still on a lift and prepared for another dig once we had passed though the Royal Perth fleet.
Please keep in mind that this is all in slo mo. Nothing more that 3 knots and when a hatful of wind came through we might get up to 4.5 - 5 knots for a few seconds.
Looking back we noticed that the First Jindarra had found the mud and decided to sit there for a while as they prepared to strike the sails and motor home. They were in good company as Eun na Mara had kissed the bank under Heathcote, Empathy had found Applecross bank and decided to retire as they weren't having fun anymore.
Around Robins and then away to Dolphin East with everyone crowded into the lee of the boat to keep the boat heeled, even the skipper joined us. Around Dolphin East and a pole was put up, with a couple of gybes to keep the foredeck honest on the way down to Como. Sure enough it was simply a matter of making our way around the corner at Como and setting our course for the line. We could see the flags already so given that it was past 4 pm we knew that our finish was near.
The battle for minor placings was non existent as the fleet had strung out as each boat had had to find their own path around the course. No consistent breeze to help the boats stay together so the split of the first and last times was nearly 20 minutes. Ouch.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Wynella
On handicap: The same
Once again, Rupert has been at it again and the mast is up. Sure there is a bit of tightening of the stays required but he is getting closer to having the boat ready to go.
Brian Cross has recently finished his new model yacht and has been given permission to park it in the front hall. Well done Brian.
And some of you may have noticed that the outer starboard channel marker was leaning precariously last Sunday. A club member had kissed it with his launch (the how and why is yet to be determined) and yes we do know who it is, but I'm not saying. The necessary repairs have been made and we now have a new channel marker ( looks like a floater to me)
Winter Wednesday Sailing 4th of August.
Running the Gauntlet &
Go High / Go Low.
Five on the boat today and six in the fleet. Was it the fact that it was a sunny day and the breeze was below 10 knots, or was it that the rest of the fleet was looking for a chance to dry their boats out?
No matter we had 34 boats out on the water today and the commodore got to ring the bell.
The skipper had it in mind to reverse the role on Lockie today and with plenty of crew, a clean bum and a steady breeze, he was going to give it a run.
Given a course 2 on a westerly we set off up to Sampson from the pin end (well as near to it as we could be) and watched Lockie take the high end, starting from the box end of the line; a reversal of what we did last week.
Not surprisingly the scheme worked and we managed to put the fleet behind us by Sampson. I think that we may be doing that again. However the next leg was going to Hallmark and we began to make our way up to a ley line that would have us flip over to get around Inner Dolphin. Corella and most of the fleet had gone over to the south and Corella had picked up a very nice lift that put them just in front of us, just as we reached the middle of the river. We had forgotten about the Royal Perth fleet and after a casual remark to the starboard trimmer he commented that there were a few boats coming at us from over at Royal Perth.
10 seconds later we were in the midst of the entire RP fleet, flipped over onto port and running the gauntlet between the div one boats. "I think I can see a break after 806" was the call and after an exhilarating sail amidst the RP fleet, we popped out the other side with John Wright and Anna on our tail.
Then to get to Hallmark and our problem was going to be getting around DE, before Lockie who again was coming out of the south having gone away with the RP fleet. But no loss, it gave us a chance to settle down for the run to Hallmark and then up to Armstrong where a nice bare-away set had the pole out quick smart. Our need was then to stay ahead of Wynella who was relishing the light breezes and full crew. And she was quick on the day with the breeze on her backside pushing her and the rest of the fleet down on us.
Eventually the breeze made itself felt by us and the rest of the fleet began to fall behind again. But we weren't catching Lockie either. By this time we had hit midway down the course and the start box was in sight. A pair of binoculars were produced and yes we were racing for the finish line. By this time, Bill Richards on Swiftsure Saga had said farewell to Barry Skinner on the First Jindarra and was seriously pushing Glen on Wynella.
By the time we turned at Como, Swiftsure Saga was on track for a third place behind Mariner and John Wright was working hard to get past Glen as well. Darn it.. Glens working on his handicap again.
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: The same.
Rupert was seen hard at work on Georgina again, taking advantage of the sunny day to get the boat finished. A couple of photos were taken and after sailing a small work party was organised to get the mast off the boat and safely stowed on the river bank, while he gets the boat painted on Thursday.
Winter Wednesday Sailing 28th of July
Any three you wish to pick &
A reaching course.
A day where the skipper had said the day before. If it's raining, we wont be sailing. But apparently he changed his mind, put on the waterproofs and off we went. Three boats today with Glen and Bill joining us for a run on the river. Its only these three it seems but given that there were 16 boats out today, we represented a reasonable % of the fleet of the day.
With a WNW whistling in the rigging we did expect a course three and watching the first two fleets away on course three, we were reasonably confident of a course three. Never expect the starters to do what you expect. We got a course two and it was going to be a reaching course for the most of the day.
We got away well and the screamer of a reach down to Sampson was followed by another run up the breeze, slightly cracked, on our way up to Hallmark. Getting around Inner Dolphin we aimed at Hallmark and then the fun began. The gusts from the north wester were simply pummelling the boat and I heard the skipper murmur "That had to be 30 knots." But we had our weight up and Phil was playing the main as best as he could. Around the mark we went and it was an open reach down to Print, Nothing less and up to 7.5 knots on the speedo. Any other boat and the hull would have been planing, but its hard to get 4 tonnes of Jarrah to get up and boogie.
Around Como, with Bill and the SSS team hard on our transom and then down to the outer start line with a pole to make us go a little faster.. dispense with it and then around we went. And this is where three tacks cost us dear as Bill simply sailed past us on the right breeze while we floundered. We were out of phase and we watched helplessly while SSS headed for Sampson and as we made our way up to the mark, Wynella decided to pass ahead of us and was nearly wiped out on the way through. We swerved to avoid him and lost another 10 boat lengths on Swiftsure Saga. Glen was protested and did his 360 but the damage was done. We weren't going to catch Swiftsure Saga.
Again a run straight up the breeze to Dolphin East and then back to Print with a leeward pole that we converted to a starboard pole for the next part of the run to Como and nearly held the pole for the last part of the run to Thelma. Sure we were by the lee, but with Steve's bum on the boom, we were fine. Finally popped the pole away and ran up the breeze to the finish line. Second over the line.
Over the line: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella.
Not many pix today. I was busy.
Winter Wednesday Sailing 21st of July
Rupert came down for a sail. &
Learning to keep the boat loose.
The club acknowledged the passing of PC Maurice Cooper at the announcement of results and there was a private funeral. A wake and remembrance will be held at 10 am on Tuesday next at the club.
As has been acknowledged, Rupert has returned to work on Georgina and with the mast back on the boat (though not standing up) the vessel is beginning to look almost finished. If we can get a break in the weather then more can be done. But he was as bad as the rest of us... he needed to go for a sail and Lockie was happy to take him aboard.
Five boats out today and a course two on offer in a breeze that fluctuated between 8 to about 14 knots. Easy? Not a chance.. given that there was enough pressure to keep Bill interested, he scrubbed the bottom of the boat and was ready to rock with Mark Holland making a guest appearance on the foredeck. Wynella and Anna joined us and the whole fleet were going on be on each others transoms all day.
A fair start running down to Sampson had Mariner take the lead all the way to Sampson with the rest of the fleet changing lanes on the way through. At Sampson we had Corella on our right hand side and Anna on our tail with Swiftsure Saga on his. The next challenge was crossing the RP fleet and then getting over to Inner Dolphin remembering to leave it to starboard. Fortunately we found a convenient gap in the RP fleet and watched as the rest of the fleet found their way through. We all survived.
Then to Hallmark and we did it well, but there two ways to go out to the next mark Armstrong and we decided to go out into the middle and then come back in on port. Lockie decided to go deeper into the north and then come out running to the mark on a ley line. So did Bill and John W incidentally and all of a sudden our lead didn't look flash. We just made it to the mark and around, squeezing ourselves in front of Lockie's Corella and then pointing ourselves down the breeze on a broad reach. Pretty quickly it turned into a pole and as the breeze swung so did the pole... in and out. Unfortunately Swiftsure was enjoying it too much and managed to roll us with Lockie slipping through to port. Ouch. from the front to the middle in one leg.
With Swiftsure Saga in the lead it was a case of Lockie wearing him down while we went out to improve our chances after making Print on the way to Como. But no.. still the third boat with John Wright on our tail as well. The vital one was going to be the dash to the outer startline... shall we tack early and then slide down the knocking breeze? Why not.. something different. And we watched every one else go down and come up to the line from around Thelma. Now where will we fit in? Well we just made it in front of Anna. So chasing Bill and Lockie again but this time David Locke had managed to get in front.. so we were hunting Bill now on the leg from Sampson to Dolphin East and it was a straight run there.
A bit of luck and we powered our way up to Swiftsure Saga and got past him leaving Bill to contend with John W and keep him off our tail. Then down the breeze again and stow the pole before Print with the thought of a fine chase down to Thelma with the breeze slowly dying. But there is always a twist in the tail of a sailing story and for once we got the "John Wright effect" as we bent around Thelma and aimed at the line. Sure Lockie was well ahead of us, but we were going to reach up to the line a lot faster, then the breeze knocked and although we were doing well we were still feeling the affect of the dying breeze. So a minute and 12 secs behind the leader with Bill 33 seconds further back.
NB. Glen managed to keep up with us well today. He was 3 minutes and 25 seconds behind the leader Corella but took first nevertheless. Damn if I know how he can keep the handicap so low.
This was also the end of the Autumn Wednesday series and Swiftsure Saga took the win very nicely. Wynella and Mariner shared the second place, though technically speaking Wynella took more firsts and Mariner should have been awarded third. However I'm not a flag and apparently they can do whatever they fancy.
Winter Frostbite Sailing Sunday the 18th of July
Vale PC Maurice Cooper &
Yes, we were desperate for a sail.
Farewell to Coops.
Maurice Cooper, Past Commodore, vice patron and one time H28 owner (Jedda). Coops hadn't been well for a while so I guess it was a relief in a way that he finally passed away on Sunday morning. Margaret had been caring for him and trundling him around to various club gigs and just about the last time we saw him was at the 75th Anniversary tea party. He wasn't flash then but he could still crack a smile and joke a little.
Coops came on board the club in the late 80's and immediately threw himself into the club as a member ready to make a difference. He served on various committees until he plucked up the courage to throw his hat in the ring to take on the management roles that would take him to commodore. Along the way he had one or two boats and then bought Jedda (Pas de Twa) and while he wasn't a major competitor, he was still an H28 sailor. And that's the way we like our commodores.
There will be an official announcement shortly but this is our farewell to the Commodore known as Coops.
It was a promising day for a miserable outing, but the sun tried its best and the showers seemed to circle the river rather than descend on us. We were sailing against Mariner, San Michelle, Commotion and Eutopia and our intention was to finish in the middle of the fleet. Bill wanted to use the asymmetric spinnaker but our problem became apparent when not only could we not point, but getting the spinnaker around the bow without a bowsprit was just not happening. So up went the jib again.
A fair start on a number 2 course had us under way in the middle of the fleet with the intention of catching up with the leaders, but instead of banging the corners we chose to tack up the middle. Not a good idea as there was a sou wester in the bay and we should have used it. No matter, Mariner and Commotion were battling it out with San Michelle and Eutopia getting past us as well. By the time we made it up the breeze to Hallmark we were stone motherless, but it did give us a chance to get a look at a slightly chancy spinnaker set by Mariner with Phil on the helm and Brian, Kate and Jeff getting a kite up. They made it but it was a messy affair to begin with.
However we had to get past Eutopia and that was our first goal. All the way to Bond he was slightly in front and then once we got around the mark we set a pole and aimed at Print. Given we were probably better off for sail coverage we were going to do ok, unless he threw up a kite, which he eventually did. It was a close run down to Print and then to Como with the other boat doing his best to cause an upset, but we got around Como and left him floundering as he had to pack his spinnaker away and hoist his jib. Our next run took us to the outside start line mark and back to Sampson with a run back up the breeze to Dolphin East.
Our next target was San Michelle who had slipped back in the racing, all of a sudden we had a chance. So slowly and carefully we overhauled her and slipped past her on the way back from Dolphin East. In the meantime, Mariner had made her way into the lead with that kite being thrown up at every opportunity. It didn't mean much to the current leader of the frostbite racing but it was enough to keep Brian and Phil happy. Mariner slipped over the line as we were still rounding Como for the last time so it was going to be a good fastest, but Mariner still has a handicap that would choke a horse.
Over the line: Mariner, Commotion and Swiftsure Saga
On handicap: Commotion, San Michelle and Swiftsure Saga.
On another note, the current owner of Jedda, David Baskett in Victoria is seeking some help.
I have reproduced the contents of his email below and urge you to contact him if you think you can help.
David Baskett
dave@davidbaskett.com
Hello fellow H28 sailors...
I am the owner of Jedda, an expat WA H28 currently in VIC at RYCV.
I've been looking at the boats featured in the on the water section for ideas to improve the performance of Jedda. I believe my sail plan is out of balance (too much main). I'm very interested in the boats that have moved shrouds inboard - I'm wondering if you'd be able to put me in touch with owners who have done this so I could pick their brains on what's involved and the outcome?
Would anyone have an original sloop sail plan they could share? It would be great to know what departures from the original plan the fleet have found to be successful - if that info isn't classified!
