29dfvdfv

The performance sailing magazine

70

TH

ANNIVERSARY 1947-2017

£4.50 Issue #1714 October 2017 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

IAIN PERCY LOOKS AHEAD TO 2017’S GLOBAL EVENT EVENT REVIEW

Fastnet flyers Highlights from the record breaking offshore race

INTERVIEW

Dee Caffari Gearing up for the Volvo Ocean Race

TECHNIQUE

Startline tactics DESIGN UPDATE

SPECIAL REPORT

Foiling Nacra 17

Cowes Week

All the action from across the fleets PLUS Fast40+ and White Group winners

with Ben Saxton

ALEX THOMSON

ON TEST: S1 RACE

PERFECT FINISH

TICKET OFFER

Swapping Hugo Boss for a family cruise in the Caribbean

The new singlehanded high performance cat

Guide to paints, varnishes and modern alternatives

Save on Southampton Boat Show entry

Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.

Recognized as one of the finest wellness resorts in the world, BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia has also become a sailor’s dream. With an ASA certified sailing school and weekly regattas, BodyHoliday is now the ultimate Caribbean getaway on land and sea. To find out more, call 0203 096 1694 or visit www.thebodyholiday.com/yachting/

THIS MONTH

18

OCTOBER 2017 Analysis & advice Cowes Week report 18 COVER STORY: All the action

from Lendy Cowes Week from the key fleets, plus we weigh up the new Triple Crown event

Fastnet flyers 26 COVER STORY: The largest ever fleet took part in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race.

James Boyd reports

32 COVER STORY: As the Volvo Dee Caffari

Ocean Race build-up continues, Dee talks with Toby Heppell about building her team

38 Louay Habib talks to Girls Fast 40+

on Film owner Peter Morton about how it is so far so good in his new CF40+

Elite success 42 Freddie Peters has become

PAUL WYETH/LENDY COWES WEEK; JEN EDNEY; PAUL WYETH/RORC; PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILING ENERGY

the youngest helm to win the White Group at Cowes Week, aged just 14

Bash 2017 46 Bart’s COVER STORY: Iain Percy looks ahead to the extraordinary sailing event that spans the globe

50 The foiling Nacra 17 is the latest Nacra 17 update

iteration in this Olympic class.

Ben Saxton explains more

to win: Starts 56 How Mark Rushall on how to handle being the windward boat in starting situations

61

Dinghy playbook COVER STORY: Our guide to starting, with Toby Heppell

Equipment & travel

Travel: Caribbean 64 Alex Thomson swaps his Hugo

32

Boss IMOCA 60 for a cruise with his family and friends

test 72 Boat The new singlehanded cat S1

38

Race is put through its paces

guide 76 Buyer’s Paints, wraps and finishes.

Rupert Holmes investigates

kit 81 New An app update, new bouyancy aids and Rooster kit reviewed

news 83 Boat Off-the-shelf IMOCA 60 and a new sportsboat

REGULARS 6

50

News

10 News Spotlight 13 Bob Fisher 14 Andi Robertson 17 Andy Rice

NEW! 84 Clubs & Classes News

88 Clubs & Classes 98 Position

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

3

EDITORIAL Editor Georgie Corlett-Pitt georgie.corlett-pitt@chelseamagazines.com Deputy Editor Toby Heppell Art Editor Claire Wood Senior Sub Editor Henry Giles Clubs & Classes Editor Paula Irish club@yachtsandyachting.co.uk

UGO FONOLIA/VOLVO OCEAN RACE

Contributors: James Boyd, Bob Fisher, Louay Habib, Rupert Holmes, Paula Irish, Sue Pelling, Iain Percy, Andy Rice, Andi Robertson, Mark Rushall, Ben Saxton, Alex Thomson Cover image: Kurt Arrigo/Rolex Fastnet Race Vittorio Biscarini’s Mylius 15e25, Ars Una ADVERTISING Jodie Green +44 (0)207 349 3722 jodie.green@chelseamagazines.com

Two-way opportunity

T

he two pinnacle events of the summer – Lendy Cowes Week and the Rolex Fastnet Race – were made all the more exciting this year by the addition of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet who were warming up on ‘Leg 0’. Many watching were of course keen to spot the pre-race favourites.

The acknowledgement from amongst the teams is that there’s still a lot of hard work and crew training to be done before the race sets sail from Alicante on 22 October. As I write this, some teams are even still in the process of finalising who is on board.

With the rule changes for this edition encouraging mixed teams and under 30s the race is to be applauded for opening up new opportunities and widening the pathway through professional sailing. That is itself is inspring. And it’s not just the up and coming sailors who can take advantage here; the teams also stand to gain from a new raft of talent and perhaps a new way of thinking from the newcomers - many of who are fresh from Olympic and America’s Cup groundings - as they step up alongside the old guard; more on this next month.

Skippers like Dee Caffari – see our interview on page 32 – who embrace this opportunity are likely to be the ones who get the most from their teams in the long term.

See us on Facebook.com/sailingmagazine

There are important lessons here for any skipper or team interested in progressing their own sailing and indeed in helping progress our sport overall in the longer term.

Looking ahead, this month sees the return of Bart’s Bash. Now into its fourth year, this phenomenal worldwide regatta continues to carry just as much momentum as ever, as Iain Percy explains on page 46. We hope to see as many Y&Y readers as possible out on the water over the weekend of 16-17 September, continuing to support this worthwhile event.

This month is also, of course, time to head to Southampton Boat Show – the Y&Y team will be there throughout the show, so make sure you pop along to stand J109 and say hello.

