Royal Welsh Yacht Club/Clwb Iotio Brenhinol Cymru

Monthly Bulletin for May 2018

Greetings all and welcome to the Club bulletin for May.

First, we would like to welcome a new Overseas Member to the Club, John Mountain

who lives in Capetown, South Africa

The weather showed a marked improvement this month and Caernarfon saw a fairly

full programme of events.

These included the OCRDA powerboat races, both Castle to Castle and League

Rowing events on the same weekend, Cruise in Company on the early May holiday

weekend and the Caernarfon Food Festival.

The first Club event of the month was the Castle to Castle Rowing race on Saturday

5th. The race started at 12.30 from Beaumaris. There were twelve boats entered

including one from Ireland. Conditions were choppy and teams rowed against the

wind all the way resulting in the biggest difference in time between the first and last

boat. The Club ladies supervet team won their class and came fourth overall.

Sunday 6th saw the League Races which started from the Clubhouse at Porth Yr Aur.

Eight teams, from as far afield as Aberdyfi and Borth, battled it out over three races

with the Supervet Ladies coming first in class and our mixed boat pipping Aberdyfi

by one second on the line. The Club was buzzing afterwards with hot food on offer

followed by prize giving.

Many hands made light work of both days and a huge thank is in order to all

supporters on land, in the Club and on the water.

See photos below.

Club Supervet Ladies Team

League Race, mixed start.

Supervet Ladies under way.

Caernarfon Food Festival took place on Saturday 12th

and attracted big crowds to a

variety of food and drink stalls which, this year extended from the Maes, along the

promenade outside the Clubhouse, to Victoria Dock where musical entertainment was

provided.

The Club was opened so that the public could visit our historic premises. Afternoon

teas were on offer throughout the afternoon with a wonderful selection of cakes made

by our own Debbie Thomas.

Crowds on the promenade during Caernarfon Food Festival

Early May Bank Holiday Cruise in Company For once the weather Gods appeared to be going to look favourably on the annual early May BH joint Royal Welsh Yacht Club & Sadler & Starlight Owners Association cruise/rally with clear blue skies, light SW winds and a “mini heatwave” forecast. A total of 11 boats joined in for part or all of the weekend, some RWYC members, some SSOA members, some both and some neither! Those who took part were: Sadler 25 Sassa Sadler 29 Aslan Sadler 29 Kiwi Sadler 32 Caduceus Sadler 34 Simo Westerly Discus Joint Venture Moody 346 Yaff Laff Hanse 301 Blue Note Moody 34 Charisma Gemini Catamaran Rowain Warwick Collins 38 Danny Jo The Caernarfon based boats left around 1130 on Saturday under clear blue sky and with a 10/12 knot SW wind – boats from Felinheli, Bangor and Conwy joined in on the way or met up with us at Moelfre. The wind fell light as we passed Beaumaris and, within 5 minutes, it had “done a 180” and was blowing from the NE, so bang on the nose. The wind continued from the NE through Puffin Sound and along towards Table Head causing me, and other skippers, to question the wisdom of a night at Moelfre – the worst possible wind direction there! I noticed a boat a mile or two ahead sailing across Red Wharf Bay well healed over on a port tack and, literally within 30 seconds, the NE 8 knots was replaced with a SW 12 to 16+ knots – I furled a few rolls into Aslan’s genoa and pulled down the first reef and we had a cracking close reach to Moelfre often at 6 knots or more through the water. We can only speculate that the NE wind was a local effect caused by the cold air under the fog bank, that was away to the NE off the Orme, being sucked (for want of a better word) towards the warm air over Anglesey. The “fleet” anchored in the bay off Moelfre – I’ve never seen so many boats at anchor there – 16 or 18 I think. The crews met ashore for a beer or two at the Kinmel Arms and most returned to their boats to eat aboard, while some ate at the pub. Sunday morning was a complete contrast – dense fog with a visibility of maximum 100M – that, combined with the 0730 start for the passage round to Cemaes Bay (to arrive before the flood was running along the North coast), caused some boats to decide to “stay put” but 8 set of us off for Cemaes under motor as there was barely a breath of wind. The trip needed careful pilotage to avoid the various offshore dangers on the route and a careful lookout for pot marker buoys but it gave us all the chance to practise these skills and also test out radars, chart plotters and other “gizmos”. We were all anchored safely off the main bay at Cemaes around 1030 (Joint Venture dropped at Lamb Island and stayed over there for the day and night). Mark Walker soon had a BBQ up and running on one of the small beaches and fed a large proportion of the crews in a number of sittings – most crews then adjourned to the Stag Inn for “afternoon refreshments” and sat outside in the glorious sunshine (the fog had burnt off by then). Steve Taylor had beach BBQ no.2 up and

