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PARKSTONE WAYFARERS


Parkstone Wayfarer Race Reports 2009

Parkstone Wayfarer Race Reports 2009

  • Sunday 11th October (race report by Phil Powell)
     A grey overcast day with a moderate westerly F3/4 breeze and flood tide. Five Wayfarers are at the start line along with the Fireballs, Enterprises and Albacores, with the Barfleur visible in the distance making her way to Poole.
    Half n’ Half starts towards the pin end with the remaining Wayfarers close to the platform, and then it’s a mad dash to get across the main channel before the Barfleur gets in the way and temporarily stops access.
    10650 and Silver Greyhound make impressive gains to the first mark RORO with 10650 slightly ahead. Just before the mark Silver Greyhound suffers a broken kicker, due to a dodgy corroded fitting, and struggles to get round the mark. Whaleshark has made good progress and lies third, closely followed by Half n’ Half. Once round the mark Whaleshark decides to sit in the water and set the sails properly allowing Half n’ Half to slip by on the windward side and fly onto Rebbecks. At the next mark, No. 26, 10650 is clearly in the lead and heads in search of Lathams, Drake and the finish line for round one. Silver Greyhound can offer no competition so retires at No. 26 and heads for home. Whaleshark decides to follow Silver Greyhound, maybe thinking that the next mark must be Lathams Boatyard. Oops! Whaleshark suddenly realises the mistake, but It’s to late to stop Vola Vola stealing a place and Whaleshark has to be satisfied with a view of Wayfarer sterns for the rest of the race. The pecking order stays the same for the second lap with no real challenges, except that the increase in wind strength makes for a splendidly fast lap. The new Steve Haley Hartley has its first win followed by the remainder of the field some way behind.

    1st 10650 - Steve Haley & Colin Clifford
    2nd Half n’ Half - Phil Powell & Paul Goodwin
    3rd Vola Vola - Frank Westfield & Phillippa Bailey
  • Sunday 4th October (race report by Phil Powell)
    A grey overcast day with a light westerly F2/F3 and ebb tide greets our four gallant contestants for the start of the Winter Series. A busy start was forecast with Albacores, Enterprises, Fireballs and Wayfarers all on the same start time and fighting for the best position on the line.
    Half n’ Half starts towards the pin end with most of the Enterprises, with Whaleshark, Vola Vola getting a sluggish start. Silver Greyhound tacks into the wind shadow of the race platform just before the start, oops, and needs to wait for a tide drift before crossing the line. Half n’ Half sets off in the lead towards the first mark, Cake, followed by a very quick Whaleshark and Vola Vola. Silver Greyhound settles for keeping close enough to Baiter to walk a dog.
    Half n’ Half crosses the main channel at No. 28 followed closely by Whaleshark. Vola Vola decides not to cross yet and keeps a steady line towards the ferry terminal, no sign at all of Silver Greyhound. There’s a strong tide so Half n’ Half keeps well into the shallows, whereas Whaleshark favours the more direct line adjacent to the main channel. Half n’ Half increases the lead to round Cake to port first, and hoists the spinnaker for the reach to Rebbecks. Whaleshark rounds second and has trouble with the spinnaker and slips behind Vola Vola. Half n’ Half is first to Rebbecks with a spinnaker gybe, a first and successful procedure for crew Paul Stratford. Unlucky Whaleshark has more spinnaker problems and sails over the spinnaker sheet attempting a gybe and have to settle for keeping an eye on the Vola Vola’s stern. Silver Greyhound takes advantage and passes both.
    Half n’ Half powers onto Sandemans and the line to complete the first lap. It’s then onto Cake, and on rounding a look for the rest of field. Whaleshark is spotted first, but no sign of Vola Vola and Silver Greyhound. Half n’ Half race back to Sandemans and the finish line on the shortened course with Silver Greyhound appearing from nowhere and making ground.
    1st Half n’ Half Phil - Powell & Pete Stratford
    2nd Silver Greyhound - Keith Cameron & Angela
    3rd Vola Vola - Frank Westfield & Derek Shipley
  • Saturday 26th September (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    The Grand decider final race of the Saturday 2009 season and there is brilliant sunshine in clear windless skies over Poole harbour. All chances of the Silver Jubilee trophy or an outside course blown out of the water. Pre-start manoeuvres between Dignity and Devon Pickle are traded before Bruce takes up the Box end with Colin midway down the line. Ray Scragg in Blue Jay is at the pin end with the remaining fleet. A keen start has Blue Jay to windward showing good speed in the light airs. Dignity is covering Devon Pickle tack for tack in the shallower clear waters around Drake mark. The Dynamic duo in Escapade are showing extra speed and overtake Devon Pickle going in to Bell mark. Blue Jay leads with Dignity second. It’s a spinnaker leg back to Drake and then another beat to Bell has the fleet trying different approaches with Bruce visiting the National Trust. Blue Jay is still sailing faultlessly with Dignity wrestling Devon Pickle for second place. A good quick spinnaker hoist by Terry gives Bruce second place leaving the mark as Blue Jay ahead seems to have navigation failure. Not giving up Colin fights for position and then dives away sailing Dignity lower for Glovers Mark . Down the main channel now it’s a slow procession and the new gentle flood tide is pushing the fleet in to Hamish mark. Devon Pickle gybes crossing Escapade and then gybes back on the north edge of the channel to Hamish keeping the wind. Dignity now leading gybes across the channel and stalls just two boat lengths from the mark closely covered by Blue Jay and Escapade. Devon Pickle still in motion on the tide gybes turning very slowly the final buoy within a boat length of Dignity. A shortened course signal is sounded. Terry tends the Genoa carefully to gain some new momentum propelling Devon Pickle into the fresher sea breeze. Dignity climbs out of the dead spot with Blue Jay taking third place on the line.

    1 Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley & Terry Berrett
    2 Dignity - Colin May & Sarah Wallis
    3 Blue Jay - Ray Scragg Jill & Scragg
  • Saturday 19th September (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    The Sun is back and Humid stormy airs in 20+ degrees. Little wind from a sea breeze was available for the beat to No.23 on a small course. The spring tide due to ebb at 1500hrs. Dignity looks good leaving the Box end. Blue Jay near the Pin and Devon Pickle right on the pin hoping to defeat the flood tide. At No.23 Dignity leads, Devon Pickle second and Blue Jay third. Spinnakers are up to Sandeman Y.Co. And tighter sails on to John Pipe International. To the line on the Olympic course and the ebb sets in and the Wind obliges and blows from the SW , Jill spots an opportunity to get the lead and Blue jay takes the lead and then reaches back on leg to JP International. Approaching the line and its very close for the first three as a shortened course is shown. Blue Jay just crossed ahead but it’s not over for now, so round again and the ebb is racing, Spinnakers to Sandeman again and it’s tight. Onto JP Int. and close racing continues. Devon Pickle now in her element gets the lead before the line and round again! A Fetch back and a final beat and shallow waters are in the mix. Devon Pickle wins. Blue jay crossed just ahead of Dignity tacking. But then disaster as the wind dies and Blue jay kisses the ODM. Colin cruises past and just continues to hold the series in firs t place. It’s now on the last race or a F8-9 Gale to seal it! Blue Jay takes third in the Series. Can Bruce and Terry do it?

