- Saturday 29th
September
The last race of the season was contested by nine boats in light winds.
Although the series had already been won by Colin May second place was up for
grabs. Blue Jay and Karena both sailed to decide final series placings. The
Gridley Boys popped out early for some tuning and practice. Richard Readings
and Lynaire Rea sailing Wizzard had a clean getaway from the pin end at the
start, leaving the rest of the fleet searching for breeze. Karena started late
but was able to follow Wizzard towards the incoming SE breeze and picked up a
steady zephyr to round the windward Sandemans in second place. Wizzard
continued in the lead and turned Glovers after a fetch to take the tide down
the Wych Channel to Quality Residential Mark. Karena was able to take advantage
of a fluffed spinnaker drop by Wizzard's helm at the leeward mark to round
higher but still in second place at the end of the first round. At Sandemans
again Karena sailing higher reached the mark ahead of Wizzard and sailed the
reach back to Quality Residential and then fetched the line for first place.
Further back Virgina Plain held off the amorous Blue Jay to gain third place.
1st W6330 Karena - Bruce and Peter Gridley
2nd W9592 Wizzard - Richard Readings and Lynaire Rea
3rd W9559 Virginia Plain - Tom Lock and Ben Heppenstall
- Saturday 8th
September
Eight Wayfarers ventured out for the postponed Wayfarer Round the Islands
Trophy race. Barrie French set the pace with a good rounding of the first mark
with lightweight crew, Jeff Snyder. Colin May, Ray Scragg and Bruce Gridley
were closing behind with their usual steeds. The long spinnaker haul began down
to Bell and then South Deep in the N NW medium and variable airs. Glynn Marples
caught up the leading pack and overtook Barry and Bruce with crew Pauline
Snyder egging him on, presumably to see if son Jeff was OK. However Karena and
Expeditious still had the lead into Goathorn, where kites were stowed until
clear of the Furzey terminal.
The very narrow channel off Green Island and tacking needs made for some
grounding as low water gave problems for at least the lead boats, with Jill
Scragg stepping out for a paddle. Karena doing a gybe around and Colin moving
his weight around, I think! At Glovers Colin tacked sharpish to get the lead
again on Blue Jay in the new flood tide. Going too low had let Ray steal the
lead if just for a moment or two. With slower performance off-wind the green
boat had to admit defeat and collect the bronze.
1st Watery Moments Colin May and Sarah Wallis.
2nd Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
3rd Karena Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
- Pursuit Race - Saturday 8th September
The Wayfarer Pursuit Race was won by Ray and Jill Scragg. Results as follows:
- W7698 Ray and Jill Scragg (handicap 4 mins)
- W9068 Colin May (handicap 5 mins)
- W3819 Glynne Marples and Pauline Snyder (handicap 1 min)
- Wednesday 5th September - Janette
Lock Trophy
The last race of the Wednesday series saw sixteen Wayfarers competing in a NW
F3 on a beautiful sunny evening. Jackie Welch and Sue Poulson in Karena were
first at the first mark, Stakes, with Maverick close behind. Shooting Stars
claimed second place at the next mark, Balls Lake, and continued to give chase
to Karena on the fetch to Hutchins. On the long spinnaker run down to Sandemans
Sally Bishton crewing Shooting Stars tweaked the kite sufficiently to overhaul
Karena, and Shooting Stars managed to hold the lead to the finish, with Colin
May recovering from a bad start to a distant third place.
The Trophy winner will be drawn at the Annual Dinner in March 2008.
1st Shooting Stars Richard Readings and Sally Bishton.
2nd Karena Jackie Welch and Sue Poulson
3rd Watery Moments Colin May and Phil Powell
- Crew's Race - Saturday 11th August
Sally Bishton, sailing W9738 "Maverick", won the crews race as the
only entry. It was a two buoy course in SE sea breeze. It took just under 20
minutes to complete the course before the wind died.
