Sunday 10th December

It's on. Don't know which Trophy we're up for, but it will be good.

Sunday 26th November

Sunday 26th November

Fabrice Boone’s homework and improved technique moved him closer to the top of the leaders board through some outstanding sailing over the weekend.

For some Sunday’s dull grey skies and southerly winds brought a dampener to another fantastic Holiday Coast weekend. But Saturdays setting sun- red at night sailors delight, turned out to be a truism.

A strong southerly breeze ran down the Lake making conditions ideal for sailing. The wind, building to around 18 knots during the afternoon was constant from the south. The course for the day was set close to the shore and immediately adjacent to the sailing club. This provided an ideal opportunity for the spectators to get a good view of the racing.

As the boats jockeyed for position pre race the wind gathered strength and as the race started it was Machon/ Anderson first over the start line, closely followed by Brian Bath, Tom Dalton, Les Turner and Fabrice Boone.

Working to the top mark was as easy as bowling out the English top order. It was at the top mark and, as the boats reached across to the mark closest to the shore, the boats powered up and careened towards the shore. It was this mark that saw many boats capsize as the crews went hard into the gybe at the mark. Several boats either capsized or had such near missed one would have thought the trapeze wire antics were more Circus Du Sole than sailing skill.

At the end of the first race it was Brian Bath first, Machon/Anderson second and Tom Dalton third.

The second race saw the winds ease and the crews again work hard into the wind then enjoy a wild ride down wind along the shore. It was this race that saw Fabrice Boone take the opportunity to demonstrate his improved skills and it was Fabrice on his Maricat 5.0 win on corrected time by an outstanding 5 minutes.

Line honours in the second race went again to Brian Bath who was simply too fast for the rest of the boats and again finished the day with two wins from two starts.

Wildcat Weather

Results from Wildcat

Hobie 16Rank Class Sail No Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Nett
HOBIE-16 Fleet - Sailed: 5 Discards: 1 Ratings: VY
1st Hobie 16 110054 R. Waterhouse 2.0 1.0 1.0 OCS 2.0 6.0
2nd Hobie 16 109884 A. Worrall 1.0 2.0 3.0 OCS 8.0 14.0
3rd Hobie 16 109303 J. Roberts 4.0 4.0 11.0 3.0 4.0 15.0
4th Hobie 16 109965 D.Fisher 5.0 5.0 4.0 2.0 DNC 16.0
5th Hobie 16 108564 A. Nelson 3.0 3.0 5.0 6.0 12.0 17.0
6th Hobie 16 109971 B. Sumner DNC DNC 2.0 1.0 1.0 24.0
7th Hobie 16 109887 U. Kila 11.0 6.0 8.0 7.0 3.0 24.0
8th Hobie 16 99440 I. Bowles 10.0 10.0 10.0 4.0 5.0 29.0
9th Hobie 16 109812 S, Wood 9.0 7.0 14.0 5.0 10.0 31.0
10th Hobie 16 107550 S.Watt 8.0 8.0 6.0 9.0 9.0 31.0
11th Hobie 16 110136 K. Winchester DNC DNC 7.0 10.0 6.0 43.0
12th Hobie 16 107612 M.Warren 7.0 9.0 DNC 8.0 DNC 44.0
13th Hobie 16 109810 C.Lyddieth 6.0 DNC 9.0 11.0 DNC 46.0
14th Hobie 16 110228 J. McCormick 12.0 DNC 12.0 15.0 7.0 46.0
15th Hobie 16 108446 N. Moxham DNC DNF 13.0 13.0 13.0 51.0
16th Hobie 16 90871 V. Price DNC DNC 15.0 14.0 11.0 60.0
17th Hobie 16 98115 A.McCoy DNC 11.0 16.0 17.0 DNC 64.0
18th Hobie 16 108570 S. Pipes DNC DNC 18.0 12.0 14.0 64.0
19th Hobie 16 109850 D. Price DNC DNC 17.0 16.0 15.0 68.0

HOBIE-16-SPIN Fleet - Sailed: 5 Discards: 1 Ratings: VY
1st Hobie 16 108566 J. Waterhouse 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 6.0
2nd Hobie 16 109302 E. Darmanin 1.0 3.0 1.0 3.0 3.0 8.0
3rd Hobie 16 109937 L. Pudney 3.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 9.0
4th Hobie 16 109358 P.Pictromonaco 4.0 4.0 4.0 2.0 4.0 14.0

