club newsletter - revolutionisesporta close inspection. maybe seeking some algebra advice – thanks...

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au

P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to [email protected] (deadline midnight Monday)

Club Newsletter 30/4/19

Book Launch ~ May 9th

At 17 years of age, Peter Warner ran away to sea, commencing a lifetime of maritime adventure. From his early service with the Swedish and Norwegian navies and fishing fleets, to taking line honours in three Sydney to Hobarts

with , later establishing his own fishing fleet, and his rescue of teenage castaways in the Kingdom of Tonga, where (as a local hero to the castaways’ grateful community) he would relocate with his young family… RRSRC is proud to have Peter – who is our most senior Club member – share tales from his remarkable life.

Peter will be launching two volumes of his autobiography at the Club from

5pm on Thursday, May 9th. Nibbles and soft drinks provided. and

will be available to purchase at $22 each, or both volumes for $39.

Commodore Phill Robbins 0466668541 Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 Rear Commodore Chris Hallett 0414866998 Secretary Nola Hallett 0414866999 Treasurer Norm Hunt 66291366 Class Reps Gennakers – Duncan Dey Catamarans – Col Woodbry Trailers – Ian Michie Monos – Graham Hams Rowing Officer Gerald Anderson Website Admin Mark Pierce Instagram/Facebook Admin Trent Morgan Training team Graeme Turner

ALL EMAIL

CORRESPONDENCE TO: [email protected] CONTENTS 1. Book launch – Peter Warner 2. Trailer Sailor report 11. Gennaker report 18. Monohull report 25. Catamaran report 33. Pacer report 34. Interview 40. Club weather station 41. Bird’s eye footage 41. Bird box 42. Reminder 42. Race Q’s 43. Use of Club tractor 44. Club shirts 45. Idle gossip 45. Upcoming away events 45. Crew available/crew wanted 46. For sale/wanted/free

http://www.rrsrc.com.au/

mailto:[email protected]




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Race Reports for April 28th

Trailer Sailor Report (Colin Hinwood)

The Trailers begin

What a gift .. a perfect North Coast Autumn day. Shorts and T shirts and a North breeze that held up the whole afternoon.

Forecast had wind at 2 knots, swinging North to SE, so we held our breath at the Start thinking how long will this 5-10knot Nor-Easter hang in there?

Once again the RC had to make the big decision .. this time to guess the North wind will hold for the race, not go to SE and turn the Course to crap again .. so far they have scored 2 out of 3, so .. in front.

Off to Missingham .. our favourite, and what makes Ballina … Ballina.

Swells coming in from the bar had waves breaking on Kiddies Corner, and the top Mark had some good lifts to make the rounding interesting.

The tide sorta matched the wind .. like small run and small wind.

, “ ” – with new owner Norm H, and , the reduced pack, with B2B next weekend, and other Winter sports, starting to eat into sailing.




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Summer Dream and the Green Machine

Norm is entering the next stage of sailing, buying “ ” and some camping expeditions planned. Paul crewed to say goodbye to this great little boat.

A new dawn




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This was the boat that inspired the Spider line of boats, so only right that it keeps its home at Ballina.

Norm says goodbye to Cats

Nice clean Start and then a tactical work, in that the breeze of say 6knots meant the current was the biggy, so tack … tack … tack … to stay against the bank. Painful as, of course, each tack over to the beach was a killer.




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See I can Fly a Kite

first to Top Mark, doing a great job of this typical Ballina scenario .. one that Graeme has done a zillion times.

Now in the old days .. ok but really .. used to be able to sail inside .. the break of Kiddies Corner .. like a channel between the break and the beach. Bit spooky on a big day, but would pay off bigtime, as zero current, and even a back-eddy sometimes.




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Shades on the move

So .. as we all were coming up to it .. some of us were thinking .. am I game … answered the call and .. went for it .. inside the break for a race winning move . Bump … bump … bump.. ok so far so good .. bump and grind .. bump and grind .. grind .. heel!! heel!! oh stuff it .. stuck.

Stuck there, just means heeling like crazy, and waiting for each swell to bump you forward until clear. Very ungraceful, and .. nah!!

