Ready.  Set…
In just a few weeks sailing season 2018/19 will be GO!  Tim has been doing a great job getting crews to make their boats ready – now it’s time to get some enthusiasm so everyone wants to sail their boats.  So I’ll give you some info, gossip and anything else I think of that might get you wanting to be at that next VS regatta.
 
Firstly the association regatta dates have been decided.  Get these in your diaries (or phones) now!

• 17 November - Vaucluse TT
• 1 & 2 December - Teralba TT
• 6 - 12 January 2019 - Neranie Sands nationals
• 20 January - Manning Marathon TT
• 9 & 10 February - South Lakes TT & States
• 16 & 17 March - Hawkesbury TT & States
  
  

NOR and SIs for TT, States & Nationals will be out soon.  Remember that there is no entry fee for the TT & state series but entries do close at the first regatta.  Association membership is due now and all you have to do to enter each series is tick a box on the membership form so why not do it now.  Saves us chasing you later and you are helping to keep the class afloat.
 
As for the regatta program you’ll notice a couple of changes.  Hawkesbury have shifted their weekend to March rather than in the hectic lead up to Christmas.  Boats travelling to Hawkesbury have been down in recent seasons so let’s make a good effort this season to have a big turnout.  Hawkesbury are building a new al fresco area onto the clubhouse so it will be worth the trip just to see what they have done.
 
Also worth travelling to is Vaucluse.  Not long after they hosted us for our 70th anniversary and states the club was destroyed by a storm.  It was pretty well closed for a season or two whilst being rebuilt.  We missed last year’s regatta due to a teething trouble with a new committee but now all is organised & the team at VYC are eager to see us return.  Their official regatta date clashes with Sunshine, so we have negotiated the pre-Christmas date to balance our season.  Once again I’d ask that all sailors do their best to sail on the day so we get a good turnout.  The experience of sailing on the harbour is unique, the clubhouse is unique and the VYC hospitality is legendary.  Few clubs support small fleet regattas so let’s use it before we lose it!
 
Now for some of the chatter I’ve heard about the fleet.  Firstly it looks like we’ll be welcoming Dev back into the fleet.  He’s been sniffing around for the past year or so picking up guest rides but I’m told he’s joining Mick T & Gabe on 2226 for the season.  Everyone knows I think this is the fastest hull in the fleet so it won’t surprise me at all to see this team win a few races once Gabe gets more familiar with the boat.  Don’t forget how well Robbie has progressed…
Speaking of Robbie, he is still sailing with Mark on Meeks, and they will be joined by Geoff Jakins on the tiller.  No problems here so they should continue to be at the sharp end of the fleet.  Likewise SFC will be there again, with Jeremy, Tom & Hugh teaming up once again and looking to go continue to win big races.  Also keeping their crews unchanged is TBS – Col, Adam & Janine; Raptor – Joe, Mitch & Kye; Devocean – Roger, Nick & Will; PBB – Paul, Kev & Max.  Without the need to develop new teamwork, all of these crews will be ready to pick up where they left off, or better!
 
So now to the other changes.  The big news is 2222 Planet Beer has been retired and is replaced by 2215 Action Images.  Also stepping aside is VS legend Michael Northam, who we will hopefully see as a fill in skipper throughout the season.  But fear not this boat will still be the fun ship.  Brad is still there, joined by Ben Ferguson on tiller & Chris Bradford up front. I am already smiling.  Also smiling will be Steve & Mick on Runaway, who look to have signed Dom up as fore’hand for the season.  As I said above a regular crew is ½ the battle.  Tim & Scott are also welcoming Lennon Sullivan as their new front man on Stowe.  Lennon is already a good young sailor but, knowing Tim’s history of nurturing young sailors, will  likely become as good as the SFC crew in a few years.  Kirra has not been punted either, but has just stepped back a bit and will be available as a fill in from time to time.
 