    1 Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley & Terry Berrett
    2 Dignity - Colin May & Sarah Wallis
    3 Blue Jay - Ray Scragg Jill & Scragg
  • Saturday 12th September (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    As the Variable Northerly blew a short beat to the Movable in Parkstone Bay was just one tack and a hitch and then a sloppy fetch down to South Deep. Devon Pickle rounded third, Evenstar forth after taking the Box end start. Blue Jay taking the Pin end rounded first with Dignity on her tail. At Brownsea roads it was time to get the kite up and join the busy waters as other fleets and clubs sought out the best way through. Sailing westerly and easterly routes to Nat West mark Dignity and Blue Jay were still close on rounding. Dignity wins through to take the lead. Escapade made good ground to close and finish third after another dose of beating and running in the mix of moored fishing boats, cruisers, XOD, Flying fifteens and of course other Wayfarers. The leg back to the line had turned into a fetch making this probably the worst race of the season. 10% Skill ( the first beat) , 90% Luck"! Dignity Now leads the Saturday Series and it's going be a close finish with just two races left.

    1 Dignity - Colin and Sue
    2 Blue Jay - Team Scragg
    3 Escapade - Team Bishton
  • Saturday 5th September (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    A cooler autumnal Westerly F3-4 blew with an overcast broken cloud giving a green/grey sea. A busy start line where the pin end was most popular saw Dignity slotting in behind 3 Enterprises. Devon Pickle dipped all but one to cross the line on the gun heading for the Barfluer ferry. A forced port tack then took the two Wayfarers into towards the Quay for the beat to Wills mark.
    Rounding ahead Terry got the kite up swiftly for a run to Rebbecks mark. Sue Poulson got a good hoist and the gap closed to 3 boat lengths. A reach to Princecroft Willis and onto Sandbanks Yacht Co mark, the boats stayed together like glue. On the beat again and the Second round and it’s a two horse race. Bruce overstands Wills to let Colin through. The third time on the beat and Dignity still leads. Devon Pickle finally tacks better to gain the lead back at Wills. A jammed spinnaker halyard on Devon Pickle and Dignity rounds Rebbecks First. Persistence pays off and the kite is flying again as the Ebb tide and some gusts propel Devon pickle to close. Rounded Sanbanks Yacht Co mark for the third time the Shortened course is signalled, Dignity has a small lead, Devon Pickle pointing higher is a real threat.
    A close tacking Duel ensues with tacks being traded every few seconds. Heart rates are through the roof on the Green Boat As Dignity dives for the Pin end Bruce is delighted to be free to sail starboard and high for the line. As the tide tightens its grip on Dignity, Devon Pickle shrugs off the problem and crosses the line first with Dignity tacking behind to finish just seconds later. The Escapade team trundle in to claim third having suffered a few gear problems. Normal heart rates are resumed and grins appear on the Pickled Gerkin!

    1 Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley & Terry Berrett
    2 Dignity - Colin May & Sue Poulson
    3 Escapade - Dave Bishton & Sally Bishton
  • Saturday 22nd August - RNLI Pennant Trophy (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    The annual Pre Race for Poole Week Visitors is the RNLI Pennant race. Warm and Sunny conditions and the SE Moderate breeze blew, as Lancasters and Spitfires from the Bournemouth Air Show flew low overhead. The spring ebb tide carried the fleet to Bell. Devon Pickle was over at the start, and had to return. Two visitors showed the new Hartley’s off, Maurader sailed by the Cath Longhurst and Tracy Newman got clean away on the pin end to lead at Nat West mark, and Tom Lock in Virgina Plain picked a good course to lead the chasing pack. After Stakes mark, Expeditious, Blue Jay and Devon Pickle traded places. On the finsh line first time around Bruce and Terry had made good and set off for the Hills, well Evening Hill to be exact! Virgina Plain came back to lead by going down the middle route to Bell, seaweed had plagued Pickle and Blue Jay passed. By this time Maurauder had retired having sailed the wrong course and Brian Lamb in “Still Gamboling” took over to join the leaders with chief navigator Frank Westfield on board and getting it right!

