Topham Cup for 36R Vane boats at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club
by Tony Wilson 15 Mar 21:08 GMT
15 March 2026
Topham Cup for 36R Vane boats at Fleetwood © Tony Wilson
With a wet forecast, sometimes you can be lucky and get away with it. Not today, as it was already raining at the start and it just got worse. Half way through the first couple of heats, we ran for cover for about half an hour until it eased off a little.
Again we had just five boats sailing, but in a nice brisk westerly. Most chose smallish rigs, but even then it was at the top end of being just about manageable. The wind was slightly off plumb to start with, so having the gye semi engaged near side was favorite, although later the wind did eventually straighten up.
Some very close racing and the top points battle seemed to be between Team Olly and Peter Illes.
The last race before finish had Alan notice his balsa feather on vane gear had broken.
Barely hanging on and very limp for the beat, just about had Tony beaten, although he had no worries as Tony had somehow lost his rudder at the top end before finishing.
This was only noticed after a couple of mis-attempts to pole the boat unsuccessfully onto the opposite tack.
Alan then sailed his boat alone on the return leg, to prove he could, as written in the rules.
Olly again won this week with his new crew Junior team mate.
A while back sometime last year in Autumn, an elderly gentleman while walking around the lake with his lady engaged in an intriguing conversation. He mentioned that he had been encouraged to join our Schooner sailing midweek.
He thought it would be a wise move as these boats tend to just have one channel of radio to focus on steering (rudder) at Fleetwood as opposed to two (Rudder and winch) while learning. I mentioned our Vane boats have no radio channels, with no radio to be seen. They both gave an unusual disbelieving look our way.
Further on along the lake, I started to walk the boat away from the bank, like one does as it was coming in. And then I got another unusual bewildering look as this invisible force kicked in.
I did then say I think radio sailing is easier.
Anyway another successful enjoyable day.
We did all seem to be very wet by the end of the day, some more than others and myself down to my undergarments. We finished sailing at about 2pm again, with just one round sailed and then the big Sun came out as we packed up. The wind for the day was good and strong.
Results:
1. Olly and Beau Murray, 18pts
2. Peter Iiles, 13pts
3. Alan Crawforth, 10pts
4. Tony Wilson, 6pts
5. Harry Balderson, 3pts