I’m sure we all said well that settles that question .. thanks .

Meanwhile .. back at the Ranch .. was grinding away, no way to match in the -perfect conditions, just sailing .. sailing .. to finish a safe second for the day .. good enough thanks!.




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Shades after the sandbank experience




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Spudgun




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Incy Wincy chasing Rabbit




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was slow first 2 laps of the 4 times around Top Mark race, and a stronger second half of the

race not good enough against the steady hands of and , and scored a 3rd.

A Tern and a Rabbit in the mouth

Did I say ..? amazingly perfect Autumn day. Don’t get no betta.




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A close inspection. Maybe seeking some algebra advice – thanks to Paul for some maths tips before the race.

Gennaker Report (Michael Wiley)

Five fifteens and one RS100 fronted the starter for the Gennaker division.

Among the fifteens, Daniel and Pip in , Tom and Brendan in , Barry and Clare in

and Michael and Tara in all got away well and quickly broke away from any

wind interference the other monos with Laura and Francine in falling a little behind.




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A close pass

Numero Uno sporting a new spinnaker




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Numero Uno

Half way up the work, had managed to play a few lifts and worked its way ahead with the others changing places with each other not far behind.

The closeness of the first four boats was constant for the first lap.




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Close Formula action

At one stage it looked as though might be the second breakaway boat as it edged well clear

of and ; but as is often the case in this fleet, a minor lapse let ahead of it again.

The Lime Green team




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was the first to drop out of the tussle at the front and fall a little behind; as eventually so

did .

007 on a mission to chase some 15’s

For much of the race, It looked as though was going to be an easy winner. But a

couple of poor gybes in the swirling waters half way down the second last run let close the gap somewhat; although never enough to threaten the lead.

Secret with some speed




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Things changed on the last run when played some nice gusts to pull alongside

and some very aggressive tactical battles between the boats developed.

Neck and neck again!

At that moment it looked like it was going to be a very exciting finish. But then a strange turn of fate interfered.

An inherent inconsistency in the briefing had different boats with alternative views of the correct

number of laps. made a bee line for the finish while ran down to the lee mark to do another lap.

The words ‘Yee Ha Grandma’ were called exaltantly from Barry towards Puddleduck, moments after this photo




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The other three fifteens followed to the finish and the beach while Vince in the

RS100, ‘ followed around for another lap.

The lone RS 100 sailor left while Duncan fights Adani on away turf

In the end, a time adjustment was made for those undertaking another lap, leaving Vince in

a very well deserved winner on VCR, given that, with Duncan absent, he had no pace

boat. and scored an equal second.




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Shining Secret

Monohull Report (Trent Morgan)

We were treated to a beautiful day to be on the water, with a breeze which had much more in it than predicted – and that was good! A NE course and the start off Mobbs Bay set by the selfless Commodore sacrificing a very nice day of sailing to run the start and rescue boat, gave us all a chance to improve our Championship Series positions. Phill couldn’t improve his anyway, after taking an average point of one, it was suggested he retire on average points to take great photos from the rescue boat all the time – something he does very well. The start was deliberately set so it was only possible to cross on starboard, later explained to try to deter the fleet cruising straight up the river from the start. As many of the fleet headed towards the Northern shore to get out of the tide as much as possible anyway, it worked out fine.




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With a minute and a half to go on the clock before the start Des in and Daisy and Trent

in hanging around the Mobbs Bay Buoy looked to see mono champ Graham Hams in

way off the line to leeward, and agreed that Graham wasn’t going to make the line on time. Was he giving us a chance today? If he did miss it, it wasn’t by much, he crossed the line at

the boat end, with probably getting the pick of the start to windward, which lasted

about ten seconds before being chased down and fed bad air by from the Gennaker fleet.

The monohulls are off and racing!

Dave in also got a pretty handy start further down the line. From the photos it seems Roy

in missed the start by some margin and did very well to make up ground as the race went on, and didn’t that first upwind leg go on….

