Club Newsletter - revolutioniseSPORT · Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to...

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au

P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to [email protected] (deadline midnight Monday)

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Club Newsletter 29/01/19

Race Reports for January 27th

Monohull Report (Trent Morgan)

With a forecast of winds of around 22 knots there was uncertainty if there was to be any racing. Mark and Julie rigged up their 59’er ‘Fling’, Des and Cameron were there in the Impulses and Graham Hams and Trent decided a club laser each with a 4.7 rig (the smallest available) was the way to go. It became apparent before the start that it was harder than it looked out there from the club deck with Cameron having a spectacular downwind capsize and Trent going over twice (with the main sheet catching on the transom through tacks). There was uncertainty whether the race should go ahead. A postponement flag was raised by the starter. Many of the Cats had pulled out, only two Trailer Sailors were out there and Mark and Julie had also headed in. Gunter in the tower felt all

Commodore Phill Robbins 0466668541 Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 Rear Commodore Chris Hallett 0414866998 Secretary Nola Hallett 0414866999 Treasurer Norm Hunt 66291366 Class Reps Gennakers – Duncan Dey Catamarans – Col Woodbry Trailers – Ian Michie Monos – Graham Hams Rowing Officer Gerald Anderson Webmaster Mark Pierce Training team Graeme Turner

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was well to race, Phill not so sure. With some willing racers out there the count down sequence commenced. Trent went for a starboard start which caught Cameron on the line but in retrospect it may not have been the best tack to start on. Graham in the revamped blue club laser got the best of it and lead the pack – but where was Des? Before the start Phill, (who had gone into the smaller rescue boat) made a cut throat gesture to Des – asking Des whether he was going to go in. Des interpreted this as Phill telling him that the race was called off so he went in. When Des saw the start sequence he decided that because he was already on the beach he would stay. Despite this Des is hoping optimistically, that the results will come out with a point next to his name for starting due to the mix up with Phill. Put simply the first leg was painful. Fighting the incoming tide, the confused chop, and the highly erratic breeze which felt as if someone had turned the hair dryer on full and was waving it around willy nilly, progress was painfully slow. At times it felt as if the principles of sailing upwind weren’t working. However, Graham showed excellent skills to reach the top marks ahead of Cameron (who had also done extremely well), both of them then getting into top speed as they battled to control their boats on the downwind ‘hang on!’ leg back past the point to the bottom mark. Trent could only watch on enviously as he slipped sideways, hobby horsing in the chop, seemingly going nowhere trying to reach the top marks. A rudder which kept popping up going near horizontal was not helping his cause. Graham also reported having this issue throughout. He also reported that his boom fell off the mast once he had rounded the top marks, the blue laser vang needs some work!




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The appearance of ‘Serenity’ (the irony of that boat’s name in those conditions) rounding just before Trent got there was almost a comfort. ‘SERENITY NOW!’, that wonderful Frank Costanza mantra, was not working in this situation however. Trent took off trying to tame the rolling laser as it hit outrageous speeds (for a little boat with a little sail), but realised that heading in a direction which got him past the point was not very stable on two accounts – the angle of the swell coming through the river mouth, and the inherent nature of the laser to feel as if it wasn’t going to stay upright on a more direct downwind heading. So the boat decided it was best to head towards the beach apparently, which was fine until the realisation that there wasn’t much water left. Gybing didn’t seem sensible at the time so a granny tack was attempted which resulted in a high speed capsize instantly. The boat went turtle, the board went through, and after righting, proceeded to float off. Time to pack it in was the thinking. But… after righting and blasting past the point it was REALLY fun again so the decision was made (despite witnessing the A class Cat being towed with a ripped main) to chase the other two, who knows what could happen! Well what happened was a seamless gybe at the bottom mark and a wonderfully fun speedy reach to Mobb’s Bay. But… looking upwind during the reach it was evident that ‘Shades’ had been washed onto the rock wall – not good. This was becoming an issue of the racers perhaps relying on the rescue crew too much to get around the course. With Graham and Cameron well on the way to completing their second work, Trent got hit by a gust after rounding the Mobb’s mark which simply knocked the boat over. There was no time to ease the main – just sailing, then in the drink. That sealed the decision for Trent – if a gust near Mobb’s could do that then what could, and would happen on the rest of the trek upwind? That