    Back from Nat West and the fleet closed off Brownsea pier as Devon Pickle sailed in more ebb tide out of south deep with Blue Jay following. Ray’s last trick drives Pickle defensive and into more tide allowing Virgina Plain to sail in clear airs and less tide while Blue Jay closes to windward on the shortened course at Glovers Mark.
    1 Virgina Plain - Tom Lock, New Super Crew
    2 Blue Jay - Ray Scragg, Jill Scragg
    3 Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley, Terry Berrett
  • Wednesday 19th August (race report by Ray Scragg)
    A triangle and sausage between Chris Somner, Drakes and Haven provided the light air backdrop to the evening’s race – together with a popple caused by the strong incoming tide. This provided ideal conditions for Sally and Dave to demonstrate the Wayfarer Mk IV’s potential having had a season now to get to grips with the spinnaker chute, rig and boat layout. With a heavily biased pin that with the tide could barely be accessed on starboard, Blue Jay somehow managed to get a good start and led the fleet up to Chris Somner. Where to go against the tide on the run down? Dignity headed up towards the Wych which looked fast for a bit while the Bishton’s Escapade headed for the middle of the harbour which appeared just as fast. Blue Jay took the centre ground hedging her bets. As the wind eased towards Drakes every inch of speed was needed to beat the tide – so Blue Jay’s spinnaker stayed up to the mark. Escapade came in wide and got much better speed out of their gybe and sailed over the top - it took all the distance back to Chris Somner before Blue Jay could scrape past again – Dignity still chasing hard for third spot. But Escapade’s prodigious downwind speed prevailed again down to Haven and on to the finish. Flushed with success from their Bronze Medal win at the Falmouth Nationals Jane and Roger Potts surprised us all with their first appearance of the season chasing Dignity hard in fourth place. Meanwhile Richard Spencer and Paul Goodwin in Whaleshark breezed in to Haven spinnaker flying getting the inside overlap on Half and Half, but somehow managing to come off worst after the rounding – what a tussle they seemed to be having! The Escapade team might be wishing they could capitalise on their new found performance at Poole Week; however instead, they have decided to check out the versatility of their Mk IV at the Ullswater Rally – giving us all a bit of time to contemplate!
    1st Escapade - Sally & Dave Bishton W10588
    2nd Blue Jay - Jill & Ray Scragg W7698
    3rd Dignity - Sue Poulson and Colin May W9848
  • Saturday 15th August 2009 (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    The Round the Islands trophy race got underway in F3-4 SW and a very choppy swell. White cloud and grey bits tormented the 5 craft out. A biased line made the Box the only place to start, Colin May was sentry guard here but Bruce and Terry under full steam headed in and passed inside to get ahead. A close tacking duel followed all the way to Wych with Devon Pickle rounding first. Keith Calm and Lady Angela showed good form in third. A spinnaker run to Glovers proved variable as too close to the island the wind died. Sally Bishton crewing in Dignity struggled but eventually got the kite up to speed along catching Devon Pickle. A beat back up the harbour and rounding Green Island was a close contest at the front. Dignity shaved the corner at Cleavel Point where cautious Gridley stayed in deep water. A kite run down to Goathorn and Gridley is in shallow water crossing the sandy spit. As NatWest beckoned a gust was turned into a planning pass on Dignity. Not giving up Colin orders a gybe to get the lead back. Not giving up Bruce and Terry work another gust to take and hold the lead past Brownsea pier, Drake mark and until the bitter end, finishing just a boat length ahead.
    1 Devon Pickle - Bruce & Gridley Terry Berrett
    2 Dignity - Colin May & Sally Bishton
    3 Silver Greyhound - Keith Cameron & Angela Garcia
  • Saturday 8th August 2009 (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    With the wind in the NW and Sea breezes it was a painful and hot day on the ogin. Flushed with success fresh on their minds Dave and Sally Bishton continue to show the New Hartley design off and round Wills mark first. David and Anne Moss demonstrated their ability rounding close in second place in the F1 Westerly. Keith Cameron and Zsa Zsa Gabor look-alike Caroline Sandeman on board smiled rounding in third. Tom Lock had his cheeky hat on squeezing forth in What’s her name, Virgina Plain on Devon Pickle. The wobble down to Rebbecks and Bruce and Terry are none too pleased decide to close Brownsea Island shore gathering a little extra breeze to take third place. On the windward leg to the finish, Super tacticians Anne and Dave engage Escapade in a Duel and win through taking first place.
    1 Norwegian Blue - Dave & Anne Moss
    2 Escapade - Dave & Sally Bishton
    3 Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley & Terry Berrett
  • Wednesday 5th August 2009 (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    The Series nears the end and the Holiday Season is upon us, so it is close to the winner being declared. With probably 10 races to count , Blue Jay looks the winner as an average will be added to 12 making 13.3. Devon Pickle needs two first’s to score 13 and Win. Although possible it’s a tough call.

    With a Force 3 and a flood tide, Escapade left the Pin end avoiding the carnage at the Box end. A good turnout of Wayfarers mixed it with Enterprises and other classes, held up as the wind swung westerly causing a postponement. Bruce with yet another crew on board for the first time, struck the line on the gun to get going on the flood tide up to Oyster Mark. Round third at Oyster was Keith Cameron in Silver Greyhound, Caroline Sandeman hoisting the kite for the drag down to Latham mark. Devon Pickle gybed for the second reach on the triangular course with Escapade catching fast, putting Bruce and Sue into defensive mode on this, lap 1! Blue Jay getting some last minute practice before the nationals in Falmouth were now third. The second beat and there’s no let up at the front. Now a run back to Haven mark and Escapade sails into the lead and rounds haven first, crossing the line for another lap as the Wind drops and the sun sets on a warm August evening. Only at the windward mark is Devon Pickle round in the lead due to some excellent crewing for Sue Poulson recently trained by Colin May. Escapade is left behind as the wind seems in ribbons.