The crews on the remaining Teralba boats are not so clear.  Dom on Battleship will be a father again this season so is unsure how committed he can be with family duties calling.  Hopefully we’ll see the grey boat in the fleet more often than not.  As for Firestorm, Dale & Ryan will be on board but are still looking at options to fill in for me when I’m away. Obviously they won’t get someone that looks as good…
 
Of the Hawkesbury fleet I’ve heard a few whispers.  Jock, on Measurement Solutions, is back for another season and is looking for some 2nd hand sails to improve his boat.  If anyone has some that you want to offload let me know.  Also back again is Alex on Purple Haze.  I hope Andrew & Rob are back on board, as they have been developing well as a crew.  Brian has Narwahl ready to go again, but his nephews have got jobs, so he is short- handed.  Chris and Greg (and Troy) have continued to work on Incognito throughout the off season so much so that I’m told it looks a totally different boat.  Can’t wait to see it.  Unfortunately Will is off doing his HSC (suppose it will pay off later in life..) so they are also short- handed.  So there was some talk Brian could jump on board Incognito.  But to add another option the Sheldon brothers (you might remember them – they sailed with their dad on Measurement Solutions before Jock bought it) have finished their hiatus and are keen to get back on a VS.  The music hasn’t stopped yet…
 
And of course Black Diamond is out there somewhere too.  I’m sure Chook & Hayden will have been tweaking again so the boat should be even better.  Hopefully Adam will be in the team again & these guys continue where they left off last season – fighting at the front of the fleet.  Good competition makes for fun racing.
 
The result of all of the changes should be known at the first regatta.  Another great reason to make the effort to get there.  Don’t forget Saturday November 17 at Vaucluse.  See you then
Cheers  John         
o edit.

“Let’s sail the final regatta of the season”. That must have been what most VS crews were thinking.  With 12 starters, the Saturday race at Sunshine was the best attended of the season.  And it could have been more, if Alex & Andrew were not organising younglings in the MJ squad or Jeremy wasn’t regressing back to his MG days…
 
But, even if it were the last regatta of the season, it was great to see some boats appearing for their first ‘away’ this race season.   Dom & Shaun enticed former champ Sam to make the journey from Jindabyne for the weekend to debut Battleship.  The boys had a good race on Saturday, in the mix for most of the race & finishing 10th.
 
It was also pleasing to see the return of Incognito.  For those not aware, Chris has led a major rebuild campaign of the boat, ably supported by Greg, Troy and a host of others.  Took a while to get here, but the end result looks great.  Chris is now on the tiller and Will up front so while there is a bit of teamwork to build the boys sailed well on Saturday and finished without any breakages.  Always a good sign after a major rebuild…
 
Bozo, Kev & Max were also a welcome addition to the fleet.  Take it from me, Max is sailing well after the Neranie nationals experience.  Kev is always on his game, as should be Bozo, except he asked an ex-skipper how to rig a spinnaker.  Really?  Give you a tip.  Don’t ask a skipper (or half of the sheethands).  Anyway when the kite came up first time it was backwards and upside down.  It took all of Kev’s skills to re-rig it whilst sailing but he did & they finished with kite flying.  Well done.
 
Saturdays race was sailed in a light E-SE’er.  An unusual breeze for Sunshine that lead to an unusual course.  Unfortunately a few of the fleet misunderstood the briefing and aimed for the wrong windward mark for the first time, cruelling the advantage of that big left hand lift that Meeks, Stowe, Planet Beer & others were enjoying.  This gave Troy Botting Shipwright, Firestorm & Runaway a break over the fleet and the space to battle for the rest of the race. 
 
In the light & variable conditions positions changed often and were hard to defend; however Col, Adam & Janine seem to sail best when it is tricky like this and sailed to a nice win that would also guarantee them the state title with a race to spare.  Can’t get any better than that. For a while now they have had the speed but just didn’t get a lucky break at the right time.  This season they didn’t need luck. Well done Champs!!!
 
John & Dale welcomed Ryan back aboard but it wasn’t a day to stretch Firestorm’s legs. They made TBS work for the win but could only manage 2nd.  Recently crowned a national champion fore’hand, Steve realised it is much easier at the blunt end of a boat and grabbed the tiller again on Runaway, and with Mick & B14 Geoff sailed well to keep the pressure on at the front & finish 3rd across the line. 
 