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combined with what had happened to ‘Shades’, taking the attention of the RIB, made it easy. With one more capsize on the way back in, ‘Black Pearl’ made it back with a relieved skipper. Graham and Cameron (in that order) came flying back not too long after, Gunter blew his hooter and it was over. Out of twelve boats that went out to start – five monos, five cats and two trailer sailors, only two finished the abbreviated race. Well done again to Graham and Cameron for handling the conditions – neither capsized during the race and they more than likely could have continued racing if need be. Following this, a police vehicle arrived at the club, with two police boats flying out to where ‘Shades’ had been reported listing on the rock wall. Apparently surf rescue crews were there too. It should be mentioned that all sailors who raced, willingly made the decision to do so themselves. Many thanks to the rescue crews – Ric and Paul, and also Phill and Tony. Many thanks to Tony and Deb for the duty work in the kitchen.

Catamaran Report

In an absence of the regular Cat reporters, here is a brief summary. Phill with Steffen and Norm with John went out in their Nacras, both boats intending to race but decided it was too risky to continue. Col Woodbry intended to start but a broken trapeze wire put an end to that.




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So, there were two starters, Michael in his ‘A’ class cat and Chris and Alex in ‘Finely Tuned’. It was evident that Michael seemed to be almost revelling in the conditions, lapping the monos while they were on their first upwind leg but the vision of him being towed to the club with an ugly gaping tear/’hole’ through his main was quite distressing. Apparently he had been sailing upwind and was flying a hull, which kept on flying, and he went through his mainsail. Meanwhile ‘Finely Tuned’ had been going well but a decision was reached after a lap that it was too risky to continue so they retired. From five intending to start, to two actual starters, there were no finishers.

Look at the whipped up frenzy of the water




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Trailer Sailor Report

Does it not look like this boat is under motor?

In the diplomatic absence of a report from the regular reporter here is a brief summary. ‘Shades’ was having some great runs before the start with their stunning pink kite, looking like a skiff to be honest. ‘Serenity’ was out there, possibly doing the course but in contrast to the rest of the fleet seemed to be doing it all comfortably, in terms of looking at the relaxed nature of the crew – serenity by name and nature, wonderful.




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‘Shades’ was in race mode and the highlight for the crew was more than likely the fact that they registered a new top speed – ‘17. something’ knots. Over 30 km/h in a trailer sailor! The downside was not being able to tack out of trouble along the rock wall, to the river mouth side of the green channel marker, and being washed along it, before managing to get across and then sail back behind the island in Mobb’s Bay, then back to the club – the hull a few oyster shells heavier.

LOST

LIFE JACKET Missing, from Club or carpark, 2 weeks ago. “Coast Mate” brand, XL PFD. It’s blue and yellow, with “Mark” written on the front, in black letters, and has a whistle. I suspect that it “walked” from my boat, that was outside club, next to path, while we all were in doing defibrillator training. But, I could have left it/dropped it in car park. Ring Mark 0421932945”

USE OF CLUB TRACTOR

We had some problem with retrieving the RIB last Sunday during a very low tide. I want to explain what went wrong and what we should do in the future. The plan was a standard boat retrieval plan used many times by many sailors in the past. The tractor and trailer backed into the water so that the rollers are just below the surface. Then the boat drives onto the trailer and the tractor pulls it out immediately. It is based on timing and not sitting on wet sand for longer than about 20 seconds.




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What was the actual outcome:

- The boat ran into the trailer; was not lined up straight and could not drive onto trailer; had to

be hand winched on; took 10 minutes while the trailer and tractor sank into the sand. Thus:

- The tractor gear linkage got broken when trying to get it unbogged.

- RIB nose damaged when it ran into the bottom roller on trailer.

- End roller on the trailer was bent.

Why did it go wrong: Our unique problems:

1. battleship nose on RIB I.e. straight up and down nose. This makes it very difficult to drive or

even slide it onto the trailer without a lift up onto the first rollers.

2. fragile fiberglass hull with only a strong area along the keel means that it will be easily

damaged unless all the weight is carried by the central rollers.

3. very shallow slope into water, so the trailer had to go a long way into the water and then

probably still didn’t get deep enough to drive our straight nosed RIB over the rollers.

