Mustangs and Lasers Sailing

Posted on by

Monday 26th August

With a very light wind forecast and being held on a Bank Holiday, I was feeling a bit negative to whether the day would actually go ahead. Surprised to when a good handful of Laser skippers had actually turned up, I set to into putting a Mustang together..The wind slowly filtered through and the day was looking better as a constant wind of about 5 MPH began to blow from a westerly corner of the lake. We managed to club together five Lasers and four Mustangs, so we could in effect do some racing. A sausage shape windward / leeward course of two laps and finish a bit further up the field was the order.
We tend to play these days by ear and it was fair enough to just race and not bother with results and this seemed to keep us in check and not get to over excited as we sometimes do.
The morning went to the Lasers, being lighter in weight and able to cope better with very light winds. Eric A. was having some good results and was usually the winner. The wind all the time picking up a touch and even Mike P. on just a B rig was doing fine with the Laser.
We had a spectator from Manchester that had a go with a Mustang and then a couple of more goes with separate Lasers until his misses and family dragged him away. He says he had a little black boat at home that he was hoping to sail on a pond. Couldn’t think of what it was called but  remembered a Dragon emblem on the sail. Only had it about 2 Years and still in the packet. So we hope to have whetted his appetite. 
After lunch and the Mustangs came alive. As the wind picked up a little more all the while, by the end of the day it was breaking the 10 MPH barrier. Leaving the Lasers by a greater margin, the Mustangs seemed to be now coming in first.
Another spectator this time from Cambridge was able to also have a brief go with one of the boats at the end of play and was very grateful.
Some had exchanged boats through the day for a try with something different.You could say a day of two halves and all in all a fair day.

Tony Wilson

2019 DF95 Saturday series Event 4

Posted on by

24th August 2019

Amazing weather brought the crowds out crabbing, and with the little wind there was coming from the worst direction for us, it made for an awkward start line, not ideal, but better than trying to negotiate bodies at the bridge end, but hey it`s the same for everyone, as they say.

Five of us set out to tackle a sausage shape course of two laps per race, and ten races were had, before we called it a day for lack of wind.

Some got lucky with port starts, some got lucky with a shift at just the right time, but some of us didn`t get lucky, getting caught in crab lines, or being taken out by a six meter, or breaking down midway through, but hey it could have happened to anyone, as they say, yeah maybe, but a six meter, that’s when you know it’s not your day.

So it was a bit of a mixed bag for most, unlike Peter who sailed consistently well taking, six bullets in his score and taking top spot, with Eric second.

We are back on the water with the 95 to do it all again, on Tuesday 27th Aug at 6.30pm.

Bob Jolly

DF65 2019 series 3 Event 5

Posted on by

22nd August 2019

As on Tuesday conditions were overcast with rain in the air, but thankfully it kept off, the wind was a healthy 21mph coming mainly from the west, and gusting to 36mph at its worst from all directions, making it a very challenging nights sailing.

A triangular course was set to start and then changed to more of a sausage to allow us to get in our eight races in the time. The majority of the ten skippers who set out chose the C rig whilst the odd few who hadn`t come with it had the B on, and one skipper Harry started with the famous D out of Eddies sail bag.

With John and Mark challenging for first in most races, it was always going to be between those two who took the honours, with John on C and Mark on B, it was interesting to see little advantages each one had here and there, and how best they used them. In the end it was Mark who came out on top by a point over John.

So a difficult nights sailing, but all good for the experience, not so for Darren who was a casualty on the night suffering electrical problems, causing him to sit out the second half of the event.

Next outing for the 65 is on Thursday 29th August 6.30pm start.

Bob Jolly

DF65 Capt.

Six Metre Open

Posted on by

Following the success of the first ever Six Metre open meeting in April the Six Metre section is holding another open meeting on Sunday 25th August.
We have already had a very good response to this event and would welcome further entries from any six metre owners who would like to get on the water and race in a competitive but friendly atmosphere. With the Nationals coming up in early September this represents a great opportunity for a shakedown and sharpening your skills at a great venue for larger yachts. 
I also have a six metre that is available for loan at the event if someone wants to have a go!

Entry can be made via the MYA entry system or directly via email to Shaun Holbeche (see NOR). The Notice of Race is below.
Shaun Holbeche

nor-fleetwood-6m-25th-august-2019Download

DF95 2019 Series 3 Event 5

Posted on by

20th August 2019

An overcast evening with rain threatening, and a light breeze down the lake, were the conditions the five skippers who turned out had to deal with.

A triangular course of two laps per race was set and eight races were had in the time. With the wind that there was changing direction and dropping as the night went on, a slight course change was needed for the last race.

Derek was on hand to help with RO duties, and keep his hand in by taking the helm of the odd boat.

Chris as in recent weeks was once again on song, and with his consistent sailing took top spot. Unusual to see John have an off night, leaving Bob to take second place with some fine results.

The next outing for the 95 is on Saturday 24th Aug 1pm start.

Bob Jolly

Club Open Day

Posted on by

On Saturday 17th August the Fleetwood Model Yacht and Power Boat Club is holding an Open Day, starting at 10.30 a.m.

Anyone is welcome to drop in for as long as you like. There will be plenty of yachts, power boats and schooners to have a test sail with and you can even try racing against some of our experienced skippers. There will be members there to answer any questions and to give advice on the art and skills of sailing so come along and discover why so many people are attracted to this sport.

DF65 2019 series 3 Event 4

Posted on by

15th August 2019

A sunny evening, a good strong blow down the lake, and twelve boats on the line for the fourth event of the series.

Most sailors set out B sail to start, but soon changed to A, as the wind soon dropped after we had begun. A triangular course to begin with was set, and then changed to a sausage shape as the wind shifted a little. Eight races were had in the time.

Mark sailed consistently all event, taking three bullets and three seconds counting for his score, and easily took the honours, with Eric just edging out Ken for second place.

Some good close sailing was had, and it was good to see the remaining bullets being shared around.

Thanks to Derek for running the start line and scoring.

Our next outing for the 65 is on 22nd August 6.30pm start.

Bob Jolly

DF65 Capt.