David Baskett,
Jedda, R207
In an email conversation with David he is quite keen to get the boat going faster and is buying a new set of sails (apparently he's still got the original SoPYC sails) Well cut sails will make him a lot more competitive. But he's looking to make the boat quick and wants to know more about what can be done.
I've put up a few of the photos he sent over for you to look at. See below
Jedda in Victoria
Winter Wednesday Sailing The 7th of July.
Two boats went to play,
And Kate made four.
This really is a mid winter tale with howling breezes and rain all around. Just this morning the river was offering 25 to 28 knots out of the sou west and frankly it scared most of the river rats off. I think most of made our way down with trepidation in our hearts, but sitting on the bench seats we were quite comfortable in the watery winter sun. Sure there was rain around and the breeze wasn't going away but there was Swiftsure Saga to sail against and 2 blokes on the boat. Then Kate rocked up with hubby Phil. Good one, we had enough to make the boat rock.
Set the boat up and make our way out to the river with the sails going up once we made it out there. Look around a bit.... may be 15/16 boats on the water with about 6 each in div one and two and an unknown number of boats for the div 3 pursuit race.
Off on our way to Martin on a sou wester that had us working the gusts, but there was enough to keep us doing very well and high enough to easily roll around the first mark and thank goodness not too much current flowing down river. Around Weaver and then set off down to Sampson on a course one. Bill wasn't too far behind us by the way, as the big breeze suited his sails. Not a heavy wet breeze, but enough zip to make both boats get up and boogie. Around Sampson and harden up, with the comment that there was a lot of west in the breeze.
So how far can we go into the west? Well we passed through the RP fleet on the way and then rolled over to head into Waylen bay coming in around Applecross Jetty and then bouncing out again after the RP fleets has passed us by. Good one, out and past AppleX spit and then out to a lay line that would deliver us to Deepwater. Then it was a case of avoiding the RP boats as they came through and then set the pole up for a run to Print.The skipper was suggesting a cold beer on the way down, but the silence was enough to deafen him. No beer. Bill and his crew were still on our tail and there wasn't much in the way of separation. Incidentally we had chosen to run a number two to point better and Bill was on a number one. So he was going to be quick down the breeze and if he had used the gusts that were coming through, he would have been closer than ever.
However around Print we went with minimal pain and shot off into the bay with the prime intention of coming out again looking at Robins. Easier said than done, but it was clear that Bill wasn't going to improve his chances by following us, so he tacked off on the hope that the westerly influence would continue and help them up the middle. Naaah. Neither here or there and they came in just about the same distance away. Around Robins and head for Dolphin East with the pundits already forecasting that it would be a shortened course again. Why? But we aren't the starters, so down the wind to Como.
Around the mark and then aim for the finish line and sure enough a shortened race. Oh well. Pack up the boat and inside for a glass of something red and a chippy or two.
Over the line: Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
The last two photos. Yes its been miserably wet, but Rupert is still beavering away on Georgina under the covers. As I strolled out in the darkness to my car I noticed a glow under the coverings of the boat and sure enough there was Rupert working hard on the boat. Good on him.
A Covid Reverie
The story of Yuna II
With the river locked down and all of us locked up in our houses, my thoughts ran to the story of Yuna an H28 that not too many of you will remember. One or two will and they have reason to remember her but in the main she has remained hidden over at Mounts Bay Sailing club for about 20 years.
Yuna was built in 1948 by Johansson of Cottesloe with Jarrah below and Oregon above the water line. Its reported that she was owned by a Mr T Cornwall of Hampden St in South Perth and then by a Gerry Greaves of Nedlands.
Yuna holds a distinction that very few other yachts have ever held. She was one of the first H28 sloop rigs and one of two H28s to do the Fremantle to Bunbury and return race, the first offshore race held in West Australia. Although the ownership at that period had her in Gerry Greaves hands (a member of RFBYC), she was sailed by the legendary JB Fitzhardinge and she was one of the better boats in the race. The story has it that the other H28, Nova (Loyal Weaver no less) withdrew at Bunbury and went further south to enjoy a fishing holiday in Busselton, leaving Yuna to be the sole H28 to do the return race.
Her history included several years at Royal Perth owned by a couple of sailors whose use of her was primarily as a boat to go to Rottnest and catch crays each summer. Not a bad life really. However she was bought by her current owner in 1989 and moved to Mounts Bay Sailing Club where she lived for a while until she was restored by Jay Lawrie (an H28 sailor & shipwright). The boat was then taken across to Sydney across the Bight following her owners career moves. A dismasting near Wilsons Promontory required her to be trucked from Newhaven to Sydney where she spent the next few years on the waters of the Hawkesbury River and later up to Nelson Bay on a mooring in a place called Lemon Tree passage.
Her return home was by truck in late 1998 and Mounts Bay SC was her home once more. Life intervened and despite all the years that passed, she was still taken out for a sail every so often. But time and the river do their damage and it eventually it was time for her to be taken out and looked very hard at.
This is where I came in. I was wandering through the slips and work area at FSC in May 2018 and noted an H28 in the sheds. OMG. The sign said Yuna II. So I naturally followed up. Several weeks later I was able to meet her owner and learn of her tale. With the help of the archivists at RFBYC and RPYC I was able to trace her life down and present a history to the owner, learning a lot in the process. However the work on Yuna has been a slow process as 'G' is clearly intent in giving her another 70 years of life. She has been restored from stem to stern and he took most of the trim home himself to restore.
I've put a picture show up for you to review and you will see the early stages from the shed at FSC and the ongoing changes thanks to 'G' and his camera. He promises that she should be ready shortly. Perhaps next sailing season?
And there's one rule about taking the deck off a wooden boat. The more you take off, the more you find that needs work.
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays 23rd of June
A close race for the fleet &
Like chewie on your boot.
There's no denying it. It was going to be a tight race with a course one on offer, a dash up to Martin Weaver to sort the fleet out and then the run around the river on a light day. As my fellow trimmer would say. "Champagne sailing" But it was darned cold. Everyone was rugged up to the hilt and I'm pretty sure that a hip flask of usquabae would have been appreciated.
A good start had us underway and the battle up to Martin had the lead swap once or twice as we fought Anna for the rights of first around the mark. Then the run to Weaver had us watching a new arrival to the clubs fleet battle the fast flowing current. He just didn't make enough allowance for the out flowing tide.
Around we went and then a pole to get us going. Yes it was a long dragged out run, but the fleet from Royal Perth was long gone by the time we made it around Sampson, still in the lead. The next step was the reach to Deepwater and the fleet began to experiment with different angles to see if they could snaffle the lead from us. And the one to do it was John Wright on Anna who worked the angles right and then nearly got through us at Deepwater leaving us wondering how to slow the fellow down. But all wasn't lost. We still had the downwind legs.
Meanwhile the rest of the fleet was also catching up, with the First Jindarra close by as a dangerous opponent. Peter Broadbent's no slouch on the tiller and with Barry there to offer advice they were on a good thing. Swiftsure Saga had borrowed Steve (Otis) from us to run the main while Eric is recovering and was still hanging onto The Jins transom as well. That clean of the hull was doing him well and Wynella had also gone up that afternoon. No problems for the cleaning of the hulls as both were in relatively good nick, but it helped in the results.
We managed to get the inside running on Anna and were first around Print and on our way back to Robins. This time we went deeply into Waylen Bay and came out looking comfortable for Robins. Corella was looking at a different angle and they had gone up the middle as had Swiftsure Saga. They both were keeping up with the fleet and it was going to be a battle at the end of the day. Again we got around Robins with the lead intact but like chewie on your boot, Anna was clinging grimly on our tail and any mistakes would have had immediate responses. We kept the lead all the way to Dolphin East on a poled with the fleet closing up a little and then flicked over to a leeside pole on the headsail. Plenty of speed there and we made Como with a bit of a lead.
It was well after 4 pm by now and the dash for the line was on. With the slowly dropping breeze we knew that the flags would be out and the predictable knock at the line would cause grief to all. We set out nice and high from Como and found ourselves about 30 meters below the outer startline by the time we had covered the required distance. Others had tacked earlier and were coming at us from re established height and Corella had picked up her skirts and was sprinting for the line. He had tacked a lot earlier and wasn't going to have troubles getting to the line. But all we had to do was to keep ourselves between Anna and the line. Which we did, but it was enough to take a 45 second win with the Jin another 5 seconds behind Anna. (but he hit the mark on the finish line and retired after the race.) Lockie, then Bill Richards and Glen with Wynella finishing off the day.
Over the line: Mariner, Anna and The First Jindarra.
On handicap: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner. (the tight finish and the clean hulls got Glen and Bill into the results today)
Sunday Frostbite.
14 boats went out and we watched as the rain poured down on us. My word. I didn't have to wash the salt out of the wet weather gear this week. The first 15 minutes of the race were slow and damp with a nervous northerly wandering around. Sure enough we were watching the Div. Two boats mid river with their kites up and struggling. Then bang, in came the sea breeze. Stopped them in their tracks and they reset to upwind work on their way to where-ever. As for us.. a light breeze and a slow boat. Bill really needs to get that mainsail re cut, as it is a poor example of a sail to come out of a local sail loft.
We were last to make it back over the line and even the starters were happy to welcome us at the end of the day. Just getting the wet weather gear off was the problem.
And the frostbite.
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays 16th of June
A lesson from the master &
Another moment of madness at Robins.
My word. John Wright took it seriously. After a dismal performance last time out there was no stopping him. The boat was on the slips having her bottom cleaned when I slipped into town and sure enough he was pretty quick today. But more later. Half a dozen H28's and a good show on the water with David Locke back in town and driving the boat. Both he and John were going to be hard to beat. A really slow day with a sea breeze that took its time to come in and didn't get above 6 knots. Ok, you can live with that I guess, but it meant that whatever happened was going to be in slo mo.
The starters had us heading off to Sampson on a reach and a course four. A good start had us in the lead momentarily, but Corella is using their new crew member Keith very wisely and with the combo of Rita and David, they just flew ahead of us and were around Sampson well clear of us. But hard on the heels of Mariner we had Anna and The First Jindarra with Wynella and Swiftsure Saga not far behind.
However SSS doesn't like a soft day and they were in strife pretty quickly, dropping back on the pack. However the race was now to Robins and we were keeping in mind the Royal Perth pack as they rounded Foam with strength and determination. So we managed to slip through and then kept heading into the bay up around Applecross jetty. Perhaps we should have gone back out again, but Lockie seemed to be doing ok, so if we just went a little bit further in and then tacked on a ley line......naaa!
Meanwhile Anna and the Jin had stayed out in the middle, driving straight up to Robins (on a sou wester?) but there was clearly a bit of Westerly around. Darn it, the boat was fast and the Jin wasn't slow either. By the time we got ourselves pointing toward Robins, Corella had slipped from first to third and we were in fourth with Swiftsure Saga closer to us that they had the right to be. Oh dear...
Of course Robins was the new Foam. A swarm of Royal Perth boats descended on the mark and we were battling our way through a mess of boats. We would have been a lot better off coming across on starboard and getting the jump on the rest of them, but we managed to find a gap and headed off to Dolphin East with the skipper reminding us that he was ready for a beer. No one batted an eyelid. So down to DE with the chance of a pole down to Como and a probable shortened course as it was nearly 1600 hrs.
Meanwhile up the front, Anna was doing well and looked the goods. They rolled around Como with a number of Div one and two boats cluttering up the corner, but it was ok for them and they made the choice to head for the freeway to come out on a good angle. By this time, Corella had rolled The Jin and was contemplating a dash for the line, as we were. But the dreaded knock hit the fleet and we all started dropping away down to the freeway instead of pointing at the line. "Bugger this" growled the skipper and we tacked away to try and get better height. Lockie rolled over as we did and we saw the Jin stuck in no mans land wondering whether to go or stay. He stayed, on the concept of doing something different.
Corella came out looking the goods and headed for the line as we did, however John Wright had made his way down to the bottom and was coming out on a good breeze. Lockie made it to the line first with Anna slipping over the line 90 seconds later. We managed to hold The Jin out with a couple of slick tacks that got us from below the line to above and across it. The Jin was 7 seconds behind us and reasonably happy with the event. Swiftsure Saga had had a good run and slipped past Wynella nicely taking them into 5th place with Glen and his mob 7 seconds behind. Close racing all round actually. Enough for the Starter to complain that we finished too close together. Well darn it.. that's what we like doing.
Over the line: Corella, Anna and Mariner.
On handicap: The First Jindarra, Corella and Mariner.
We all felt sorry for John and Anna because they sailed a masters race, but he is also the scratch boat. That flattened him. And as for the win for the Jin, well they weren't around for the results so we drank the port for them and will hold onto the claret and the flags for the next time we see them. Oh, and their win was thanks to a handicap adjustment. A pretty generous one too.
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays 9th of June
Sailing cancelled. It was blowing dogs off chains.
But the previous Sunday (6th of June) was a frostbite and Mariner went out. Here's the report.
Yep, we did the cold and wet on Sunday. Phil steered while Katie and I (Brian) did the main and headsail with Otis. I also did the spinnaker set and take down in very strong winds. But that got us the lead after Phil broke the start by about 8 seconds. (8 seconds.. sh&t Phil, that's a good stuff up) By the time we restarted we were last. (Yeah? Why am I not surprised) But by mark 4 we were in front and then took off. Still only got a second. Beaten by more than three minutes even though we were 4 minutes ahead of the next boat. But we all had a very wet good time (sic). We used the 4T sails (the old grey ones) Gee they are good. (his words, not mine)
To fill you in, it was an average wet day but around 1530 hrs, a front came through and it would have just about blown their socks off. Running a kite in a blow can be interesting. I've done it a couple of times and getting it down is a priority. Not too sure about the wind direction or the course as this is being filled in on the Sunday after. But this is winter and I'd guess for a course two with a westerly or perhaps a nor wester.
