Author: webmaster

If you have been worrying about the well being of your much beloved craft, please rest assured that all boats have now been moved to safety. The water has now risen (13.00 Saturday) to cover all of the foreshore to a depth of a foot or so at the shallowest part (by the steps down from the clubhouse). More rain is forecast overnight but no boats are now in any immediate danger. Inevitably not all boats can be tied down in their temporary positions and it would be prudent to check that your boat is secured when you can.

Our warmest thanks go to all those, including the the rescue crew Chris, Scott and James, who worked all morning waist deep in water, to bring all boats to safety.

The Horse May Have Bolted…

The massive rapid rise in water levels has caught out several boats, which have been moved, but any help to move further boats to higher ground would be appreciated, especially as it is possible that the lake could continue to rise.

You can see below how rapidly it has risen.

Soggy Saturday 16 June

16 June, 2012

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With a stormy weather forecast for middle England, what would happen in the Dubwath micro climate was anybody’s guess. The wind turbines at Bothel were in an Easterly breeze, from the shore the wind seemed to be from the SE, but on the water it was from the SW! It was windy in local towns and on the coast, but certainly not steadily windy on the lake as there wer numerous light periods and Sale Fell cast shadows on the racing area too!

The fleet of 11 boats for the Fleet Challenge diminished as the racing went on – was it a lack of energy, or just other things to do as there were three races to squeeze in to the afternoon (with another 3 on Sunday)?

Steve/Ruth led the fleet in their Merlin-Rocket in all three races, but the F15s had to battle with Scumper for 2nd place on the water. After a poor start in the first race with his stand in crew, Mike/William took advantage of some fortunate shifts and worked through to 2nd on the water. In the 2nd race Ian/Lezli-Ann quickly took 2nd position and maintained it for the race, while Mike/William trawled the spinnaker for a while letting Scumper and Tim/Ian through! The trauma for William in the final race was almost being ejected from the boat whilst gybing when his buoyancy aid got caught on the kicking strap! This time Scumper took 2nd and Mike 3rd. At least Mike will have his proper crew back on the foredeck tomorrow!

In the last race, Alan/Sue were a matter of seconds from filling their spinnaker and having a hairy plane when they capsized, but they recovered to finish the race. Perhaps next time?!

With the results being calculated on a personal handicap basis, the race wins went to three different helms – Steve Hunt, Ian Campbell and Neil Garrison who takes the overnight lead.

Sunday’s conditions were a lot more settled, a good, but steady, breeze powered the fleet around. Steve/Ruth had a flying start but gave it all away when they started to sail the wrong course and retired. That left the F15s to show the way, with Mike/Kayla taking the lead but with Ian/Lezli-Ann nibbling at their ankles most of the way. The OD was concerned that the Commodore had taken a disliking to his course when he took a gybe mark extremely wide, but he would just claim to be making best use of the gusts! He did give Banter Phil a run for his money though.

On handicap, (after a recheck of calcs!) Ethan won, Kath/Glenys 2nd, with Mike/Kayla 3rd.

There were two further races after lunch, which Ethan and Kath each shared with a 1st and 2nd. Conditions eased as the afternoon went on but there were still planing opportunities, or would that be challenges as several fought with their spinnakers to avoid broaching/capsizing. A new member in an RS400 had his pole stuck out up the beat, which looked somewhat ominous, especially when they had a close encounter with Kath/Glenys who were on a run to the leeward mark!

Overall, Kath/Glenys’s strong results, coupled with 3 pts for being OD on Saturday, gave them a clear lead and the overall series, dashing Alan’s hopes of winning the prize for 1st GP. Mike and the other two F15s took the next three positions, with Alan finishing 5th.

Weekend Sailing 9/10 June

10 June, 2012

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This weekend’s championship series got off to a great start with a steady westerly breeze which gave rise to some good planing conditions. Simon/Jon led the way in the F15s in both races with Mike/Kayla chasing and Ian/Lezli-Ann challenging from time to time. While Ian managed to hit his head (yet again) before racing, an unexpected gybe when sailing by the lee, didn’t do Lezli-Ann’s back any favours.

Ethan had a keen start in the first Topper race, leaving Harry in irons on the start line. He did give Harry a chance to catch up when he went round the wrong mark and then had to back track for several hundred yards. However, he kept his lead and won the race. A few too many capsizes by Harry slowed him down but he finished the race before returning to shore somewhat tired.