    At the Wych channel Dave Bishton has done his homework and puts his knowledge into action and drives harder and into the tide to outrun the Woodie boat with tired sails. Some last minute wrestling goes wrong dodging buoys and Escapade has the final say in a glorious finish in first place just ahead at the shortened course boat end of the finish line. Blue Jay cruises into third place. A fine evening was enjoyed by all.
    1st Escapade - Dave Bishton and Sally Bishton
    2nd Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley and Sue Poulson
    3rd Blue Jay - Ray Scragg and Jill Scragg
  • Saturday 1st August (report by W10588 Escapade)
    A grey and drizzly start to August for the 6 boat Wayfarer race, first to Rebbecks then a close reach over to Number 28. A long beat up to Balls Lake was next, which was hard to find in the murky weather. Bruce and Terry in Devon Pickle got ahead fairly early on, but Dave and I in Escapade were hard on their heels for most of the race, despite their best efforts to shake us off! A long spinnaker run from Balls Lake to Sandeman in improving visibility had the first 3 boats in close proximity with Ray and Jill in Blue Jay right behind us. By the 2nd lap the fleet were beginning to spread out, with Devon Pickle and Escapade neck and neck back to Balls Lake where the wind changed direction enabling an exciting reach back to Sandeman for the 2nd time. Bruce and Terry resorted briefly to flying their spinnaker as we were catching them up on the plane. The more experienced race tactic skills of Devon Pickle meant that they managed to take the inside line on the last mark and they crossed the line first. An exciting race in perfect winds, if not sunshine!
    1st Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
    2nd Escapade - Dave and Sally Bishton
    3rd Blue Jay - Ray and Jill Scragg
  • Wednesday 29th July 2009 (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    Eight boats congregate for a pin end start on course 14X. A quick gybe and return puts Devon Pickle across the line on the pin. Onto Port and the great escape from the bunch has been achieved. Blue Jay follows in the F3-4 SW breeze. Half n Half gets in position and follows with Karena on the Brownsea side. Devon Pickle crosses to Brownsea side for Chris Somner and passes just behind Karena. A tack for the Mark and Devon Pickle is back in the lead at the Mark with a few boat lengths to spare. The Spinnaker is hoisted but it is too fine and comes down again half way up the leg to Morris lane. Karena not flying the kite closes right up and spinnakers are hoisted with Karena going wider after Morris Lane. Blue Jay is now lying third. At RoRo it's a fetch for Wills and then a tack and on the fetch again for Morris Lane. Spinnakers up again at Morris lane for the long leg back to NC12. Karena is now in the hunt closes rapidly with Ray and Jill waiting for an opportunity to improve their position at they close. Jackie takes Bruce high and passes, Bruce conscious of the real threat stays on course to NC12. A wind Swing and Bruce goes high to get ahead again, re-passes to round first at NC12 . Blue Jay looks at all the choices but is held in queue. Spinnaker halyard trouble slows Karena's drop to let Blue Jay through to second place on the final fetch to the line.
    1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Charlotte Davies
    2nd W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    3rd W6330 Karena Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett.
  • Saturday 25th July 2009 two race day (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    A Two race day and Olympic style course were set. The strong winds saw the more seasoned sailors coping well in the SW Swell and harbour chop. The first race was two laps of the Olympic style, the angles meant the second leg was a run and the third leg a 2 sail reach. Bruce and terry with plenty of Grunt got on with it and put a first in the bag.. Ray and Jill in Blue Jay flying in second place. Dave and Sally BIshton showed good form with a third place. The Second race and it's another two boat race for first place with Ray and Jill sailing the Run's directly proving a kite and wider angles does not work in a wayfarer! Bruce and Terry expended more energy but somehow got lost in the geometry losing out with a second place position. A beat across to Brownsea side on the second lap sealed Bruce and terry fate. Blue Jay now well ahead securing a Win on the three lap race.
    Race One
    1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett.
    2nd W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    3rd W10588 Escapade Dave and Sally Bishton
    Race two.
    1st W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    2nd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett.
    3rd W1019 Nurdle David Thomson and Kirsten Gurney
  • Wednesday 22nd July (race report by Ray & Jill Scragg)
    At lunch time it was still force 6-7; but the wind had eased to a top end 3 and the tide in sympathy to a mere half metre as the Wayfarer mob arrived. However the eclipse of the sun reported in Asia indicated that the taps would soon be turned fully on. Sure enough they were - though the race officer thought we should stay in the channel via a mini-beat to 26 and a trip boat dodging fetch to Stakes before committing us to the beat over the shallows to Balls Lake. First hurdle was the start line though, and most of us underestimated the tide’s effect. Karena gallantly allowed Blue Jay into the platform’s windshadow – the latter getting its just desserts for shutting out Richard Spencer in Whaleshark. (Just for info - section C room at mark rules don’t apply at starting marks.) However, Devon Pickle with Phil Powell up front timed the start to perfection enabling her to take the lead along the fast fetch to Stakes amongst a sloppy lot of waves which our Wayfarer preferred to take green on board. Sluicing along with the tide created a nice apparent breeze and we were gradually pulling things in tighter. It was a lovely beat to Balls but with breakers all around we couldn’t believe we weren’t running aground. Bits of rope were eased with the wind on the Balls approach enabling Blue Jay to just sneak in front of Devon Pickle at the rounding. Now I have to say we haven’t had too many encounters with Devon Pickle on the run – hardly ever in fact. We usually watch with not a small amount of glee the shenanigans with say – an Expeditious or a Watery Moments/Dignity or especially a Karena. It started off all right with Pickle heading towards Brownsea and Blue Jay spuriously towards what the crew called Rockley Point. But inevitably our paths closed on the way down to Sandemans – and we weren’t really ready for the crash gybing needed to keep out of Pickle’s Barfleur like wind shadow. In truth the gybes on both boats should have been smooth and premeditated – they weren’t – the pursuing fleet was catching up fast – you could almost see their spinnaker’s grinning! Somehow, Blue Jay managed to just scrape ahead on the spinnaker drop/rounding and from then on it was an easy tide ride to the finish.
    1st W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    2nd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Phil Powell
    3rd W6330 Karena Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett.
  • Saturday 18th July 2009 (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    Wind blowing Force 5 - 7 and the Wareham race is postponed, Course 17L was offered and accepted by the PRO. Just four boats on the line and off they go , Blue Jay headed off and does the second tack and decides enough is enough retiring. Colin May is pushing on in the other Hartley boat and decided to jump overboard for some skiing tacking the main sheet and spinnaker sheet for the reins! So now we have two Hartley Jams and one Devon Pickle racing to Balls Lake. A Beam reach to Hutchins follows with Bruce and Terry enjoying the overcast and lumpy conditions. Dave and Sally Bishton are showing their mettle and keeping up in third place on the multiple round course in the Top Triangle. A run to Wills mark is followed by another beat to Wych and then a superb Planning reach to Hutchins. Another run to Wills this time with kites all the way before a beat back to Wych has Colin may catching up the leader. The broad reach to Morris Lane signals the homeward bound legs to the finish. Sue Poulson flies the kite to close on Devon Pickle and overtake rounding the finishing line extension. Since they are testing the new boat it does not count but shows what can be done!
    Result:
    1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
    2nd W10588 Escapade Dave and Sally Bishton.
  • Wednesday 15th July (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    Two stable mated Wooden Wayfarers W6288 and W6330 race for position in the Wednesday Series. Strong SW winds hitting 28 knot gusts were testing the skills of the helms and crews. Four boats out with the Woodies clearly ahead racing for their lives to stay upright and finish first. W6288 ducks W 6330 in the Wych to work hard up the beat to round Chris Somner just ahead. Reaching to Stakes mark Karena is going high to try to dislodge Devon Pickle, on closing the mark inside boat is won but at the wrong mark! Stan's, Bruce Gridley in Devon Pickle calls for the spinnaker and catches and passes Karean to leeward. On the beat to the line Karena is gifted the lead as Spinnaker sheet trouble stops Devon Pickle. Another lap is on and Glynne Marples, Class Captain is ordered to put his back into it. AT Chris Somner mark it seems to have paid off as the Spinnaker is called again by Bruce "Hornblower" Gridley which pays off as the contest resumes after Devon Pickle turns at Stakes mark to commence a 3 sail drag race to Haven surfing the rollers. Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett show off there downwind sailing skills hoisting the kite to power ahead to leeward. The final beat saw Devon Pickle on starboard and in control until the tack for the line, going too early meant Karena closed the line at the pin end but then fouled it with a tack catching the boom! This handed the win to Devon Pickle just 4 seconds behind on the line! Steve Haley and Colin Clifford were not far away deciding that spinnakers are best left below! Boogie Woogie with new owner A. Monro made it round with Phil Powell up front to finish fourth!

    1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Glynne Marples
    2nd W6330 Karena Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett.
    3rd W9536 Wide Buoy Steve Haley and Colin Clifford
  • Saturday 11th July (race report by Ray & Jill Scragg)
     It was supposed to be the Wayfarer Round the Islands day but Race Officer Ray Page must have peered through the force four driven drizzle and murk and decided that we needed better weather to enjoy the scenic route. Instead the only island we circled was the race platform in a figure of eight sequence - a short beat to Rebbecks followed remarkably by beam reaches to Stans, Glovers and Haven for two laps. Blue Jay followed Expeditious round Rebbecks and after a nice bit of planing Mark Fisher started getting a bit fidgety as the wind dropped on the Stans approach. Sure enough their kite went up – too high – with enough leverage to pull Expeditious over for a premature drink. After the gybe some full on two sail planing continued towards the new Glovers race mark which despite the murk is now bright enough to be seen from well off. Bruce & Terry in Devon Pickle had at some point got past Blue Jay under spinnaker but this again was their undoing as they got caught head to wind spinnaker still up and its sheet over the boom. So we had to reluctantly accept the first place so offered – just one of those days when spinnakers were for risk takers – we understand that Expeditious had great fun with its kite and eventually got back past Eventide in to 3rd place. Colin with Sarah this time continued to gain experience in the Wayfarer Mk IV showing great speed especially with the waves down to Glovers. But it seemed that being in the right gusts and wind streams was more important than boat type – as has been shown generally throughout the season both at Parkstone and at open meetings. Perhaps it is still too early to say!