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays 2nd of June
Sailing from the side lines &
Who let C fleet out?
It's an annoying thing, but apparently I've got an herniated disk or two and my lateral movement is slightly suspect. So no sailing until the disc settles down. Given that I can still walk, I decided to follow the fleet using a 400mm lens mounted on a 4-3rds body. So a walk down the freeway along the bike path got me within coo-ee of the start line and I watched the four fleets head off. It was a course 4 ( Light winds) and an element of south east in the mix. This of course had the starters head them off to Canning Bridge and the usual battle with a changing breeze once you had made it to Martin. ( oh and a fast running tide)
However 6 boats in the H28 fleet, namely Corella, Wynella, Mariner, Anna, The First Jindarra and of course Swiftsure Saga. ,It was good to see John Wright back on the track, but his boat was going to be fearsomely slow with a months build up on the hull despite a quick brush over on the day.
Making it to Martin was the first thing, but Brian made a decision to try and dip under Corella (helmed by Rita) and of course got caught by the tide. Making Weaver needed him to execute a double tack and meanwhile Rita just slipped away. Brian was now battling with The Jin, helmed this week by Peter Broadbent and for a while it was going to be a battle royal.
But wait ..... there was a problem...... C fleet was on a pursuit race and they had been fired off heading north and our fleet was hopelessly mixed up with them. No quarter given and the rounding of Sampson had our fleet ducking and dodging with Peter losing at least 5 boat lengths on the mark. Then away to Robins where we had to deal with Royal Perth and C fleet as RP is trialling new courses and it was clear that in this case it wasn't a good idea.
C fleet managed to get in the road of at least one of the H28s, pushing his way into the mark and causing the H28 skipper to bear away rather than hit him amidships. Sure the SS27 did his 360 later on, but he essentially killed the H28 skippers chance of catching the lead boat. Not a good look from one of the clubs better known skippers. So away they went on a long trail of boats.... Royal Perth heading home and C fleet and the H28's heading for Dolphin East where more clashes occurred. Swiftsure Saga was keeping up well despite the light breezes, but Wynella was lingering and even further back Anna brought up the rear.
I'd taken the car up to Applecross jetty so back into the car and down to the club only to watch the starters send A and B fleets round again. There was much gnashing of teeth over this as the wind was light and getting lighter. But the H28's and C fleet had their course shortened and Mariner had caught up with Corella. On opposing tacks they were heading for the line and a C fleet boat was sitting on top of Mariner shedding bad air on him. The win went to Corella and the yelp of joy from Rita and her crew of Kevin and Ian Weaver was heard at the start box from whence I was viewing.
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella
A note: Almost all A fleet were DNF ( only the lead three) and B fleet was DNF to a boat. Not a good call.
Please check the last photo. Lazy Jacks on an H28? Heaven forbid.
And Suzanna, the H28 that went up to Maylands for a while, has now got her mast back on again. Her owner Robin Wilkinson spent good money getting the mast rejigged and made workable. Wise man. He'll sail her for a while now. We have also been contacted by Paul Hewitt (son of the original Hewitt's) with an offer of a framed photo of Suzanna and (possibly) some photos of her construction. He is hoping to come across and see the boat if he can and was delighted to hear that Suzanna was a) in good hands and b) in good nick. Hopefully all of this will come to fruition when Covid is finally put behind us.
The photos are below the racing photos.
Prize night for the Keelboats
There were a few of us there, but lets face it, we were there to watch Glen take the swag of the gear home with him. But that's the name of the game and every one has to win some time. Just it was Wynella's turn to take the swag. However it was a busy night and lots of people and awards. Yours truly was carrying a camera and was generously rewarded by the club with a bottle of plonk for the evening.
However lets not let Glen get away scot free shall we. I have put a reworked photo in to let you know of how much we appreciate his win!
Otherwise, these are the images from the evening that relate to us!
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays 26th of May
Replacing Sampson &
Passing us downwind.
A slightly gusty nor easter and a course one on offer with a dash to the North at the start of the day. Well it would have been a sure thing, but the marine and harbour boys had their barge down on top of Sampson and they were busy replacing the mark. Well it has been there a while and I do remember a race officer giving it a love tap to straighten it about 10 years ago. Good on him, I think.
So they put a turning buoy 50 meters to the east and wondered why the ether sizzled as yachties who were checking out the placement noted, that the positioning would have the yachts turning straight into the Barge. After some discussion, the buoy was shifted 50 metres toward the club leaving a safe rounding area.
Next the start and frankly we knew the pin end was where we wanted to be, but so did everyone else and we played merry go round the pin for a while until we had sorted ourselves out. However Wynella who took a conservative view on the start, just lent into the breeze and took off, leaving the rest of us circling the pin. A comfortable reach up the breeze got us to the turning buoy in second place and Corella, Swiftsure Saga and the First Jindarra weren't too far behind. Then the long slog down wind began.
The poles were ran out and the sails adjusted to best fit.... all the way to Deepwater and we were doing well to begin and then the inevitable happened and Lockie on Corella found his own private breeze and just slid past us into second place and around the mark without being rattled by us. Damn his eyes, how can the bloke be so lucky? So off to Print in a freshening breeze out of the nor-north east.
Conventional tactics would have you follow the breeze for a while and then put a tack in to consolidate for a look at Print. Well Wynella and Corella did, but the skip was curious.... what if I take this all the way and tack back. Lifting all the way, we tacked, aimed ourselves at Print and prayed. Got them both, even though Lockie did wave us through on a tight pass. The skipper was kind enough to refrain from lee-bowing him in return. So to Robins with a bone in our teeth. We had the lead.
By this time it was another poled out run and the skipper had decided to take the fore deckies job leaving Phil on the tiller and the boat was performing credibly. Away to Robins and this time we made it to the mark only to have Lockie pip us on the way up the breeze in between Dolphin East and Como. We had a few mad moments when we had to shoot the mark, but we squeaked past successfully. But that was enough for Lockie to make his way past us and the chase was on yet again. Down to Como (squeak) and a mad chase after Corella with the skipper regaining the helm for the run down to the outer startline ready to go around again and possibly catch up with Lockie.
But it wasn't to be and the shortened course flag was up. The field was fairly close behind as well, so we weren't going to win and neither was Lockie. But it was a good race for Barry Skinner who is slowly reducing the handicap that was given to him when he started. He'll be dangerous in a while.
On handicap: Wynella, Mariner and Swiftsure Saga.
SSStaaarrrbooard!
And the return of C fleet.
A delightful day for a sail said the starboard trimmer and that was about it. A course three with a southerly that cranked around into the sou west, but never really got going. Ok I suppose, but this time we had the Jin out for a sail as Barry has recovered somewhat. By the way, best of wishes to John Wright who has had a chunk carved out of his leg...something about getting older and the sun catching up with you.
Five boats got away on a run up the Canning river to the Martin-Weaver pairing with the skipper sweating on the fact that Corella had already got away from him. We had Barry and Peter in the Jin on our tails and Glen on Wynella was doing his best to fend off Swiftsure Saga. Behind all of that was the mob from C fleet and in a light day they were bound to catch up with us.. more later.
Around Sampson and already we were settling into a follow that boat mode with a work over to King and then off to Robins on a beam reach. Just had to make the mark and the first time we got there with very little troubles, around and away to Print for the first time. By this time the quick boats from C fleet were already sniffing at our heels and the slower boats in our fleet were having to deal with the leaders. No problems really as we were able to get away on the down winds, but they were going to cause trouble to some one.
Around Print and off to Foam, ducking around some of the RP fleet, but they are also trying new courses and its nice to see that there were less clashes on and around the fleets. But we can only hope can't we. Wait for the first big Sou Wester to come in. However that's a season away. Glen was having problems of his own with Swiftsure Saga as, as usual Bill gets the bit in his mouth and just doesn't let go.. this time however he'd shed Bill and the major problems were C fleet up around Robins. Up and down the river the howls of Ssstaaarbbbbooard from the throat of the main sheet on Wynella could be heard. Again and again, but the little green boat just kept on going. If a bloke had a red flag handy, he could have waved it but no, he didn't.
It kept us amused though, as we had a rare down wind beer and we settled for a mid run gybe about half way down the run. About this time, the decision was pretty clear it was going to be a shortened course and we aimed for that in our calculations. Unfortunately Lockie had been doing his own thinking and sure enough he just kept on going that little bit faster. Good enough, we got to Como and sure enough you could see the flags already. Bingo we're going for the finish line. We had manged to hold off the C fleet mob, but really it was pity that they were around us. Perhaps the new course 5 could have been used.
Over the line. Corella, Mariner and The First Jindarra.
On Handicap. Corella, Wynella and Mariner.
Meanwhile Nerrima is now back on the water and on Monday Les was busy showing everyone the Ukuleles that he's making. Stick to the uke's Les they look rather good. We will wish Jay a farewell as he sail off into the east and just keep in mind he was talking about selling up over here for a long term stay over in Tas.
Last weeks Frostbite was a ripper and believe it or not, Swiftsure is a cellar dweller no longer. We had a kite up all day and the skipper was more than happy. Though we didn't win (the green boat did) it was an enjoyable run. Yes there were a few photos and the start was the funniest of the lot as Bill took all the boats up at the pin end then dipped to let the green boat through. Didn't buy us a jug though.
The Return of Jay Lawry &
Rita is a harsh mistress.
There she was, perched up on the hard stand with grooves running along the sides of the hull. Sure enough as I looked down the pen lines, the gap was Nerrima's and walking around the fence line, there was Jay Lawry as taciturn as ever, working away fitting the splines into the hull on Nerrima. He paused for a while to say hi and then my attention was claimed by Les Brooker (who hasn't been seen recently) to let him show me his latest piece of craft work. Returning to Jay, he is working on Nerrima for a week to finish off the hull and then he plans to work on another boat to take back to Tasmania in a couple of weeks. More power to him.
Then back to the pens and as the boat was slowly set up, the breeze came in, with a definite sou easterly bent. It was thumping. 15 to 23 knots and lots of gusts to make it interesting for the person on the main sheet. Four boats made their way out, with both The First Jindarra and Anna not coming out for the day. So all well bred racehorses to sail on and we lined up for the dash up the river on a course 3.
Good luck and fine work on the helm got us up to Martin first and the yells of advice from the foredeck suggested that we kept on going as far as we could before tossing to go for Weaver. No one usually listens to the foredeck, but it was a good idea and so we held as long as we could. Just made the mark at the other end and then set the pole to get to Sampson. We were in front, darn it and the conversation was how could we keep our handicap from rising as this was going to be a reaching course and heading us would be hard. Little did we know.
Away to King after Sampson and the real race was between Swiftsure Saga and Corella as Bill had his breeze and the boat was as quick as you like. To and fro they went, separated by metres on occasion while Glen and his crew followed up at the rear, slowly falling away, but we were all carrying number ones and Wynella will put a smaller sail on with a blowy day. We made Robins and in passing it a Royal Perth mark laid near Applecross jetty popped up. Apparently they are trialling some alternative marks on the river.
The run down to Print was clean and we went a fraction deeper to make Foam comfortably. The trip back up to Robins was simple again and the battle behind us raged still. Lockie was doing well, but Bill wasn't going to let go easily and kept pushing David as hard as he could on this reaching course. Around Robins again and wave through a few RP boats on the way down to Print. Then to Como and the skipper decided to go that extra 50 metres to get past Como on the way to the outer startline. Lockie turned right on the mark and basically picked up the boat and carried it across to Como lifting all the way. Rita must have been working that mainsheet like a demoness as they were doing very well and were almost on our tail by the time we got around the startline and headed back to Sampson for the small dash to King out to Addison and then back via Como to the finish line.
But somewhere along the line, the theory went wrong and Corella picked the right shifts while our mojo went out the door. By the time we were aiming at King, Lockie was in front and our problem was catching him. But we were so close, riding the wave off his transom with the skipper yelling encouragement to Lockie to hurry up. Around we went and a pole with the chance to cover him, but there's no relaxation here. He's pulling away. Just then, Rita shot down into the cockpit and came up with a Guinness for Lockie.. crickey.. she'd kept him off the vitamin G for that long..Harsh!
This time, as we made it to Addison, the skipper decided to go early and pray that we would get past Como. The other boats took their time and another 50 metres. At least they would make the line in one shot. But we began to knock and as the boat began to fall down, the skipper was also trying to lift the boat past Como with the added incentive of Eun na Mara charging down on the mark. Well we got past Eun na Mara but we clipped Como.
Do a 360 and then look over at Heathcote and realise we would have to tack again to get past that mark as well. Bill and Lockie went past us neck to neck. We couldn't see who won, we were too busy trying to get around Heathcote and then to the line. Disappointing really but it was a great handicap improver.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Corella.
It has come to my attention that Genevieve is up for sale. Her co-owners in Busselton have decided that they aren't getting any younger and the recently restored ketch rig H28 is reluctantly on the market. She sailed out of SoPYC for a number of years and then went down to Busselton where she currently lives. I last saw her in 2016 moored up outside the Busselton YC where the Laser States were being held and she was in fine form then. For more information contact Chris Bowen-Sant on 0405 107 447 or by email on homewardbound@westnet.com.au
The last image of the slide show is of Geneviève at Busselton.