A layman might have thought Meeks were trying their best to be at the back of the fleet, having two bites at starting then sailing quickly towards the wrong mark up the first work, however Mick, Robbie & Mark fought back through the fleet to be 4th across the line. 
Once again Black Diamond and Raptor had a close race.  As their Neranie Sands results showed, Chook, Hayden & Adam like a little more breeze than today but they managed to hold off Joe, Mitch & Kye by a few seconds for 5th place.  The positions could have well been reversed had Raptor not had a swim after becoming entangled with a Skate.
 
Tim, Scott & Kirra on Stowe were back in the fleet a bit after the first mark issue but got around without problems to be the next of the TD fleet, coming home 7th and most importantly getting beers from Michael, Brad & Lyndon.  The Planet Beer boys had a bit of ‘horsepower’ ready to use but the light breeze didn’t suit this today and they finished 8th, about ½ a minute ahead of Brian, Steffan & Kallan on Narwahl. 
 
The Hawkesbury boys had done enough to get 2nd on corrected time, however today was TBS’s, and they took the handicap victory too.
 
The racing on Sunday couldn’t have been a greater contrast to Saturday.  After a start postponed while waiting for a predicted southerly we got it.  +25 knots at times I’d say.  PBB had gone home on Saturday.  TBS, Runaway, Narwahl, Battleship & Incognito decided to keep their feet (and masts?) dry and stayed ashore.  The rest went out to give the starter something to do (the Skates decided to start after we had done a lap for some reason).
 
Stowe & Black Diamond had a ride or two and completed a lap or so but it wasn’t a day for light crews so they pulled out before breaking something, unlike Planet Beer, who lost the bar across the transom, and hence their rudder, whilst at full speed under kite downwind.  After a capsize described later by the starter as “the most spectacular I have seen”, the boys also retired behind the tow boat
 
That left three.  With Ryan back aboard, Firestorm were enjoying the conditions and some good kite rides, to comfortably get the gun.  Meeks kept them honest but had a little less horsepower to use, still finishing a good 2nd.
 
After looking impressive when running down to the start under spinnaker, the Raptor boys had a few issues around the course in the race but persevered and finished.  And this was significant.  Last place on both scratch & handicap was equivalent to 3rd place, giving the Joe, Mitch & Kye a score good enough to win the overall handicap title.  Congratulations fellas, you deserve it.
The boys have the crew work sorted and sail well, but are still trying to get their rig sorted. 
But once done I’m sure they will also get results like the SFC boys & be at the front of the fleet.  And that is great to see!!!
 
The Sunshine weekend was also the last two races in the TT series.  Because of additional and different races in the series there are different handicap results compared to the State series.  But in the end the Overall winner is usually the most consistent and improving boat and crew of the series. 
Only two boats started every race in the TT series.  And these two boats were consistently good in results.  Therefore it was no surprise they ended the series with a ½ point difference for the crown.  But the winning crew stepped up through the fleet all year, winning the Manning Marathon & scoring several 2nd places in the nationals series.  Congratulations to Bob, Hayden & Adam.  The Black Diamond crew are the Travellers Trophy winners for the season.  Another young crew (Chook excluded) so once again the class is looking good for the future.
 
Keep an eye out for information about next season’s national’s venue & the AGM and state title presentation.
 
Cheers
John 
e to edit.

Everyone’s dreams fulfilled?  Earlier I wrote something about Tim’s dream to sail a series at Neranie Sands was fulfilling a dream.  From the smiles after the final day’s sailing I think just about everyone’s dreams were satisfied too.  But first to the final days racing.  Can I say it was close? 
Both the scratch & handicap titles were far from decided.  On scratch Firestorm was three points clear of Meeks with TBS & SFC just another two points adrift.  But with ‘the big 4’ already scoring a bad race or two, and with a light, puffy northerly blowing, the title series  was far from finished.  
Similarly the handicap title was also far from done.  Black Diamond held a four-point lead from a circling pack of Planet Beer, SFC & Stowe.  Just another point adrift was Devocean & Narwahl.  With light, tricky conditions there was likely to be big points scored in both races so again the title was far from done.
 
