Yacht Delivery – Inverness to Whitehaven – Sunday 12th July � Friday 17th July 2015

Ocean Youth Trust are now able to offer the last few remaining places on this adult voyage at an amazing reduced cost of �100.

This would count as a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualifying passage from Inverness to Whitehaven, through the Caledonian Canal and down the Scottish and English West Coast.

The cost is inclusive of:
� All food and refreshments whilst on board
� Provision of foul weather kit and personal safety equipment
� Personal insurance whilst taking part

If you want to experience for yourself the thrill of steering a 70ft ocean going yacht, whilst receiving instruction and practical experience then don�t miss out on this fantastic opportunity and contact [email protected] or call our office on 0191 2571212 now.

Ann Arkle
Ocean Youth Trust North
Royal Quays Community Centre
9 Prince Consort Way
North Shields
NE29 6XB

www.sailjamescook.com

Registered No: 3898088 England Registered Charity No: 1079955

Almost Mid Summer – No evidence at Bass – Night Jar 8

19 June, 2015

News Racing No Comments

Thursday evening was, yet again, unseasonal with grey skies and a chilly westerly force 3 breeze. Is it really the Summer Solstice this weekend? The OD decided on a figure of eight course for a change. 0-9-B-A was the order of the day for the twelve competing boats.

Alex and Olivia took an early lead in their 200 with Joan and Jack leading the pursuit from the fellow GP�s of Val & Ken and AJ and Sue. Mike�s Streaker was also in the mix. Into the second lap and gaps were extending between most of the boats. The exception being the Toppers of David Roger and Rosie Hogg which were in close company throughout although David eventually got the upper hand.

It was decided to finish the second half of the fleet after 2 laps and Harry in the Aero was first to receive the horn ahead of Jon Anson�s Radial and the 200 of Jeff Tweddle / Mike Siddall. Josh Hunter who had started late in his Topper was finished on one lap.

On lap 3 Alex / Olivia extended their lead with a plane on the broad kite leg into B and they finished ahead of the GP fleet�s lady helms. That plane had swung it their way and they were just classified first on FH ahead of Joan / Jack.

AJ / Sue took the win on PH ahead of Joan /Jack and they move into the series lead. However, Mike retains his prime place in the FH series.

Back ashore, there were appetising smells from the Galley. Also, a number of Bass� potential Swallows & Amazons film stars recounting their experiences from the selection get-together earlier in the day. We wait to hear the final outcome of which of them will be playing the sailing roles.

Resuscitation Course

13 June, 2015

A basic resuscitation course for adults is being held in the clubhouse next Saturday 20 June from 10-12am. If you’re interested please let Mike Hunter know so that we have an idea on numbers.

A similar course for juniors will be held later in the season.

A beautiful Summers Evening for drifting around the Lake – Night Jar 7

12 June, 2015

The seventh round of the Night Jar was similar in many ways to last week. There was a cloudless sky, warm sun but little wind. Only 16 boats were competing this week as some of the Topper and Radial helms were in exam prep mode.

At launching time the wind was a westerly and a course of 9-3-A was selected. But, just before the 6 minute signal, it swung through 90 degrees to the North. So the outer end of the line was moved round in the direction of A and the first mark was changed to 1. The inner mark was left slightly downwind of the Bates.

David with Lottie crewing in the GP went for a port end start but were over the line and signalled to return. The rest of the fleet continued on starboard with the exception of Peter Whipp who tacked off in the Laser soon after the start.

Robin, making a guest appearance in the 100, was first to round the windward mark and pulled out a lead from Alex and Olivia in their 200. The GPs tried to fly their kites on the next leg but without much success and by the time they, and the body of the fleet, reached 3 what little wind there now was had shifted North East resulting in a drifting log jam.

The first two boats were through well before this and heading for A where the shortened course flag was raised. They finished in 26 minutes and 32 minutes respectively. Ethan with his school mate crewing the second 200 was next up on the run to 3.

Then came the GPs of Val & Ken, AJ & Sue and a recovering Dave & Lottie. Val was through first. AJ had water on Dave at A and headed for the line between the distance marks, but Dave took the opportunity of squeezing between the inner mark and the Bates to cross the line a minute ahead.

All boats maintained momentum on the run up to A but the finishing time of the last finisher was three times that of the leader. Robin took the win from Alex & Olivia and Peter Whipp in both FH and PH categories

Food, glorious food

9 June, 2015

We know how much everyone enjoys the Thursday evening catering, so this weekend, to coincide with the Laser and Topper open meetings, Lucy’s team will be preparing some lasagne for evening supper. Of course this is available to visitors, campers and members alike.

Come along and enjoy!

Night Jar 6 , Summer eventually arrived and the Wind disappeared.

5 June, 2015

Not much to say about this one except At least we got a race in! With 21 boats on the water on a pleasant sunny evening it seemed a shame to abandon.