  • 1st W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
  • 2nd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
  • 3rd W3819 Evenstar Glynne Marples and Pauline Snyder
  • Early Saturday Series Provision Results
  • 1st W9848 Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson
  • 2nd W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
  • 3rd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
  • Swanage race report (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     The Annual Swanage race was held in Southery F2-4 wind with cloud cover and some bright spells W7698 had a cracking start on the Pin. Dave and Sally Bishton in Escapade were over keen and held up at the start. W6288 some seconds behind tacked onto Port at the Pin to get the tide. W7698 stayed on port tempted by the Wych channel Ebb to overstand Glovers. W6288 crossed the shallows with less plate and rounded first to lead the fleet on this epic Beat. Blue Jay now losing close contact persisted up the Swash and caught up passing ahead of W6288 on a tack off Old harry rocks. Bruce headed into the glassey waters for a close inspection of the rocks and weed, W7698 close covered and lost out as W6288 cleared the plate of weed and escaped back out heading for France on a fresher breeze. Tacking Inshore again the leaders were in gentle winds closing the cliffs several times for the longest beat with the leader rounding Swanage mark after 1 hr 50 minutes. Keith Cameron in W9447 made good speed and some good tactical navigation to claim the 3rd place. Spinnakers up and a 1hr 15minute run back with the flood tide and disturbed swell playing it's part. W6288 finished first at 1715hrs BST.

    Winner of the Swange trophy 2009 and 1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
    2nd W7698 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    3rd W9447 Silver Greyhound Keith Cameron and Angela Garcia
  • Wednesday 1st July 2009 (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     A very sultry day with Refreshing SE breeze and and a gentle incoming tide made for a true British hot summers day on the water. Pin end seems favorite with Blue Jay, Escapade and Devon Pickle vying for position pushing past A gaggle of enterprises. Blue Jay opted for a port tack and to break away for the Brownsea side to NC2 Buoy. Devon pickle stayed in contact, Other craft headed for salterns and some for Brownsea's Wych channel and beyond! On the Wall of the Bird sanctury short tacking proved it was the way to go to the windward mark. Turning for Haven mark Blue Jay had the lead by a few boat lengths. slowly in Zephers of wind Haven was reached with kites up. Stans mark loomed in the strong lowering sunlight and rounded after a good hours sailing. A tack inshore had Blue Jay covering Devon Pickle. Bruce Gridley then went for the main channel of tide and a tactical opportunity of a win. Blue Jay lost the lead following the baiter shore. Escapade made ground quicker to lead the remaining fleet of 8 boats to the once round course. After finishing Crew Charlotte Davies took the helm in DP and inadvertantly did a doughnut under the finishing box to celebrate the win.

    1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Charlotte Davies
    2nd W9768 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg.
    3rd W10158 Escapade Dave and Sally Bishton
  • Wednesday 24th June (report by Ray Scragg)
     With a 0.7m low tide at the start and a south easterly the course was restricted to a beat up a channel to Glovers, back along the Wych to Rebbecks and down to the Stakes race mark repeating for three laps. With glorious warm sunshine and a gentle force 2-3 the BlueJay team thought the channel of choice to Glovers should be the Brownsea side of the main channel about a centreboard’s depth. This required taking the pin end of the start line amongst a gaggle of Enterprises the leaders of which went right over to the Wych channel. With the Wayfarers preferring to head up the North Channel we were quite lonely taking our planned central routing. It was even quieter at Glovers when no one else turned up to play and we routed down to Rebbecks under spinnaker under the first of the incoming tide. After downing the spinny at Stakes the wind suddenly got up to about 4-5. But the lovely easterly shifts had us winging up to Glovers so much so that we could free off and surf down past Glovers against the now surging tide and free off to get sluiced back down to Rebbecks. As we approached the finish the shortened course flag was clearly visible with some relief as by now some of the gusts were getting to the top end of 5 - some carnage reported in other fleets. It was good to see the Wayfarers all got round although Henry Flint decided to test how good his toe straps would be for water skiing. There were rumours of a ghost Hartley sailing around the fleet with what looked like Colin and Sue aboard – we couldn’t quite see from our viewpoint - no doubt all will be revealed – watch this space!

    1st Ray & Jill Scragg W7698 Bluejay
    2nd Jackie Dobson & Terry Bennett W6330 Karena
    3rd Steve Haley & crew W9536 Wide Buoy
  • Mabuki Trophy "Single Handed Race" (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     Two boats raced for the single handed Mabuki trophy. The wind and tide were ideal , just some F 2-3 breeze and no tide to be concerned about. A twice round course with a run/broad leg and a close reach the order of the day, Alan Hescroft the race officer took a little advice and sent the boats up to stakes with a transit along the baiter shore. Bruce Gridley settled down for a three sailer taking the variable shifts and puffs of breeze, Frank Westfield having lost the race on the beat played follow my leader without the kite having decided on his first attempt to be content with a successful day staying upright, dry and finishing ahead of the Dolphin fleet.

    Winner W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley
  • Wednesday 17th June (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     Marginal conditions allowed racing to commnece as the rain cleared in heavy laden clouds, the F5 gusting 6 from the SW provided amazing opportunity for some two sail planing. Five boats started for the Beat to Chris Somner mark Devon Pickle had the lead on a Port tack with Karena heading into Brownsea and the Wych channel. Richard Spencer with crew Phillipa made good pace on Port. Rounding Chris Somner first Bruce Gridley kept the kite stowed waiting for Karena to make the first move. An almost dead run to No.23 was a disappointment but the short beam reach to haven was quite thrilling at times. Around the course again Karena stays on for the long leg on port via Stans makr pays off and closes with 2 boat lengths of Devon Pickle before separating again. At the Windward mark again and Devon Pickle has a 15 boat lead and another dead run to deal with, it was foaming like bringing your boat up the beach in the rollers before a quiter spell on rounding No.23 and a final blaster of a planning reach to Haven, then brakes on and a short beat to the finish line.

    Steve Haley showed his skills in the conditions and a credible forth was acheived for Richard Spencer in Whale Shark.

