Bumpy rides for the trailer yachts

Sunday 26th saw the second day of the Weymouth Yacht Club TY summer series, and what a day it was!

Before the start, it was decided that, in the light winds at the time, and with a favourable forecast, a course around and beyond the Wiri LPG terminal was a good idea.

As the local Waka Ama paddlers were out in force, we decided to start directly in front of the clubhouse, which was just off to the side of their course.

It would have been an impressive sight, with around ten Wakas, four racing yachts, and several sea scout boats all whizzing around, plus of course the local fisho's motoring in and out.

Of course, the breeze then started to build, and then build some more.

At the start, Aaron, sailing with six year old Ashley as crew in the Cherry, acted as gate boat, and with the breeze now up, they couldn't hold the boat down, so sailed the beat with no jib.

After almost a mile of beating, Murray and Ajith in the Quicksilver rounded the first mark just ahead of the two Rob's in the Beachcomber, with the Cherry a little further back in third, while Pete, sailing the Paper Tiger was just behind them, having turned back to rescue his hat!

The next part of the course was interesting, as the gusts off the headland laid most of the boats on their ear at some point. As this was a close reach, Pete put the hammer down on the cat and disappeared into the distance, rounding the LPG terminal a good ten minutes in front. This was more of a feat than it seems, as the waves out there were over a metre high by this stage, and the breeze approaching 20 knots.

Sadly for Pete, he rounded the terminal the wrong way, which meant he was not classed as a finisher in the race. On the way back, even though he was backing off quite a bit, the cat proved to be faster than the rescue boat on several occasions.

As the first trailer yachts approached the terminal, Murray still held a slight lead over Rob, with the Cherry, still with no jib,  well behind in third.

Rounding the terminal, things went slightly wrong for Rob, and they lost a lot of ground, slipping back to the point where they rounded the next mark only just ahead of Aaron.

Turning downwind for the ride home, Murray now held a commanding lead, and would be unchallenged for the rest of the day. The beachcomber and the cherry started their usual drag race, and, with the wind now behind the boats, Aaron hoisted his jib, whilst Rob put up a bigger one.

The cherry, being lighter, planed most of the way back, slowly gaining on the beachcomber. Aaron decided to stay well to leeward, away from the shore, while Rob decided to go high, out of the tide.

Rounding the final mark before the finish, the cherry was just ahead, and managed to hold the lead to the finish.

So, after three races, we have had three winners. The rest of the series is shaping up to be great - join us for some more hot action!

Good luck for tomorrow

Good luck to all those people participating in the many dinghy regattas around Auckland tomorrow.

Whether you choose the RSA at Panmure, or the annual regatta at French Bay, or any of the smaller events taking place, just enjoy yourselves, and remember...

Winning isn't everything, it just means that the opposition made more mistakes than you did!

And that's the reality of it.

What's happening..... in the weekend.

Saturday -
Weymouth YC has training at 11:45.
FBYC Regatta runs both days - arrive 10:30.
Waiuku YC have a Clarks beach trip.


Sunday -
Weymouth YC has race 2 of the Trailer Yacht Summer Series, Briefing at 11:30.
MYMBC has the final day of their series C, at 13:30.
FBYC regatta continues, also summer series 4. arrive at 11:00.
Waiuku return journey from Clarks beach.

And of course, for any laser sailors.....

Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club are holding the 35th annual;

RSA Regatta - open to all laser 1 rigs ( Standard, radial, 4.7 ) 
Registration from 0900,
Briefing 0945
First warning signal 1030 sharp.

Inaugural TY race at Weymouth

Well, despite our best efforts, the fleet that turned up for the first race specifically for trailer yachts was only attended by the three local boats, which was a shame because the weather was perfect, and the racing was pretty intense too!

The first race, designated as course 3, started well, and Murray and Pete in the Quicksilver took an early lead on the downhill run after the start. Unfortunately, about a mile into the leg they suffered a broken rudderblade, which put them out for the day. At that point the beachcomber sailed by Rob and Ajith had an almost dead even placing with Aaron and Gina (plus kids) in the Cherry.

Rounding the first mark, the cherry managed to just get their nose in front, while the smaller jib chosen by the beachcomber guys was proving to be just a little too small in the lighter patches, leaving them underpowered on the beat, and losing ground. Halfway around the course, they changed up to the bigger one again,but it was too late, as the cherry took an easy victory.