- Saturday 11th
August
The south-westerly F3 wind filled in and the racing got underway with the
harbour being emptied on a spring ebb tide. Karena timed the line perfectly
(according to Bruce!) and tacked at the box for a long leg on port, lee-bowing
the tide. Glynn Marples stayed out of tide but to no advantage as Dave and
Sally Bishton showed their new found talent to keep Bruce Gridley on his toes,
matching him move for move. Not flying the kite to Hutchins lost Maverick some
distance and left Gridley and Berrett to view the scenery and discuss the
Oyster beds catching the plate on the second beat to Wych.
Frank Westfield persevered at the back in Vola Vola with some training for
Poole week. Thankfully the course was shortened at the second run down to No.2.
We would never had got to Wych again without a diversion round the oyster beds.
The hot and brilliant sunshine at least gave everyone a Red Glow!
1st Karena Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
2nd Maverick Dave and Sally Bishton.
3rd Evenstar Glynn Marples and Pauline Synder
- Saturday 4th
August
Hot sun and F3 SSW wind set the fleet off for a tour of the top triangle.
Karena cleared the line on port to round Chris Somner mark first for the fetch
to Hutchins mark. Shooting Stars closed up with good speed and attempted a
series of passing manoeuvres on the approach. Staying clear ahead Karena held
the lead on the second beat to Wych Mark and a three sail reach to Hutchins
again. On the beat to Wych Richard Readings ably assisted by Sarah Wallis took
the lead working the shifts better at the final approach. Barry French and Mark
Fisher in Expeditious scored third place as they closed on the leaders on the
run home.
1st Shooting Stars Richard Readings and Sarah Wallis
2nd Karena Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
3rd Expeditious Barry French and Mark Fisher
- Saturday 28th
July
In fresh WSW winds seven Wayfarers prepared to face battle. In the end two
stood down. Ray and Jill Scragg generously took the place of an absent Flying
15 safety boat crew and two retired early leaving Glynne Marbles to chase Colin
May-Win and Grumps Gridley up to Balls Lake twice for good measure. Karena
started well, crossing the ebb tide to find the Brownsea side for a long leg on
Port. Watery Moments joined here for a close battle up to the Wills Cut. At
Balls Lake Evenstar was second round after benefiting from an even better wind
bend and the super crew help of Mark Fisher.
The leg to Piccadilly was a three sail planing reach, at least some of the time
as the wind oscillated in strength and direction. Karena was back in second
place powering low on Evenstar and then stole first place at Trial 4 as Colin
decided to round No. 32 and No. 30 via Morris lane! Up on the beat a second
time Colin's super-cre, Rosie, pulled out all the stops and our star performers
were again in the lead and heading once again for Trial 4 and the Condor
catamaran arriving to berth. Karena took the lead again with Colin insisting on
penalising himself rounding No.30 instead of Trial 4.
Rounding the platform Karena was hampered by Fireballs and had to luff to clear
one out of the way inducing a capsize which Colin had to swerve round also. At
NC12 Colin rounded inside to get the lead and cross the line first, subject to
a PROTEST by Bruce. The lightweight team in Evenstar was a very close third
place finisher, revelling in the conditions.
The fleet was enhanced by the Antipodean presence of Georgie, Rosie's niece,
who crewed for Steve Haley in Widebuoy. Usually a 420 sailor she "stepped
up" to deal with the technical type of sailing we are used to in
Wayfarers. Kit was borrowed from around the fleet to get the shy, retiring
young lady on the water and what did we care if she looked like a rejected
window display from Oxfam! Apparently the water is a little cooler in the
harbour than Brisbane but on the upside we don't see too many sharks.
Bruce Gridley and Glynne Marples
- Wednesday 18th July
With low water at around 8pm the Race Officer made the wise decision to start
the race from the Ron Cox, anchored near the Royal Motor start line. Fourteen
Wayfarers arrived on the start line on a beautiful evening. Shooting Stars took
the precaution of following John Herbert in his Albacore down the Sandbanks
side of the first beat to reach the windward mark, Natwest, ahead of Watery
Moments and Blue Jay.