    1st W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Glynne Marples
    2nd W6330 Karena Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett
    3rd W9536 Wide Buoy Steve Haley and Colin Clifford
  • Saturday 13th June 'Round the Islands Trophy' (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     Eight Boats contested the annual race. At the Line the wind gusted to put Devon Pickle over on the Pin end attemting a Port flyer and into a re-start. Expedicious at the box end tacked on to port early to set off towards Poole quay. A split oocured with Dignity and Silver Greyhound seeking the Brownsea side. Evenstar tracked with Devon Pickle in pursuit of Expedicious whilst Norwegian Blue (lucky stars), Half n Half and Escapade made best speed to keep in touch. Dignity , Expedicious, Silver Greyhound and Devon Pickle swapped the lead before the transit into Upper wych channel sorted the order.

    The first 3 boats were in close formation gambling with the posts and shallows, with Devon Pickle taking the lead , Dignity second and Expedicious third. Risk taking was on the cards as Colin May tempted Bruce to cut the corner on Green Island. As Bruce dived to keep in front Dignity returned to the deeper water. Spinnakers up and a loose Dolphin kept Devon Pickle struggling for wind. At Goathorn Dignity surfed up and gained the lead using moored boats to block Devon Pickle from protecing her wind. Expedicious followed but remained Second until a re-attempt at Nat West Mark worked! The next 3 boats were to have a separate race of their own, with Escapade winning through to take forth place. A processional and bumpy return to the line via Drakes mark dulled the otherwise enjoyable annual tussle round the islands.

    1st Place and winner W9848 Dignity Colin May and Sarah Wallis.
    2nd W9768 Expedicious French and Mark Fisher.
    3rd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett.
  • Wednesday 10th June (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     After the heavy rain showers, sunshine and wafts of air stretched across the pond like harbour. The start ran to schedule with the signal flags hanging. Devon Pickle cleared the flotsam of craft gathered around the platform to gather up some breeze to round the movable mark first laid literally short of Latham mark on the Main channel south side . On the reach back to Hamish race mark Colin May as always sailed the best course staying out of the ebb tide until a dive over to round in patchy puffs of wind from the south. Pickle had played the joker card and got sucked away in the ebb tide. Blue Jay, Karena and Wide Buoy played safe and followed Dignity to reach Oscar mark for a short beat to the line. Around again and Barry French in Expeditious is catching the leaders as is Dave Bishton in Escapade showing some good spurts of speed in the Hartley design. Devon Pickle retired after some frustration and realising a poor result would be a discard.

    See the results to see how things are panning out in the Wednesday series.
  • Saturday 6th June (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     High winds arrived for the weekend, postponing the single handed trophy race. Five boats contested the Saturday series in 18-25knots of SE wind and warm water! The ebb tide gave rise to choppy waters in the channel causing a few dousings. Bruce Gridley pointed Devon Pickle in the right direction and followed Barfluer ferry out of the harbour to round Glovers mark. Colin May in Dignity showed his mastery of downwind sailing in the heavy conditions and reached Stan’s first on round 1. Some kite flying by Terry managed to keep Devon Pickle close to Dignity. Round 2 and Dignity is ahead and sets off down the long run again. More spinnaker work and Devon Pickle is alongside again at Stan’s and looks good for a first place finsh, but with the strong Ebb Bruce Gridley overstands the finish line to let Dignity back in the running as she takes the windward advantage for round 3. As the shallows beckon Pickle in to Latham’s mark, Dignity stays in the ebb longer to gain a healthier lead at glovers. On the final run down the spinnaker guy on Pickle is lost over the front sealing her fate for second place with the kite out of action. Evenstar wins through proving better upwind performance pays to take 3rd place.

    1st W9848 Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson
    2nd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
    3rd W3819 Evenstar Glynne Marples and Pauline Synder
  • Wednesday 3rd June (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     A figure eight course was attended by 9 Wayfarers. The flood tide and line bias made the pin the place to start, with room for one, Ray Scragg helming Blue Jay managed a corker of a start, accompanied as always by a smattering of Enterprises. Almost every boat was in close contest beating to Glovers mark. Nearing Glovers Devon Pickle had the hunter instinct and made second place with Karena bearing down in the cooling stiff SE breeze with Birthday Girl Jackie at the helm. Henry Flint as novice crew on Pickle celebrated with a 'wine glass' allowing Karena through to round Marine tax café ahead. A run to Stakes race mark saw Virgina Plain and Escapade closing up as Blue jay went pin end and Karena Box end to reach it. A Fetch to Movable and Devon Pickle was back in second place at the line on round 1.

    The fighting allowed Blue Jay to cruise ahead without fear of losing the win. Round 2 and nobody was giving up as the fleet closed again with Keith Cameron closing in aboard Silver Greyhound having caught Devon Pickle. At Glovers Devon Pickle regained the advantage over Virgina Plain and Karena. After Marine Tax Café on the run down on round 2 Karena overhauled Devon Pickle only to be 'run up' before Bruce Gridley dived off for the box end. Close duelling persisted. On round 3 boats were closing again. Jackie cleared Pickle again deciding to stay high on a pin end run. This allowed Melinda helming Virgina Plain to stay on course and round Stakes in Second place. You can't cover two boats that split, so pick you worst enemy. Escapade followed in to Stakes third briefly. Karena was forced wide as Devon Pickle rounded cleanly to pop out from the mark in clear air and forged ahead for a podium finish after rounding movable for the last time.

    1st W9768 Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    2nd W9559 Virgina Plain Melinda and Mark Fisher
    3rd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Henry Flint
  • 'Jenny Allen' Trophy Race in Poole Bay 30th May (race report by Richard Readings)
     For the second consecutive year the Jennie Allen Cup, for a race around the bay in either direction, was successfully raced in superb conditions. Colin May lead the fleet out past the Chain Ferry and chose to beat down the Swash to Pollittbureau. Dave Bishton and Frank both chose to follow, while Tom Lock, with super-tactician Terry Berrett on board, and Glynne Marples chose the fetch to Bournemouth Pier first.

    The two fleets met as they rounded BP Wych Mark in different directions, two miles south of Bournemouth Pier, although Tom initially set a course for Cherbourg (that's next week Tom!). Retired Wayfarers, Richard and Lynaire, manning the safety boat, eagerly awaited the first boat to arrive back at the Haven. This turned out to be Tom, followed by Glynne, a comfortable distance ahead of Colin May, who we must assume had stopped for ice cream on Bournemouth beach! Dave and Sally Bishton were not far behind Colin, after a considerably delayed spinnaker launch at BP Wych Farm mark, apparently still mastering the new spinnaker chute. Places remained unchanged to the finish line.

