Can't wait..

Can't wait for this weekend. This usually means that I will sail like a plonker and drink too much on Saturday night...but hey ho - it's what I enjoy I guess. There is every prospect of a thirty boat turnout - especially I guess if the forecast holds good.

Windy has done a lot to make this a really good start to the Eastern Series and deserves to see a good turnout.

JT has been given the go ahead to organise an Eastern Champs at Burnham Week this year and I have said I'll assist him in getting this event off the ground. I was not keen to do so without knowing that the class assoc supported the idea (as I thought it could be said to detract from the Nationals) but JT got the nod this weekend so watch out for more news.

The event would be sailed from the Royal Corithian over Endeavour Trophy courses with committee boat starts. Two weeks before the Nationals so a great opportunity to tune up and make sure everything is working. The Osprey Class will be sailing the same course and starting before us so we should have fun. I wonder if they can pitchpole like a Javelin?

Dinghy Show News

Ally Pally 2009

For those that didn't make the dinghy show here are the edited highlights....

On "our stand" was a new Ovi Phantom for Chris Turner fitted out in what is now looking like their standard fit out with adjustable lowers, raking rig and side cleats (clamcleats) mounted on a grp moulding. Nothing much new there really but I did notice the elastic tidy away system that looked quite effective. The foredeck moulded carbon tac tic braket took all the lines and provided the turning point out to the side decks.

The sail was a Speed sail set upon the most interesting item which was a new CST mast. These are Aussie masts that several other UK classes have been using for some time. I thought there were a couple of interesting features to it. Firstly the carbon spreaders are fixed angle, therefore one less thing to play with and get wrong! The mast section is very (very) narrow and the windage must therefore be significantly reduced. If you think this means it must bend like a Mr Whippy mast you would be very surprised how stiff it was.

When banging on the kicker the movement was mainly in the tip section (well, above the hounds anyway) which makes me think this would be a good mast for those of us using the flatter Evolution type sail. Other interesting features were the use of a hook rack for the main halyard and the collar support for the gooseneck.

I took a peek at the wall thickness and it did seem thicker than say the 60mm Superspar so I assume that this is generally the case all the way up the mast.

The mast was matched to a very sexy section boom. This was also fairly minimalist in set up and was notable for its Oval (or stretched "O" shape. I bet it weighed very little but unfortunately I wasn't able to de-rig the lot and have a play....

The photos below give you an idea of what it all looked like.

I know you all love "string photos" so I took a couple of shots of the best bits....

I did of course take a look at the other classes on show. James Jarvey (JJ boats) had two beautiful boats on display with Paintcraft - a really well sorted Solo that he had just (Friday) finished for himself. This was an epoxy hull with fantastic wooden decks. Just take a look at the photo below...

The Eastern Circuit was well promoted with some good action shots and a poster designed by Windy. I've scanned this in and will post it on this site in my next post..

Fame...and prizes

Here it is then - The Eastern Series Trophy.

...and the proud winner last year JOHN WAYLING being presented with the trophy by Rod Thorpe "Rodders" of sponsors Tempera Tech.

Fame can of course go to your head and I am sure that the "stick" is going to be unending but have you seen Phanmail?? I wish someone else other than Val sent photos to George Morris!

I have taken it upon myself to ensure that you all get your own share of mugshots and glory as you will note from this post.....

"Denver" Dave Hawkins, James Jarvey and Clive Morley

The Dinghy show looms and the sooner we get that out of the way the sooner we can get on with the real action at Alton the next weekend.

Whilst on the subject of Alton - what was the race officer thinking of sending us around again? That was never going to happen and my heart sank as I nosed Mutley through the line but heard the race officer say "carry on - your not finished yet".

Doesn't he know who I am!!??!!! (humour, well almost, chaps).

Here is a shot that I should have circulated last year of the new Eastern Series Trophy and our winner with "the Eastern Circuit" team. Note how light John Wayling must be and how happy Dave looks with his new sail. Will you be in the photo this year???

Alton Water event getting closer...

Well, we are finally getting within touching distance of the first Eastern Series Event at Alton Water. The details are all on the class website but I'll repeat them here as a reminder.....

Training Day Saturday 14th March 2009

Trainers: Simon Childs and John Wayling Phantom Class Association

Plus RYA Rules Training to brief us all on the new rules etc....

10.00 Arrive (Rigging up etc)
10.30 Briefing (In classroom and lunch orders placed) on water at 10.45

OPEN MEETING

Sunday 15th March 2009 4 races 3 to count Races of 45mins (approx)

Lunch to be booked at registration

(Start sequence 5-4-1-Start)

10.00 Registration (Catering open from 9.00)
10.30 Race 1
12.45 Race 2
13.30 Lunch

Race 3 followed by
Race 4
Off water by 16.00
17.00 Prize giving

Cost. Whole weekend £15. One day only £10 Open or Training. Meal at a nearby pub on Saturday Night.

I've booked in to the Premier Inn at Ipswich South following the lead from James and Clive. I guess Rodders and Margaret may be in the "home from home" ????

I am hoping to sail this weekend at Alton as I may have forgotten how it all goes together after the Bloody (cold) Mary......

When will summer arrive??

Okay, I am now seriously fed up with this weather and really looking forward to getting in to March and the season proper.

Here are some photos to remind you all of what we are all missing.....

And here's a very rare shot (yep, me in a Laser) but it does bring back memories of warmer weather (very much warmer weather...)

Ben Ainslie? Who's he!

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....