At the next mark, Bell, it became apparent that neither Colin May or Ray Scragg
had read the change to the sailing instructions, rounding the cardinal mark
instead of "Trial 3". It was half way up the next leg, to Glovers,
before they realised their mistake and returned to round the correct mark,
Colin looking rather glum! Shooting Stars then had an unassailable lead
although Blue Jay climbed back from last place to fourth, pursued by Colin and
Rosie in Watery Moments. Mindy and Mark in Virginia Plain overhauled Half 'n
Half to gain second and third places respectively. Further down the fleet Phil
Powell and Sue Poulson completed their first race with "Dignity"
(i.e. they didn't fall in!).
- Single Handed Race (Mabuki Trophy) - Saturday 11th
August
Tony Millet, sailing W8803 "Half n Half", won the Single Handed Race,
as the only entry in this one horse race!
- Wareham Race, Saturday 7th
July
The annual Wareham classic started in fine weather and force 3-4 but westerly
dead on the nose - talk of a million tacks up the Frome river was heard before
the start. With a nice bias at the pin end the Blue Jay team could tack on to
port across the fleet but then significant shifts set in and it was later
possible to be shifting between port and starboard lay-lines to Hutchins.
After the ambiguity of the 'Barrel O' race it was clear from the special
instruction that WH5 was to be taken as the lead in to the Wareham channel, but
at least this time we knew where it was! With the tide in over the expanses of
the channel there were some good puffs of 5 which made for a nice sail though
moderating a bit as we entered into the withys. Here against my crew's better
judgment it was very tempting to make shortcuts but it was soon proven
necessary to stick to the zig zagged and narrow.
Once into the Frome the usual concertina action took place with 'Maverick'
appearing alarmingly close in the rear view mirrors. But then a bit further in,
having just rounded a bend into a nice reachy bit what should appear but the
edifices of the 'Purbeck Bell' full of happy trippers escaping the pleasures of
the Wareham Carnival. We were able to get past unscathed but I could not image
the carnage going on behind. It is understood that during this time some took
the opportunity to make brief sojourns into the reeds to take solice in the
peace and tranquility of the beautiful surroundings. The Blue Jay team decided
to leave these joys to the trip home and instead concentrated on getting to the
tea and cakes at Redclyff. Ridge Wharf appeared with some relief amazingly
quickly this year and it was straight forward - for ex Upper Thames sailors -
to scoot around to Redclyffe. The swirling winds ensured that even the short
bits of dead beat could be mitigated by plenty of twist in the main and just
taking our chances with all the shifts.
A very friendly welcome at Redclyffe and many thanks to the Dolphins for
organizing the tea. Thanks also to all the other unseen organizers and
especially Richard and Lynaire for manning the safety boat and finish line. The
trip back was fast with some nice spinnaker surfing conditions getting us back
in under an hour. A very nice day's sail.
Ray & Jill Scragg W7698 BlueJay
- Saturday 30th
June
Five boats ventured out in a blustery F4. The first mark, Chris Somner, proved
difficult to locate and Shooting Stars, Evenstar and Maverick headed to the
area of the old Rebbecks mark only to spot the red cone a lot closer towards
Brownsea. Keith and Caroline had meanwhile chosen a route much closer to the
island which paid and the mark was rounded in close sucsession by Evenstar,
Shooting Stars and Silver Greyhound. Unfortunately Dave and Sally had a main
halyard break, dumping the sail into the boat and their race was over. Once
again the sighting of the next mark, Morris Lane, was a problem for Evenstar
but eventually the three leading boats planed over to this gybe mark. Evenstar
rounded first but Shooting Stars came out tighter to take the lead. These two
boats pulling away from Silver Greyhound.