Multiple tacks along the Northern Shore seemed to be the fashion of the day for most, the tide was humming in and there were wind shifts all along the way. It became apparent that the waves were

breaking past the sand point. was taken by surprise when one feathered and broke a few metres in her wake – a wider berth was given to the sand bank in subsequent works. The

usual procession took place – lapping up the lighter air and utilising her incredible pointing ability, starting the forge ahead, creating the gap to ‘daylight’ (maybe a monohull should be

called daylight), which grew and grew. Graeme Hodgins in attempted to salvage some pride

amongst the mono fleet, but the speedy kept on increasing the gap.

The improver of the day was Dave Scott in a boat much more conservative than some of his

previous incarnations – Mark Pierce’s laser, ‘ . Dave seemed to have a ding dong battle with Roy for the whole race, they always seemed to be not too far away from each other.




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Retro power

Roy in Zephyr chasing Dave in the laser




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Dave holding off by about two minutes across the line in the end, which netted him second place for the day.

No Mercy shown for the bulk of the monohull fleet as Dave sails to a second place




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Unfortunately, the only other hope of pipping ’s grip on line honours this day, , had some spinnaker issues on the first run, being dragged off course by a shift, requiring them to back track some what to make it through the gate. For a while there, Des, and Trent and Daisy thought they might have another boat to jostle with as Graeme and Grace sorted themselves out. Alas, for the sake of company, this wasn’t to be, and they got their MG moving and spent the rest of the race trying to catch up with Dave and Roy.

When Graham Hams lapped when the ‘Duck’ was only on her second work, (probably the equivalent of a nutmeg in soccer – when a player kicks a ball through another player’s legs – acute embarrassment), even the usual intense racing concentration face of Graham’s broke into a

smile when Trent announced that Graham wasn’t allowed to do that – on only ’s second upwind leg!

Graeme and Grace on the Richmond ‘Ocean’




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Alter Ego almost affording a glimpse of that ‘winged keel’

Ultimately, and didn’t have the greatest of race days – the sailing experience – the water, the colour, the wind etc – wonderful; the race result, not so much. Des later reported he was proud of himself for not ‘losing it’ out there, he had maintained his composure, despite also reporting that he had contemplated going in after two laps.

In the end, winners are grinners, but we didn’t get to see the grin on Graham’s face because he

won by such a margin – over twelve minutes across the line to , and by ten and half minutes

over on corrected time, that he had unrigged and had probably gone home before

got to the beach.




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Many thanks again to Phill the Commodore, and Phil (Dave Scott’s friend) for the rescue boat duties, as well as taking some excellent photos from the water. Thank you also to Meredith and Gloria for their work in the kitchen, also to Gunter and Jan in the tower. Thanks to Jason for the drone footage and Jane for the land-based photos.




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A friendly escort to the finish line for Puddleduck

Catamaran Report (Jonathon Horsley)

A depleted fleet of 6 cats faced the starter with a light east to north breeze which was well above the prediction of 2-5 knots. Phill had volunteered to run the start/rescue boat after a mix up in who was doing the role. It was to his benefit, as his average points for the series stands at 1. Norm was trying out his new trailer sailor, which replaces his Nacra 4.5 and hopefully we will see Norm sailing for many more years. The course was set as a NE course but with the bottom mark more easterly




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than usual, to maximise the sea breeze. The start line had a definite starboard bias but with the start boat on the port this worked well. The pre-start was busy with boats coming in from all angles.

The first work to the Shaw’s Bay buoy was tricky requiring numerous tacks with the lead changing

on several occasions. made the best of the start but the light breeze allowed the

lighter boats, and to point higher and cross ahead after the first tack.

Up the river with a paddle




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As the wind strengthened slightly and with good tack choices rounded the first mark

with a small lead from and .

The three large cats opened a lead on the first work over the rest of the fleet.

Chris and Seamus (filling in for Nola) finely tuning their surfing skills, either that or listening to the band at the pub




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‘A’ flying a hull

The downwind leg offered the opportunity for bit of wave riding before passing the green marker.

The three leading boats had an ongoing tussle with the lead changing several times. The main

change occurred when cut to close to the shore on the 2nd downwind and watched

both and sail past on much better breeze.




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This let into the lead and Michael made the most of his opportunity to come home first.




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almost caught at the top buoy the last time round but a miscalculation of the tide and a drop in the wind resulted in contact with the buoy.

