Christies Sailing Club, the season so far…………….
Opening day. First nice weather for weeks, a cast of thousands at the boat ramp with many club boats forced to rig in the dirt overflow car park, and no wind. Ray and Mark unrigged Fawkes and went to the club for a beer. Tony in Catel XVII went out, drifted through two postponements and an abandonment, unrigged and went for a beer.
The following week 20+ knots from the north, plenty of room in the car park. Fawkes found the winter revamp of the boat has generated problems, jib sheets won’t stay cleated. Some feverish work back at the ramp with a pair of pliers and a penknife saw the boat arrive in the starting area still under spinnaker as the gun went with Catel XVII disappearing off to windward. From there on things got worse, too much friction meant the jib could only be sheeted by luffing, the braces jammed under the stay turnbuckles, and the spinnaker dropped under the bow twice. We had a number of views of Catel XVII sailing superbly on each next leg of the course and she finished many minutes in front.
Next weeks 1st club championship heat saw a victory to Catel who won on CBH. Fawkes continued to have problems with revised gear, and cobwebs.
The following week was a stern-chaser, and due to Tony’s efforts the previous week the two fifteens started second last with only the rocket 780 behind us. We had a close tussle all day with Fawkes coming out in front of Catel XVII, but both hopelessly out of it on CBH in the lighter breeze. Several of the TY boys commented on the close racing between the fifteens, and after we fielded some questions on the availability of second hand boats.
Fawkes missed the following week, but Tony again blitzed the field to take his second win on CBH, and the second heat of the club championship.
The next event was sponsors day with the big TY’s taking sponsors out, so they were not racing too seriously. The wind was back at 17 to 22 knots with a very lumpy sea, and Catel XVII led the way home from Fawkes, winning again on CBH, his third win in four weeks.
The following Saturday was blowing 40 knots and racing was abandoned.
The last race in November was the 3rd club championship heat and again the fifteens dominated the results with Fawkes first and Catel XVII second on CBH.
A pattern is emerging with Catel XVII dominant when the breeze exceeds 15 knots, and Fawkes with the breeze between 10 and 15 knots. A fair amount of discussion is taking place on tuning and techniques to understand the reasons for this. There is also an expectant curiosity as to the relative performances when we finally experience winds below 10 knots.
We are both awaiting the appearance of PBJ in a refurbished Mattie to add to the pain of the TY sailors who may be planning a revolt if the fifteens continue to dominate the results. (We expect to not be as competitive in lighter winds when the TY’s gear up with their big headsails.)
Good sailing Ray.