Misc Fleet - Sailed: 5 Discards: 1 Ratings: VY
1st Maricat 4.3 cat 5006 Z. Breaden 2.0 2.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 7.0
2nd Stingray 589 J. Dowling 3.0 1.0 3.0 2.0 11.0 9.0
3rd F 14 02 A. Barrett 1.0 3.0 1.0 5.0 6.0 10.0
4th Taipan 5.7 063 P. Homan 4.0 DNC 2.0 4.0 3.0 13.0
5th F 16 5000 G. Maskell 6.0 4.0 5.0 3.0 5.0 17.0
6th F 14 03 E. Barrett 8.0 4.0 6.0 7.0 1.0 18.0
7th Maricat 4.3 sloop 5005 A, Cook 7.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 4.0 25.0
8th Nacra 16 10 G. Whitlock 9.0 7.0 12.0 11.0 10.0 37.0
9th Taipan 4.9 Cat 175 P. Freeman 5.0 DNC 10.0 6.0 DNC 42.0
10th Maricat 4.3 cat 1893 L. Tucker DNC DNC 9.0 DNF 7.0 56.0
11th Nacra 5.0 2021 R. Campbell DNC DNC 15.0 13.0 9.0 58.0
12th F 16 005 M. Boyd 10.0 DNC 13.0 15.0 DNC 59.0
13th Nacra 5.8 829 T. Garratt DNC DNC 11.0 DNC 8.0 61.0
14th Nacra 5.8 1492 K. White DNC DNC 18.0 12.0 13.0 64.0
15th Taipan 4.9 Cat 227 P. Freeman DNC DNC 14.0 9.0 DNC 65.0
16th F 14 001 B. Leslie DNC DNC 16.0 16.0 12.0 65.0
17th Tornado spin 295 I Simpson DNC DNC 7.0 17.0 DNC 66.0
18th Tornado spin 201 S. Maiden DNC DNC 17.0 18.0 14.0 70.0
19th Taipan 4.9 Cat 139 G. Tuck DNC DNC DNC 8.0 DNC 71.0
20th F 16 001 P.Brander DNC DNC DNC 14.0 DNC 77.0

Rank Class Sail No Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Nett
Taipan-4.9 Fleet - Sailed: 5 Discards: 1 Ratings: VY
1st Taipan 4.9 Sloop 312 T. Shuwalow 1.0 1.0 4.0 1.0 DNC 7.0
2nd Taipan 4.9 Sloop 263 S. Kiely 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 7.0
3rd Taipan 4.9 Sloop 109 K. Pursch 3.0 4.0 1.0 3.0 4.0 11.0
4th Taipan 4.9 Sloop 180 C. Munro 4.0 DNC 2.0 4.0 2.0 12.0
5th Taipan 4.9 Sloop 257 S. Breaden 5.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 3.0 16.0

Rank Class Sail No Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Nett
A-Class Fleet - Sailed: 5 Discards: 1 Ratings: VY
1st A Class 893 D. Ellis 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 5.0 5.0
2nd A Class 1 M. Griffith 2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 1.0 8.0
3rd A Class 888 M. Johnston 10.0 4.0 2.0 1.0 4.0 11.0
4th A Class 886 G. Brown 3.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 15.0
5th A Class 836 S. Breaden 6.0 7.0 4.0 5.0 2.0 17.0
6th A Class 880 G. Vize 4.0 3.0 7.0 7.0 DNF 21.0
7th A Class 868 V. Collett 7.0 6.0 9.0 6.0 6.0 25.0
8th A Class 827 N. Caldwell 5.0 9.0 11.0 9.0 7.0 30.0
9th A Class 822 R. Graham 9.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 DNC 33.0
10th A Class 883 B. Gasker 8.0 10.0 5.0 DNC DNC 35.0
11th A Class 88 G. Smith DNC DNC 10.0 10.0 DNF 41.0