It takes a long time to do a 360 on a cat.

Chasing for a change




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The first 3 cats finished within 2 minutes of each other. Tony on made the most of his dagger boards to finish 4th.

A more leisurely time of the race




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Both and struggled against the tide and wind without dagger boards, with

finishing more than 25 minutes behind .

Wokat on the way to a third

No Waiting working across the river




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After the application yardsticks won the race from and was awarded equal first based on average points.

Many thanks to the club members who volunteered to do the duty and man the starting/rescue boat.

Michael in ‘A’

Pacer Report Well sadly, that was the last race in the Pacer series for this season, unfortunate in that there was only one starter for the final two races. Trent and Daisy held the Pacer flame all season and welcomed and actively encouraged anyone to join the series. The best turn out was three pacers and it was great fun. Hopefully there will be crews interested in participating again next season – Ruben and Natalie have expressed interest already. There are many great things about sailing a Pacer – many at the club would decry the lack of speed. In a strong breeze the Pacer can move very well, planing at good speed. It can handle a very strong breeze in the right hands, probably a lot more easily than most of the other classes racing at the club. It is very manoeuvrable, a pleasure to steer. It is a stable design, and takes a bit to capsize. Controlling one is not as demanding as many other classes which leaves plenty of time and space for crews to focus on race tactics, or simply taking in the beauty of being on the water, and in the club’s case – the ever-present spectacular proximity of other boats. The other joy is a shared one, in that you get

to sail with another person! A Pacer may not have the attraction of an F15 flying with a masthead kite but they harbour the joy of sailing nonetheless. The club has four Pacers and the club committee are very happy to see them be raced.




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Get To Know A Club Member

Every newsletter will feature an interview with a different club member The questions are designed with a focus on sailing experiences. This week we interview Andrew McInnes from that speedy boat which spends much time planing with the huge pink kite.

Name: Andrew McInnes Name and type of boat/s sailed at the club:

Shades of Grey – Spider 550 Role on Boat:

Todd (Goldsmith) & I usually rotate helm and crew positions every lap (or every hour on longer races). Number of Seasons at RRSRC:

Four

Roles in the Club (now and previously):

Previously Treasurer for a short period but none now. Where did you learn to sail? In what class/classes of boat?

About 20 - 25 years ago I was a “rail rat” on a 50ft yacht that raced Sydney to Gold Coast, Sydney to Mooloolaba, Sydney to Lord Howe & Brisbane to Gladstone. However, I didn’t really learn about sailing until buying the Spider and sailing at RRSRC. I got a good book and then read/sailed/read/sailed/read/sailed until it started to sink in. Have you been a member of other sailing clubs, if so, which?

No




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What class or type of boats have you sailed in your life?

Yachts and small catamarans

Favourite and why?

Spider 550 (so far). Relatively simple boat to sail and a nice compromise between comfort (self-righting and not too wet) and performance (big kite).




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Best sailing experience?

Many great times and experiences. Best so far would probably be Surf to City 2018 with Ian Michie (6 hours of racing with about 5 hours of spinnaker) plus a prize at the end. Close second would be crewing with Todd Goldsmith on David Keep’s winning trailer yacht at Hamilton Island Raceweek 2018 and third would be sailing from Panama to Galapagos Islands in 2018 (with wife & friends). None of those experiences would have happened if I had not taken up sailing a few years ago. Worst sailing experience?

Rock walls in strong northerlies is up there (almost lost the boat).

Electrical storms in Moreton Bay with a carbon mast trying to attract lightning is also a contender. Long hot races without wind or water (luckily with good company (Col Woodbry)). Have you sailed at any state or national titles? If so, what ones?

No

Best results in a series at RRSRC?

Personal handicap in trailers for a few years.




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Suggestions on how sailing as a sport could be improved?

First, follow Mike Wiley’s lead and put young people in fast, challenging boats. Second, a consistent handicapping system between different boats (although world peace might be easier to achieve).

Why do you go sailing?

Mainly the beer afterwards, but also the friends made, places seen and experiences had (regardless of results). I also like the mental focus of sailing. There can be a lot going on - wind, tide, boat handling, sail trim, other boats, rules etc. That focus clears the mind of other life commitments.