The first race of the day was started in a light breeze that kept the fleet close, with all boats looking for that elusive gust.  The big 4 all managed to dig themselves out of the fleet after the first lap, with Black Diamond continuing to do as they have done all regatta and cross ahead out of nowhere.  After many position changes, Firestorm held a small lead from SFC, TBS & Meeks going up the last beat to the finish.  Plenty of cover tacking was the rule until Meeks decided to chance their luck & break away to the right.  Great move.  Mick, Mark & Robbie picked up a nice lift to surge from 4th to 1st to win the race by 2 seconds from Firestorm in 2nd, SFC just 1 second behind in 3rd, and TBS a ‘huge’ 3 seconds further back in 4th.  So in six seconds the results of the regatta was changed.  Now only Meeks & Firestorm was in contention.  Just one gust different & it could have been between SFC & TBS.
 
With the light breeze the fleet was compacted at the finish so the long handicappers faired well.  Devocean took 1st place, from Narwahl & Raptor.  Going into the final race Devocean held a 1 point lead from Stowe & Black Diamond for the overall handicap title.
 
Race 10 was another beauty.  Similar breeze; maybe slightly stronger so that crews could occasionally swing two uphill.  Another closely contested start with an IR; Firestorm having to return & dip the line & Black Diamond having to circle the start boat.  After a lap of changing places the big 4, along with Chook (in hindsight I should have include Chook & labelled all these boats the big 5) had made their way to the front of the fleet to race to decide the title.  SFC lead TBS, Black Diamond, Meeks & Firestorm down the second run when a strengthening change appeared from the south.  
SFC managed it best to round the leeward marks first.  TBS got caught high & had to gybe in a black’un, and unfortunately swam.  Black Diamond was caught in a hole and gybed back north so also slipped back.  That left Meeks & Firestorm to chase SFC.  Meeks took the left leeward mark; Firestorm the right.  With the breeze coming from Firestorm’s side they passed Meeks to follow SFC around the windward mark for the final time. 
 
All three blasted for the finish.  All three had to drop spinnakers to make finish the finish line.  Jeremy, Tom & Hugh took victory in SFC Computers to claim the Coal Board Shield & 3rd overall.  With three wins, if not for a slow start to the regatta, these boys would have been even further up in the results.  Firestorm hung on for 2nd, seven seconds ahead of Meeks.   Black Diamond continued to pounce on any mistake the big 4 made & finished a good 4th.  Stowe had a good race & finished 5th across the line, and enough to win the race on handicap from Firestorm & SFC. 
 
This spread of points was enough to ensure Tim, Scott & Kirra on Stowe were the overall handicap champions   First time debutants Scott & Kirra sailed a great regatta.  It may feel a long & sometimes tiring series but when you reflect on a national’s,  that’s what makes them special.  No one remembers a weekend regatta…  SFC kept improving all regatta and finished 2nd overall on handicap, with Devocean & Black Diamond tied for 3rd.  Roger, Nick & Will got the place on a count back, and earned the respect of the fleet by being only one of three to not capsize during the eleven races.  Well sailed!!! 
Overall on scratch Firestorm, with John, Dale, Ryan, Tracey & Stephen, sailed consistently enough to win the title by three points.  With Ryan on board I think we were unbeatable. But they were big shoes to fill and I think Tracey & Steve filled the vacancy admirably & kept Firestorm in the series.  By the final day Steve was looking for his forward hand union ticket and deservedly joined the VS champions winners list.  Thanks mate.
 
So back to the fulfilment of dreams.  Tim has wanted a national series here for years.  And this year we did it.  It came off perfectly.  The weather was good.  The courses were good.  The racing was good.  The PPK sponsored BBQ presentation was good.  And when Tim announced SFC was sponsoring the drinks trailer, everything was good!!!
 
Sid Peare Invitation
1st Firestorm (J Hodda, D Jacobson, R Fokes;
 
Coal Board Shield
1st SFC Computers (J Dodds, T Wood, H Dodds)
 
Overall Scratch
 
1st Firestorm (J Hodda, D Jacobson, R Fokes, T Jacobson, S Sims) 14 pts; 2nd Meeks Real Estate (M Turton, R Turton, M Nugent) 17 points; 3rd SFC Computers (J Dodds, H Dodds, T Wood) 19 points; 4th Troy Botting Shipwright (C Gillespie, A Kelly, J Turton) 24 pts; 5th Black Diamond (B Baker, H Baker, A Birkefield) 31 pts; 6th Planet Beer (M Northam, B Dodds, B Ferguson, C Bradford) 46 pts; 7th Stowe (T Dodds, S Coleman, K Coleman) 54 points; 8th Raptor (J Ferguson, M Blake, K Donaldson) 56 pts; 9th Narwahl ( B Gleeson, M Gleeson, Kallan ) 72 pts; 10th Devocean (R Devery, N Devery, W Devery 76 pts.


