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
Monday, July 24, 2006
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
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
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
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:
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:
Thursday, June 29, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, June 02, 2006
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.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
It was a great afternoon on sailing on Wallis Lake. A gently nor'easterly breeze filled in during the day and strengthened in the afternoon. Protected on shore and around the clubhouse the breeze proved no menace for Tim Haffner. Once both boats were rigged Tim then set about with the tongs and marinades, entertaining our tastebuds with some fresh prawns and salmon from the BBQ.
The course for the day was laid out by two of the clubs most senior statesmen, hence a most traditional course. This was a welcome return to the classical triangular course with long legs a reaches. So long were the reaches that finding the distant marks became a visual challenge for some of the skippers.
As the boats left the shore the breeze seemed to weaken and the fleet took some time to reach the starting area. Once assembled it was quite a mix of boats. The starter boat skipper manned by The Pirates of the Wallis with One-eyed mongrel Hiley and armless bastard Machon found no trouble finding a place with plenty of empty spaces for the disabled near the start line. Brian (Bubble) Bath led the fleet away in the first race, hounded by the Tooth Fairy and then Mr and Mrs Smith (so aptly named due to their abilities to destroy something). The line was tight and any of the boats crossed together, Tommy (007) Dalton, seemed to have loosened the rust from the joints and was quickly away as too Mat (birdman) Avery, Tom (T3) and the Bus Shelter.
There was some inconsistency in the breese and as in real estate location played an important part on the outcome. By the return to the bottom mark it was Mr and Mrs Smith who had pulled out all guns to chase down to tooth fairy. This was short lived as The Smiths aimed too high at the bottom mark and missed the target, allowing the fairy to skip past. By the top mark again the Smiths were in front,. but not for long as the Tooth Fairy found that little bit of magic and slipped past while Mr and Mrs Smith were sleeping. Not far enough though, and again the Smiths chased and caught the Tooth fairy, but as usual broke something and spent time doing house repairs while losing places.
further back 007 always kept his eye on the enemy and, whilst always in the game, was still re-acquainting himself with the ropes and shackles, needing more arms than an octopussy and the staying power of his namesake, 007 needed something from Q (or Michelle Leslie) to get him up to speed.
The bus seemed to be keeping to time, though the passengers were only occasionaly changing seats. T3, while yet to be released, though much talked about as having potential showed early gains and then surged forward as passed the bus shelter. Not difficult as the shelter seemed to be standing still. But then, against the trend it was T3 who seemed to stall and lose ground. Though this seemed to be a short term glitch as T3 finished the day first across the line on the abbreviated course, then closely followed by the Tooth Fairy, then Mr and Mrs Smith and bubbles. The bus shelter arrived in time as too 007 and the birdman.
The course for the day was laid out by two of the clubs most senior statesmen, hence a most traditional course. This was a welcome return to the classical triangular course with long legs a reaches. So long were the reaches that finding the distant marks became a visual challenge for some of the skippers.
As the boats left the shore the breeze seemed to weaken and the fleet took some time to reach the starting area. Once assembled it was quite a mix of boats. The starter boat skipper manned by The Pirates of the Wallis with One-eyed mongrel Hiley and armless bastard Machon found no trouble finding a place with plenty of empty spaces for the disabled near the start line. Brian (Bubble) Bath led the fleet away in the first race, hounded by the Tooth Fairy and then Mr and Mrs Smith (so aptly named due to their abilities to destroy something). The line was tight and any of the boats crossed together, Tommy (007) Dalton, seemed to have loosened the rust from the joints and was quickly away as too Mat (birdman) Avery, Tom (T3) and the Bus Shelter.
There was some inconsistency in the breese and as in real estate location played an important part on the outcome. By the return to the bottom mark it was Mr and Mrs Smith who had pulled out all guns to chase down to tooth fairy. This was short lived as The Smiths aimed too high at the bottom mark and missed the target, allowing the fairy to skip past. By the top mark again the Smiths were in front,. but not for long as the Tooth Fairy found that little bit of magic and slipped past while Mr and Mrs Smith were sleeping. Not far enough though, and again the Smiths chased and caught the Tooth fairy, but as usual broke something and spent time doing house repairs while losing places.
further back 007 always kept his eye on the enemy and, whilst always in the game, was still re-acquainting himself with the ropes and shackles, needing more arms than an octopussy and the staying power of his namesake, 007 needed something from Q (or Michelle Leslie) to get him up to speed.
The bus seemed to be keeping to time, though the passengers were only occasionaly changing seats. T3, while yet to be released, though much talked about as having potential showed early gains and then surged forward as passed the bus shelter. Not difficult as the shelter seemed to be standing still. But then, against the trend it was T3 who seemed to stall and lose ground. Though this seemed to be a short term glitch as T3 finished the day first across the line on the abbreviated course, then closely followed by the Tooth Fairy, then Mr and Mrs Smith and bubbles. The bus shelter arrived in time as too 007 and the birdman.
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