When the Bates went out there was a glimmer of hope. Start around A and then 0-B-A maybe? After asking a number of competitors where the wind was coming from it was decided to start at 0 and go A-B-O. But then B was removed and an asymmetric course was posted – but with the run first and a beat back!

After twenty minutes the postponement flag was lowered and all duly headed down wind. What wind?! Most of the boats with kites managed to get them – sort of – flying for a while. Most headed directly towards A but a few had noticed some disturbed water between B and A so headed left. It turned out to be a good move and a small group of Geeps and Lasers plus Toggle / Joan in their 200 gained from it.

Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith rounded first and pulled out a lead on the water from Tony King. Eric Guillois / Chris Brookes were sailing their FF really well in the light airs and were pulling the lead boats in up the beat. The Solos of David Haselden and Richard Broughton were also in contention. Mike & Eric finished first on the water and took the FH win from David, Eric & Chris and Richard.

On PH Richard was classified first ahead of Mike & Eric, Tony King, David and then Eric & Chris. That meant that there were four different types of boat in the top five positions.

After six rounds we have had no less than forty helms entering the Night Jar series. What that number will be after the sixteenth and final round is anyone�s guess!

Weekend Racing

30 May, 2015

News Racing No Comments

After a changeable week weatherwise for the Whit half term there was a great turnout, especially in the slow handicap fleet. Various Flying 15s were competing in the Northern championship being held at Windermere so Chris/Julie sailed in the handicap fleet.

Although the wind was not too strong on Saturday, there were massive wind shifts for sailors to contend with resulting in numerous capsizes, particularly, but not only, in the single handers, and some mixed fortunes positionwise.

Mik recalled that he was not sailing to his best (a more polite version of his description of his efforts!) and gave substantial distance away by heading for the wrong mark. Joan/Jack had similar issues after sailing a fantastic first beat only to finish 3rd in the first race, which was won by Val/Ken, after getting intermingled with other boats. They got their act fully together in the 2nd race and maintained their lead through to the finish.

All in all a good days racing.

The forecast for Sunday must have put many people off with the expectation of persistant rain. The two GPs led the campaign to not bother with the morning race but have an early afternoon pennant race, however, Harry’s interest in racing urged the OD to get racing underway, albeit a little later than scheduled. The two GPs of Val/Ken and Alan/Sue were on the line in time, as were Jim/Poppy and Izzy. When Harry/Josh reached the line in a Mirror he innocently asked ‘have we started’ with the other boats some minutes up the beat!

Late in the race a squall came through, along with pleading by Ken and Val for the S flag to be raised. Their wish was granted, but conditions were too much for Izzy who suffered a couple of capsizes before retiring. Harry retired after receiving assistance following a drooping mainsail, leaving Jim/Poppy to battle with the shifts to stay upright and finish.

For the afternoon race there were only two takers – Harry in his Aero, and Alan/Sue in their GP. An early squall had both boats upside down before the start, and opting for shore leave even before racing was underway. Harry was toying with death rolls on the beat on the return ashore (perhaps deliberately, or possibly due to the gusty conditions) which he seemed to beam all the way through.

So apart from some muddy sails, and dinted pride from a chipped tooth (nothing to do with the sailing), no harm was done, and all went home happy.

Night Jar 5 – still chilly for late May!!

29 May, 2015

The fifth round of the Night Jar took place in a medium strength westerly wind. The forecast squalls went to the North and the South of Dubwath Bay but it was again chilly for late May.

The course was 0-B-A-3-4 so there were a few gybe marks to contend with.

The fourteen boats had a longer line this time and most went for a port end start. Alex & Olivia again led in their 200 followed by a gaggle of GP�s and Neil�s Radial. Val & Ken, as well as being the evenings chefs, were giving Mike with usual rival Dave as crew and then came Joan & Jack in close company with AJ & Sue. All were enjoying the planning kite reach across from A to 3 and the slightly broader leg up to 4.

Peter Winfindale pulled out on the first lap and Jack & Joan on the second when they touched a mark. Izzie spectacularly fell out of her Topper when she missed the toe strap during a tack. Meanwhile, Harry was teaching Josh Hunter the art of helming in one of the Club�s Mirrors.

The lead boats went on to complete three laps but Toppers and other boats with high PY Handicaps were finished after two. These included newcomer Sol White who is consistently sailing the Pico well above its handicap.

A wind shift to the south gave an interesting finishing line and time was gained by strategic tacking between 4 and YZ.

On the water, the first finisher was the 200 followed by Mike & Dave closely followed by Val & Ken who had been challenging all evening. This was the order on FH but nobody had foreseen a mega two lap performance by Hazel who took the win on PH ahead of Alex & Olivia with Sol�s Pico next up.

Push the Boat Out Memories

28 May, 2015