In the handicap fleet, the Vareos led the fleet, though Tim/Martin, with no competition in the GPs, sailed well finishing 2nd behind Robbie D in the 1st race and winning the 2nd race with Ian Macpherson 2nd. In the 2nd race, the wind freshened and Robbie D had to work hard to beat Banter Phil who was sailing well in the conditions, though Robin made the most of Banter Phil’s mistakes, and capsizes, to regain the lead after losing out on the beats.

Early Sunday morning there was little breeze on the lake, and the forecast was somewhat ominous, but by the time racing started there was a light westerly to power the fleet around the course. However, that was not to be until there had been various dramas on the shore. One Ian poked his eye and went off to casualty while another needed an urgent intake of Mars bars, but that caused Elaine to pull a muscle rushing for it! At least that was three events in a row.

Whether that put Ian off it can’t be certain, but he wasn’t able to put up a strong fight against Mike/Kayla who took two firsts and the series trophy.

As there were three GPs, but not enough to race yesterday, the Commodore’s Prize would was be based on two races. Nigel and his new crew had some close racing with Alan/Sue and they each had a win, but as Alan won the 2nd race the tie was split in his favour and he won the series.

There was a good turnout in the handicap fleet, and the lighter airs suited Robbie D a lot more than on Saturday such that he won both races on the water, but the conditions suited Joan/Jack in their RS200 more as they won both races on handicap. However, as Joan had only sailed two races, Robin’s 2nd places were sufficient to secure him the series trophy.

Night Jar – 7 June

7 June, 2012

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‘Winds will be cyclonic’ – and how!
A quieter, damp, evening resulted a smaller fleet of only 11 boats this week. As the wind came and went Race Officer Steve Sharpe had his work cut out guessing which direction it would materialise from next. In the event it appeared at all points of the compass at some time during the race. This allowed Steve the rare privellege of being able to set a course on which boats were able to fly spinnakers on all legs, as well as beat on most of them too.The wind finally kicked in with a decent planing gust, blowing straight down the lake, just as the lead boats were finishing. Joe Watkins, test driving an RS 300, was finally able to appreciate just how unstable they really are.

The Street Party That Wasn’t

5 June, 2012

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Due to the cold weather, the scheduled street party was held indoors, red white and Royal blue was the theme. There was again a great selection of sandwiches, nibbles and cakes to keep everyone going until the barbeque this evening!

First Bank Holiday of the Week!

What a glorious start to the bank holiday – sunshine, but cool airs. The wind tended to shift through about 90 degrees with the various gusts that came through. As the first race was a fleet handicap pursuit, the wind fading shortly after the start gave a good advantage to the chasing boats and they were well bunched early on. Ian/Lezli-Ann were unfortunate not to be blanketted by Simon/Jon (who were over but returning to the pre-start side) on the start line and were identified aspremature starters, but Mike was able to block their return to the start line for a short while. Andy/Rob Smith took an early lead and held off Scumper for a good while, but it was Robbie D/Sam Wright that worked through to the front and take the honours.

The afternoon race was a round the laker. The wind was light but swinging through almost 135 degrees! In a rush to get the fleet started before the next major shift, the fleet set off in slightly better than drifting conditions. However, within three mins, just as Ian/Lezli-Ann reached the start line(!), the wind filled in and fortunately continued to power the fleet down the the lake to 10 and back up again.

Round the lake results

Various past Commodores with founder member Val Rickerby at the Diamond Jubilee celebration dinner

Second Bank Holiday of the Week!!

It may not have been quite as sunny as Monday, but the wind was better, and stronger than forecast.

The morning’s race was a personal handicap pursuit, followed by a fleet handicap race to complete the Diamond Jubilee series and weekend’s sailing.

The wind held for the morning race, but the dry weather faded and the drizzle came in. The groupings caused by the personal handicaps seemed challenging for some, especially Scumper who had to start with several F15s, but they had to persevere as there were no discards in the overall series. By the last lap the fleet was quite closely grouped, but Alastair/Claire kept their nerve, made no mistakes on the final beat, and won by a minute with Andy/Rob 2nd.

During lunch the wind eased, but there was sufficient to send the fleet down to mark 11 for the final race of the long weekend.

The weekend ended with a prizegiving, and a special thank you for Andrea, the very sociable social secretary, for her organisation over the weekend.