Handicap
 
1st Stowe 27pts; 2nd SFC Computers 30 pts; 3rd Devocean 32 pts (count back); 4th Black Diamond 32 pts; 2nd Plan B 20 pts; 3rd Battleship 22 pts; 4th Black Diamond 27 pts; 5th Planet Beer 34pts (count back); 6th Narwahl 34 pts (count back); 7th Raptor 34pts; 8th Troy Botting Shipwright 45 pts; 9th Firestorm 48pts; 10th Meeks Real Estate 50 pts.
 

tra73!  That’s how many times the Vee Ess nationals have been contested.  Not many classes can boast that.  You may think it would be repetitive after so many years but this season we’ve again stepped it up a notch.
For years Tim has mulled over the idea of sailing a nationals on the Myall Lakes at Neranie Sands.  So after numerous good championships at our traditional venues it was time to make the leap.  And so far it has been just like Tim’s dreams (the all ages dream that is).  Fresh, clean, flat, uncrowded water and nice, constant sea breezes (yep, even when the rest of the state is sweltering); this place is great.
Missing a few regulars (Runaway & Incognito to name a couple) we still have 10 boats competing.  Shame because these crews missed another new idea. The Sid Peare Invitation Race had a new format.  As in recent years the trophy was awarded on the handicap result of the race, but for this year the handicaps were given by sailing around different windward marks.  The lower your handicap the more times you had to sail around the farthest windward mark.  And those that could sail the shorter course on some laps could decide themselves when to use their ‘joker’. 
Great concept, and if not for one problem right at the end of the race, it would have been the perfect invitation race (for most). .Jeremy, Hugh & Chris on SFC Computers didn’t make the start after rigging the kite inside every stay wire they could find.  So nine skiffs lined up for a start in a perfect 10 – 12 knot NE’er.  All boats got away well & tested whether left or right was the winner.   
Firestorm looked to be first up the first work until Chook, Hayden & Adam on Black Diamond played their first joker – they took the short course option, cleared the fleet and blasted into the distance.  Roger, Nick & Will on Devocean also benefitted from the shorter works & kept jumping up the places to keep in contention. 
Firestorm chased Black Diamond hard for two laps but, even on the same course, could make up little ground.  Chook & the boys were sailing perfectly.  Going the right way, fast!  Also sailing well and making the best of their jokers were Mick, Brad & Ben on Planet Beer; Brian, Callum & Max on Narwahl; and Tim, Kirra & Scott on Stowe. 
Down the final run it looked as though Chook was unbeatable.  But, unfortunately, there was one problem.  There was a misunderstanding of the course.  Those that were leading wanted the day to never end and sailed toward the leeward marks.  But Firestorm, Devocean & Meeks sailed across the finish line downwind & received hooters.   
Official results are yet to be received but in the end the day was a success.  We tested courses, the new handicap system, and we kept cool sailing in a nice Ne’er on flat water when the rest of the state was sweltering.  Whatever the result, Tim’s dream was fulfilled.
ditional venues it was time to make the leap.  And so far it has been just like Tim’s dreams (the all ages dream that is).  Fresh, clean, flat, uncrowded water and nice, constant sea breezes (yep, even when the rest of the state is sweltering); this place is great. 
Missing a few regulars (Runaway & Incognito to name a couple) we still have 10 boats competing.  Shame because these crews missed another new idea. The Sid Peare Invitation Race had a new format.  As in recent years the trophy was awarded on the handicap result of the race, but for this year the handicaps were given by sailing around different windward marks.  The lower your handicap the more times you had to sail around the farthest windward mark.  And those that could sail the shorter course on some laps could decide themselves when to use their ‘joker’. 
Great concept, and if not for one problem right at the end of the race, it would have been the perfect invitation race (for most). .Jeremy, Hugh & Chris on SFC Computers didn’t make the start after rigging the kite inside every stay wire they could find.  So nine skiffs lined up for a start in a perfect 10 – 12 knot NE’er.  All boats got away well & tested whether left or right was the winner.   
Firestorm looked to be first up the first work until Chook, Hayden & Adam on Black Diamond played their first joker – they took the short course option, cleared the fleet and blasted into the distance.  Roger, Nick & Will on Devocean also benefitted from the shorter works & kept jumping up the places to keep in contention. 
Firestorm chased Black Diamond hard for two laps but, even on the same course, could make up little ground.  Chook & the boys were sailing perfectly.  Going the right way, fast!  Also sailing well and making the best of their jokers were Mick, Brad & Ben on Planet Beer; Brian, Callum & Max on Narwahl; and Tim, Kirra & Scott on Stowe. 
Down the final run it looked as though Chook was unbeatable.  But, unfortunately, there was one problem.  There was a misunderstanding of the course.  Those that were leading wanted the day to never end and sailed toward the leeward marks.  But Firestorm, Devocean & Meeks sailed across the finish line downwind & received hooters.   
Official results are yet to be received but in the end the day was a success.  We tested courses, the new handicap system, and we kept cool sailing in a nice Ne’er on flat water when the rest of the state was sweltering.  Whatever the result, Tim’s dream was fulfilled.