    1st W9559 Virgina plain Tom Lock and Terry Berrett
    2nd W3819 Even star Glynne Marples and Pauline Snyder
    3rd W9848 Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson
  • Wednesday Race 27th May (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     With the current lead boats in the series absent it was all to play for with just 6 boats. The moderating F5-7 wind had moved to the west as the strong Ebb tide emptied Poole harbour. An Ad-hoc was offered up to the Race officer and proved interesting as did the very shallow crossings, more later.. Almost essential some time in the main channel saw Devon Pickle overcook it to show Karena making the perfect track into Poole Quay to avoid the tremendous ebb tide. Glynne Marples with super tactician Mark Fisher followed in close quarters. A transit across the channel to Wills mark seemed correct again for Karena before tacking back for the rounding of Morris lane.

    Kites hoisted in the now F4 took the boats down tide to Wills before a good beam reach to Stan's mark. Another gybe to N.23 and then a scramble across a shallow hump to Sandeman for the beat back to the line. Rounding a second time gave Devon Pickle a chance to try a different route and gained second place in so doing. One tack into the main channel seems to lose Glynne the position. Two long tacks took us across some quite shallow waters around Fisherman docks, we were on less than half plate! Nearly Low water now as Morris lane was rounded and then it was four more spinnaker reaches to Sandeman and home. Only one boat actually retired "aground". Well done Henry Flint!

    1st W6330 Karena Jackie Hodder and Terry Berrett
    2nd W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Charlotte Davies
    3rd W3819 Evenstar Glynne Marples and Mark Fisher
  • Saturday Race 23th May (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     Warm Sunshine and a SE F2-3 breeze set the scene for a trundle round the harbour on a figure of 8 course. First mark Ellis Jones called for a dive into the channel ebb tide to get there quickly. Colin May got the final approach correct rounding with Dolphin and Enterprise Fleet. Devon Pickle kept wind clear to get a little lead , while Keith Cameron stayed more directly on course and rounded Drake first. Devon Pickle rounded second had to fit for wind with an Enterprise and lost out to Dignity. At Chris Somner mark Dignity gained the Lead to finish first on a late shortening after rounding Stans.

    • 1st Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson
    2nd Silver Greyhound Keith Cameron and Caroline Sandeman
    3rd Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
  • Wednesday Race 20th May (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     Clear skies of late are giving way to F3 southerlies and warmer evenings. Another good turnout saw Escapade being driven by the man from ALLEN and after getting to grips with a Wayfarer for the first time managed a credible third place with Dave Bishton up front. It was a close call for Colin May in Dignity getting second place after a tricky start and penalty turns messin' with the Enterprises on the start line. Jackie Dobson was last at Chris Sumner before escaping the clutches of Nurdle and Silver Greyhound on the penultimate leg and having taken a penalty to finish 4th.

    With the wind predominately SW Bruce Gridley took the Long leg on Port option, learned from the old master Basil Hodder to gain a good position before over standing Chris Somner mark allowing faithful followers Wide Buoy and Half n Half to catch up as all three rounded in quick succession just boat lengths apart. Opening up another gap Devon Pickle was in her element seeking out K Mark and then rounding Movable in Parkstone bay in a different SE breeze. The Olympic style course saw two more rounds and more wind swings and kept everyone on their toes with place changing for some and some close mark rounding. A great evening for a helm challenge watching the shifts, kicker adjustment and fairlead positioning and tuition for the new Crew Charlotte on the "Green Chutney kite"

    • 1st Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Charlotte Davies.
    2nd Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson.
    3rd Escapade Rob from "Allen" and Dave Bishton.
  • Wednesday Race 13th May (race report by Bruce Gridley)
     A moderate Ebb Tide and opposing SE F2-3 Warm Breeze was the framework for an exciting race with 12 Wayfarers on the line. Pin end boats Blue Jay and Karena took the lead at Glovers, Devon Pickle and Dignity followed after recovering from down the line start. Spinnakers were going to be vital as the run to Latham proved, Jackie Dobson Gybed Karena away to the middle bank in hope of less tide but this cost her a place. Devon Pickle chased onwards to be second place at Latham. Dignity was close by on the next leg to F but mistook the course mark losing some distance gained in third place.
    At No.23 the Spinnakers were up again for a tighter reach to Rebbecks with Devon Pickle's new crew Charlotte on the spinnaker for the first time holding her own. Another difficult navigation to K brought the four front runners together again before a tactical beat in the Ebb tide and main channel to the Finish line in a very close finish.

    • 1st Place W7698 Bluejay Ray and Jill Scragg
    2nd Place W6288 Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Charlotte Davies
    3rd Place W6330 Karena Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett.
  • Saturday's Race 9th May (race report by Colin May)
     A 'Two Race' day for a change, with the wind up to seventeen knots giving a brisk sail. The first start saw the welcome return of that well known duo Barry and Mark. They made a good start at the pin end, with Ray and Jill to leeward, having found their way round the transom of 'Dignity'.

    First beat to Chris Somner saw 'Dignity', 'Expeditious', 'Blue Jay' and 'Virginia Plain' crossing tacks till a close rounding gave the group the next challenge of a fast downwind run to No.23 buoy. A gybe and a reach to Haven saw the group open up slightly. 'Dignity' having smarted from recent defeats, had the bit between its chines and felt the best thing to do was to work very hard and try and keep ahead of the pack of following boats. 'Blue Jay' held second, 'Expeditious' third, Tom a good fourth, Glynne fifth, Keith and Caroline a safe sixth, Phil and Sue seventh, and Frank and Phillipa eighth.
     
    Race Two again saw the good starters at the pin end, with 'Dignity' on their transoms. This, dear readers, you will have to believe was where they wanted to be for two reasons, firstly being 'sandwiched' between the other starters is not too palatable and the chance to tack away onto Port Tack into to the slower tide was helpful.

    Unfortunately for the boat that sailed into the marina so as to not have to do the second round, the course was then shortened so a large drink was duly ordered to soften the blow.

    Keith and Caroline fleetingly grappled with the spinnaker, Keith having waited for the gusts to put it up, rather than the lulls favoured by Caroline. Frank and Phillipa having had a good first race, decided that avoiding the day tripper boat was an excellent idea but attacking a channel buoy was not, shame as a good second race would have made their day, but cleaning mud from the mast did not!
     
    Highlight of the day was the untimely exit of Mark from Barry's boat, having put too much power into hiking and breaking the toe straps. More trips to the DIY shop!

    A well run day by Pete, the Race Officer.
  • Wednesday 6th May - Parkstone Wayfarers Wednesday Series (race report by Ray Scragg)
    Blue Jay – for a change with Dave Moss on the weather rail - managed to lee bow Dignity at the start and stay ahead up to Piccadilly. The theory I guess was Piccadilly as windward mark with Wills, No 28 and NC14 as successive leeward marks. However with the incoming tide and the wind swinging to the west we were fetching on starboard up to Piccadilly with streams of water coming overboard as we couldn’t free off enough to lift the bows on to a plane – we tested the bailers instead.