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays 5th of May
Not on the water &
A lot of contacts.
Every now and then you take a break and so without any warning I took off down to MR for the World Surfing League . _ . Margaret River Pro. So I missed the day on the water, but from the skippers POV I missed nothing. He wasn't a happy chook.
But I did go out on Karoleeya on the Sunday frostbite and despite all our attempts, we had to retire as the bilge pump refused to continue operating and the team of Steve, Mark, Eric and your scribe missed out on a good finish as we sailed well, got the kite up successfully and would have been mid field if we had scrubbed the bottom. In fact I had it on my must do list, but the chance of a tow out shortened up our time prior to sailing and we then spent the next half an hour mucking around on the river. NO clean hull and the boat was a slow as a wet week. But it was a nice day out. Hopefully Steve will get the bilge pump fixed before the next event.
Surprisingly we saw two other H28s out on the day.. Koomela carrying a truly impressive marine growth on her hull and the Mounts Bay boat MB 64 Tengarra out having a run on a pleasant Sunday.
However the H28 website has been getting a few hits and amongst them a request from Jo Baker, the niece of a former owner of Genevieve ( a Victorian Ketch rig that sailed with the fleet during the 70's). She very kindly sent over some photos of the boat and a few of the pennants she (the boat) won.
If any of the Offshore people are reading this.. how about a trip from Queenscliff Victoria to Port Lincoln in SA. That's three times the distance of the Fremantle to Geraldton.
As well as that, Bronzewing (also known as Coramandel) owned by former founding member Jim Goss has risen to the surface. His son Kevin Goss, also a former member at SoPYC has been in contact and has promised to fill us in with a bit more info about the boat and his fathers times in her.
These are the photos from the frostbite.. sorry not many H28s there.
And below that, we have some of the treasures that Jo Baker is happy to share of Genevieve when she was sailed out of Sandringham in Victoria
Autumn Sailing Wednesdays the 28th of April.
Smoke on the water &
Rolling Swiftsure.
Once again the burn offs are creating havoc on the river with the city of Perth and the Swan river blanketed in a layer of smoke caused by the inversion sitting on top of Perth. A very light sea breeze was in evidence, but the smoke wasn't going to go away as the smoke had been building off shore for a while and was brought back on shore when the breeze came in. The gorgeous Barbi came along to make up our foursome for the day.
Five boats set off on a new course today. There was an amount of uncertainty as to which course, but once the skippers made their minds up it was resolved to follow what may be known as a course 5 for use on a sou westerly. Simply: to Sampson, Print, Addison, Robins, Addison, Robins, Addison, Thelma and the finish line. On a strong breeze perhaps 90 minutes on a light breeze 2 hrs.
The skipper decided to test Corella's mettle at the start line, but it wasn't as effective as he had hoped, but we still got the boat around and pointing in the right direction. Only to watch Glen show a clean pair of heels ( again) on the way to Sampson... he started at the top with clean air and flew. There's something in that theory I think, sail your own race.
So chasing Glen we took off around Sampson, knowing that we needed to find clean air, so a tack, clean air, another tack on an approximate ley line and a nice run up to Print. We liked that and then bent away off to Addison with a pole to assist us. But still chasing Wynella with the rest of the fleet in hot pursuit. Somewhere along the way after Addison, just having crossed us, Wynella lost their speed/sense of direction... what ever and began to slip behind. But we were still severely challenged by Corella sailing four up and having a good time. What we weren't watching for was Bill on Swiftsure Saga who was steaming along very nicely.
The next part of the race was to Robins and Bill did what a good sailor should on a sou wester. He dipped right into the bay and came out like a rocket. We had gone early on the skippers whim and had were facing an entry on starboard from well out to the north of Robins. Bill was just gliding into the mark and had us nicely, sailing around us and around Robins into the bargain. So chase Swiftsure Saga for the rest of the day? The First Jindarra must have been suffering from smoke inhalation as they were lingering around the back with little chance of catching us by now. So down to Addison again. Under poles and trying everything possible to get a momentary lead on Swiftsure.
Not this time and again around the mark and back up to Robins with very little change in the lead even though Corella tried a chance from the northern side. Wynella repeated their trick from the bay and Bill just stayed in front of us. Not much joy there I can tell you. On the down wind for the last time and we entered into a jousting match with the boats being gybed regularly on the way down to Addison. By this time we had caught up with Swiftsure and we were close. A well judged pole drop at Addison had us running quickly and we were edging toward Swiftsures transom again.
All we could do now was trim for speed and try to roll over him. So trim we did. Bit by bit we swallowed the length of the boat with all 28 feet sliding behind us; awesome. Thelma and a major run along the freeway had us tacking near the pin end and a run up toward the finish line with the boat knocking as we did so. But we had the boat over the line, even though the skipper was grumbling that Swiftsure had gone on another 10 meters down the freeway. Surely he hasn't forgotten that Mariner carries another 6 inches under the keel than Swiftsure. No matter it was a good race and the discussion on the hill focused on the new course and the enjoyment of the afternoon. Even the starters came down to share in a glass of lemonade and an olive or two.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Corella
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Mariner and Wynella
Barry and Peter retired the Jin when Barry wasnt feeling well enough and they withdrew from the race.
On the matter of the Sailing closing day last Saturday.... the abrupt shut down of the Perth-Peel regions with the Covid scare put paid to any chance of the closing day sailing festivities.
& Rupert has nearly finished his work inside the boat ( Georgina).
Summer Sailing Wednesdays the 21st of April
Smoke gets in your eyes &
Vanessa comes out for a ride.
Well that's an excuse that Glen and his merry gang could have used when they missed out on King on the way up to Robins. We had been given a course three on a flighty, irresponsible and nasty easterly that was full of spite and misfortune.
Winning... well nothing could have been further from the skippers mind as we charged up to Martin-Weaver with the breeze swirling around, dropping in and out and playing mind games with the fleet.
Stone last as we hit Martin and it wasn't going to be much better as we rounded Weaver. We were playing ducks and drakes with the breezes and for once we (at the back of the fleet) thought we could at least have our choice of the gusts as they came down the Canning. This wasn't to be the case as they would come down one half of the river and abruptly disappear. We watched in amazement as a little green masted SS22 picked up a semi tornado and just fled down the river. Lockie was next to him and while Lockie got moving, the 4 tonnes of H28 just wasn't nimble enough to run inside the breeze line. Barry on the First Jindarra wasn't having much luck and really wants to obtain a new spinnaker pole as he's not using the one he has. (he reckons its too long and a metal saw has already been suggested)
Hang on. Wheres Glen? OMG he's halfway to Sampson and we have just made the startline. Sure enough, while we battled with the rest of C fleet (who had caught up with us) Glen was rocking it out with the tail end of B fleet. Off he went, straight up to Robins while we dutifully pointed our noses over to Sampson and once round, headed off to King as the next mark. Someone on Wynella must have finally read the course notes and sure enough, back they came to the rest of the fleet to round King just in front of us.
Swiftsure Saga was lucky enough to have an extra passenger today with Vanessa (the redhead from the bar crew) joining us for a yacht and while originally slated to sail with Mariner, we were a little crowded with 5 on board and we were loath to put a new chum on the rail. So she joined Bill, John and Eric for the day.
Fair enough, we were on our way and the race down to Robins began on a very light sou westerly as a follow me with a string of boats, one after the other all the way to Robins where poor rounding by other boats gave us the chance to get through half a dozen yachts. On our way down to Print, where again a bit of luck helped us improve our position as we managed to get past Wynella and back onto Corella's tail.
Our next dash took us to Foam where the whole of the Royal Perth fleet was aimed at and it was a case of go low and go around or try to find a hole in the fleet. Someone did, but I cant remember who but Lockie tried and then had to join them down to Foam and then go around, while we went low to begin and it was a saving of several boat lengths in the long run. Then back up to Robins in good company again and of course with the clock running out (it was already after 4 pm) we turned to head down to Print then to Como and head for home. But not before another land mine popped up.
Way down around Addison (on the northern side of the course) there were perhaps a dozen boats becalmed and it was clear why Lockie and others had tacked off toward the club early. There was a breeze on the south side of the river and nothing down toward Sampson/Addison. Off we went, keeping the boat flowing and eventually we made it to Como with a SS27 bearing down on us. We had left enough room for him and he swung around the mark and disappeared to the finish line with the skipper grumbling about speed on his boat. It was nearly 5 pm and the line would close by 1715 hrs. Much private gnashing of teeth if the starters had stuffed up.
But over the line comfortably and the boat packed up by 1715 and a cold beer in hand by 1716. Good timing.
Over the line: Corella, Mariner and Wynella
On handicap: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
The summer sailing finished today with Mariner taking the honours and Corella seven points behind. Corella incidentally just pipped Wynella by one point. Bad luck Glen, it might have been a different story if you had gone to King instead of Robins.
Summer Sailing Wednesday the 7th of April
Shanghaied onto Swiftsure Saga &
It's nice to be last.
Rocking up to jump on the boat, everyone looked at me in astonishment. " You're supposed to be at the cardio's today." "Well, er actually, its next week." So without further ado I was shanghaied off to Swiftsure Saga as Bill was short of crew. The thinking was that it would be a bonus for Bill (definitely) and that possibly I could sort out the problem they were having with the new main. And finally that I could take lots of photos of Mariner for once.
The problem with the main isn't a problem. It's the boat and presently she wont sail well between about 5 to 12 knots of breeze and that's where we were at today. As Bill says, she'll only start to point above 5 knots of boat speed and usually 5.5 knots is where she begins to perform.
So with 6 boats on the line and the 1st Jindarra under the helm of Barry Skinner with a diverse crew to help him. Mariner had five on board so the thought of 6 would have made it very uncomfortable, but its a momentary thing, we'll be down to 3 or 4 shortly. The course was a course four and not a bad choice with the rest of the fleet getting a course two. We were happy as we could get ahead of the Royal Perth fleet and into the bay. And so we did with a fair chase down to Sampson under a breeze that never got above 14 knots and was closer to 10 knots for most of the day.
Third around the mark with Mariner and the Jin in front. Hot on our heels were Anna and Corella (helmed by Rita) with Wynella bringing up a close rearguard. Half the fleet tacked off immediately and the other half shortly after. We were in the other half. By the time we got to the other side there was a tacking duel where we managed to roll a number of boats and kept our spot as third in the fleet. But up front the Jin had kept the lead and Mariner was looking at her transom. But it wasn't going to be like that all the time and as we worked our way up the bay we dipped into Frenchy's and watched as Barry took the Jin deep into the beach. Lucky it was a full tide today. The next look was to Robins where everyone bar the Jin had to go again to make the mark, but Barry showed a bit of luck, pointing the boat up and finagling his way around the mark.
All of a sudden we are 5th and Wynella is on our tail. The rest of the fleet is well ahead and we are as slow as. But something is happening to the First Jindarra and she is just falling away beyond Dolphin East... not toward Como and no sign of a pole at all. Mariner surged forward to take the lead and The Jin recovered, but only to take a solid second. John Wright on Anna has seized the chance and is chasing Barry as hard as he can with Rita doing a fine job on his tail.
Como and down to the outer startline with Swiftsure Saga showing no sign of big speed.. It really is a worry. Around and off to the small triangle with a look at the RP fleet making their way down to Como as we head off to King. For once we had them on starboard. But they knew as well as we did that its just a matter of politeness to all and we slipped through the fleet comfortably. On to King and around we went with only Wynella on our tail. and she was dragged by another bunch of RP boats. Beauty, we have doubled our lead. But relentlessly they are chasing us up and by the time we are heading for Thelma they are within range.
We watched as the rest of the fleet ran along the freeway and then tacked up to the line knocking badly. Should we have tacked off immediately and headed up to the centre of the line before laying over for a run to the finish? .. Well it might have worked, but the skipper had other ideas and we followed the rest of the fleet like sheep. Glen took a chance and went a little further along the freeway, tacked and then began to look famous as he got inside us and rolled over the line in 5th spot. Last again.
Apparently Barry had a problem with the pole and it will be attended to in due course.
Over the line: Mariner, The First Jindarra and Anna.
On handicap: Mariner, Anna and Swiftsure Saga.
Summer Sailing Wednesday the 31st of March
Why follow when you can lead?
AB leaves the building. &
The final championship race.
As usual it was a guessing game as to which course we may be given. This time they sent us up to Martin - Weaver and gave us a course 3 on what might be called a southerly with a bit of west in it. Actually quite a bit, but you don't need to know that, to guess the comment from the skipper. "Another followers course".
Six boats graced the start line with Corella, Swiftsure Saga, The First Jindarra, Anna, Wynella and Mariner as the fleet. The whole fleet was late to the line and it was a tacking duel to Martin with those who went left and then back to the first mark reaping the dividends. It goes against the grain to run the jetties and we were tempted to do what earlier boats had achieved, but at this moment it wasn't going to happen. But trimming got us there and we were third around the mark with Lockie in the lead and AB in second.
On to Weaver and around with a pole to take us down to Sampson then a cracked reach across to King to begin the follow me part of the race down to Robins and the next set of revolutions around the marks. All was as expected for the first round and we made our way down to Print and across to Foam where Andrew Bell handed over the helm to Barry for the next round of the marks.