Race 5 and overall


Scumper for the Diamond Jubilee series	the Topper Challenge team	Jon treasuring his broken tiller prize (as he dumps it in the bin!)

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

5 June, 2012

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(Photo Gallery)

The long weekend started on Friday evening with nibbles and drinks followed by a quick Queenie quiz. The winners celebrated by eating their prize of a bar of chocolate….

Saturday morning saw a brief visit by a King(fisher), but the light airs were blown away by the incoming breeze which would give those that ventured out great sailing conditions, albeit hard work! Meanwhile the morning was spent decorating the clubhouse and grounds with bunting and all things Royal in preparation for the various parties and celebration being held over the next few evenings.

Saturday’s racing comprised fleet handicap and personal handicap races, both counting towards the weekend’s Diamond Jubilee Trophy.

The wind was not as harsh as expected, and 22 boats made the start line, though through various capsizes and other mishaps not all finished! Scumper had an excellent first race despite complaining about most offwind legs being too tight for the spinnaker and took 1st place from Dave/Lynn.

Mark/Emma had a very keen start in the 2nd race but lost the advantage when they had to do some turns. Alex/Olivia scuppered their chances by forgetting to round 9 on all but the last lap. John Reekie/Joe Watkins sailed well in his Merlin in the second race taking 1st place overall from Andy/Keith Thomas

The overnight leader was Mike/Kayla, 1pt ahead of Scumper.

In the evening there was a 50’s themed fancy dress with bring and eat buffet in which there was a wide array of foods and puddings from that era. But did they have Gaviscon available in those days?….

Sunday started with the Topper challenge. They say one volunteer is worth 12 pressed men, and it certainly seemed that there were more people being coerced into sailing than volunteering! That said there were enough people for 7 teams. Little did they know what they were letting themselves in for.The race started with a Le Mans start, and shortly up the first beat the rescue boat crews, led by the Commodore, started to ensure the racing was even by jumping on lead boats and capsizing them, or towing the tail enders up the beat! Not many boats escaped some form of skulduggery, especially when it was time to change crews as boats were set upon by rival teams.Even when ashore, the ground crews inhibited the progress of helms getting to the finish.

Sam made the finishing post

But not without a chase by Lynn
(Not many escape her!)

Andy T tried to escape…

…but was caught!

The Commodore paid the price and was pushed into the lake at the end!

Group photo of those that could stand the cold!

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

30 May, 2012

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After there being too much wind last weekend, today seems looks like it will be the opposite. There has been a slight breeze, but as the start time approaches, the wind has disappeared!…

It was to be the sea breeze that helped save the day. The first race in the celebrity glass pursuit that hadn’t been cancelled was actually sailed. Despite the light winds, the handicaps resulted in some close finishes. It was the lasers that stole the show led by Scumper.

The breeze settled slightly for the second race. Robbie D led the fleet (shame he didn’t have a crew). It took William and Elaine a lap to catch him, but he broke away again on the next beat. John and Janis couldn’t be shaken off either, and passed William on the final lap. We’re not certain whether John was being protective of his handicap but a dodgy tack on the final beat let William through to finish first. On handicap it was Scumper that finished first from Alan Nicholson and Julian Cruickshank

F15 Open Sponsored by Waples Wine

27 May, 2012

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Eleven visitors joined five boats from the home club to contest the Waples Wine Flying Fifteen Open at Basssenthwaite SC on the weekend of May 26/27. The forecast ‘champagne conditions’ materialised with unbroken sunshine being complemented by a strong, warm breeze from the SE. Some were daunted by the apparent strength of the breeze prior to launching, some only after they had launched. Broaches were relatively commonplace even at the front end of the fleet, whilst becoming positively ‘de rigeur’ at the opposite end.

The Race Officer had elected to sail three races back to back on the opening day.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Steve Goacher and Phil Evans from RWYC showed a mastery of the conditions causing one spectator to comment ‘poetry in motion’. Whilst this may not have been particularly original, it was certainly most apposite. The pair hooked in to the full power of each gust and in each of the three races to extend a very considerable lead over the rest of a high class fleet, winning by a good margin. Neil Platt and Mark Somerville from the home club put in a strong, consistent performance to finish second in both of the opening races with Terry Crumpton and Roger Errington from Derwent Reservoir in third on both occasions.