The run down to No 28 buoy saw Evenstar achieve an inside overlap hoping to
call for water at the mark but Richard found an extra burst of speed and called
no water. Another gybe and on to Stans to starboard. It was at this stage that
the experience of the old stager in Shooting Stars told. He gybed quite close
to the mark setting him up for a better turn and resulting in him opening a gap
between the two boats. Down past the box to NC12 to port, Sandemans to port
then back through the line for another lap.
The beat back up the harbour saw Evenstar and Shooting Stars close to
conversation distance again but Richard and Angela were able to maintain their
lead round the course to the finish. Glynne and Pauline did try to fly the
spinnaker on the reach from Stans to NC12 in a brave attempt to catch the lead
boat, but nearly went for a swim. Keith and Caroline were more successful in
their attempt and after an involuntary gybe had to practice their breast
stroke!
Retirement for Silver Greyhound allowed Simon Nightingale and Frank Westfield
in Pot Luck to gain a very creditable 3rd place. A very hard fought and close
race between the two "Stars" but we can only ponder what would have
happened had Maverick, with it's legendary down wind speed, not had the gear
failure?
Finally, where were the big boys? Not like sailing in the rain?
Glynne Marples
- Wednesday 27th June
On a rainy evening with winds blowing F5/6 and we thought the best
entertainment we would get would be watching Bruce and Mark rescue the
postponement flag..... things changed. The big boys went home and the rest of
us were chatting in the bar when Anne Moss ran through shouting, "we're
going out!" Conditions had changed and with speed reminicent of a scene
from Batman we ran and changed in seconds flat. With the help of Richard
Readings who uncovered boats and collected trolleys, 3 boats set out. Anne and
Dave Moss, Glynne and Richard and Dave Bishton and a woman he met in the
corridor (Enterprise sailor, Louise)!
The first race was to the start line which we reached with seconds to spare,
but the course was displayed on the windward side and we were unable to see it
until we started and sailed past!
The beat to Wills saw Anne and Dave pull ahead and establish a lead that they
did not lose. Evenstar was second to the mark and went to launch her spinnaker
for the reach to Stans. A lack of preparation time and the result of an
incident on Saturday exposed a spinnaker flying upside down, back to front and
twisted! Dave and the corridor crew passed and pulled away. The chase began and
after a bit of re-tying Evenstar was able eventually to fly the kite. Maverick
however showed her incredible downwind speed without a third sail (Enterprise
crew!) and managed to stay ahead to the finish. This despite some screaming
three sail planing reaches in Evenstar.
Our thanks to Mark, Mindy and Keith and Val Pitman(new members) for safety
cover and to Keith for stepping in as ARO at short notice.
Three things impressed on this evening: Anne and Dave's excellent team work,
Maverick's downwind speed and Dave Bishton's pulling power!
Glynne
- Saturday 23rd
June
A reduced turnout due to the Wayfarer Nationals at Lymington and the Round the
Island Race. Heavy showers saw the start delayed for thirty minutes, then the
wind returned to Force 4 with some healthy gusts. Vola Vola was left
floundering on her side at the pre-start with Simon Nightingale practising his
swimming again. Karena was first across the line to Chris Somner mark. After
rounding first kite trouble ensued allowing Lucky Dip to pass with Half 'n Half
drawing level. When super-crew Terry finally untangled the locked halyard
Karena had to play catch-up on the run into Glovers mark under full steam
again. On the beat again to round the Islands the pair had Tony Millet and
Malcolm Bell in hot pursuit. The RS fleet joined in the fun by luffing Karena
into Green Island, spinnaker had to come down on the green boat to escape. A
gybe followed with a re-hoist of Devon Pickle's spinnaker and Karena was free
to plane across the flat waters and shallows off Goathorn at full pelt as a
band of F5-6 wind came through, surging past a more cautious Lucky Dip to
Natwest mark before hitting the South deep chop and breaking the rudder
lanyard. No spinnakers on this stretch of water as the wind was unstable and
F5-6 on stern. Lucky Dip hoisted the spinnaker to Drake mark while Bruce
Gridley was nursing the rudder lanyard and Terry had no toe straps on the
starboard side as he had knocked the fixing clean off! Lucky Dip was just held
off by about 8 boat lengths on the last fetch to the line. Glynne Marples
working his new rig set-up forgot to remove the old highfield lever, which just
got in the way!