For years Tim has mulled over the idea of sailing a nationals on the Myall Lakes at Neranie Sands.  So after numerous good championships at our traditional venues it was time to make the leap.  And so far it has been just like Tim’s dreams (the all ages dream that is).  Fresh, clean, flat, uncrowded water and nice, constant sea breezes (yep, even when the rest of the state is sweltering); this place is great.
 
Missing a few regulars (Runaway & Incognito to name a couple) we still have 10 boats competing.  Shame because these crews missed another new idea. The Sid Peare Invitation Race had a new format.  As in recent years the trophy was awarded on the handicap result of the race, but for this year the handicaps were given by sailing around different windward marks.  The lower your handicap the more times you had to sail around the farthest windward mark.  And those that could sail the shorter course on some laps could decide themselves when to use their ‘joker’.
 
Great concept, and if not for one problem right at the end of the race, it would have been the perfect invitation race (for most). .Jeremy, Hugh & Chris on SFC Computers didn’t make the start after rigging the kite inside every stay wire they could find.  So nine skiffs lined up for a start in a perfect 10 – 12 knot NE’er.  All boats got away well & tested whether left or right was the winner. 
 
Firestorm looked to be first up the first work until Chook, Hayden & Adam on Black Diamond played their first joker – they took the short course option, cleared the fleet and blasted into the distance.  Roger, Nick & Will on Devocean also benefitted from the shorter works & kept jumping up the places to keep in contention.
 
Firestorm chased Black Diamond hard for two laps but, even on the same course, could make up little ground.  Chook & the boys were sailing perfectly.  Going the right way, fast!  Also sailing well and making the best of their jokers were Mick, Brad & Ben on Planet Beer; Brian, Callum & Max on Narwahl; and Tim, Kirra & Scott on Stowe.
 
Down the final run it looked as though Chook was unbeatable.  But, unfortunately, there was one problem.  There was a misunderstanding of the course.  Those that were leading wanted the day to never end and sailed toward the leeward marks.  But Firestorm, Devocean & Meeks sailed across the finish line downwind & received hooters. 
 
Official results are yet to be received but in the end the day was a success.  We tested courses, the new handicap system, and we kept cool sailing in a nice Ne’er on flat water when the rest of the state was sweltering.  Whatever the result, Tim’s dream was fulfilled.
​to edit.

 
Great news!  A few of us VS people ventured up to Neranie Sands last Sunday for a final reconnoitre & and test sail.  The result – the Neranie Sands nationals are GO.
 