running by 1700 so some crews feasted there whilst others returned on board to eat aboard and for an early night (as those opting to complete the circuit of the island on Monday had to leave around 0630 to get past North & South Stacks and well towards the reefs off Rhoscolyn before LW Holyhead at 1000). By 1900 the visibility was crystal clear and the whole of the Isle of Man was clearly visible away to the NW – about 45NM to the South of the island – a bit of a contrast to the 100M a few hours earlier! 4 boats were up bright and early and on their way by 0630 – a breeze filled in from the SW and it was a little lumpy off Carmel Head and over the Carmel Rock area with the wind over the tide but everyone was past South Stack by 0830/0845 and near Rhoscolyn Beacon before local LW. It was a pleasant sail down to Llanddwyn Island where we arrived about 2-1/2 hours after LW, so there was enough water to carry on back over the Bar to Caernarfon – Aslan was back on her mooring on the wall in the river by 1315 after a very pleasant 67NM circuit of the island. The rest of the fleet left Cemaes later in the morning on Monday and returned to the Straits via Lynas and Puffin Sound. So, all in all, a really enjoyable weekend – some great company and socialising plus some interesting and varied sailing conditions – thanks to all who came along and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Geoff Hilditch Aslan

Some shots from May Holiday Cruise in Company.

The Powerboat Racing in Caernarfon – 19th

- 20th

May

Well – what a weekend.

Beer festival

Race for Life

Concert in the castle

and to top it all; Power Boat Racing under the auspices of the OCRDA; which incidentally stands

for “The Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association”. Their website is here

https://www.ocrda.com/

The reason, apparently, why the OCRDA came to Caernarfon was because of the devastation caused

by Storm Emma to Holyhead Marina.

Subsequently we discovered that the race officials were open to offers of a suitable location to

control the racing. Surprise surprise … The RWYC came up with the goods; Race officials on the

Barbican and the race in front of their noses. Perfect view and total control.

Everything went according to plan on each of the days; no incidents, no unruly spectators and “the

best tea” the OCRDA officials had tasted for a long time. The ideal combination – Typhoo Tea &

Royal Welsh Yacht Club water.

Both days produced fine weather and fine results. Very much enjoyed by the racers and spectators

alike.

Our thanks go out to the officials and racers who provided a very entertaining weekend of circuit

racing around the Aber Foreshore. Hopefully we will welcome them again next year.

https://www.ocrda.com/

Here is a link to their news item on the race … https://raceboatinternational.com/ocrda-a-report-

from-caernarfon-by-commentator-grant-harrison/

OCRDA Aqua Adrenaline - Here They Come!

The RWYC Fleet Tracker A number of our members have AIS transponders on board and have allowed us

to plot their vessels on a dedicated RWYC marine traffic map. This appears at

the foot of the home page on our website. www.royalwelshyachtclub.org.uk

You may be surprised at the extent of their travels. Here are four of them for you

to follow. If you would like your boat included and have an AIS transponder, please

contact Mo on: hon.membershipsecretary@royalwelshyachtclub.org.uk

Ian Park and Linda

As we mentioned last month, Ian and Linda have been based in the Caribbean

for the last four years. They plan to head back to the UK on 1st June via the

Azores. You can track their voyage across the Atlantic by using the Marine Traffic

map on the home page of our website.

http://royal/mailto:hon.membershipsecretary@royalwelshyachtclub.org.uk

Brett Catley on Ivy Rose

Brett provides regular articles for the Monthly Bulletin. He is currently sailing

in the Baltic.

Tony Barlow and crew on Hummingbird 2.

Tony's plans are taking him north to Scotland this year, again with fellow

Club members as crew. He departed these shores at 3.00 am on 2nd

June.

Charles Williams on Nomad

Charles is currently sailing solo in mid-Pacific (French Polynesia).

His progress can be followed using this link to his Garmin Inreach.

eur-share.inreach.garmin.com/CharlesonNomad

____________________________________________________________________

Please find below an interesting item courtesy of Graeme Messenger.