Both the First Jindarra and Corella went way deep into Heathcote in the expectation of picking up the Sou wester but the crew on Mariner had a different bent and we tacked off to do something different. "Why follow when you could lead" was the thought and with that in mind we shot up the middle with John Wright on our tail and found ourselves beginning to improve on the run. We were going faster than they were. My word, we had to get through them but we had speed and a happy skipper. By the time we made a ley line we could tack freely and headed over to the mark with the skipper already thinking of the chance that Lockie could get him on starboard coming back. Didn't happen and we shot around the mark with a lee pole set and already drawing.
It was getting pretty close to four o'clock so the betting was it was going to be a shortened course.. this was our chance to shine and the boat leapt forward with the two lads on the bow working the pole with the constant gybes being thrown at them. Down to Print again and this time make our way to Como. Getting rid of the pole was an easy one and then the race was on. We have to get to the line first, but not by a huge amount as our handicap is already climbing skyward. Sure enough, the flags were fluttering at the start box and we were home and packing up.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and the First Jindarra.
On handicap: Mariner, Corella and Wynella.
Rupert was there yet again and still working on Georgina. The trims are going on and he's learning that the tannins in the timber will leach out when they aren't sealed.
Andy Bell as you might have noted, has sold the First Jindarra after several highly competitive years and has mentioned that he is taking up golf as his sport of choice. He reckons that he's playing off 20 at the moment, "But its likely to go down" he says. The odds of him giving up sailing? Nope, I don't think so.
Welcome to the H28 fleet. Barry Skinner and Peter Broadbent.
The last championship.
Well it appears that breaking your mast and having a hole in the side of your boat will destroy your chances of winning a championship. Well done to Glen and the boys on Wynella who have persevered all the way through the season to rack up enough points to come second in the last race and still win the season. Thoroughly deserved. We could also thank Covid for wiping out one of the championship races and making it a tight finish, as had Glen sailed that one with the First Jindarra still on the sidelines, he would have been well ahead.
I had the chance to sit on Heathcote and again at Applecross Spit on the board walk and caught some pictures of the boys working their way up the river. Enjoy.
Summer Sailing Wednesday the 24th of March
A masterclass in sailing &
Lost and gone.
A west sou wester that gradually worked itself into the sou west with holes in the breeze that had the boats standing up waiting for more wind. Half a dozen boats and a course one on offer. Surprisingly they sent us off northward with a strong reach down to Sampson. We made the line very nicely, hanging on our sails before the line and fell down on to the line with the clock winding down just in time. Good one; with Brian hors d'combat (a buggered ankle) Captain Phil took the helm and we filled the boat with crew. We had already put Glen behind us on the startline and everyone else was below us with Lockie sailing a very good two up with Rita and sailing low and fast slipped into third place as we rounded Sampson.
As soon as the fleet had rounded the mark, the First Jindarra tacked away heading to better places down near Heathcote. He was swiftly followed by Anna and Wynella, leaving Corella and Swiftsure Saga on our tails. By the time we had reached the other side, all three boats that had tacked off were in front of us. Not very much to our liking but hey you take what you get. I watched as Anna crept in below Heathcote, making his way into the bay from whence he simply put the rest of us behind him. So up the breeze we went with Lockie making great gains punching into the breeze. Damn he was ahead and one or two tacks later we were looking at the back end of the fleet. Maybe we shouldn't have taken that small tack to improve our position, but when I looked up again there was only Swiftsure Saga behind us.
And so it was, as we worked our way up the course with the Royal Perth fleet joining us around Robins and continuing past Applecross spit upward and beyond our turning mark at Deepwater. Looking across at Swiftsure Saga I watched in amazement as the Royal Perth boat below them didn't change course. They stayed on port and Bill was forced to alter his course to prevent a collision. Unfortunatley he may not have waved a red flag in protest, but the damage was done and his speed was killed and another RP boat was forced to tack away with the RP boat continuing on, only slowly coming over onto the other tack.
Around Deepwater and down to Print trying to catch Wynella and fending off Swiftsure Saga. Well we got around Print fair on the tail of Wynella and Swiftsure Saga a little below us, they tacked earlier and using his new sails Bill simply ran away up the breeze. Fortunately our friends in Wynella decided to slow down and we found ourselves in front of them and decided come what may that we were going to stay there for the rest of the day. We made Robins on a very nice run and the next leg was a beam reach to Dolphin East with no passing lanes available. A pole set to leeward allowed us to go onto the next down wind run with the pole set already and Como was within easy reach. But still no passing lanes and Andrew Bell was so far ahead, that even seeing him was a tough one. I finally picked him up rounding the outer startline before we were even at Como. John Wright and Anna was the only boat that surged ahead and he was midway between Lockie in third place and Andrew in first.
Still we had our problems and those had to be dealt with. The small triangle was on offer and somehow the SS27's had caught up with the fleet. One of them, slipped in between our boat and Wynella and our next thought was that they would roll us, but they played smart and passed us at a distance. The small triangle was finished with Mariner tacking off after Thelma and then going for the line a little early with the resultant double tack to finally make the line. Not that it would have mattered very much, we were going to be last, lost and gone forever.
The masterclass from the First Jindarra was over, with only John Wright on Anna showing a trace of resistance. He and his crew sailed well as indeed did Lockie and Rita with Corella. The rest of us.. well there's always next week.
Over the line: The First Jindarra, Anna and Corella.
On handicap: The First Jindarra, Anna and Wynella.
Seen around the pens:
Rupert was sitting in the boat patiently working on the hull of Georgina.. nice to see him back.
The new part owners of Karoleeya, Barry and Peter, were seen out on the water in Barry's nice green electric boat following the fleet. Good on them. They are looking for someone to sort out the electrics on Karoleeya so it may be a while before they grace us with their presence.
1st of April 2021
This has been amended. Barry and Peter have bought The First Jindarra and are currently negotiating their pen leases as one of them isnt a member at the moment. Karoleeya is still in Graemes hands.
The last championship day is this weekend. We are looking forward to the results.
Summer Sailing Sunday the 21st of March ( The retro race )
Kate still wants to know why! &
Slowly cooking on the water.
The day began with the temperature well into the 30's and not very much breeze around. Setting up Anna was going to be a small chore, but John W had turned up the same time as I had and we had the covers off and the boat came together as the rest of the crew rolled up. Around us, another 4 boats began to take shape with Wynella, Karoleeya, Mariner and Napea of Carrick all pulling on their glad rags ready for a show with the rest of the retro fleet. It would have been nice to see a few more H28s but we were thankful for those who rocked up. Kate was driving Mariner and had young Jason on board ( last seen driving Shades) along with a crewman from Karoleeya.
A reasonable breeze had sprung up and definitely out of the west and nor west. But they gave us a course one and to hell with it. So a long line leading off toward Smith and Lucky not completely on the breeze but cracked enough to give us speed. Mariner got in front and from then on it was a follow me race with Anna having to go a little wide on Smith while we fought to get around Wynella. We did so and then fell into a hole of our own, forgetting to hang on till Lucky. Ooops. So we lost our lead and from then on we were chasing Wynella as well. Then the down wind segment on a run to Bond and it very quickly got hot without the cooling of the breeze. Back up to Sanders (99) with Jon Sanders himself out on the water with Perie Banou II along side us.. I'm was glad of that .. at least he could find it.
Then a reach across to Bartlett with Glen on Wynella checking at every mark on the river to make sure he didn't get it wrong. Really Glen... just watch the boats out the front. Behind us Jim and Steve were having a battle all of their own with Steve suffering from a blown out jib. Fortunately he had a spare but not really suited to the day. Oh well. Sail on. From there on it was a case of another pole all the way down to Como leaving outer Dolphin to port. Quietly cooking in the lessening breeze. At last we found Como and bent around the mark dodging the boats coming towards us from Anderson. Umm....funny course planning folks. We were headed for Martin /Weaver and then back to Como reaching again.
This time we had our own share of ducking boats coming in to the finish line.. but that fine. By this time Kate and Mariner were well away and looked as though she would do well on the score line, even though her handicap was healthy. We fell over the line after Wynella and headed back to the pens reasonably content with the day. Putting the boat to bed we then headed up to the marquee and joined the noisy throng of people celebrating loudly. All the food was gone by then, but a cold beer was certainly on the cards.
The results were read out, Bernie took a few photos and Kate erupted. She hadn't even been included in results. They had left her off and she wanted to know why. She'd paid up, signed on the dotted line and made sure she was ok to go. Even with a handicap that was healthy she should have scored at least a third and Wynella had managed to scoop those up. No hard times to Glen... but Kate wanted those flags just as hard as he did. Oh well. I've just seen the amended results and Kate got a 4th in both the division and combined fleets. :-{
Enjoy the photos.
Two cameras were used today so there will be a mix up of photos.
Gina Pickering came through with a video of the afternoon. Its below the slide show. Enjoy.
Summer Sailing Wednesday the 17th of March.
Whirling dervish! &
The new mast is doing the trick.
With a course one on the flag poles and a dash up to Martin- Weaver it was clear that taking the start was the prime objective. Sure it was a sou wester (of sorts) but no better than about 12 to 15 knots and we were in fine form with both Phil and Kate on board. Andy Bell had visitors and the rest of the fleet were well stocked for crew.
Leading up to our start time the skipper decided that we were capable of gybes (well we have been for the last 8 years, but I digress) and had the boat spinning on the course faster than a whirling dervish. Gone was the need to tack, no - a gybe was in vogue and the crew was dealing with it nicely. By the 30 second mark we were hanging on our sails before the line, holding out the those who dared come in from the box end.. GO Up was the call. Then as the seconds counted down, the head of the boat moved down and we eased our sails into shape with Lockie scooting away below us, thankful (I think) for the hold up on the line above him. Our job was done and we moved off into second place while The Jin and Anna restarted on the line. Wynella got away well and Swiftsure Saga followed suit.
Away to Martin with good trimming and then bend away to Weaver with a gybe at the mark.. no tidal influence to be seen. The next run was to Sampson of course and we already had The First Jindarra back on our tail as he had made up his ground quickly and was not going to be dissuaded in his wish to do well. But the door was closed and until we hit Sampson he was following the same line as every one else. As we swung around the mark following Corella, he turned left and picked up a great run across to Heathcote on a lifting board that allowed him to get in front of us and then a set of tacks had him roll Corella providing me with a great set of shots as the boats crossed in front of us.
Our next effort was to get through the gap in the RP fleet and we took the time to chuckle at a Royal Perth yacht that had found the putty up at Applecross spit. The RP boat Pelican was trying to pull them off, but with sails up and trying to pull her backwards it was going to be a hard ask. We went a little further out on the line to Deepwater and then made our attempt with the breeze still pushing us down. Around the mark we went, with a pole set on starboard and running pretty close to dead down wind. On the way down The Jin and Corella were playing silly buggers with AB taking Dave Locke away for a while, but as far as we were concerned it just let us get that little bit closer.
We made Print and then set off into the bay again with the intention go in deep and run up the breeze till we rounded Robins. AB went early and hoped he would make it.. he didn't and had to tack back. Both Corella and Mariner made up good time with Anna who was sailing well, slipping into a good 4th spot behind us. We made our line to the mark and rounded with a broad reach down to Dolphin East. A few big boats passed us and we were happy to let them through as no one wants a big boat sitting on your transom. A pre set leeward pole had us rounding Dolphin East with a starboard pole ready to go. Nice one and we didn't have the problems setting the pole after the gybe.
It was already 1600 hrs and the odds were that they would shorten up the course. Sure enough we bent around Como and set off for the outer startline. Once the box came within sight, yep, the flags were set. So it evolved into a dash to the line. Fine, that we could do and without very much further ado we headed for the finish.
Over the line: The First Jindarra, Corella and Mariner.
On handicap: Corella, Wynella and Anna.
Karoleeya: we are waiting for Barry and Peter to take their boat out on the water on a Wednesday so its up to them to make up a crew and go for it. Look forward to their involvement.
Summer Sailing Saturday the 13th of March. A Championship Day (the 5th)
No I wasn't on the water, with Bill taking the wise course to let his body rest, but the sailing was done and dusted (as can be imagined) with The First Jindarra taking the biscuits.
The lead was a whopping 22 minutes and some odd seconds on a course three with a 13 knot day out of the sou east. Wynella was second, followed by Karoleeya 10 minutes later and Aloha did a fine job to finish the race before the start box door was locked as the starters headed for the bar.
There is one more race for the series. All eyes will be on the finish line.
When Rupert gets Georgina finished, all of this will begin anew.
The return of The First Jindarra &
It aint over 'till its over.
A dodgy nor wester that really was going to push us hard. No more than 12 to 17 knots that dropped away down to 8 to 13 knots. Six boats with John Wright returning and Lockie coming out with a third man. Welcome Keith, you're fitting in well. Of course the interest was going to be in the Jin as this was her first day on the water with the new stick. Wynella had also been re rigged, so they were in a spot where they needed to test the rigging properly as well. Even Karoleeya had the inner stay pin replaced with Ernie looking very hard at the other side and recommending that it be replaced as well.
Starting was going to be a little perilous as the top of the line was favoured and getting on the spot involved some fancy footwork. Mariner rolled The Jin in the process, gaining the top spot, but must have made it by inches cause we got some sly shots at the post race discussions. The race was on in earnest and to add to the fleets woes they had put up a course three instead of the expected course two. So a lot of reaching and we were going to meet up with the RP fleet sooner or later.
