Sailing Club

Tell Tales

At the pre-sail get-together there was considerable discussion and jiving about the expected days sailing. With a last-minute crew change Skiffle Beat skipper Paul Heland hijacked and an unsuspecting Julian Bourne to step in as crew for the day.  It was uncle Ken who suggested that we put back the start to 3:00 PM and with a bit of discussion the duty crew decided to put the start back to 14:30 due to the expected wind change at around 14:00.  With the postponement flag in place Jess and I then took out Duty-boat (Helena G) out and set a course about 2 kilometres offshore of Wild Dog Creek.

The 900 metres course was set of with the expected wind change from the southwest taken into consideration.

Dinghies Start 14:30

With the wind less than 5 knots from the South it was a very close and clean start with Skiffle, Beat Black Pearl, Affrodite, and April Dancer crossing closely together over the start line within 5 seconds of the Hooter followed Euffamism about 20 seconds later.

The first leg of the race was a frustrating one with light variable winds with all the Fifteens slowly making it to the top mark but having trouble getting around with some boats going backwards at times.  Black Pearl was the first boat to round the top mark followed by \April Dancer \ Affrodite and closely followed by Skiffle Beat and then Euffamism.

A moderate southerly breeze filled in without fuss or variation as the fleet rounded onto the first down wind leg. Black Pearl was quick to set her spinnaker and increase her lead over April Dancer who subsequently tried their kite too.  Skiffle Beat was having some issues with her spinnaker but eventually got that sorted.   As the fleet head to the Jibe Mark the south westerly breeze started to stiffen.  This was to cause a number of boats issues as they jibed their spinnakers around the mark.  The most daring was Skiffle Beat with skipper Paul ordering crew Julian forward to stuff their problematic spinnaker down the chute. Matching them was Black Peal with two spinnaker poles deployed and a nice, yet disastrous wine glass shaped spinnaker set between and April Dancer sliding by with disbelief and glee.

By the end of the first triangle the breeze had stiffened to 15 -20 knots and in the lead was April Dancer followed by Black Pearl, Affrodite, Skiffle Beat bring up the rear was Euffemism & 10+1.

The race lead between April Dancer and Black Pearl was to change numerous times with Black Pearl catching April Dancer at the top mark and then April Dancer overtaking Black Pearl.  The other race within the race was between Skiffle Beat and Affrodite with the position of third and fourth changing several times.   At around the halfway mark Affrodite retired as the breeze had whipped up the sea somewhat. Euffamism now started to come into the race overtaking Skiffle Beat and eventually hold on to that position.

The end was a real close affair First over the line was Black Pearl followed nine seconds later by April Dancer.  Third was Euffamism and last Skiffle Beat.

The Keelboat contingent 10+1 was having a great sail in the ever-increasing wind and looked great going around the mark.

Overall, the day turned out to be a complete hoot. Solid breeze, lapping seas, tight racing and water blasting everywhere in t-shirts, shorts & sunshine, enjoying great company and rivalries in beautiful boats & without a care in the world.

Affrodite: S: Chris Adams and C: Katie

April Dancer: S: Bruce Johnson and C: Geraldine

Euffamism: S: Peter Bourne and Crew Anton

Black Pearl: S: Peter Geekie and C: Stewart Allinson

Skiffle Beat: S: Paul Heland and C: Julian Bourne

10+1:  Skippered by Ken Goodison Crew Graham, Lucy, Jacinta & Mike 

Results

Duty - Jesse Morrow + Gary Summers

Learn to Sail is starting again this week or next. Check the What’s App Group for latest news !!

Life is good. Come Sailing!

To find out more please see our Facebook group - Apollo Bay Sailing Club.

New Members Always Welcome!

Many thanks to Bendigo Bank for their support of Learn to Sail at ABSC.