Conclusion: This type of normal boat retrieval strategy won't work here. There are very specific requirements for retrieving our RIB safely at low tide: - tilt on trailer must be used so the end roller can be lowered below the water level. - RIB must be lined up exactly with the centre rollers on the trailer and probably lifted onto first roller manually. Needs two People to guide it; one at the front and one at rear keeping it straight as well as one on the winch.




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- the tractor must stay out of the water so it does not sink into wet sand, as loading the RIB is a

slow process. We may experiment with using a snatch rope to pull the RIB closer to the ramp

so the tractor stays out of the water. We will also experiment with laying boards under the

trailer and tractor rear tyres while in the water.

- If retrieving on beach in front of club the trailer cannot be on much side slope or else the RIB

will slide off central rollers and get damaged.

New Rules re Trailer: 1. At low tide you must ask one of 3 people to supervise (Chris Hallett, Jonathan Horsley or

Col Woodbry)

2. At high tide approved drivers are ok to retrieve or launch on the ramp.

We will find a process that works and is safe for the RIB. Phill




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IMPORTANT INFO FOR USERS OF CLUB LASERS

Laser top and bottom sections need to be assembled in a particular way, or the top-section can snap. (See pic) All club Laser mast sections have a blue arrow on them (see pic). For correct assembly, the arrow on the top-section should meet the arrow on the bottom section (see pic). If the arrows on your two mast sections meet, but the sections don’t slot in together, you’ve selected either two top-sections, or two bottom-sections. While the club encourages innovation, this mast

configuration will probably not work! Happy Laser sailing, cheers Mark




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Club Shirts

(As worn by Secretary Nola and Commodore Phill –

reflective safety vest optional)

Here’s your chance to wear the colours of your club, to proudly display what you do every Sunday – wear a club shirt! Royal Blue Club shirts payment required at time of order into RRSRC account with your name as reference BSB: 728728 ACC: 22288328 Email or text Nola with size [email protected] or 0414 866999

Mens Long sleeve polo - $37 Short sleeve polo - $35 Cotton T-shirt - $20 Ladies Short sleeve polo - $31 Kids Cotton T-shirt - $17

Idle Gossip – Please send anything interesting sailing or club related to [email protected].

Considering two race flags were either discussed or used on Sunday which we don’t see very often it might be a good time for a quick brush up. We saw a postponement flag prior to the start and the abandonment flag was discussed at the briefing.






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Upcoming Away Events

• FASTWAYS CAT WEEKEND Southport. Friday 8th – Sunday 10th February

• 23rd February 2019 – ‘The Great Race’ – Southport Yacht Club Hollywell Sailing Squadron to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron





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• 2019 MARICAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 23rd/24th February

FISH RIVER SAILING CLUB Lake Oberon, Jenolan St, Oberon For further information contact: Grady McNee, Maricat Association NSW & ACT Inc. on 0432511817

• 16th/17th March – BRSC (Harwood) Annual Regatta Sat/Sun

• 4th/5th May – Bay to Bay If anyone knows of any more events or would like an event posted please let me know – [email protected]

Wotif Offer to our Club!

Book your next travel or accommodation with Wotif and quote this code: ASF043153 and we will receive a donation from Wotif. Support our club when you or your family or friends travel.





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Crew Available/Crew Wanted

Seamus, an enthusiastic graduate from our last Learn to Sail course, is keen to continue his learning by crewing on any boat available. Seamus has already crewed on a NS14, Nacra 5.8 and Spider 550. Please help him continue his involvement with the club by giving him a place, if possible. Email his mother Jill at [email protected] if you have a spot for him

If you need some crew or are wanting to have a sail in a race please make your intentions known here by contacting [email protected]

For Sale/Wanted/Free to a Good Home

If you have any sailing related items for sale or if you want to buy something sailing related and want it put in the newsletter please let me know – [email protected]

Gill Boot I can bring them to the club on Sunday so people can try them on pre or post-race - Laura [email protected] Barely worn Size 39 (UK/Australia 5.5) $80 (down from $110) • best trapeze boot out there! • 5mm neoprene for warmth

• wrap around super grip sole natural rubber (non-marking) • and reinforcements on toes and heels and sides for protection • non-ferrous zip with Velcro to keep it in place • unisex colours







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More photos from last Sunday

It should be noted that although Trent capsized more than anyone else out there he righted the boat too quickly for a photo to be taken – despite the photographer’s best efforts to catch him out.




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Club Newsletter - revolutioniseSPORT · Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to...

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