Off to King after Sampson with both David Locke and Andrew Bell hot on our tails and first around then had the gruelling trimming race all the way to Robins. It was a case of trim, trim, trim. Finally we made it and shot around the corner with a broad reach beginning on the way to Print. This part was going to be fine, but the cross between Print and Foam was going to be a bugger as we had the RP fleet coming up on starboard. Slam bang crunch..... we ran into the fleet and had to dodge two big boats with the obvious result when Andrew got the inside overlap at Foam and headed off up toward Robins in the lead. Great. Now we have Corella on our tail and John Wright with Anna had recovered from his lack of speed and was sniffing at Corella's heels. Swiftsure Saga and Wynella were busy trading places at the back of the fleet
Around Robins and sort out a pole that was actually working well and we changed it over to a leeward pole prior to the corner at Print and then ran down to Como at great speed. A bit of bad luck for The Jin as one of the pole sheets on The First Jindarra managed to catch on the Como mark and Andrew then had to pull a 360 off. Unfortunately he didn't make his turn in clear water. However the race was in front of us and that great big boat Eun na Mara was sitting on our wind right in front of us. The skipper was restless and was virtually bouncing up and down on the spot urging the helm on the big boat to " Hurry up" and "get a move on." Finally they sorted out their jib and surged away, but the damage was done and we lost at least 30 metres.
The rest of the race was going to be a pair of drag races with a dash to Sampson, back to King and then off to Addison with the skipper willing the boat to go faster. I think if he could have picked it up and run with it, he would have. The next phase was going to be the hardest ask as the boat had to make it to Como in a by the lee situation as we had been holding off our pursuer by going up, changing the angle all the time. Then when we had to come down, the boom had to be held in place. And again at Heathcote where we went up again to keep him off and then aimed at the finish line with a brief kerfuffle with a reluctant headsail that had hung on the forestay.
Finally we were aiming at the line with no other moves to make, but until the fat lady sang, we weren't going to say a word. Then it was over.
Over the line: Mariner, The First Jindarra and Corella.
On handicap: Mariner, Anna and Wynella.
The First Jindarra retired after racing.
If anyone is wondering about Bills new sails... well they still haven't arrived back from the lofts. They went in to be recut as they were too long on the foot. That was a month ago. Not the best way to do business.
Summer Sailing Wednesday the 3rd of March
Things that could go bang &
Just to prove that a clean bottom always doesn't work.
The skipper happily announced to me that we had won the summer series .. and by one point. Hang on, we've only sailed 7 races so far in this series. I knew that we had come third in the Spring series with Swiftsure Saga taking the series by a whisker from Wynella, but seven races does not make a series. I'll leave it alone as to go any further down that track would lead to confusion.
However it was a welcome return to the water for Bill Richards who was laid low last week. He managed to recover sufficiently well enough to sail today, but he had a battle on his hands even though he had cleaned the hull prior to sailing. The forecast was for thunderstorms, a riotous nor easter of 15 to 20 knots and rain. Welllllll No! A soft northerly that blew all around the place and then fell out in spots... it just depended where you were on the water as to whether you had the breeze or not. And a light winds course four to boot.
Bill cleaned the hull as I'd mentioned and was full of chuff.. he took the lead on the way to Sampson and it looked as though he was going to get away on the way to Robins and indeed he managed to get around the mark leaving both us and Wynella in his wake. Glen by the way, wasn't having the best of days and settled for a decent handicap improver as he fell further back in the field.
On the way across to Dolphin East Bill had the choice of tacking to put his boat on the same tack as us or go further to the north around the on coming Royal Perth Fleet. Not the best of ideas. We stayed in the middle away from the RP fleet and picked up good pressure. Forging ahead, we found a lay line to Dolphin East and headed across to find that Bill had dropped behind us to the tune of 50 to 70 meters. Nice one. So keep the theme going and head off for Como ready to aim for the outer start line.
Around we went and looked back, only to see Wynella ( falling further back) just rounding Como and we realised that Bill was still the one to beat as his handy lower handicap was going to make it very hard to get both first and fastest. Down to Sampson and around we went with Bill close by.. but the chance to get a pole out first had the boat surging ahead and despite the 4 or 5 gybes, we kept our lead in the fluctuating breeze getting around King and aiming the boat toward Print. Some tight reaching took us to the mark and then an open reach down to Thelma allowed us to open up the lead a little. A pole was set , but Bill had a big help from a favourable wind change and took off after us. But in all, too little too late and with a 71 second lead we slipped over the line. Wynella arrived later on, as their search for pressure had been fruitless and it was 1707 hrs before they reached the line and headed for the pens.
Over the line: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
Georgina has had the splining done and if you go to the video section, its up on line. Well done to Lockie, Brian Cross and father and son Jason and Rupert Ledger. At present Rupert is working on the rest of the glassing on the boat and will probably go back into the water on Friday. Wait and see.
Karoleeya is undergoing a shift in management and more will come out in due course. It will be interesting to see how things fall.
Sooner or later the mast will arrive for The First Jindarra and Andrew must be sweating on the fitting as they will have to tune the boat's rigging before racing the championships in 10 days time.
The ABBA meeting with shipwright Ian Weaver as the guest speaker was a great event with a number of H28 owners popping in to listen to him. The session was packed with information and perhaps in future he could split the session into two, to allow more of us a chance to ask questions as there were those who had them but didn't find a chance to get the question in. Next time perhaps.
But I don't think we will be able to have such a great backdrop with the lightning flaring behind him, silhouetting the city.
Summer Sailing Wednesdays the 24th of February
Plonky comes out for a ride with Captain Araldite &
Oh, the indignity! Towed home.
Alan Sharpe is a really nice guy, recently retired and a fantastic F15 sailor. WTF is he doing on an H28? Apparently he saw us out on the water last week and bent the skippers ear. With Bob Harrup away on holidays he was more than happy to jump on board Mariner to talk tactics. The over load on the boat was getting over the top so Graham jumped onto Corella for the afternoon and Ron stayed in his beach shack in the south. They gave us a course 3 with 14 to 17 knots on offer, slowly shifting into the sou west and back again.
It was all about the start (again) and the drag race down to Sampson had us neck to neck with Corella with Glen and John close behind. The first mark was the most important and Corella threw everything at us they could to get away, but thanks to a recently cleaned hull we kept up. And kept up and kept up. Despite the best efforts of the crew on Corella it was going to be our nose inside their transom at the mark and around we went dropping bad air on them from the get go. Anna and Wynella both made their minds up and tacked away early as we held on and then aimed at the mark, working hard to be able to hold David Locke off.
After King, then to Robins with a dip into the bay and up the line we went to Robins with Lockie and the entire Royal Perth fleet on our tails. We were doing well until we made the top and rotated around it only to find that Phil had a knot in his main sheet and couldn't let off the main fast enough. Nearly ran into a large RP boat who was roaring up the river next to the mark. But we made it and happily we set our pole for the run to Print and then back to Robins via Foam. A slight hiccup with the pole, but no time lost thanks goodness and our lead was still secure. Keeping out of the depths of the bay we found a good starboard lay into the mark and then tack and bear away with a pole going up almost immediately. Fast.. !
However Lockie was starting to be troubled by John Wright who is also known for not giving up. Once he had the boys on the boat flowing, it was an interesting thing to watch and as Lockie fell back a little (or we surged) Anna would get closer. Making Print we set up for Como and with the recent problem with the mark going for a wander, they had put a blue marker flag out to advise us of its current and proper location. Around we went, aiming at the outer startline and my time was taken up twitching the headsail to ensure that the boat was fast.
A good gybe and then the chase was on for Anna and Corella with Anna beginning to push forward again. Poor Lockie, he was hoping for a win on the day. But Glen and Wynella weren't worried they had managed to get their handicap down to a reasonable level. A win for them was on the cards. Well away by the time we were aiming for Addison and the boat kept surging forward with the urging of Plonky to Brian to keep your eyes stuck to the headsail ribbons like araldite. Even more so as when we flipped around Addison and headed off to the finish line via Como to starboard. The line was going to be ours but the interest was between John and David. Lockie made the line 2 seconds in front of John Wright but lost out thanks to his superior handicap.
Unfortunately Glen and the boys were a little late coming in.. One of the oil lines broke on his normally reliable diesel. Lockie was kind enough to go out and bring him back in. Fortunately he had crossed the line.
Over the line: Mariner, Corella and Anna
On handicap: Wynella, Anna and Mariner.
On shore:
Georgina is coming up onto the hardstand to be splined this weekend and everyone is welcome. Rupert needs to clean the paint off the hull before the splining can begin.
Andy Bell may have his mast on shortly, but its still in the mystery zone. Rumour has it that the stick cost 17,000 and transport was another 3,000.
And Casilda is up for sale. The boat is down around Geographe Bay and there are those who were talking about buying her and bringing her up to the river to get the mast off her. It was 6 years since I have seen her
Tehana is up for sale and is under offer. (I have heard the rumours as to the new owner but until it happens)
Summer Saturday Sailing the 20th of February
The skipper was sick &
Two boats.
Very little for me to report this week as I wasn't on the water. John P rang on Saturday morning and gave me the news that Bill was not going to be able to sail and he held doubts about Wednesday as well. That left Wynella and Aloha to take up cudgels and as Karoleeya wasn't able to get a crew together (they all had something else on) Wynella and Aloha battled it out between themselves in a course one and about 12 to 17 knots out of the SW.
It must have been an exciting race as Wynella crossed the line 50 seconds in front of Aloha and that's not much to talk about over 2 hrs and 45 minutes of racing. However Aloha took the win with a nod to her lesser handicap and Wynella a second on handicap and a nice reduction in her handicap as well.
Till Wednesday.
Summer Wednesday Sailing the 17th of February
You cant keep a good man down &
First boat around Sampson will win the race
That second title just about summed up the race. We were presented with a course one on a day where there was a lot more west in it than they and the BoM site were prepared to admit. Regularly sailing down the middle of the river instead of bouncing in and out of the bay it was clear we had a strong westerly and the point of order was that we could hold a port pole all the way to Print from Deepwater.
Oh well. Half a dozen boats headed out onto the water to be presented with a course one with a west sou wester on the compass, about 10 to 15 knots and a northerly start . Lockie (Corella) got away early and despite every attempt, we just couldn't catch him. We were a little quicker upwind, but downwind he was getting away from us. His main stroke of genius for the day was taking Barby out for a sail and as a lucky charm she worked beautifully.
Up the middle of the river with John Wright and Anna hanging on to our tail and despite our best efforts, he was still there at Deepwater though Wynella was having a handicap adjustment day and fought it out with Bill on Swiftsure Saga for fourth and fifth place. The Minto family had Aloha out for the day and dutifully followed everyone, having mucked up the start and crossed the startline in 6th spot. Away from Deepwater to Print with the aforesaid port pole (a little edgy but it worked) and then back up to Robins ready for a pleasant reach across to Dolphin East where we practiced our gybe and pole set on the way to Como. It seemed to work, but we just weren't catching up with Corella one bit.
Straight down to the outer startline with the predictable knock at Heathcote Dolphin and then lean into the mark rolling around the outer startline on our way back to Sampson and the small triangle. By this time the big boats were coming through and we managed to get a bit of the action from them and they were flying spinnakers … ummmm Wednesday is J&M as far as I knew.
Around the small triangle of King, Print, Como and Thelma with a SS27 hard on John Wrights transom, but as every H28 sailor knows, "You can't keep a good man down," and John managed to keep Anna between the SS27 and the finish line. Well sailed and aptly rewarded with a handicap win.
Over the line. Corella, Mariner and Anna.
On handicap. Anna, Corella and Mariner.
To Georgina: Rupert has the cabin on the boat.
Perhaps a little rough around the edges, but it will now take a bit of time to trim to fit and then fill the rough edges and gaps before she is glassed. He still has to fit the new chain plates, but there is a bulkhead or two to come, inside the boat which will tighten up the hull considerably.
Summer Covid Sailing Saturday the 13th of February
Aloha sailed a blinder on the 1st leg &
Sailing on borrowed time.
Make no mistake about it, Drew Minto the younger, sailed all over us today and made a very strong point of his ability. The boat is performing well and if he had chosen to throw up a kite, he could very well have taken the race with a first and fastest. But the technical side of sailing needs be addressed and that includes knowing where your marks are, it cost him the lead and the chance of a better showing to the rest of the fleet.
Four H28's on the water and perhaps 38 boats on the water overall. Very little action from the other clubs, though we did see the start boat from Perth Dinghy SC out there. The starters very kindly gave us a course 4 and it was enjoyed by all as it gave us something different from the usual course one. ( Brickies A and B )
A sou wester that built and was full of holes and swept (IMHO) into the west periodically, giving some of us unexpected gains with speeds from 15 to 19 knots at the best. Getting off the line wasn't a problem and we managed to get below Karoleeya and Wynella, taking them up a little and that gave young Drew his first chance to get away. We caught him around the channel and he was forced to tack behind us, but got onto a lift (remember that wandering sou wester) and took off. Swiftsure Saga still had enough in reserve to get in front of him on the next set of tacks, but on the next run up the wind he had the speed and pointing ability to rise above us and began to create merry hell as he was pointing at the mark and drowning us in bad air. We put up with it as best we could as Wynella was behind us and Karoleeya had followed his philosophy of going down the middle and was well away from us.
