The thought of tackling force 7 winds which were blowing around the Solway put a fair few off getting to the Club for tackling Round 5 of the Night Jar. Ten boats were readied but Martin Overend was without a crew and Alan Jones lost a halyard down the mast.

Julian Cruickshank and Ian Macpherson took the Bates out to set a course but, with a NW wind, finding a true beat was tricky. They decided on a start line upwind of 4 and 1-5-A-4 as an interesting, but little used course including two beats.

The GP of Dave & Lynn Lawson led at the first mark but they were overhauled by Graham Kirkpatrick / Kayla Sheard and then Tim Knowles / Martin Statter in their Fifteens. Joe Watkins� 300 was in touch with the lead group until a capsize dropped him back down the order.

Mike Fairlamb was finding that he was unable to flatten the Streaker�s sail sufficiently for the beats and he also dropped back, while the 200 of Mike & Joan Cowan went for a wide rounding of 1 and lost time in the wind shadow. On the second lap Joe again capsized and decided to retire.

Results showed Dave & Lynn finishing ahead of Graham & Kayla on both FH and PH. Tim & Martin were third on FH with Eric Guillois / Chris Brookes taking their FF into third place on PH.

Look who’s at the helm

22 May, 2013

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A rare sight to see Alan, the Commodore’s dad, helming the Past Commodore’s dad’s boat in Lower Loch Fyne.

A day of mixed fortunes….

20 May, 2013

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Where was the promised Sunday sunshine? Campers woke to a drizzly morning and guess what – no wind!

Miraculously some finally appeared and the rescue lads were called back urgently from their early lunch in Cockermouth. The OD started the race and spinnakers even managed to fly. The second lap caused confusion as B had been moved nearer to 9 to provide a better beat. In clear air Simon/Jon developed a significant lead leaving the rest of the fleet to jostle closely for position. Graham/Sally took B to port instead of starboard but were informed by kindly sailors, recovered quickly and soon regained their original position. Others were less fortunate and dropped down the fleet. Simon/Jon were deserved winners.

After lunch (tasty steak pie) a brave OD decided to try a second race. Unfortunately this quickly developed into a drifter and finished after three legs – even that was a struggle.

Graham McKee from Dovestone was the final overall winner with Simon/Jon second, John Hardisty third and Graham/Sally winning the Waples Wine silver fleet.

For some, it was a weekend’s sailing best forgotten!

Unlucky for some!

18 May, 2013

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13 intrepid Flying Fifteens set off in the wet but unfortunately not wild conditions. After moving the Bates four times the OD decided that it was now or never and the postponement flag was dropped.

Yet again Ian/Lezli-Ann were over the line and the rest of the fleet whizzed off-ha ha!! Roy/Alan made good pace up the first leg, only to be the tail ender by the first mark. A wind shift at the death denied Graham/Sally the prestige of winning the windward mark and the word drifter subsequently sprang to mind. Perseverance was definitely the order of the day with only one boat retiring.

Dave McKee-F15 GBR was the lucky winner with Simon and a desperate Jon (don’t ask) gaining second and John x2 finishing third.

The OD then took pity and decided enough was enough and racing was abandoned for the day.

Guess what – the wind doesn’t look much better for tomorrow!!

Spring Cleaning?!

18 May, 2013

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Following on from the trophy audit last year there are 12 trophies still outstanding. Could you please check your garages, lofts and chuck holes in case one is hiding under a pile of dust!

Also, it would be appreciated if everyone could engrave their trophy/trophies prior to return for the annual prizegiving as well as ensuring they are returned in a reasonable condition for the new recipient.

Many thanks

Lezli-Ann

Night Jar 4

17 May, 2013

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Racing No Comments

Nothing could have been clearer. The wind immediately before the start of the race on Thursday evening was coming in from the NE. Forecasts, turbines and burgees clearly said so. OD Ian Macpherson was satisfied and set the start line after 0 with a course of 4-1-9-0.

Eleven boats beat out to the start line and the six minute signal was sounded. What happened? The wind swung 180 to SW! So it was off to go with kites flying: at least for a while. The light breeze progressively dropped and by 9 it had died completely. The OD considered finishing at the end of lap 1 but only twenty minutes had been sailed.

Then the wind kicked in again at 0 and from the original direction so lap two was as planned. Neil & Judith Currie�s 400 led over the line from Joan & Jack Hardie�s 200 and Joe Watkins� 300. RS rules! Then it was Dave and Lynn Lawson�s GP and Tim Knowles / Martin Statter in the first of the Fifteens.

Mike Fairlamb in the Streaker, who was well down the finishing order, was optimistic that he had done ok on FH. But who knows? Results were delayed as the Bates Driver�s calculator had packed in!

Ever been here?

13 May, 2013

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Loved this email enquiry…

I am a 50 something empty nester looking for a mid life hobby to get me from under my wife�s feet this summer evenings and weekends. I want to learn how to windsurf. We live in Cockermouth and you are the closest water based club. I feel like I�m asking a Michelin star chef to cook me a Birds Eye ready meal….

Will we tempt this person into dinghy sailing?

and Then There Were Three..

12 May, 2013

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Championship Racing No Comments

Sunday’s forecast threatened to be wet and windy, fortunately there was not too much of the former, and it was not quite as blustery as Saturday either!

In the morning, a fleet of six in the handicap fleet was led by Steve, with guest appearance of Elaine (she obviously managed to unlock those bar chains!), who stayed upright, though most of his competition went swimming at some stage in the race. Banter finished second ahead of Alan/Sue in a GP.

Mike/Kayla found their pace again and led throughout the F15 race while Tim/Ian battled it out with Ian/Lezli-Ann for 2nd place.

Topper Challenge 2012

12 May, 2013

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You may recall the Topper Challenge held last year on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. Peter Ballard has knitted together the following video to remind you of the level of skulduggery that was used to ‘even out’ the competition!

Stormy Saturday

11 May, 2013

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The forecast of wild wind for the weekend may have been off putting but it didn’t stop the training course getting under way. Hopefully the heavy downpours during the morning didn’t dampen the trainees spirits or enthusiasm!

By the time racing started, the rain showers had passed through, but there was still a strong breeze to power the fleet of eight boats around the course. As the gusts and squalls passed through there were exciting reaches and various capsizes by all boats in the handicap fleet, as well as broaches in the F15 fleet. With JC as OD, many were surprised at the normality and quality of his courses. No doubt he will revert to his usual range of spinnaker free courses next time!

By winning both races, with Banter 2nd, Scumper leads the handicap series, and similarly Mike/Kayla lead the F15 series after adding two wins to their tally; Ian/Lezli-Ann and Tim/Ian each shared a 2nd and 3rd. After the first race Lezli-Ann did comment it was not a day for the ratchets not to be on – we assume she rectified this before the next race…

Night Jar A5 � 23 May 13

Look who’s at the helm

A day of mixed fortunes….

Unlucky for some!

Spring Cleaning?!

Night Jar 4

Ever been here?

and Then There Were Three..

Topper Challenge 2012

Stormy Saturday

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