Rank Class Sail No Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Nett
F-18 Fleet - Sailed: 5 Discards: 1 Ratings: VY
1st F18 1981 D.Bundook 1.0 20.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 7.0
2nd F18 7 S. Brewin 4.0 1.0 1.0 7.0 2.0 8.0
3rd F18 41 M. Homan 3.0 2.0 6.0 4.0 12.0 15.0
4th F18 1989 N. Thompson 5.0 6.0 5.0 1.0 6.0 17.0
5th F18 1671 M. Laruffa 8.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 DNC 20.0
6th F18 102 G. Goodall 6.0 5.0 2.0 12.0 8.0 21.0
7th F18 18 B. Collett 2.0 4.0 7.0 9.0 DNF 22.0
8th F18 103 D. Hart 12.0 11.0 8.0 6.0 9.0 34.0
9th F18 4 G. Wyers DNC 9.0 9.0 3.0 15.0 36.0
10th F18 96 D.Elliot 7.0 7.0 11.0 11.0 14.0 36.0
11th F18 43 S. Medwell 9.0 10.0 10.0 15.0 10.0 39.0
12th F18 1960 C. Caldecoat DNC 8.0 16.0 10.0 7.0 41.0
13th F18 25 P. Fuller DNF 13.0 19.0 8.0 5.0 44.0
14th F18 06 B. Sykes 11.0 15.0 17.0 16.0 3.0 45.0
15th F18 1188 B. Owen 10.0 11.0 13.0 13.0 13.0 47.0
16th F18 1980 D. Drummond 15.0 18.0 12.0 18.0 11.0 56.0
17th F18 150 D. Nissen DNC DNC 15.0 19.0 4.0 61.0
18th F18 1985 N. Rogers 16.0 17.0 14.0 14.0 DNC 61.0
19th F18 103B B. Horb 13.0 16.0 22.0 20.0 16.0 65.0
20th F18 1888 J. Lurati 13.0 19.0 20.0 17.0 DNC 69.0
21st F18 1499 K. Amadis DNF 21.0 21.0 21.0 17.0 77.0
22nd F18 149 B. Nixon DNC 14.0 18.0 DNC DNC 78.0

More Pic's again

On the Water at the Wildcat

2006 Wildcat

Pictures from the 2006 Wildcat Forster. Images by Paul Bennie

NOVEMBER

Sunday 5th No Sailing due to bad weather





Sunday 12th
South West Rocks

Winners of the North Coast Cat Challenge ARS Scott machon/ Bryce Haffner.

No Boat Duty

Sunday 19th
Super Sunday
After a week when everyone was talking about the weather, it was a relief to have a perfect weekend. The breeze filled in from the North East and built throughout the day. What had begun as a 10kn NE became a forceful and classic 15-20 knot sea breeze.

What looked like a quiet weekend with only a smattering of boats expected for a sail, turned out to be the biggest day of the year for the club. It was a change for the better as eight boats line up on the shore for three races and the Presidents Cup. As the boats arrived the ample shoreline in front of the club quickly filled with boats and the beach goers who had left the windy beaches in search of shelter were soon displaced.

It was Christmas for some as Ray had only recently unwrapped the bubble-wrap from the glistening hulls of his brand new Hobie 16 and had unpacked the championship sails for the weekend. Peter Dorahy had headed down the mountain in search of sunshine sea breezes, a welcome change from the frosts and snowy plains of Walcha. John White and the boys from Port had traveled early and were ready for a fast Sunday sail. Tom Haffner had recruited seasoned Taipan and H18 campaigner Alan Pursch to crew on the Hobie 16. Fabrice Boone had left the washing up for others and was keen to smell the salty spray and had arrived and was preparing to take on all comers with the mighty Maricat. Les Turner had the NACRA all fired up and was keen to capitalise on his improved form from South West Rocks. Tommy Dalton arrived, immaculate as ever with the A Class and was ready to get amongst the white caps again. In the snake pit was Haffner-Anderson and Machon-Haffner still circling each other and trading venomous stings with unresolved matters from last weekend.

A Starboard triangle course was set with the top mark close to the sand mark, the wing mark down and close to the sand bank, then a reach back to the bottom mark. The run from the top mark to the reach mark was a fast and skittish run with the twisting NE gusting and forcing the boats along. The reach back to the bottom mark was fast and with the boats powered up it was a spectacular of spray.


Final Results Presidents Cup Three Races

1st Hobie 16 Ray Muld Ross Kneebone
2nd Taipan 4.9 cat Peter Dorahy
3rd Taipan 4.9 Scott Machon, Bryce Haffner



Boat Duty

Sunday 26th
Racing as usual

Boat Duty

October

Sunday 1st

WILDCAT Weekend. Pack a tent and stay the night. Bring panadole
Ray/Ross weather reports
Scott Saturday papers and fuel...