    At Piccadilly the kicker’s tail managed to form a tight monkey’s fist with the mainsheet somewhat spoiling our gybe and letting Dignity through. All was not lost though as a protracted re-rigging exercise took place on Dignity enabling Blue Jay to skip past before Wills. As we settled down it became evident that the warm, humid air coming over the Purbeck Hills was quite gentle in its ramps up and down between force 4 and 5. This enabled relatively comfortable downward spinnaker surfing - albeit somewhat by the lee as we sought out the whereabouts of NC14 – well we don’t want too much gybing this early in the season!
  • 29th April Parkstone Wayfarers Wednesday Series (race report by Bruce Gridley)
    F2-3 winds from the SSW and a strong ebb was problematic for the race officer. Interestingly, Colin May in Dignity made the best advance to Rebbecks from the pin end, whilst Steve Haley in Wide buoy tramped from the Box end. At the mark the wind was circulating make it a lottery for the rounding, Vola Vola was in mix for a shot at 4th place for a while with Nurdle closing. With a sufficient lead Dignity hoisted the kite for a tight reach to Morris lane. Ray and Jill Scragg in Blue Jay closed and passed Dignity with a smarter approach and good speed to the mark, it was then Melinda and Mark fisher in Virginia plain rounding third after sailing past Wide buoy. With half plate around ‘haven’ it was a short beat to the line before a run leg. Wide buoy was back with Virgina Plain at Rebbecks before the Dynamic Fishers escaped again.

    On the 3rd round Wide buoy defended 4th place for a while going to Morris lane for the second time but could not match the speed of Nurdle. As Nurdle struggled with the kite out of Morris lane, Wide buoy hauled 4th place back with coach Gridley driving the kite as hard as possible. David Thompson’s lifetime experience finally paid off passing Widebuoy at the very last on the finish line.
    1st Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
    2nd Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson
    3rd Virginia Plain Melinda and Mark Fisher
  • 15th April 2009
    A humid evening with F4-5 South Easterly wind greeted the Wayfarer fleet of 6 boats. Devon Pickle luffed out at the start by the Enterprise fleet starting at the same time. Colin May started down the line and got away on Port tack for Drake mark. On the run to Rebbecks, Bruce Gridley steered Devon Pickle alongside Dignity with some good kite flying by Terry. A close battle ensued to Stans mark where Gridley took the lead and back to the finish line on this olympic type course of 3 rounds.
    The second round and a run back to Stan’s saw Dignity catching fast and getting the lead back at Stans sailing low to the baiter shore out of the tide more. The beat again and Devon Pickle has gear failure with the Genoa breaking on the wire. An excursion to baiter and all is fixed with a new shackle and third place after another round. Steve Haley helmed Wide Buoy into second place at the finish in the fading light.
    1st Dignity Colin May and Sue Poulson
    2nd Wide Buoy Steve Haley and Colin Clifford
    3rd Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
  • Wayfarer Easter Series 2009
    The weather is chilled but fine and light airs expected. Six races to complete.

    Race one and three boats on the water and in contention. Against ebb tide and a variable NW Breeze Pete Smith in newly acquired Wizzard stayed in the tide and showed the way to Movable. A Spinnaker reach to Rebbecks and Bruce Gridley in Devon Pickle rounded first and then sailed around Glovers heading across the channel to be on the finish line side of Barfleur Ferry. Wizzard stayed Brownsea side to win easily with more wind. Race 2 followed and it was still light airs. A win this time for Devon Pickle not wishing to repeat the error on race one.

    Day two and its a little warmer after some early fog, a new technique in starting meant avoiding the Merlin Rockets that were like wolves around the Pin end. Some close starts made for competitive racing giving some good practice for the season ahead. Another mistake for Devon Pickle as the kite came down at Rebbecks when the stakes mark was a reach, so up it goes again to keep in touch with Wizzard. Some antics were then played on approach, Pete Smith Passing to windward as Bruce slept. Now awake Devon Pickle regaining the lead and Inside boat at Stakes and then to the finish line to score another single point.

    Day three and a close battle ensued for the win in race 5. Half ‘N’ Half sailed by Family Powell joined in the fun with Pete Smith and super crew Mark leading away and rounding Glovers in the lead. Poor spinnaker drill on the reach to Rebbecks allowed Devon Pickle to overtake and seal the series for the seventh time in the History of the event. Race 6 and it was second place for Wizzard if the spell continued, the wind was now a very steady F3 increasing from the south easterly continent. Brilliant sunshine and the boats were going nicely, kicker on and crew sitting out , Glynn Marples and Pauline Synder revelling in the conditions with some close tacking to Glovers eventually gaining second place overall as Pete Smith retired. The Trophy and Easter eggs were presented for First and Second place.

    Results: Devon Pickle Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett 5.0pts
    Evenstar Glynne Marples and Pauline Synder 12.0
    Wizzard Pete Smith and Mark ???? 14.0

  • Race Report for the 21st December 2008
    Well it's all over now, The Wind blowing from a WSW angle!! Well it was a very strange angle and I've never sailed that exact angle before in 20 odd years! It must be because the cold December frosts has got all the leaves down on Shipstall point or Corfe castle has crumbled a bit more! A competitive start saw Vole Vola pushing half'n' Half pushing Devon Pickle Devon Pickle across the line to start the last race race of the season. The Low water meant some 'plate scraping' across to the Island for the Pickle, Frank Westfield had a hydrographers report which he half read, staying in the deeper water but losing distance due to the strong ebb. Rounding Oyster first Devon Pickle steered a strange fetch for Piccadilly across the oyster banks with rudder touching at one point. It was in lighter airs before a little kite flying just to get it ready for the big 3 sail reach to Trial mark of the Ro-Ro terminal. Half 'n Half was chasing hard in second place, reportedly in-touch at least visually! Down to the platform was the truest run you ever did have to lay, a gybe required just to ease round the back. On to Nc12 and Sandeman and back to the line was a doddle (Dorset speak for easy) in deep water. Forty minutes gone and around the circuit for a second time, this time taking the Baiter shore to Poole Quay, more relaxed in deeper water but out of tide and then over to Wills before the shallows approaching Oyster with half plate. Another fetch to Picadilly and then a reach back, this time it was a real blaster planing forever, it was very exhilarating before a swift drop of the kite to squeeze round the trail mark again. The wind now more westerly, meant standing on for stakes mark before gybing for the shortened finish at the Box. Thanks to all the crews, especially Terry, and to Colin May and Sally Bishton for manning the Safety Boat at short Notice in true Wayfarer Spirit. And to David Moss and Sally Bishton for photos! Merry Christmas to all our readers! Back at Easter 2009.
    1st Place and Overall Winner W6288 Devon Pickle - Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
    2nd Place W8803 Half 'n Half - Philip Powell and Paul Goodwin
    3rd W9155 Vola Vola - Frank Westfield and Philipa