Fun times in the rain.

This mornings Pakuranga SC winter series proved challenging in more ways than one.

In the first race, boats drifted in all directions, with virtually zero wind, for around 20 minutes. Two sunbursts managed to excel in the drifting conditions, and opened up a huge lead over the rest of the fleet. Then suddenly, the breeze filled in, gently at first, around five knots, then building very rapidly up to around 15, with a few gusts getting close to 20. Those two sunbursts proceeded to plane flat out down the run, while several of the following fleet fell over! Those that stayed upright got soaked, thanks to heavy rain just before the wind kicked in!

The breeze then settled down to a nice solid 15 knots, which held in for the rest of the time I was there.

Today I took my Laser, so was unable to get any photos.

The second race started while I was de-rigging, having broken a small but crucial fitting between races.
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Later in the day, the trailer yacht winter series continued at Manukau Yacht and Motor Boat Club.

For some reason, the Noelex fleet were absent, so the fleet was five Hartley 16's and one Cherry 16.

As this was the first time in over a year we had had a chance to line the Cherry up against the Hartleys, no-one had any idea how competitive or otherwise we would be.

Unfortunately we missed the first start while helping some fellow Weymouth sailors in a Hartley with rigging problems. Sailing around before the start, cruising downwind, we were significantly slower than all the Hartleys, which was somewhat worrying.

A good start in the second race saw us just behind the top Hartleys, doing better than we suspected we would, as we rounded the first mark. The two robs, sailing in the new Hartley, were struggling to get to grips with the boat, and had fallen behind somewhat. Sailing downwind, we had speed that seemed pretty close to the boats ahead. The breeze was around 15-20 knots, so we had occasional spurts of planing, especially when we sailed a little high.

The next beat the breeze was a little higher, and we were close to matching the top boats. Again, Rob was struggling upwind in the breeze.

Back down to the finish, and although we were a small distance behind the leaders, we had all had a good day on the water, and found out a little more about our boats.

Rob's new Hartley showed moments of brilliant speed, and once they get it tuned up properly should be pretty quick. Stay tuned for more!

coming soon to some water near you.....

This weekends sailing around the southern bit of Aucks...

Saturday seems to have nothing on anywhere, but Sunday has quite a bit...

In the morning...

Pakuranga SC at Farm Cove have day two of their dinghy winter series, starting at 8:30am.

Panmure Lagoon SC have Laser winter series at 11:15am.

And in the afternoon...

Manukau YMBC has the second day of the Trailer Yacht winter series, 1pm start, two races planned.

Waiuku YC have day 3 of their winter series, also at 1pm.

French bay YC have nothing planned, so lets hope they travel to one of the other clubs.

Weymouth YC also have nothing planned, but will be seen all over the place, with several members confirmed racing at Manukau in the afternoon, and several others considering Pakuranga in the morning.

Expect clear skies, about 13-15 degrees, and around 15 knots. possibly even a few very light showers late in the day, when some cloud rolls in.

Winter sailing at Pakuranga and Manukau

This morning marked the start of the Pakuranga Sailing Club dinghy winter series, sailed at farm cove.

The fleet was mixed, with a handful of various classes, competing alongside a large number of Scout Cutters and Sunbursts.

The fastest sunburst eventually took the honours, with the breeze varying between 10 and 20 knots.

In the stronger bits, a few sailors managed to capsize, but everyone had a great day out, and looked pretty tired by the end of the second race.

Here's a few pics... Click on them to see them full-screen!

ok, More than a few!

This afternoon saw the start of the Trailer Yacht series at Manukau Yacht and Motorboat Club, which was well attended with 4 Noelex 22s, and several Hartley 16s. I was trimming on one of the Noelexs, so no time for photos, sorry.

The Noelexs proved faster today, with the top three placings on line going to them, followed closely by the top hartleys. In the first race, the first five boats finished within 100m, and the whole fleet within just a few minutes.

The second race was also a Noelex benefit, with the top two boats managing to get a slight jump on the rest, with the other Noelexs just edging out the Hartleys.

Hopefully next time, on June 24, I will be able to sail in both events.

Winter sailing around South Auckland.

Tomorrow, Sunday June 10, sees a lot of activity on both harbours.

Here's a quick rundown....

Pakuranga Sailing Club (Farm Cove) start their famous dinghy winter series at 10am.

Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club (Ireland road) have day 2 of their hugely successful Laser winter series at 11am.

Manukau YMBC (Mangere Bridge) start their Trailer Yacht winter series at 2:30 in the afternoon.

French Bay YC start their Winter series at 12noon.

Slightly outside the area, Taikata Sailing Club in Te Atatu have racing at 10:45am.

Those keen enough and organised enough could race on the Waitemata in the morning, and the Manukau in the afternoon. Which is what I hope to do.

Whats happening at Weymouth

The fleet is starting to grow, we now have four trailer yachts, four "fast" dinghies, and several slower dinghies.

In the new season, we could see over ten boats out on a regular basis, although someone will need to drive the safety boat. Which could detract from numbers slightly.

Our presence in the local community continues to grow, with reasonable interest in our learn to sail program for next season.

With no actual sailing happening over winter, there's nothing much else to report.

More updates as they happen.