Sunday 8th
Ah, a pleasant return to the water. The middle of the school holidays and the weather clear and warm. Hardly a cloud in the sky and barely a breath of wind on the water. Two races for the day with mild to light breese from the east. There was some hope that the breese would move in, but it was not to be. 1ts Brian Bath, 2nd Scott machon/ Brice Haffner, 3rd Tom Dalton, 4th Ray Muld, 5th Peter Walcha, 6th Les Turner and 7th John Wright and crew for Port Macquarie

The light conditions suited the AClass boats. Both races were won by Brian Bath. The second race was a close race and it was Ray Muld and Ross Kneebone who led for most of the race on a Hobie 16, but as the winds dropped the A class drifted over the line a narrow winner.

As most boats drifted in to shore the much awaited southerly arrived and it was a quick exit to the shore.

Sunday 15th

A steady south easterly greeted the sailors on Sunday morning. The report indicated a decreasing breese moderating to 15-20 knots during the day. As the boats rigged on shore the breese did moderate and settle in at a comfortable 15 knots with the occasional blow in at 20-25kn. Perfect conditions for experienced sailors and keen competitors.

Everkeen Les arrived with the newly purchased NACRA 16sq. Rigged with the dutiful assistance of NACRA legend and club life member Ross Kneebone. Les hit the water- literally, on the first run out it was the quick and agile filly that tipped les from his perch and into the water. No sooner in the water than he was up again and testing the integrity of the 16sq.

There were two races on the day. Thanks to Ross for taking up the time and setting a short and fast course for the small fleet. Tim Haffner was going with youth and experience on the Taipan 5.7 with a three man crew for the day. Brice and Graham probably had plenty to do as the Taipan was a little like a cut snake with a blustery 15-25kn southerly whipping along.

A windward and return course with a 600m work made sure that there was no time for the crew to rest as the tacking was constant.
In the first race there was nothing that could be done to cathc the Taipan as it finished three laps of the course in a very quick 15 minutes, followed 18 seconds behind by Ann and Scott on Taipan 4.9 then Les just behind on the 16sq.

The second race saw Les again enter the water from above and it was the 4.9 of Scott and Ann who finished the course first followed by Les. Tim felt it was his duty to eject the more experienced of the crew to help Les with the 16sq and it was Graham who found himself in the water ( quite by surprise) and assisting Les to right the 16sq.

Sunday 22nd October
The rains continued throughout the weekend and the skies were a lesser shade of grey. When most of us would be looking through the papers and contemplating a day at the movies, others were sipping their lattes and reading the sports section of the paper and yet others would be engaged in conversations on lounges. Yes, there are people who watch, those who read about it, those who talk about it, but there are a few who do it.
The breeze was more than a kiss on the face and the salty smell lingered as the wind whipped across the lake. As the crews rigged their boats they looked south towards the darkening skies and set their sails and rigging to cope with the conditions. Today, these mistresses would be fast across the lake. A combination of flat water and gusty southerly made the day a memorable outing.
The sage and salted members of the race committee set an adventurous course to take advantage of the winds, there was no point sheltering in close to the shore so the race was set to the far island south of Whoota. This course exposed the boats to the funnelling winds caused as the bracing southerly bickered and fought its way through the narrow gap between Booti Booti headland and the Whoota mountain.
The pre race was closely contested and it was Peter Dorahy and Les Turner who led the field away. Turning at the sand mark, they headed towards the island and reached across the lake. The course was open and the winds had strengthened, there was no real tactics in the race, from now on it was simply down to boat speed. Working hard into the wind was Scott Machon and Bryce Haffner on No.4. They worked hard at keeping the boat down and were going hard for the island mark. Rounding the island, it was Machon/Haffner in front of Dorahy and Turner.
Often, coming home is never as much fun as leaving, but this was something different. The return reach was a combination of speed and fear. The boats drove hard in the reaching breeze, as each gust came the boats would rear-up and drive hard. The boats were fast across the water, dancing across like hurled skipping stones.
With pure speed as their answer it was the crew of Scott Machon and Bryce Haffner who finished ahead of the fleet. The second and third places filled by Peter Dorahy and Les Turner.
Next weekend sees racing as usual with a build up to the November weekend with the hotly contested Presidents Cup being raced as usual on the first weekend in November.
The Fish

Sunday 29th

September

Sunday 3rd:

1st racing of the season.
Get the cobwebs out of the system. A two race day with a scratch start to get us all up and running. 2 races each race around 40 minutes.