The 19th May saw the arrival of a rather interesting vessel at Victoria Dock,

Caernarfon. Sheenan was launched in 1937 as an auxiliary Bermudan rigged

yawl, designed by McPherson Campbell and built by Dickies of Bangor. Her

first owner was a Mr H J Seed of Anglesey. The boat has been lovingly restored

by her present owner, Michael Jobson, who is currently in the process of

circumnavigating the UK, having started in Poole earlier this month. More

details of the boat and her history are available on the following website:

http://www.sheenan1937.com/

There is also an interesting blog accessible via the website on which Michael,

a member of the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club, is recording his voyage-

including several entries about our own club. Michael asked that I pass on his

thanks and best wishes to all the RWYC members he met, for the welcome and

hospitality he received during his visit. For students of 1980s music, the name

Michael Jobson may ring some bells – he was the guitarist with Echo and the

Bunnymen and still plays a prominent role in the UK music industry.

http://eur-share.inreach.garmin.com/CharlesonNomadhttp://www.sheenan1937.com/

And so, as the sun sets over Balham....................................Peter Sellers.

This rather attractive picture of sunset at Porth yr Aur provided by Debbie Thomas

perfectly illustrates the sybaritic lifestyle that the RWYC represents.

Perhaps we could use it as the cover illustration for the 2019 Yearbook!

The Commodore's Monthly Musings

I thought it would be of interest to members near, far and wide if I publish a monthly bulleted

diatribe of my view of proceedings in the club to date and then at intervals for the rest of my term.

This all started because, as commodore of the RWYC, my duties don't appear to be as onerous,

taxing nor strenuous as I feared. This is entirely due to the diligence, enthusiasm and involvement

of our Flag Officers, Committee and Club members. Thank you very much... please don't stop.

Right here we go ...

April 2018

Tony of Molly's fame has had his first “pop-up” in the top bar on a Thursday; attended by a group celebrating a birthday, plus 6 club members. Great food, company and income. I

think 12 or so bottles of Prosecco were consumed by the birthday girls and equivalent by

our members.

John Nightingales' “Menai Challenge” has had to be rescheduled to September 29th; because on the 18

th May the OCRDA power boat racing has been relocated from Holyhead to

Caernarfon over that weekend. Sailing, rowing and kayaking intermingled with 200hp speed

merchants doesn't mix.

The Commodore's Reception seemed to go well … looking at the empty plates and healthy bar takings on the day!

The rowers are going great guns … recent weekend on Lake Bala with Celtic Longboats and the Whilly boat. They are also looking to take part in the Great River Race in London, the

Ocean to City Race in Cork and the Castle to Crane Race in Glasgow; plus we will be

running the Castle to Castle race on Saturday 5th

May.

And of course doing the essential and unromantic jobs; like boat maintenance, training and

safety preparation.

The sailors are gearing up for the coming season; with all boats back in the water. With the notable exception of our Sailing Secretary's boat which is being nurtured back to full

health... hopefully ready for summer (2018).

◦ We are asking Caernarfon Harbour Trust for more visitors moorings off the entrance into Caernarfon harbour.

◦ We will be publishing the Club's sailing events across the world; well Facebook and local clubs.

◦ The first “Sailing in Company” of 2018 is scheduled for May Bank Holiday weekend

As for the social side of the Club; what can I say save “mine's a pint”. The clubroom is now enjoying indoor, dare I say warm, temperatures with the assistance of the two biggest

radiators I have ever seen and a new door at the top of our Norman staircase. The result

seems to be more people are coming in and staying longer, even discarding coats and

cardigans – a previously unheard of practice!

We also have a new real ale keg pump – seems to me a contradiction in terms. However our Steward, Graeme, assures me that it is proper beer, unfiltered, unpasteurised and sourced

locally - Conwy Brewery. It certainly tastes and looks the part.

May 2018 The Castle to Castle and League races were a resounding success – fair weather and all finished

safe and sound.

The Caernarfon Food Festival went ahead in glorious sunshine – third year running! Our member

Debbie Thomas served high teas and cakes on the Barbican and in the bar , plus cheese scones

for the commodore. Both she and the bar were very successful. Apparently the North Wales

Daily Post said 10k people attended the festival in year one, 15k in year 2 and 20k this year …

by their reckoning we'll hit >100k in the next 20 years.

A working party has successfully cleared the “room formally known as the Snooker Room” and

restored the old bench and reinstalled it onto the Barbican – a feat I admire but am glad was not

involved in.

We had power boat racing, Race for Life, a concert in the castle and the Rail Ale Festival taking

place over the weekend of the 19th

May. Our house was packed with family and friends;

astounded by the variety of events we have. They don't get that in London.