The second race, sailed close to the Papakura motorway (course 4), was a much closer affair, as the big genoa did it's job, with both boats close together for the duration. Rob was seen doing a couple of 360's early on,after being knocked flat by sudden gusts. Each of these helped Aaron to get back in front. After an hour of racing, both boats were side by side, with around ten minutes of course left.

Rob lead going into the last mark, only to lose his advantage in a shift that favoured Aaron. Half way up the beat, both boats converged in a classic port/starboard, and Aaron managed to tack into a safe leeward position, executing what could be called a perfect lee-bow, slowing rob just enough to sneak ahead. Then it was Aaron's turn to get the wrong shift, and Rob managed to cross just in front again. With only around 100 metres to go, and one tack left, that was the end, as the beachcomber finished around 20 seconds ahead of the cherry.

So, that's how it stacked up on the first day, two good races, awesome weather, and even points. With the boats currently racing, line honours will count for series points, ratings will only be used if we get some visiting boats of different designs.

This weekend - Feb 11/12.

Weymouth Yacht Club starts their inaugural Trailer Yacht Summer Series. Sunday at 11:30 for briefing.

PLSC has a river race - briefing at 09:30 Sunday.

MYMBC has trailer yacht racing on Sunday - Briefing at 12:30.

Waiuku YC are hosting the Finn Masters over the weekend.

Upcoming regattas. February 25/26 2012.

The weekend of February 25 & 26 is shaping up to be a big one.

Weymouth YC has the second day of the Trailer Yacht Summer Series, open to all TY's.

Panmure Lagoon SC has the 35th annual RSA laser regatta. Sorry, I cant link directly to the NOR's, but they're only a click away!

French Bay YC has their annual regatta. Open to all dinghy classes.

So there you have it! Plan in advance, and go to wherever your yacht will fit in!

Trailer Yacht Summer Series at Weymouth

Our summer race series for trailer yachts starts this weekend, on Sunday.

Briefing at 11:30, first race to start soon after, once everyone is afloat.

We have a selection of courses planned, will decide which one at the briefing.

Course books available at briefing, or will be available on the WYC website tomorrow afternoon.

We would love to see all the auckland trailer yachts in attendance!

Drag your old boats out from the back yard, and bring them down, entry is free, snacks and drinks available.

Trailer Yachts at Weymouth

Following a quick text-round last night, Three trailer yachts assembled at the club in the early morning to have a bit of a practice before next weeks summer series starts.

Sailing with families, Aaron and Gina were in the Cherry, while Rob was in the beachcomber, and Murray was in the quicksilver.

In the first race, Murray established a commanding lead on the long reach across the river, only to have a halyard failure, and lose the use of his jib. This allowed Rob and Aaron to both get past on the beat up river. The cherry then built up a sizable lead, saying "Cherryo", and was never headed. Rob got through to second in this one, with Murray third.

All three boats then went ashore, so the halyard could be repaired.

Once back afloat, the action continued. This time, again, the quicksilver opened up quite a lead early on, with Rob in second, and Aaron back in third. In the lightening breeze, Aaron went right on the beat, while Murray and Rob both went left. Aaron hooked into some nice fresher breeze, and started gaining. Part way up the beat, and in nice breeze, the cherry hit the front, and then hit the mud! After dragging for maybe 200m, they cleared the mud, and, incredibly were still ahead, just. The quicksilver was close behind in second, while the beachcomber was struggling for speed upwind in the light conditions.
Rounding the top mark for the last time, the cherry went for a poled out jib, and slowly eased further in front.

Two from two for the cherry today, however it doesn't matter, as our real series starts next Sunday at 11:30 in the morning.

Good fun was had by all, and we all hope for a much bigger fleet next weekend.

Hartley 16 Nationals 2012

Congratulations to Pronto, winners of the 2012 Hartley 16 NZ championships.

Pronto sails from MYMBC, and beat 19 other boats.

Well done guys!!

Read all about it here

Hartley TS14

I've just stumbled upon a Hartley TS14 for sale in Manurewa.

It's on a very good looking trailer (no WoF or Rego) and feels very well built. Could do with a lick of paint, but has roller furling jib, good main, and is very fair, with no unusual bumps or hollows.

email me on watersports@instruction.com if you're interested, and I'll give you the contact
details.

Sail Auckland has started!

This international Grade 1 OCR is underway in what are best described as perfect conditions.

Read about it here:
http://www.sailauckland.org.nz/news/sail-auckland-2012-begins-with-ideal-conditions/