Apart from the cheese/dips and crackers why do you sail at RRSRC on a Sunday?

See above.

Are there any sailing dreams you aspire to?

Sailing a foiling boat. Something like a Flying Phantom “Ultimate” 18 foiling cat (see below). Age may have got me on that one but we’ll see.




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Any boat you aspire to?

See above. Any advice for up and coming sailors?

First, see Mike Wiley. Second, listen to all advice (which is often quite different even from experienced people) and then make up your own mind. Third, decide if you are a cruiser or a racer (both good but fundamentally different approaches to the same activity). Fourth, if you want to race then pick a boat that is the same or similar to other boats in your Club so you can have close boat-on-boat competitions.




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Any superstitions or customs in relation to your sailing?

Don’t change the name of the boat (even if it has embarrassing mummy porn connotations at every regatta).

Would you like to share one thing that people at the club might not know about you?

My previous sport was long distance running. I used to run 20-30 kms on a Sundays before sailing got in the way.




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Club Weather Station

The clubhouse now has a Davis weather station on the roof, with a display panel in the clubhouse. There are two ways you can access our weather station.

Firstly, you can find our weather station online at www.weatherlink.com. Log in with the following:

User: RRSRC

Password: (I will email out password)

Secondly, you can download the WeatherLink app for iPhone or Android.

Download this app, set up your account and search for our weather station by map of Ballina or by name:

“Richmond River Sailing Club.” Phill


http://www.weatherlink.com/



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Bird’s Eye Footage

More wonderful aerial footage, taken from last Sunday’s race by Jason McFadden. It’s amazing seeing the shape of the river from above and grasping the distances we are sailing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YAtHc3gaWw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3LSfHU-duM7rnEJhooeEKP7gZra4E4nl_1ygvMTJQ2NkvN_8AFv2AjMdg

Bird Box

Many thanks to Geoff Benson for building a marvellous bird box to provide a home (hopefully) for the Rosellas which were nesting in the wall of the club house near the lounge area last season.






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Reminder

A reminder please to our key holder members to return all the things they use or borrow or tell me!? In response to a missing club spinnaker pole.

Thanks cheers Chris Hallet

raceQ’s

From Graeme Fleming

FYI We used this app at the Sail Paradise regatta as it was compulsory for all Yachts. Amazing playback of races.

Welcome to raceQs, the innovative sailing program that will change the way you sail!

To confirm you registration please click to link below

Check out this video for a quick demo of the raceQs sailing system.

Download It

Download and register the FREE raceQs app, available in the iPhone store or the Android market.

Go Sailing

With just a push of a button, create your own 3D replays by recording a race with raceQs’


http://www.raceqs.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_rfpXNfLUw

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/raceqs/id605844662?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gsapps.raceqs&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5nc2FwcHMucmFjZXFzIl0

http://www.raceqs.com/

http://www.twitter.com/raceQs

http://www.facebook.com/raceQs

http://www.linkedin.com/company/raceqs-com?trk=top_nav_home

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgFoK7K5HF-aLCpzX8yG_g

http://raceqs.com/[email protected]&key=f9003c90a3d38c16004c728e983ff786

http://youtu.be/qke6JC91xI0




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free smartphone app. The app is also a powerful race computer designed to help you sail faster.

Learn More

Watch It After you are done sailing, login to your raceQs account on a computer to view your

automatically generated 3D race replay. Learn more

Share It Easily share your replay with your crew, post it on Facebook, or replay it at the Yacht Club.

If you prefer, you can always choose to keep your replay private.

Need more help now? Check out our website and FAQ. We would love to hear from you with your questions and suggestions by email [email protected]

Thanks,

The raceQs Team

Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need to keep my phone on deck, in view of "open sky" like my GPS?

No, the app will still work below decks, safely stowed in your bag. You can even set it to automatically shut-off when your phone battery reaches various levels.