The Power Boat people used our Barbican as their Race Control. Much appreciated by them... both

the Barbican and the racing circuit. Watch this space; they may be back next year.

The Rowers took part in the Madog Dash … not so much a dash as a 14 mile slog! Plus they went

to Aberystwyth and our Ladies Super Vets won their race – and they were not the only ones in

it this time …. well done.

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Staropramen on pump at the bar. It is a 5% Czech Pilsener

style beer brewed by Pivovary Staropramen in Praha, Czech Republic. Lager drinkers get

ready.

The Cruising in Company went ahead with a record number of boats … eleven in total. Geoff

Hilditch, the organiser and club member, was very pleased and he has already broken his

personal record for his sailing weekends this year … and it's only May.

Take a deep breath for next month's meanderings, murmurings and musings.

John Judge – Your current commodore.

…………………………………………………………………………

The Club Secretary

Royal Welsh Yacht Club

From: Brett Catley

BOATING UK (RYA affiliated training centre)

email: boatinguk@gmail.com

Ph 07413109009

Dear Members

Following on from my account of Yacht Manana, in Journal I, II, III AND IV from the initial

purchase of the yacht, to the ocean passage to the Rio Vigo - Spain, back to Dover - UK, to

Stralsund - East Germany, then to Karlskrona – Sweden, please find an account of the next leg of

the journey to Gotland Island, and the Swedish Archipelago.

“FROM SHED TO SEA” - JOURNAL V

INTRODUCTION Karlskrona was our first point of call when entering Sweden on 25

th May 2009 as detailed in

Journal IV.

Leaving Manana at the Tallybryggan Marina, Karlskrona, for about three weeks, we travelled back

to the UK via train to Copenhagen, and then plane to the UK, from Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport.

Three weeks later we returned to Karlskrona via the same route, arriving on Saturday 20th

June

2009 at 14:30 hrs. With my new crew, Ian Eldred, Joe Murphy, and Phil McCrystal, we had time to

replenish supplies, and have a quick look around Karlskrona, before departing for Visby, Gotland

Island – Sweden.

The journey we took to Visby was the most amazing passage any of us had ever experienced, and to

date, still is. With silky smooth sea, and the sun setting and rising at the same time, created the

most wonderful displays of colour we had ever seen.

In this journal, I have only shown you a small selection of pictures, which although look amazing,

do not give true justice, compared with the magnificence of being there. I still feel privileged to

have seen only what I could describe as God’s glory on earth.

I once showed my photos to a work colleague of mine, who was a self-professed atheist. After

seeing them, he said; ‘the problem with these photos was that after seeing them, you would believe

there was a God’.

KARLSKRONA TO VISBY, GOTLAND ISLAND – SWEDEN We set sail from Tallybryggan Marina, Karlskrona, at 14:00 hrs on Sunday 21

st June 2009. Motor-

sailing, the wind was a force 3-4 from a southerly direction.

Once out of the harbour and passed the outer islands, we set a course for Visby, Gotland Island.

At 19:00 hrs, log 20.1 M, the wind had died down to a force 2, and we noticed Cirrus clouds

appearing to the south. By midnight the wind had dropped to a force 1 and soon after, there was no

wind.

The sea was like velvet, and the sun appeared to be setting and rising at about 02:00 hrs, log 44.6

M, on Monday 22nd

June.

Below are some photos taken during this passage.

DEPARTING KARLSKRONA ON SUNDAY 21ST

JUNE

JOE MURPHY ON SUNDAY 21ST

JUNE JUST OFF KARLSKRONA

SUN DISAPPEARING BEHIND CLOUDS ON PASSAGE TO VISBY – BALTIC

SUN SETTING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND (APPROX 02:00 HRS)

SUN SETTING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND (APPROX 02:30 HRS)

SUN RISING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND (APPROX 03:00 HRS)

SUN RISING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND (APPROX 03:15 HRS)

SUN RISING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND (APPROX 03:20 HRS)

EARLY MORNING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND MON 22 JUNE

EARLY MORNING ON WAY TOWARDS GOTLAND ISLAND - PHIL

At about 02:00 hrs on Monday 22 June, we noticed that there was a wind shift to the north-east. It

was only a force 1, but from my past experiences, when you get wind blowing off land, there is

always the potential for sea fog.

At 09:10 hrs, log 89.9 M, we were near the bottom end of Gotland Island. There was no wind and

the sea was like silk.