The wind freshened during the course of the second race. Mike Moore and Micheala Sheard from Bass were second round the windward mark, closely followed by Commodore Steve Kirkpatrick and Keith Thomas also from Bass. The two boats had gone right up the first beat and found a great shift to take them to the front of the fleet. By the end of the race Steve and Keith managed to get past Mike and Michaela but by this time, unfortunately, they had both suffered various vicissitudes and were the last two boats to finish, in 11th and 12th respectively.

For the final race of the day, the squally wind had passed through, but there were still good gusts aplenty. Unusually, on the 2nd lap, Steve Goacher and Phil Evans headed for the wrong mark. They realised in time to take their spinnaker down and reach back, but they had lost most of their lead over Neil Platt/Mark Somerville, who stayed very close to his transom for the rest of the race. Terry Crumpton and Roger Errington from Derwent Reservoir finished in third.

The sailors were grateful, after their exertions to relax and enjoy half an hour of wine tasting, courtesy of the series sponsor, Waples Wines.

Conditions on Sunday were, as expected, less demanding, allowing some different sailors to prosper. Race 4 started to time at 11:30 and the race began in a pleasant F2-3 breeze from the SSE. However, during the course of a long first beat the wind slackened and became more ‘localised’. The ability to spot bands of wind on different parts of the course paid dividends – if you were able to reach them before they evaporated. It is a measure of the fickle nature of the breeze that Steve Goacher failed to round the windward mark first, although he had led half way up the leg. In the end Steve rounded 4th and appeared to lose several places by failing to bear away onto the reach. There was, of course, method in his madness and he had spotted more breeze arriving further across the course. When he reached the new breeze he bore away and eventually rounded the next mark in the lead. Steve and Phil went on to win the race with John Hardisty and John Mathie, who found the lighter conditions to their liking, in second. Simon Longstaff and John Denwood from the home club recorded a third, their best result of the weekend.

In the final race Steve Goacher and Phil Evans again showed that they are in a different class, winning the race and taking the title with a perfect score line of 5 first places. John Hardisty and Roger Errington were second, which secured second place overall. Graham Massey and Russel Clark saved their best ’til last, finishing in third place. Terry Crumpton and John Mathie sailed a very consistent series to finish third overall. Fourth overall and best Bass boat was Neil Platt and Mark Somerville, who revelled in the stronger breezes but found the lighter winds on the second day more challenging.

At the prize giving Steve Goacher said, on behalf of all the visitors, that the organisation of the whole event both on and off the water, and the quality of the sailing, demonstrated exactly why visitors always returned to Bass SC.


Sponsor Justin Waples collecting his prize with crew Louise Jackson	Winner Steve Goacher thanking the club

As for the Club Racing…

27 May, 2012

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Although there were no takers for Saturday’s club racing, the fairer weather tempted out a small fleet of Handicap boats, and GPs.

With Scumper crewing for Neil Platt in the F15s in the morning, Toggle had free reign in the handicap fleet winning the race from Jim Christie, with Ethan valiantly completing the course in his dad’s Vareo, despite one or two capsizes. Toggle was doing well in the afternoon too until he rounded 0 the wrong way, losing the lead to Scumper (and Matthew), and three places, in a matter of seconds. Scumper went on to win the race, with Alastair Duncan 2nd and Paul Clark 3rd.

Andy Smith continued his winning ways in the GP, with wife Emma crewing, in the morning race with Hugh/Rachael 2nd and Alistair/Claire 3rd, while in the afternoon there was some close racing between Alan/Sue and Hugh/Rachael, but Hugh took the honours.

Thomas is Twittering Again

24 May, 2012

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Kirky the commodore and his merry men help as Ken Bell mole ploughs the new electric cable in to the back field.

Robbie D must have been to spec savers as he seems to have found the grass without too much problem.	Toggle should have gone to spec savers Grass doesn’t seem to be too long where Toggle is cutting !

Even Banter Phil has found the grass that needed cutting	Ken Bell, Scumper and Andy T putting in base for FF15 winch in readiness for their old age

Toggle and Alan secure the latest piece of modern artwork, more commonly known as the F15 winch	The mermaid, Scumper and a Bass rare species – Toggle!

Newest F15 fleet members, Martin and Stacy, test their new purchase.	Is Pat a bag lady, collecting rubbish, or just dumping rubbish around her feet?