Rounding second at Deepwater, we noticed that Aloha was heading off to Bartlett... "No" said Bill "that's not right" and a hurried check of the map and where we were in relationship to it. Slowly we edged away down to where we thought it was and we noted that Wynella had adopted our line as well. Catch up time and the pair of us hurried along while Aloha decided belatedly to come down. It was a line ball run as we had to break their overlap at the mark but a quick flick of the tiller had us clear in front and running to Hallmark with Armstrong as our next turning mark. Now Aloha had Wynella to deal with and we left them to battle it out. We made Armstrong, turned the mark and set a starboard pole to get us on our way. Looking back, Aloha poled out their jib while Wynella went to put up the big red spinnaker that they have borrowed from Bill with the promise to pay him for it. Karoleeya made around shortly after and popped up their kite as well.
Not to be trifled with, Aloha decided to take Wynella up and a couple of moments of mirth from the lead boat as we watched Wynella avoiding Aloha. But our first corner was Print and making the mark, we shot off into the bay trying to get ourselves a good line up the breeze to Applecross Spit and then Deepwater. Of course we didn't do it one, but it was fascinating watching as the two boats behind us had swapped position and Wynella was trying hard to catch us. The breeze was freshening by now and as most people know, Swiftsure enjoys the pressure. However our handicap was going to be against us no matter what and Glen was doing well enough, keeping about a minutes separation between us that lengthened on the up wind and shrank on the downwind, as we hadn't bothered with a spinnaker.
The next pair of laps had us go to Dolphin East from Deepwater then to Addison and the breeze had gone far enough into the south for us to carry the pole all the way without gybing. Easy enough. The first time down, we were treated to Wynella with the speed wobbles as the kite had the boat rolling backwards and forwards. The second round had us meet up with a pair of yachts that were worth photographing on the way through and a rare snap of Karoleeya heading up wind with Farrago under kite on the way down the hill. One last look at Wynella with the borrowed red spinnaker pulling her along and then the very tight reach from Addison down to Thelma and then the tack out for the line where we watched Glen on Wynella take a glorious lift up to the mark, shortening his time over the line to just about a minute behind.
On handicap: Aloha, Karoleeya and Wynella.
The photo of the keel is that of Suzanna having been primed with rust converter. By Monday she will be back in the water and following suggestions from the various visitors who have called through, she may hang on the boat lifters straps overnight to let her take up enough to prevent her from going straight to the bottom.
Summer Covid Sailing Wednesday the 10th of February
A thousand Ifs & A new logo for the H28's
Ernie turned 80.
Ok, lets get the easy things out of the way and then deal with the sailing. To begin with we lost the fifth championship race to the Covid lock down and Glen was particularly regretting it as it would have been the chance he needed to pull ahead in the championships and get ahead of the current champ.
Rupert covered up Georgina and left her safe and dry while the tropical low came and went, with all our gardens getting a big soak. Much needed. He's experiencing a bit of a problem with the temperature being a bit cool for the glues to go off and the cabin is taking longer than he thought.
Suzanna is up on the hard and from what I've been able to see is in excellent shape considering where she has been. Mind you there are a number of things that will need attention to, but Robin is across most of these and will spend the time now rather than have to haul the boat out of the water again. But he has a problem that's not unique. His main halyard has disappeared up the mast and its going to be a case of dropping the mast or going up on the spinnaker halyard in a bosuns chair.
And finally Te Hana; formerly owned by Roghan Anderson over at Freshy is being looked at by one the Fitzhardinge tribe (the family that owned Nova, before the Weavers bought her). But he freely admits that he will need permission from the family treasurer and a leave pass to go with it. Good luck Tim.
18 to 25 knots on a Southerly with a course three on offer, the flags were hung out for a Martin - Weaver dash and PFD's for all. Mariner has the new H28 logo on her main. Tell us what you think.
If that wretched SS22 Eutopia doesn't get out of the way while we are in the start process, he will become the next victim. Silly fellow. Half the fleet were up behind the line circling in the pond ready to dive down and the rest were aiming trying to be quick to the line. We were waved through a tight patch by Bill between Swiftsure Saga and the box mark. If he hadn't, well we may not have done so well. If David Locke had taken Bill up, well neither of us would have made the start on the first try.
Playing the breeze all the way up to Martin, it was only a lucky gust that took us up above the mark and if that hadn't come along we would have been buried well and truly. The run to Sampson was similar and if the breeze hadn't kicked in after we crossed the start line, well we might have been nailed before the next mark. If, if, if...…..
Across to King with a bit of care in choosing when to go. Had (If) we covered Lockie immediately we may have dropped as badly as he did but no, we made it across and found ourselves still in the lead at King and looking at a chance to get to Robins first, after we had dipped back into Frenchies to come out again on the lifts in the bay. Hard on the bloke on the main, but it works. Phil was working the main and with a bit of luck, lifted us all the way to the mark and the last gust took us around it nicely. If we had had to tack Lockie would have got us.
Down to Print, sailing almost by the lee at times and then across to Foam before we burrowed into the bay again, this time we went a bit further and made the mark with a bit of work, but our problem came from the fact that we were burying the rail and slowing the boat every time. Lockie had gone wide and came down on us like a tonne of bricks and only a bit of luck and a good tack got us away, but not for long as he was on our port rear quarter and looking to speed up at Print again as this time we were on our way to Como and a dash to the outer startline. If we had made one mistake he would have had us for dinner.
All this way, we had Swiftsure Saga and Wynella not far away, ready to pounce if an over wind or a bad tack was made. No room for error. And to cap that off, we had Aloha sailing well enough to give Wynella a hard time.
Around the outer startline and off to Sampson once again with a good rounding and again the decision to run a pole was down to a yes, no, maybe; nah as we slipped into the southerly again. Off to King with the beam sea rolling the boats heavily going to the mark and neither of us getting the best of the crossing. We both tacked and I thought we were ok, but Corella came back on a good starboard and our only hope was to lee bow him. If we'd made it, well and good. But we didn't and Lockie just took off. So stare at Corella's transom for the rest of the race down to Addison, back past Como and then to the finish line. The rest of the fleet weren't too far behind.
At the end of the day, a quick beer on the hill and then inside to have a beer with Ernie Little in the chair for his 80th birthday. A few beers and couple of platters of goodies which probably ruined our dinners, but were very much appreciated. Happy birthday Ernie.
Summer Sailing Saturdays the 30th of January.
It wasn't Rita's fault,
The breeze that came and went & Suzanna is coming to SoPYC.
The start of the day had us all looking around, presuming that we were going to be in strife on the easterly but we had four on board with young Rupert from Georgina coming out for a ride.. Not a problem, but all of a sudden he wanted to throw up a spinnaker didn't he. More later. A sou easter that dropped off and came back, swung abruptly and ran in fronts down the river. Either you were in it or you weren't. The over all effect was fair sailing but you had to be prepared to change your mind almost as quickly as the breeze changed.
Aloha, Corella, Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Karoleeya all came out and 4 of the 5 flew kites. Not a bad day for the fleet. The start was fine and as you expect Bill had SSS going well and managed to get off the line well with Lockie on our tail. He chose to tack off to the east and picked up a fine lift while we held on for a little longer much to our loss as Dave Locke did a fine job on the freshening breeze , making it to the turning buoy before us and we had Wynella on our tail as well as the other pair of Karoleeya and Aloha not far away.
Away we went to Bartlett, the well known and mysterious mark somewhat south of Perth Flying Squadron. Up we went, close on Corella's tail but under a poled headsail only, All bar Aloha and ourselves had spinnakers up and Rupert was clear that he wanted to get a kite up so in due course John and I rigged the boat for the kite finishing about the time we made it to the area around Bartlett. Around they went and we followed them asap, secure that in the next run down the breeze we were going to hang on. Off down to Dolphin East. So a long set of works on a fairly good breeze out of the east and Rupert had the helm.. all the way to Dolphin East and then away to Thelma. Rupert clearly was enjoying the run as he had the boat going well and our biggest problem was finding somewhere for Bill to be. Lockie on the other hand had gone low and we were slipping into a good spot to be. Up wind of him and sailing quickly. Further behind us Aloha was moving quietly along, but Karoleeya had decided to go walk about having forgotten about Dolphin East and they had to rewind their course. Oh dear me.
But both Corella and Wynella had gone into the north and began to come out on a cracker and we were very relieved to cross Wynella and stick close to Corellas transom. Around Thelma we went and Rupert was summarily relieved of the helm and sent forward to get the kite up. Behind us another spinnaker popped up, yes, that's Wynella but a bit further back. Good one.. that keeps us on Corella's tail for the run down to Deepwater and then across to Bartlett. Now there has always been the problem.. which mark is the one we want. 39B or 39? Well it wasn't Rita's fault as she was up on the foredeck pulling down the spinnaker and the other two on the boat clearly thought that 39B was good enough.
We made our way to 39 ( Bartlett ) and then hailed Corella reminding them of the mark they needed to go around. The lead was ours, if we could keep it, knowing that they don't give up. Getting to Addison we still had the lead and the kite run to Dolphin East was fine. But the return trip to Addison and away to Thelma.. Lockie got above us and ran down the line to Addison very well and took a lead. He wasn't challenged after that as we had to let a Cole 32 through, enough; we were behind. So we wished him well and settled into making the finish as good as we could time wise..
Over the line: Corella, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
On handicap: Swiftsure Saga, Wynella and Karoleeya.
Another couple of photos of Georgina with the deck on and the new repairs to The First Jindarra. Looks tidy and a lick of paint certainly makes her a lot smarter. So Andrew's waiting for a mast now and it should be on in a week or two.
Finally. I sent a message out to the general group about Suzanna. She is coming down to the club to go up on the hard stand for a while as her new owner Robin Wilkinson, a sailor out of RP, is going to assess her condition. While she's there, Robin would value any information that we can offer about her history and of course from the knowledgeable amongst us, he would appreciate any advice that may be made toward her general improvement.
She comes up on Tuesday if the current lockdown situation allows and please remember we have the Covid lockdown this week, so restrain yourselves till next week. She'll be up for a while apparently.
Summer Sailing Wednesday The 27th of January.
A challenging day &
Forgetting where King is can cost you heaps.
Challenging. Not bloody likely; Terrifying - yes.
A sou'wester that had all the hallmarks and the number two strapped onto the boat. Course one on offer and the skipper gave one of the crew away to another boat 'cause he thought the three of us could cope. I surely would have liked to be sailing four up today as when you are bouncing around on the boat you can get hurt. Ask Steve who had a couple of near falls on the day. Just because he was trying to be Eddie everywhere.
So away to Martin-Weaver and make it, but behind Swiftsure Saga and Corella with Anna and Wynella close on our tails. Hard work on the main with the boat and the need to put a pole up on a windy day was really a case of do we want it? Around Sampson and off to Deepwater with the added prospect of crossing the second division of the Royal Perth fleet. (Who incidentally have sent a letter mentioning the H28's at Foam. What about and why remains unknown)
Then battle the heavy chop all the way up into the middle of the river. It was heaving and the boat was punching through the waves with spray everywhere. When to go was the question and we eventually tossed to take the fleet across to the bay, leaving the RP fleet behind us. Our skipper decided to toss early out of Waylen Bay and rued the day as Anna went all the way in and came down the bay at a rate of knots, rolling us as we watched and wept.
Around Deepwater and point at Print with a pole up and noted that the order of the day had changed. We were sitting behind Anna with the rest of the field strung out behind us. And so it would be for a while. Then behind Swiftsure Saga the shape of a hull with out a stick.. an H28.. was Aloha out, or had one of us lost a rig? No it was Andy Bell coming back from Fremantle with The First Jindarra repaired. Straight down the river with no problems and the diesel now repaired, thumping away. So we left him to his business and the mast will be back in a couple of weeks.
Around Print and across to Waylen Bay where the skipper lined up on Anna and we chased them all the way up to Robins rounding the mark for a rollicking ride to Dolphin East with speeds of 9 knots were noted across the swell and the gybe at the end was going to be a horror. We made it … and probably blew a slug on the main in the process. However the run to Como was just as compelling with big waves and a bit of pumping on the waves to get the boat sliding down the face and faster for it. By the way pumping the main on an H28 is easier than you think. Just go with the flow.
Around Como and down to the outer startline with the pucker factor right up there as we were racing through a beam sea and almost hard on, just enough pressure to make it hard to hang on to the main and letting it off occasionally as we needed to. Around the mark (another horror gybe) and away to Sampson again with the chance catching the two in front ( yes Bill had got through ) and we were being chased by Corella who just wouldn't give up. Sampson and we just went up the breeze whilst we watched as the others began to cross. But hang on, what's happening? King is down there and the others were way over in the distance going elsewhere. Bite your tongue and go for broke. Around King and look back as Anna rounded behind Lockie with Swiftsure Saga slipping into the lead.
Then away to Print again and ducking the Div one boats we prepared for the pole down to Como and a screamer of a reach to Thelma that was almost a work as the breeze was swirling. Then the game began. Follow Swiftsure Saga or tack off with Lockie. Arrrgh! So we elected to go with Swiftsure along the freeway and tossed a few metres on from her (We learnt that Bill tossed because he could see the bottom) but we were looking at the finish line and much to our discomfort we were rolled by an oncoming S97 who had all the rights, so we dipped her and found ourselves over the line in third spot.
But we survived the day.
On handicap: Anna, Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
On Georgina; It must have been a long three days, but Rupert got the last of the deck on. Well done to him and clearly he needed the day off. But one hurdle has been jumped. The next will be the cabin and at least he can build that at home. Bill Richards has contributed both a new hatch and the mooring lines piece. So long as they are both well bolted down.....
Not many photos as we were busy today.
Summer Sailing Saturday The 23rd of January. The fourth Championship Race.