By 13:10 hrs, log 109.5 M, the wind was still coming from a NE direction, F1. My worst fears

were founded when fog started to roll in over the tranquil sea, reducing visibility to one mile. At

14:20 hrs, log 113.1 M, visibility had reduced to half a mile due to fog.

Finally, at 17:00 hrs, log 126.4 M, the sea fog lifted to our immense relief. By 21:00 hrs, log 143.1

M, we were about 5.5 M off Visby, preparing for our final approach. We arrived at the Visby

Marina at 22:00 hrs, log149 M, tied, but elated by what we had seen during the night.

Visby was a very ancient walled town, being the only town of any size on the Island. During latter

times, the Russians had sovereignty over it, prior to Sweden taking over.

The Goths occupied here centuries earlier, and with the old 13th

century walls and towers, you felt

like you had gone back to their time. The shops had fine displays of Gothic artefacts which you

could purchase.

MANANA IN VISBY MARINA – GOTLAND ISLAND (TUE 23RD

JUNE)

VISBY – GOTLAND ISLAND

VISBY – GOTLAND ISLAND

TOWN WALLS OF VISBY

TOWN WALLS OF VISBY

Visby can be a very popular destination for pleasure craft. We arrived one week before the ‘silly

season’ began. During this time, you would probably have to pre-book to ensure that you got a

berth. Berthage fees would be comparatively high during the summer season.

After spending a day looking around the town, it was time to leave Visby, and Gotland Island and

head back to Sweden, where there would be a change of crew.

VISBY – GOTLAND ISLAND TO NYNASHAMN – SWEDEN. We departed Visby Marina at 20:40 hrs, 23

rd June 2009, with a wind from the NE, F3. Once away

from the port, we set a course for Nynashamn, Sweden. Our next port was located within the

archipelagos along the Swedish coast. This archipelago was made up of more than 100,000 islands.

By 00:40 hrs, log 18.3 M, 24th

June, the wind had backed to N, F3, increasing to a F5 by 05:00 hrs,

log 45.3 M. The sea conditions became moderate, when the wind reached F5.

At 09:30 hrs, log 62.5 M, we altered course towards Gunnarstenarna, making our final approaches

to Nynashamn at 11:00 hrs, log 70.2 M, arriving in the Marina at Nynashamn by 12:15 hrs, log76.7

M. The wind by now had dropped to a force 3, making an easy approach for us into the marina

berth.

Nynashamn Marina was a modern marina, with good facilities. From the Marina, easy access to

shops and the town centre, made it a very convenient place to stop off to replenish supplies. Like

most of the marinas in Sweden, this one also had a sauna!

NYNASHAMN MARINA

ISLANDS OFF NYNASHAMN

The outer islands made Nynashamn a very sheltered place to stay, and created a boaters’ paradise,

for those wanting to exploring the various islands.

June 25th

was spent in Stockholm. A train only 10 minutes-walk from the Marina took us directly to

Stockholm.

STOCKHOLM – SWEDEN

Stockholm was a beautiful city incorporating islands and scenic reserves. We visited the Wasa

museum. The Wasa was a 17th

century man-of-war ship, being the flag ship of the Swedish Navy.

It was the most well-preserved ship from this period, certainly in all of Europe. They built the

museum around the boat, and nothing can prepare you for what you experience, the first time that

you see it. Well worth a visit!

The next morning, 26th

June was spent exploring Nynashamn and the surrounding area.

By early afternoon it was time to head off again. This time, south to Nykoeping, where there would

be a change of crew.

MANANA DEPARTING NYNASHAMN MARINA

We departed Nynashamn at 13:15 hrs, with a northerly, force 5. We were in the Archipelagos

sailing between hundreds of islands sheltered from the wind. By 19:15 hrs, log 28.4 M, the wind

had dropped to a force 3 as we made our initial approaches to Nykoeping, arriving at Kungsangen

Marina at 22:20 hrs, log 44.3 M.

Kungsangen Marina was a quiet marina, and well maintained. It was ideal for a change of crew

with train, bus and airport close by.

We spent the next day visiting the town. Phil and Joe flew back to the UK in the afternoon, with

Peter and Terry arriving ready for the next voyage. The weather was sunny and 30 deg centigrade,

making conditions somewhat hot. Even the local reptiles thought it was hot when a snake came

slithering along the marina path near the boat for a quick dip in the water. Manana was going to take us to Stockholm and then onto Finland’s Aland Islands on

a new adventure, in this beautiful Baltic Sea.