| 1st |
Karena |
Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett |
| 2nd |
Lucky Dip |
David and Anne Moss |
| 3rd |
Half 'n Half |
Tony Millett and Malcolm Bell. |
Photos
- Wednesday 20th June
Just one place to start at the pin and Albacores parked. Watery Moments escaped
with an early tack onto port to begin the windward leg to Chris Somner Mark in
the erratic SSW F3-4. Karena and Blue Jay followed suit with Karena rounding
first for the reach to Stans. Very close racing saw the two boats trading
water, wind and position. Shooting Stars gained third place from Blue Jay on
the second beat, only to lose it again on the downwind leg. Four laps of the
Olympic style course saw close tactical racing at the front, all good practice
for National circuit racer Colin May. Sadly Shooting Stars misread the Shorten
Course flag and finished a lap early. Maverick, which had been in hot pursuit
all the way, conitnued the pursuit and also finished a lap early.
On the last run back Karena lost the tidal advantage which stretched the fleet
on the stronger ebb tide and had to settle for second place. Steve Haley and
super crew, Keith Cameron, took advantage of the two premature finishers to
finish in a well earned fourth place.
1st Watery Moments Colin May and Philip Powell
2nd Karena Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett
3rd Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
Bruce Gridley
- Saturday 16th June
A good SW F4/5 blowing and Bruce Gridley retired to the platform as PRO. He set
a long course to Wych followed by multiple legs in the top triangle to keep the
fleet busy. Barrie French, back from his sojourn, had the bit between his teeth
and clinched a clear victory in Supercalafragalisticexpeditious, with Mark
Fisher taking every opportunity to fly the spinnaker. Colin May was nursing a
new crew and kite around the circuit and was pushed into third place by Ray and
Jill Scragg. They plugged away and revelled in the conditions, with very wet
faces, securing another second place and climbing up the Saturday Series leader
board. Glynne Marples had to man the safety boat as there were no more marbles
in the bag. Well done all for completing the two hour race. Just one retirement
from Keith Cameron who kindly advised the harbour master to let Bruce Know!
1st Expeditious Barry French and Mark Fisher
2nd Blue Jay Ray and Jill Scragg
3rd Watery Moments Colin May and Rosie Connell
Bruce Gridley
- Wednesday 13th June
It was the 13th June and David Thompson on the race platform, no wind, Course
GEM 9? Nine Rounds, did David Know something?
After a postponement the race got underway in an easterly F2 as forecast by the
Met office. Unbelievable? Watery Moments and Karena headed off into the flood
tide with Moonshadow tacking away with Shooting Stars in tow towards the
Brownsea side for Glovers Mark. It was a four horse race up the middle bank
with Moonshadow too tight on the mark and Karena stalled around it. Richard
Readings sailing Shooting Stars cleared the Mark in the lead after the extra
tack and then lost out to luffing attacks from Watery Moments on the leg to
Sanders sails. At Mark ‘M’ Moonshadow was looking favourite until she
embraced the mark which wouldn’t let go at least until Pete Keeping
withdrew the centreboard! The second round and Bruce Gridley had sailed Karena
into the lead. A tussle before Sanders sails kept the two close together before
a split of downwind gybes. At Mark ‘M’ Colin May just had the inside
berth and rounded first with Bruce deciding on a wide in tight out manoeuvre. A
tacking duel ensued and finally Karena turned the last starboard tack box end
to the finish line. Watery Moments inside boat drew level. The Race Officer
declared probably the first ever tied First Place in the History on the Fleet
since the fleet founder Basil Hodder first sailed the same boat
“Karena” around the buoys of Poole Harbour many years ago.