About 20 of us made the trip.  Takes about 1 hr 40 mins.  I’m sure everyone has google to get exact times.  The rigging area is Hearts Point picnic area.  For details
 
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/hearts-point-picnic-area
 
Mick T has been in touch with Waterways regarding our proposed activity & has that sorted.  A general enquiry has also been made to National Parks.  The consensus is we are just day visitors using the park daily.  From the web site the National Park entry fee is $8 per vehicle/day or there are annual options. There were no signs indicating a fee, nor a payment box at Hearts Point, but there is at Neranie Sands campground, which is about 200m away.  Camping fees are $12/adult; $6 child.  There are 25 sites but no bookings.  First in, best dressed.
 
The rigging area is grassy & will easily fit our fleet.  One or two branches overhang the carry to the boat ramp but they might be ‘trimmed’ when we get there.  The boat ramp is wide enough to fit a couple of boats side by side so launching & retrieving should not be a problem.  Note that the rigging grass is about 50m from the boat ramp.  Get those wheels on your racks working!
 
The water is fresh so no need to rinse off or hose boats after sailing.  There are two gas BBQs (free), one picnic table & a drop toilet but few other facilities.  The assn will organise a shelter or two and a refreshments esky.  We might do a sausage sizzle or two but in general it will be a self-catered series.  Bungwahl has a small shop.  Pacific Palms is another 10 minutes up the road & has a variety of shops, restaurants, takeaways, etc.  Forster is another 20 odd minutes away.  At this stage we planning on a picnic style presentation but that might change when we get closer to the series (and check weather forecasts).
 
As for sailing, the course area has plenty of room for unobstructed courses in all winds.  It is fairly shallow, similar to Teralba, but the water is fresh, generally flat and chop free. The crews that had a sail all gave it the thumbs up. Should be fun!
 
Don’t forget the dates.  Sunday 7th January for Invitation race.  Try to sail this race if you can.  It gives the race officials good data for the series.  It will be a handicap race but with a new twist so it should be interesting.  The Championship series runs from Monday 8th, finishing on Saturday 13th, with Wednesday as a lay day.
 
NOR will be out soon.  In the meantime, get you Association memberships & boat registrations up to date.  Teralba TT races are only a few weeks off.
 
Cheers
John

With the days now longer than the nights, and the weather forecast to be above 30 degrees this week, one thing should be on your mind.  Getting the dust off your VS & getting on the water.  Yes, forget the gardening & house renovations, the sailing season is about to begin again. 
Teralba kicks off this weekend with the first of a couple of non-pointscore races before the long weekend.  Hawkesbury are a little more relaxed, not hitting the water until October.  I’m not sure when Gosford starts but I’d guess soon. 
Whilst it has been a relatively quiet off season, with no wholesale crew of boat changes, there has still been some interesting activity. 
 
TBS, as you may have seen on the web, had a hole in the side after an altercation with a NS14.  Back in the good old days the NS would have been on the receiving end (see Lindsay for details).  With the boat in the shop Troy also added some gunwale extensions.  As usual it a great job and the boat again looks like new.         
 
Another boat undergoing some work is Incognito.  Chris and Greg have put some time in on her; sanding, cutting, carboning & painting.  They also took the opportunity to extend the gunwales.  A few progress pics showed the boys were making good progress towards a stronger & faster hull.  Can’t wait to see the final result.  Another change for this team is the position of skipper.  Fazie has had a change of jobs & has had to relinquish the steering role.  It’s a shame to lose Andrew from the fleet but every cloud has a silver lining.  Chris has recruited an up and coming Hawkesbury youngster, Will, to grab the tiller.  Let’s hope it is a start to a long & successful career in the class.  
 
Another addition to the class is Dom & Jason, who have been sailing for a few seasons on a RS400 at Teralba.  The boys wanted to join the action of the VS fleet so have bought Battleship.  Not sure who their third hand is but make sure you say g’day and make them welcome in the fleet.  Of course there are other movements & changes in the fleet but I’ll save the stories for later. 
 
While you are planning your season, check out the NORs for the TT & state series.  These series are free to sail in, but you do have to complete an entry form (so I know who to score).  Why not do it now?
 
Membership & capitation are now due.  Forms are on the web.  You need to be a member to compete in VS association races (due to insurance & other requirements such as SA).  Fees are unchanged from last season.  Still great value!!!. 
 
See you on the water soon.
 
Cheers
John
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