USE OF CLUB TRACTOR

New Rules re Trailer:

1. At low tide you must ask one of 3 people to supervise (Chris Hallett, Jonathan Horsley or

Col Woodbry)

2. At high tide approved drivers are ok to retrieve or launch on the ramp.

We will find a process that works and is safe for the RIB. - Phill




http://youtu.be/auuDhCRRYkA





http://raceqs.com/#TryItOut


http://youtu.be/bt7ttNkNhkE



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Club Shirts

(As worn by Secretary Nola and Commodore Phill –

reflective safety vest optional)

Here’s your chance to wear the colours of your club, to proudly display what you do every Sunday – wear a club shirt! Royal Blue Club shirts payment required at time of order into RRSRC account with your name as reference BSB: 728728 ACC: 22288328 Email or text Nola with size [email protected] or 0414 866999

Mens Long sleeve polo - $37 Short sleeve polo - $35 Cotton T-shirt - $20 Ladies Short sleeve polo - $31 Kids Cotton T-shirt - $17

Wotif Offer to our Club!

Book your next travel or accommodation with Wotif and quote this code: ASF043153 and we will receive a donation from Wotif. Support our club when you or your family or friends travel.





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Idle Gossip – Please send anything interesting sailing or club related to [email protected].

A quick graze of the internet one can find this, advertising Spider 550’s for sale. I wonder if Gunter could be persuaded to build more if asked? Colin Hanwood? http://colsonyachtdesign.com.au/spider-550-production-boat/

Upcoming Away Events

• 4th/5th May – Bay to Bay

• 4th/5th May, Qld Pacer championships. Lake Cootharaba If anyone knows of any more events or would like an event posted please let me know – [email protected]

Crew Available/Crew Wanted

Seamus, an enthusiastic graduate from our last Learn to Sail course, is keen to continue his learning by crewing on any boat available. Seamus has already crewed on a NS14, Nacra 5.8 and Spider 550. Please help him continue his involvement with the club by giving him a place, if possible. Email his mother Jill at [email protected] if you have a spot for him

If you need some crew or are wanting to have a sail in a race please make your intentions known here by contacting [email protected]



http://colsonyachtdesign.com.au/spider-550-production-boat/





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For Sale/Wanted/Free to a Good Home

If you have any sailing related items for sale or if you want to buy something sailing related and want it put in the newsletter please let me know – [email protected]

FOR SALE

Details are:

Castle 650, Mr Squiggle, Sail Number 61.

Generally good condition.

New Doyle Main and No 1, near new No 2 and No 3. Older Main and No 1 (Still usable). Old

Dacron Main.

Spinnaker with launching shute.

Near new 8hp Tohatsu.

Trailer in good condition.

New complete storage cover/tarp.

Price $15,000.00 Neg.

Ph Todd Goldsmith 0427002571.





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FOR SALE

Anyone interested in buying a Nacra Sirroco catamaran in excellent condition? Asking $4750 ono. Scott Lewin

FOR SALE

IMPULSE 470

PRICE $3500 - Fibreglass Melville hull

- Minimum weight

- 2 Polyester sails

- Magic Marine bag for spars

- Carbon tiller and rudder box

- Beach trolley

- Good boat cover

- Always stored under cover For any enquires and further information please call Georges on 0431 213 774


https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014139975302&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARB9QwCiG2YYABl2nDKqad036qh2LgnvejN1uVxAcW2mg37pY3TbrirmshAlak78ApCmTTr3ykedFh2d&fref=mentions



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FOR SALE I550 Sports Boat. Baby Faced Assassin




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Professionally built in 2007. Ply with west system. The boat is light weight and in very good cond. Double spreader carbon mast Alm. Boom Square top mylar main, high aspect mylar jib. Plus smaller jib. Mast head spinnakers and fractional spinnaker. Fold away canting spinnaker pole. Near new alum. Trailer. April 2020 rego. Outboard. $9000.00 See Graham Hams at the Club or phone Michael Mills 0432 648 267




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FOR SALE

Seventy One Days of Blue Solitude

Dear sailors, I wrote very good book for the sailors and people, who like adventures. Please look it up. Just use my name. Your members will enjoy reading it. Regards Reinhard Brecko


club newsletter - revolutionisesporta close inspection. maybe seeking some algebra advice – thanks...

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