Could have guessed that it would happen &
Second to Wynella.
An almost perfect day for sailing with the brisk sou wester dropping back into a tidy 15 to 19 knots and not varying much from that. Sure there was the odd drop in pressure, but a good day nonetheless.
Five boats took to the water initially and Geoff had Carina out with Andy Bells main on the boat. Yes, Andy had convinced Geoff to take the boat out and he had his usuals on board, Bruce and Mark. However there was the unknown to be coped with. She hadn't been sailed for a year and the betting was that she would suffer the same fate as Karoleeya last week. Could have guessed that it would happen and they retired shortly after heading out onto the water. Next week perhaps.
Otherwise, Swiftsure Saga, Wynella, Aloha and Karoleeya headed off on a good day and despite our preference to be at the bottom of the line, we found ourselves leading the fleet as we were all late. Bugger! So go as far as we could into Heathcote, tighten up the sheets and the main and head off to Brickies A and B. Watching the yachts behind us, we watched as Wynella was holding her line very nicely with goof height and speed. Similarly Aloha with a full crew was doing very well and was to prove to be a challenger right through the day. Karoleeya started well but once she swapped tacks onto port she immediately began to fall away, leading me to ask whether the main was as far up as could be deemed safe as the boat had plenty of speed, but no height. The other thought could be the mast and whether the shrouds need adjusting.
No matter, the work up the river was deemed easy enough with the odd scatter of Dragons being fired off from the Freshwater Bay start boat over near Nedlands. Easy to dodge and our main problem were the SS27's on their lurching progress under beam set spinnakers on the way across to Hallmark from Deepwater. Fun to watch though. Well into the bay after Deepwater and then look out for the run up to Brickies with the gusts playing merry hell on our line. At one stage we were miles in front and then we were looking at the pair of Wynella and Aloha on our tails again. Around Brickies A and B then set for the run to Dolphin West keeping an eye out for the boats coming up from Hallmark. A pole and a gybed main was all we needed to keep the boat flowing with the others making their own arrangements. One of the delights of the downwind run was a young mama who was riding with her husband and son in their little power boat. She was wearing a pink bikini that left nothing to the imagination. She was gorgeous! Steve on Karoleeya was attempting spinnaker hoists and eventually packed it away with another couple of holes to be patched. Fair enough, training a crew will give him the odds on a good day when he's a little closer.
Down to Foam and get rid of the pole bending away to head into Waylen Bay and out again with Wynella and Aloha swapping places behind us. My word it was a bang on race for the pair of them. Still we had our own needs and finding Sanders was our next task. We overstood it a little and found that we had given up a little bit of the lead. But the next task was to get to Como for the third leg and thence to Deepwater again with the need to pass Robins to starboard. We forgot. And only a last minute lurch had us heading into Robins, just retaining the lead. But it wasn't to be our day as on the last downwind from Deepwater we had a couple of incidents including a snafu with the pole and having to swing wide to avoid a Red witch. That gave Wynella the lead and despite our best attempts they managed to keep their lead. However it didn't stop me from getting some nice shots of her on the way.
Over the line: Wynella, Swiftsure Saga and Aloha.
The work on Georgina continues apace with Rupert getting the work done on the port side of the hull. By Monday he should be looking at beginning to look at put the rest of decking on and then the big job. The cabin. There is about 20 kg of glue holding the boat together so far and by the time he finishes there will be another 30 kg re-enforcing the timber that was left in. It works, and he is planning to put in a ring bulkhead in ply around the front of the cabin as you step down into the cabin and then as he plans to bring the shrouds in, there will be an interior bulkhead similar to the ones in Mariner and Swiftsure to support the loads. Its not over engineering, just playing safe.
Summer Sailing Wednesday the 20th of January
Welcome Aloha &
Rita gets to drive.
OMG who let the boys out. Rupert has been slaving away on Georgina and Dave Locke gave the keys to Rita so she could take Rupert and his offsider out for the day. Aloha had the two Drews aboard (father and son) and it was noticeable that she had a clean bottom. Otherwise Glen is still repairing the outside track and suffered noticeably on a boat that could have been really quick on the day. John Wright joined us and Swiftsure Saga gave up John P to let him sail with a plastic boat who was short a man.
A really pleasant west sou wester that was swinging back into the south west as the afternoon progressed and a course two was offered to the fleet. No problems said the skipper and despite our being early on the line, we hung on our eased sails and then dropped down to get a better start than the rest of the fleet. Ergo we were in the lead with Swiftsure Saga and Aloha panting on our heels. Great, now how do we stay there?
Rita and the boys had found themselves buried under a cloud of sail and could have dropped down a little more, sailing her own race rather than taking it up to the fleet. Just not fast. Similarly Anna was suffering the torture of the damned having been spat out the back. Out to Sampson and then our first set of tests occurred with the Royal Perth fleet crossing us. Of course we were on port and vulnerable, but we threaded our way through and immediately tossed to get further out into the middle where the pressure was. Swiftsure had found their way through up the middle and wasn't that far behind while the rest of the fleet went into the north to find the gap between the fleets. All of a sudden they were at least a hundred metres back.
Finding Hallmark wasn't as hard as finding Bartlett and the boat was pointing at it from a fair distance, surprisingly we made it in one work. Got to be happy with that. Past the mark and then tack early to stay out where the pressure is. It worked and we kept our lead nicely with Swiftsure doing well on the down wind to keep on our tail. It's a long haul to Como and we had the time to reflect on the day and even a discussion on some shares in a speculative mining company broke out as the owner of a number of them was counting his gains.
Back to the racing and a clean rounding at Como had the boat fired up heading for the Outer startline with a fair lead. Around we went with a chance to check out the boats behind us and they had settled down into a follow the leader race, with little chance of passing anyone unless they did something really silly. The rest of the race was uneventful and the dash out to Dolphin East and return via Como and Thelma was without incident, but provided a bit of fun on a nice reach down to the marks. Then along the beach and for once a run along the freeway, not dipping into the beach. Up to the line and across for a fastest. Which was enough to begin with.
On handicap: Mariner, Swiftsure Saga and Wynella.
We felt sure that Aloha by their very presence should have taken at least a place, but the handicapper apparently knows his stuff and as we crossed the line, so the handicaps had us placed in the same order.
A small comment about last Saturday. I've since learnt that David Gilham's Arajilla was hit not once but twice. Once by a Cole 32 aptly nicknamed " Collison" and then by a power boat who then decided to flee the scene without stopping. They have the boats name and rego number.. he won't go far.
Once again the first few slides are of Georgina and the work is progressing with a number of people offering help. The very fact that he's on the jetty is proving to be of enormous benefit to him and a huge distraction as well as he is always ready to stop and have a chat as people admire the on-going work.
Saturday the 16th of January 2021 The start of the summer sailing sessions.
Sinking? & should have bolted it down &
Cover that boat!
A plethora of incidents to accompany the days racing with a retirement shortly after starting. However the first few slides are a continuation of the work on Georgina. With a rare dedication Rupert is continuing to work on Georgina and is probably learning a hell of a lot about his boat in the process. He has the help and guidance from the other skippers and Bill Richards is offering help in the rebuilding of the deck beams though there are always the little surprises as Rupert found out to his cost when the post on the foredeck just fell away. Ooops. But you can see that he has been at work and the skip at the top of Jetty 3 is loaded up each day with the remnants of a fine teak deck that existed in her earlier years. More to come I'm sure. The build of the cabin is afoot and there will probably be a week or so when we don't see him .. the lid will be under way.
Back to the sailing and the Easterlies just haven't stopped blowing. 17 to 25 knots today, with life jackets for all and a smaller sail up front. But after watching Barry Arnolds Cole 32 doing sideways wobbles, none of us bothered to put a kite up. A windward start made it interesting and the four H28's crossed the line with Swiftsure Saga and Corella battling up the middle and Karoleeya electing to go high while Wynella took the low. Well, we were following Corella around the mark and managed to squeeze out one of the others. Not sure who, as there was a lot of shouting going on but I suspect it was Wynella and Karoleeya roared around the up wind mark just behind us. Before we had gone much further Karoleeya abruptly turned around and returned under full sail. As yet it can only be put down to one thing, she was filling up. A long hot period and no sailing makes a boat open up quickly. A pity.
A course three and a long hike down the breeze to find the mystery mark known as Bartlett. A mystery? Well we very rarely get given a course 3 and no one remembers where it is. Following Lockie is no use either and we made a lot of ground by spotting it first. Around Bartlett and up to Dolphin East with a bend to Thelma. All upwind works and some of the gusts had us standing on our ears as the boat was constantly being buffeted by the changes in the breeze out of the East. Corella went one way and we went another and managed to get the lead by Thelma. A broad smile broke on Bills face only to have him then remark that "he won't let me get away with that." A remark was thrown at him from the crew... "well make it hard for him then" and the smile came back again.
And down the breeze we ran again with Deepwater as our bottom mark and a run out to the mystery mark once more. Addison then beckoned and it was our turn to lose the lead as we didn't cover Corella on the way down. More fool us. Away they went and by Addison we had dealt with various S80's and Cole 32's who were going in the same direction as us and were holding us back from chasing across to cover David. Too late and they were already aimed at Thelma and despite trying a deeper track than they, the breeze favoured them and we were just lucky to shoot Thelma rather than have to do it again.
Where Wynella was the question? At last glance they were having a small problem with what looked like an overwind on the starboard side. It wasn't to be and the starboard track had blown up. Rueing the damage, Glen admitted that bolting it down would have been the way to go and I hope that he checks the port side as well. However they persevered and put the jib onto the inside tracks. Didn't make them go any faster though.. not on a big day when you are trying to vent the air off the sail.
Off to Dolphin East and all we could do was stare at Corella's transom and hope that he didn't get too far away. This time it was our turn to have to double tack at Thelma on the return trip from Addison as we just weren't lucky with the breezes. Eventually we bent around the mark and eased the sheets on the way down to the finish line. But a good second over the day and a welcome return to the water for the new year.
Hopefully things will have cooled down shortly as it was another 36 degree day and with the drying easterlies, its not as comfortable as you would like to be.
Wednesday the 6th of January A special event.
With the indulgence of the Goolugatup Sailing Carnival organisers. &
We get to sail against the Royal Perth Fleet.
There is still a lot to be sorted out, but the chances are that we will have a fine lot of photos from the day. The H28 fleet may be starting with C fleet this time around and there is still some discussion as to how many boats are coming over from Royal Perth as a good number of them are on their hard earned Christmas breaks. Hopefully we will get enough to make it worth while.
A breeze that was a right sod to deal with and at least we H28s were able to put half of the C fleet together. Missing a few in action, we welcomed Bruce Uren sailing on Wynella and Russel Shannon from Queensland sailing with Mariner. Even Lockie had a ringer with Les Swinton joining him. Nice to see him there.
Before I start, Rupert received a bit of a help from the gang as he prepared to put the deck on the stern, having replaced the deck beams aft of the cockpit. Cut and fit was all that was required and he had the help of a charming lass who happened to be there. Andy Bells boat is to get its engine back very shortly and will make its way down to Freo after this as the shipwrights have been on holiday. The mast is somewhere in between here and Queensland.
The boys on one of the SoPYC Foundation boats managed to run aground on the freeway prior to the start and was pulled off by the RP boat. Embarrassing.. yes. Cliff wasn't to be seen in the bar as the trophy for the stuff up of the day was presented.
We were a number of miles behind the start as the clock began to count down and we were slowly making our way to the line. Fortunately it freshened and began the cycle that was to drive us mad over the next hour and a half. Big puffs out of the north and as it diminished it flicked into the east. Time and again it repeated and we were watching the fleet as we eventually crossed the line. Getting to the new laid mark we got around mid fleet and then began the plod down to Dolphin West. Slowly and at the back. The decision was made -- go into the north and see what happens. Luck was on our side and Graham the main sheet was calling the gusts. A good idea as we managed to get over the rest of the fleet and were in a good position to head down to the next mark.. Como. Mind you we had our own bit of fun with a spacy 22 who didn't understand the rules properly and was the meat in the sandwich between Swiftsure Saga and Mariner.
In a strong breeze we took off to the right and then barrelled down to the mark with the games on with the rest of the other fleets coming to the same mark. We had the overlaps and made our way down to Como riding the knocks and lifts and made it to the mark on one beat. Watching Eun Na Mara make the same run as we had. Thank goodness we had them in front. Then around we went and made it to the outer startline in one good reach. Around and off to Sampson getting closer to Wynella every tick of the clock.
Then a case of repeating the pain all the way to Dolphin west again on a light breeze watching the puffs as they came our way. Lucky I guess, we were still in the lead and putting the rest of the fleet behind us inclusive of the mixed fleet we were in. The turn at Dolphin West was enough and we led the rest of the H28 fleet all the way despite Bill Richards best effort to get onto us. We would like to give thanks to the RP boat who wedged themselves between us and Bill and stayed there. Not even trying to roll us. Lockie had gone out the back on the last dig and despite a good start John Wright fell foul of light winds. Its a lingering day if you don't stay in phase and we were lucky a few times.
Catching up with Glen, we were looking fine till Como and with a bit of dodging involved, all of a sudden the back of his transom was all that was presented to us. Oh well. Next time.
While I don't have the RP fleet results I do know that Glen was pretty slick, with Mariner a minute behind; concentration was the game.. the SoPYC fleet did well over all, but again I'm waiting for the combined results. I don't think that they would give them to us.
See you in two weeks time.