Who was out this weekend?.....

Originally posted by redback Great sail this morning.  Didn't finish a race but went very fast in 25mph of wind, I think the crew was impressed and he was impressive with full out flat wiring as we went down the lake in some very strong gusts.  We got the gybes right this week too, but the crew did nearly fall backwards with the acceleration as the kite filled.  This happened a couple of times so clearly he isn't used to sailing a fast asymmetric in a blow although he's sailed a I14 it has obviously not been in winds of this strength.  I wish we'd had the club speedo with us I feel sure we'd have set a new club record.  And oh, what an impressive boat is a 4000 up wind in flattish water in that sort of breeze. In the afternoon it got up a bit more and just as we were setting off we were slammed and blown over with the crew going through the sail.  Fortunately nothing else broken but we had to return to the shore.  Still I think about 30mph winds are a bit much for a club sailor.

Seconded, i was watching from sure as i have flu as well as a chest infection so was unable to sail. Looked awesome up and downwind but i felt the first reach might have been a bit tight for the kite with the monstrous  gust which really showed up even the best that was out there. Great speed from the albacore in the morning, obviously not 20 odd knots, but massively fast considering, a very deserving win to the albacore in the morning. The afternoon proved too much for most but some of the brave went out. Mopps' brother made an appearance went for a very quick blast in the 200 with Nick Murphy (who is very good) went upwind for a long way a 2 sail blasted downwind, not liking the noises the rig was making. The B14 manged a similar expedition but kite up for one very long downwind leg, they even managed the first gybe but the second ended in a serious case of wetness.

Please excuse the epic post. This is what happens when sailors spend all day at a sailing club, stuck mostly inside.


Edited by Smight at BBSC

Yeh Smight ... I could feel that while trying to hoist the darn thing!! Same for the drops!

just got back from the first enterprise open at rugby and daventry.

Force 5 gusting 7 in the morning according to wind guru at draycote 20 minutes up the road, and I believe it. Dropped to a 4/5 in the afternoon.

finished 2 out of 3, and scared the life out of the 16 yr old crew. she will recover!

7 visitors which considering the conditions was really good, and every single one of us went for a swim in the first race.got lots of practice emptying the ent after dropping it in.

looking forward to the next one!

Originally posted by Villan Went for a yacht in Ratfaces 14 ... And dealt the final death blow to his 49er kite! Just after the kite filled, we had 2 x powerboats charging alongside us ( Both out on the wire and on the transom ) telling us the kite was ripped! ( It was already broken guv' .. Honest! )  I managed to rip the last of the bottom downhaul patch out after the first drop .. and the darn thing wouldnt fill properly after that! I wonder why! Today ... No sailing. Saw 10,00 BC ( Ignore the reviews .. Its quite good! ) and then went down the club to await the return of Ratface with Ross' cherub. As they pulled into the carpark, I was asked if he had bought "another" boat! Stood around chatting and watching powerboats out doing L1 ( And one of them nosediving! ) and then wandered home. Bring on Weston!!!!

If that was the black 49er kite then yes it was destroyed before you got your hands on it.

Yesterday was spent Staff Training, team racing with Centre Lasers and Wayfarers. I took out a Laser, started but there was bugger all wind. The principle started paddling, so everyone followed. Turned into a game of Pirates with the Lasers. Classic but no damage done (been changed anyway!)

Today was really windy, went down to the centre, a Laser sail was flogging like made, too much for the 200 really. Ended up on the rescue boat, assisting half the fleet!!! Finished by photograhing a windsurfer out blasting about!