The wind was from the North and North west. It was a slow start to the morning with the boats arriving in dribs and drabs.

Eventually all was ready.

Welcome new sailors to the Club, Fabrice on his Maricat and Peter on his Taipan 4.9. Welcome back to Steve with his Tornado which was a welcome sight on the shores. Tim has finally reconstructed the 5.7 and all was ready for a great afternoon to kick off the season.

Brian and Ross set the course a windward and return cours, not too long.

It was a good start for Fabrice and Peter as the wind had lightened which allowed some time for them to brush the cobwebs off and rediscover some old skills.

Like a duck to water, Peter took no time to settle in to the groove and was in good form.

Outright results:

1st Steve Booth
2nd Peter
3rd Scott
4th Tim
5th Les
6th Fabrice




Boat Duty Ross Kneebone, Brian Bath


Sunday 10th
Handicap start based on the yardstick formula and on a 40minute race.
Scott has the formula and spreadsheet.
Boat Duty: Alan Pursch




Sunday 17th

3rd race weekend of the season.
2nd round of the schooner season. The winner takes home a schooner.

Boat Duty:


Sunday 24th
4th Race weekend. Last weekend before the WILDCAT.
Boat Duty:

Review of the Wildcat 2006

Argh, the radio's have been a pain. It seems as though they were at times hard to hear. Just not clear enough. The 27mhz was great and clear, but the boats have to be off most of the time to use them.

VHF radio's have a greater range and would be more effective, but again I think we need to look at the effectiveness of a hand-helds volume.

The computer is also a major issue. We were luck to revive the old computer for the wildcat. But the old girl is well behind the times and frustratingly slow and now UNRELIABLE.

Better plastic plates for the dinner- now the meal was of such substance it seemed a shame to struggle with a flimsy plate.

I think we were luck with the NPWS, there was very little access for day visitors and a lot of parking etc north of the road.


The Course was good, easy to set and not too difficult to change. The NOR and sailing instructions needed to ensure that all bouys etc are marked and included in the instructions.

Garbage collection was great and having Ross's bins was a convenient was to colect rubbish.


Duties on shore include committee for protests. I think we should have a discussion regarding the process that was used at the regatta. Was it effective? We should have more members trained in managing protests. Ray, Tim, Mark your input would be highly valued.

Prizes, again this year we did not havea major sponsor for the event. Many thanks to Zhik for their contribution to the event.

Wildcat Regatta

The Wildcat regatta will be on the first weekend of the school holidays. The Weekend begins Saturday 30th September, Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd October.

Camping will be on site.

A meeting will be organised following the AGM to discuss organisational aspects of the regatta.

Potential issues for this year include sponsorship and promotion of the event.

Cheers

At present the 'theme' for the 2006 regatta is retro...


The 2006 Wildcat is already posted on the Regatta page at catsailor.net.

2006 theme is Retro. It's time now to remember the things that we did well and to plan for some changes.

All comments welcome.

The 2006 Wildcat regatta is on the FIRST weekend of the October school holiday.
There is no better way to start the holidays or spend a long weekend.

Well unless you are planning a weekend WITH Paris...

2006 is retro. ACDC, The Radiators, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits (maybe)...

2006 sees the return of denim caps, stubbies (for the oldies), tiedye shirts, Golden Breed Shirts and some classic races.
Bring back the biff and bring back the big fat reach.
Bring back leaded petrol, leather footballs and get Frank Hyde and the Moose to call the Grand Final (Franks still alive so Rex is a backup).

Bring back every cat you can find and then bring it to Forster and race it.

September 30-Oct 1-2.

I'll be there as long as I can bring my Newtown Footy jumper. I've got a tape of the 1991 grand final. ( Beta tape)
On aother topic, does anyone out there have an old 8track cassette player lying around. The one in my Sandman has carked it and I'm after a replacement. It chewed up my Tubular Bells tape. So if anypone has an old copy that would be grouse to.