Results in Numerical Order.
1st= Place W6330 Karena Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett and W9068 Watery
Moments Colin May and Philip Powell
3rd Place W8088 Shooting Stars Richard Readings and Sally Bishton
Bruce Gridley
In addition to Bruce's report, "The crack at the back"
So we've heard about Dave Veal getting too close to the inflatable marks. I put
it down to Pete Keeping's new go faster (and very colourful) wet suit! A new
investment, from that well known chandlers, Lidl. Keith and Caroline's race was
decided by his choice of a more direct route to Glovers. A decision rued as he
watched the rest of the fleet round some way in front. From there on it was a
chase. Dave and Anne Moss were going very smoothly indeed but a combination of
route selection, a nasty header and weed slowed them down and allowed Glynne
and Richard to cover them to the finish. Class Captain Lynaire and Heather
chased the leading pack all the way round and finished a very creditable fourth
not very far behind Richard and Sally, but always with a wary eye on Evenstar
who chased but couldn't catch the lighter crew in the conditions. Richard &
Vanessa had trouble with their spinnaker, causing them to fall back initially.
They battled round and finished the course and were not too far behind. Their
evening improved with warm showers and a meal but then found themselves sharing
a table with Richard Readings. Well you can't have it all! In the bar Rosie
entertained a fawning crowd with a selection of jokes whilst we waited for the
results to appear. Bruce and Colin are to be congratulated on their combined
victory. Tony and Malcolm to be thanked for the safety cover.
Glynne Marples
- Barrel "O" Race, Saturday 9th June
Sun and light variable winds for the long haul up to the harbour limits. Karena
was round No23 first. Watery Moments chased and sailed past on the leg to
Hutchins Mark. The fleets headed for WH7 and rounded WH5 instead. History of
the removal of Lake Shore mark and subsequent renumbering has put the 'wrong'
mark in the course book. WH7 is a pointless passing mark two buoys away from
the original intended position. Karena decided to do the 'proper course' and
reround WH5 on the return unaware of the numbering/course error and Bruce
dutifully retired the Boat. Not sure who was in control? You decide who was
right or had the most fun! Watery Moments made no mistakes and finished first
with local Wareham residents Ray and Jill Scragg Blue Jay taking second. Mindy
and Mark took third place sailing Virgina Plain; what's her name? Everybody
else seemed becalmed as the Sea Breezes died away….
Bruce Gridley
- Saturday 2nd June
Seven boats set out on a lovely warm and sunny afternoon with light and very
variable winds. The course was No. 19, with Wych the first mark.
Glynne Marples with crew Pauline Snyder sailing Evenstar crossed the box end of
the line with some 'weigh on' to get ahead and round Wych first in a most
professional manner. Bruce Gridley and Terry Berrett in Karena were too keen at
the start and restarted to chase up the same North edge course. The remaining
competitors sought out the Brownsea side first. Evenstar rounded Wych and
hoisted the kite for Hutchins. After some de-tanglement Terry in Karena flew
the spinnaker to catch Evenstar at Hutchins, rounding inside. Evenstar was now
chasing caught Karena and luffing games commenced in the lower Wych channel
until Ray Scragg in Blue Jay showed up to make it a three way battle. Ellis
Jones was like Piccadilly Circus rounding with most of the XOD Fleet. Karena
first to face combat. The race restarted at Brownsea Pier as Blue jay took the
lead. Course selection was seriously hampered as the South deep and Ramshore
tide took control. Boats changed places as the zephers of wind came through.
The remaining fleet to race now for third place centred around Dave and Sally
Bishton in Maverick, who had made a terrific charge up the channel. Keith
Cameron and Angela Garcia in Silver Greyhound and Evenstar. Evenstar sailed
well past the mark to the left hand side, tacked and although still on a beat
crabbed just past the mark, but rather than trying to tack round and losing
momentum, persevered on the same tack. A lucky Zephyr of breeze gave them just
enough of a lift to allow them to pass between the mark and the committee boat.
