2017-18 Season Start

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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