Random thoughts.

I suppose the beauty of a blog is that I can let some random thoughts float out to you all.

So what are we all doing "chatting" on the class forum to someone who is clearly a) just out of an Oppie, b) looking for a handicap bandit boat at his club c) never going to be big enough for a Phantom.

Rodders has put his beloved "Paris" on the market, wow! and I thought he was going quite fast enough as it was. He has clearly noted the advantage of an Ovi with that instant impact of boatspeed - what did ever happen to "son of Neil" by the way?? Only joshing Rod.

James Case asked me a very impolite question the other day but Yes, it's true James, the battle for the half ton cup is well and truly on....

Welcome to the blog Jez, here you will hopefully get the low down on what's happening during the season. Bewl is not on the Eastern Series this year and I have resisted the attempts to create a South Eastern Series encompassing everything from QMSC to Shoreham....hopefully someone will step up to the plate and take on a Southern Series or similar.

If anyone knows of a punter for a GRP Vandercraft I was chatting to Jim McLeod the other day who is selling his. He's had the usual emails enquiries from Wales asking for some nice photo's etc. but has not had a real bite yet. His boat is in good shape and would be a good entry level boat to the class. Know anyone that's a potential addition to the class? Point them in Jim's direction so he can trade up to a carbon rocket ship.

Nine events, six to count.

Well, the sponsors have spoken. Nine events (as shown to the right of the blog) and six to count for the series.

I think that it would be helpful if we could clarify the procedure for discards at each event as well. I am sure that we will be asked at some of the two day events whether consideration will be given to allowing competitors who sail just the Sunday to be able to qualify. I think the danger with this line is that it only really works if there was going to be one race on the Saturday and a one discard rule applied to the event.

This weekend I took "Mutley" over to Maylandsea on Saturday with a view to sailing on Sunday - I realised however that a 9:30 start loomed and just couldn't be bothered......off next week on holiday, so it look's like two more weekends missed. Still at least the boats clean now and ready to go.

Burnham Week has been removed from the event list as I gather it's inclusion was causing confusion - so I'll repeat what has been said before about this event.

It's not part of the Eastern series, but is there if the class members would like an event before the Nationals. I shall be working with John Torrance if the Class Association feel that the Eastern sailors merit their own Championship, and will be sailing in Burnham Week whatever happens. As a club Creeksea will be supporting the event but this year it is likely that we shall be able to sail it from the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham, rather than Burnham / Creeksea. The courses would be the same as for the Endeavour Trophy i.e. on the Crouch at the mouth of the Roach with committee boat starts.

If the Class Association feel that it may clash with the Nationals (which are way over to the West...) then I would not wish to organise an event and stand accused of having spoilt the Nationals entry. So over to the Committee.......

So, who's going to the Dinghy Exhibition on March 7th 8th then....

HBSC

I had been in touch with the Phantom chaps, Jim & Nick, at Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club about the chances of getting an Open there. The opinion at the moment is that it might be a step too far just yet for the club. The concerns relate to tidal constraints (we'd have to get three races in bang, bang, bang style!) and we will now probably aim for next year.

I've suggested that we do a bit of "casual training" at Creeksea and that CSC Phantoms could visit during the season to give them some company. We'll see how good a plan that turns out to be - I suspect that as the season is pretty packed with events we may all suffer from Phantom overload.....

Jim has just come back from a cruise - sounds good - BUT - 50ft waves in the Bay of Biscay must have been worrying!!

Event list completed

Well, that's it I hope. The definitive events list is to be seen stage right from here. The Eastern Champs has been dropped from the Travellers series to make things easier and I look forward to a close finish for the series. Any closer than last year would be hard to imagine and I really can't cope with the permutations that had to be considered going in to the last race. Still it was great fun and I hope that things go as well this year.

The next item on my checklist is to produce a final spec for the number of events to count or discards. In addition it may be helpful for consideration to be given to how many races are to count at each event.

Finally, I'll draw up a list of "organisers" for each venue with website links to each club (but these are already on the class website...) and everything is in place for the season.

STOP PRESS NEWS

Clive Morley has been successful in getting us another date with his club Minnis Bay - 26th / 27th September. This should be a good date, being sufficiently after the Nationals to allow a bit of family time and recovery. Thanks Clive!

Nearly there...

The events list is now practically complete. Rollesby Broad have confirmed that they can offer us alternative dates and I have grabbed the 5th April option with both hands as this will give us another event at the start of the season to build on what I expect to be a good turnout at Alton Water for the training day and open meeting.

We have a clash of events with Hunts and Bewl Water which is very unfortunate. Hunts was of course on the first years list of Eastern events and was subsequently dropped in order to add Bewl the following year. Maybe we can persuade Phantom sailors in the south to get their act together and create a southern series?? Queen Mary could fit in to this area (just about) and if Clive can get an event sorted at Minnis Bay they would have the foundations for a good series -sorry Clive - we love you really!

My final challenge is now getting agreement on the options for the Easern Champs. This was promised to the JCC (Joint Combined Clubs - the overall organisers of Burnham Week) last year, however, in the meantime Neil Fulcher has put forward a strong argument for using Stone Sailing Club. It's their 60th Anniversary Regatta and would be able tooffer committee boat starts etc. I am seeing what options for racing we will have during Burnham Week - this week is a major regatta with lot's on at all the clubs in Burnham. The Endeavour Trophy is sailed from the RCYC in Burnham and it would be an opportunity to sail over this course etc.

Still, it's a nice problem to have with two venues wanting our fleet!!

More later when I've put JT (John Torrance of CSC & JCC) in the ring with Neil Fulcher (SCS and Laser SBS destroyer). Last man standing wins??

Having looked forward here's my favourite look back at last year.

A pleasant afternoon with Lord Marcus of Hullbridge spent clearing out James Case's beer / lager / cider at the Wells next the Sea Open..

.....and there's more!

Hunts Sailing Club have kindly agreed to add their event to the Eastern Circuit this year. It was missed off the list last year but hopefully we are now back on track with a very active club and growing fleet. Mark Barrett the fleet captain has given me the low down on the moves in the fleet and hopefully we will see a few of them on the circuit.

An event in April will follow hot on the heels of the Training / Open at Alton Water and should be well attended as a consequence. Yes, I have politely requested that we have somewhat simpler courses, and Yes, I have said that some members of the fleet found it hard to distinguish the colours of the flags on the marks.

Now, as to the slagging off that the Phantom has been getting on the Y & Y forum......I am sure that half the participants in the forum don't sail that often and certainly don't know who they are writing about. It's very insulting to Andy in my book and I know that most of us are happy to avoid handicap events if given the choice anyway.