Keith and Angela followed suit. Dave and Sally after some attempts had their
persistence rewarded and finished where a lesser crew may have thrown in the
towel.
All crews are to be congratulated on dealing with such difficult sailing
conditions, Sunburn and heatstroke! Experience and skill came to the fore with
the first two boats showing us lesser mortals how to deal with these problems.
Bruce and Terry continue in their collection of first places on Saturday and
their seemingly unstoppable climb up the table. Of course Colin was away at the
Wayfarer Western Championships! The question is would he have changed the
result? I leave you to ponder sports fans!
Photo
Bruce Gridley and Glynne Marples
- Saturday 26th May
Two races scheduled and a Northerly then NW F3-4. A good turnout of nearly ten
boats got away on a long line with bias at the pin end making it a very
one-sided beat. Karena was first round with Watery Moments catching up on the
run. The next beat and a Condor moment split the two boats leaving Karena
floundering in nearly last place. Taking the long way round to Wills mark
Watery Moments was caught by Half n Half and then Karena sailed the short route
to be second at the finish on round one. A second round spread the fleet.
Race 2 and a congested start with RS 400's partying on the pin sent Wayfarers
everywhere. Karena reached the windward mark first after a gybe escape at the
line and held the lead for two more circuits. Watery Moments recovered from a
bad start and closed in second place. Condor en route to France again forced
Karena to put her third sail away early. A final planing reach into
Prince-Croft mark rounded off an enjoyable afternoon's sailing.
Bruce Gridley
- Wednesday 23rd May
A gentle F2 breeze saw thirteen boats on the water. The course, Chris Somner -
Stans - Quality Res - Haven. The beat to the first mark once again saw the
fleet split between either side of the course, though this decision, in some
cases, may have been caused by the lighter conditions and number of boats at
the start rather than a conscious prior decision. The combined start with the
Albacores, who are a similar speed to windward, throws a new dimension into our
sailing, with more boats to contend with on all parts of the course. The light
conditions meant that they were also about on the down wind legs.
The start saw Tony and Malcolm force out Moonshadow close to the box end
causing Dave and Pete to turn about and chase the fleet to the first mark.
As previously mentioned some boats used the main channel tide whilst others,
notably Steve & Clive, took a flyer to the first mark. They went all the
way across to the Wych Channel with Albacore sailor John Herbert, a local
boatman who reckons that the last of the flood can be caught over that side.
(Only this reporter brings you local knowledge!) Handy, Clive being an ex
Albacore man.
Steve's eventful night continued as a Birmingham Navy Cruiser nearly wiped him
and Mark and Mindy out by trying to sail between them! The gap was so small
that even Tony Cooper wouldn't try to get through!
Colin initially went up the main channel but saw how well the other side of the
course was paying off, tacked and moved across. Ray and Jill pushed hard around
the course and almost took Watery Moments but Colin threw in a couple of extra
jibes to improve boat speed and managed to hold them off.
Dave Veal, obviously incensed by being blocked at the line, managed to pass
five boats on the run showing that he is no lightweight, something that Pete
keeps having a go at him about.
The course meant that we used most points of sail and the conditions kept the
fleet relatively close together. As Colin crossed the line the last boat had
rounded Haven.
A number of notable firsts for the evening included, Colin increasing his
Wednesday night crewing harem with Rosie. Congratulations on the win. Two new
members saw racing, albeit as crews. Richard Spencer crewed for Frank in Vola
Vola and Henry Flint for Pete in Boogie Woogie. Good to see them out and I
believe the intention in future is for them to sail together. Ellis crewed for
her dad and they managed to beat a couple of boats despite this being the first
time that she had used the spinnaker on a Wayfarer.
Glynne Marples (Dad)
- Saturday 19th May
Just two boats ventured out in the SW F4-5 gusting 6 wind. A good deal of
sunshine and some cloud made for a busy afternoon. Bruce Gridley and Terry
Berrett sailed Karena round the triangular course to be the only finishers.
Glynn Marples and Pauline Snyder had an eventful day with a couple of gear
failures and early retirement. Balls Lake was the windward mark and then a run
to Quality Residential and gybing for another run to Haven mark keep the race
to just under the hour with just abut ten minutes downwind!
Bruce Gridley
- Wednesday 16th May
A busy start with the Albacores made for an interesting first beat to Morris
Lane with the majority of the fleet moving to the right hand side of the
course. Colin May in "Watery Moments" had had an uncharacteristicly
poor start and chose to split from the fleet, sailing a more central course,
making up ground but arriving in fifth place at the first mark. Dave Veal and
Pete Keeping in "Moonshadow" lead all the way round but a momentary
loss of concentration allowed Colin and Phil Powell to pass and win by about 10
seconds at the line, with Ray and Jill Scragg were only a short head away from
claiming second place. Also in the mix at this early stage, class veterans Tony
Millet and Malcolm Bell in "Half and Half" (with bungs fitted) showed
their experience rounding Morris Lane in 2nd place. The two husband and wife
teams of Ray and Jill Scragg and Dave and Anne Moss showed what marital harmony
can do to make up a top five leading group.
A mid fleet battle between Glynne and Richard sailing "Evenstar",
complete with replacement centreboard from RR, put into practice lessons
learned from the recent race training and swapped places with Class Captain and
her 'significant other' crew in "Wizzard". The combined experience of
Wizzard's crew in their Plus S Wayfarer finally managed to shake the determined
woodie upstarts and beat them by several boat lengths.
Dave and Sally Bishton chose not to fly the spinnaker in "Maverick"
and fell back from the leading group. Maverick's renowned down wind speed was
not enough to keep pace in the initial blustery conditions. Their race was with
'up to 3' holders in "Widebuoy". Steve and Clive made adjustments to
their settings based on advice given at the training weekend which caused a
loss of performance in the boat. In the changing rooms afterwards, Steve could
be heard chuntering about advice from someone who shall remain nameless.
So a victory for "Watery Moments" who battled through the fleet to
win as opposed to the normal 'leading from the off' races we have become
accustomed to. Commiserations to Dave and Pete who showed that they still have
a place in the Wayfarer hierarchy. Long may they remain.
Glynne Marples
- Easter Series,
7-9th April
Four boats were seen each day in warm sunny almost windless days. Race One and
Devon Pickle was too keen, over the line in the scrum for a port flyer start.
As it turned out Glynne, our new vice captain, rounded the first mark second
after a reach ably assisted by Pauline Snyder. Barry French cool and calm wins
the reaching course. Blue Jay was third after Devon Pickle.
Sunday and race 2/3 the wind failed to turn up before the PRO abandoned. Monday
race 4/5 and the wind fickle, sets the PRO shuffling the course boards before
we got away on a once round triangle course. Expeditious led to Bay Post. Bruce
Gridley opted to stay closer to Baiter and got the new wind to make Chris
Somnner mark (X) first and win at Lathams. Last race to Diver again saw Barry
French take the lead. Going higher on the reach to Bay Post Terry Berrett
teased the kite to maximum efficiency powering Devon Pickle past and onto win
the once round course and series. Easter eggs and trophies were presented with
the new backdrop of the newly constructed PYC Tower.
Overall Results:
| Position |
Boat |
Helm |
Crew |
| 1 |
Devon Pickle |
Bruce Gridley |
Terry Berrett |
| 2 |
Expeditious |
Barry French |
Mark Fisher |
| 3 |
Blue Jay |
Ray Scragg |
Jill Scragg |
Bruce Gridley W6288
|