We’ll see you there!

Mark Harrington +44 (0)207 349 3787 mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com Hannah Stanton-Warren +44 (0)207 349 3734 hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com PUBLISHING Managing Director Paul Dobson Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross Finance Director Vicki Gavin Publisher Simon Temlett Publishing Consultant Martin Nott Marketing Manager Sophie Mazrekaj sophie.mazrekaj@chelseamagazines.com WEBSITE yachtsandyachting.co.uk Yachts & Yachting is published by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Tel: +44 (0)20 7349 3700 SMALL PRINT © The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2017.

All rights reserved. ISSN 0044-000 Printed in England by William Gibbons. Ad Production: All Points Media www.allpointsmedia.co.ukDistribution: News Trade (UK and Rest of World), Seymour International Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT. Tel: 020 7429 4000 Fax: 020 7429 4001 Email: info@seymour.co.uk No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission in writing.

Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information in Yachts & Yachting, but no responsibility can be accepted for the consequences of actions based on the advice portrayed herein. The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd makes every effort to ensure that the advertising contained in this magazine is derived from responsible sources. We cannot, however, accept responsibility for transactions between readers and advertisers. Yachts & Yachting welcomes letters.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BACK ISSUE ENQUIRIES

Georgie Corlett-Pitt, Editor

Tel: +44 (0)1795 419 843 Email: yachts@servicehelpline.co.uk Online: yachts.subscribeonline.co.uk Post: Yachts & Yachting, Subscriptions Department, 800 Guillat Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8GU Back Issues: www.chelseamagazines.com/shop

Follow us on Twitter: @YandYMagazine

WRITERS THIS MONTH INCLUDE… Ben Saxton represented GBR at the Rio Olympics in the Nacra 17, and has twice won the Endeavour Trophy for the RS200 and Merlin fleets

4

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Mark Rushall coaches at the highest levels of the sport, covering all types of racing from dinghies to round the world big boat events

Iain Percy is not only a twotime Olympic champion and America’s Cup sailor, but an Ambassador for Bart’s Bash and an ASF Trustee

Also part of the Chelsea Marine Magazines family:

For more information or to subscribe go to chelseamagazines.com THE

CHELSEA

MAGAZINE

COMPANY

LTD

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

NEWS

Leg 0 heroes Mapfre has walked away with a win in Leg 0 of the Volvo Ocean Race, which comprised a series of four varying length practise courses. The Spanish flagged entrant was the standout performer across the four courses and has cemented their position as a race favourite.

Behind Mapfre there were few surprises based on previous form and campaign build-up time - when it came to who placed where.

Dongfeng and Brunel both scored even points with Dongfeng winning out overall due to their better result in the final leg from St Malo to

Lisbon – cut short due to the wind switching off and turning the race into a slow drift. All three raced in the last edition, so their impressive performance is little surprise, though how much teams are holding back remains to be seen.

Follow the race at yachtsandyachting.co.uk

A little over a week into Leg 1 of the Clipper Round the World Race (from Liverpool, UK to Punta del Este, Uruguay), the skipper of Greenings, David Hartshorn, needing to be helicoptered from his boat to hospital due to injury. The 52-year old professional sailor was medevaced by the Portuguese Rescue Services after he fractured and partially severed his thumb. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Clipper Race Director Mark Light explains: “The incident occurred around 450 Nm off the Portuguese coast whilst David was leading a spinnaker drop in breezy conditions. Unfortunately, his left thumb became caught in one of the lines which has resulted in some serious damage.” Fortunately, the on board medic and fully trained coxswain were able give immediate assistance and take over control of the yacht, which was diverting under motor to Porto.

The 12-strong fleet left Liverpool on Sunday 20 August; the race takes amateur sailors on a 40,000nm voyage around the globe.

6

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

SHAUN ROSTER; ONEDITION/CLIPPER RACE

Clipper skipper medevaced

SAP on top at the Extreme Sailing Series, Cardiff Over 90,000 spectators turned out in Cardiff to watch Act 6 of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series over August’s Bank Holiday weekend. Racing went down to the wire with SAP Extreme Sailing Team taking victory ahead of Alinghi in a thrilling finale.

Helm Adam Minoprio said of his win: ‘It felt really good.”

The win is the Danish team’s third of the season and now sees them top the overall leaderboard. Meanwhile, Oman Air was forced to settle for third. The British Land Rover BAR Academy team struggled to find form and finished sixth overall.

Also taking place in Cardiff Bay was the 2017 Flying Phantom Series, which concluded with an overall win by Red Bull Sailing Team, from Austria.

The Extreme Sailing Series now heads to San Diego for the penultimate Act of 2017, taking place 19-22 October.

1420

IN NUMBERS

Metres of rope on each Clipper Race boat

9

Years since a 49er World Champion was not one of three teams - Martinez/ Fernandes; Outteridge/ Jensen; Burling/Tuke

126

14

Number of entries to this year’s A-Class Catamaran Worlds in Poland

SPORTOGRAPHY.TV/OC SPORT; JESUS RENEDO/SAILING ENERGY; SANDER VAN DER BORSCH

Drama at World Champs The test event for next year’s Sailing World Championship – the combined worlds event for Olympic classes run by World Sailing – has concluded in Aarhus, Denmark.

The week of racing was dominated by big breeze and waves providing a challenge for all competitors – though the final day’s medal racing saw significantly lighter weather.

The British Sailing team elected to focus on other events for the most part, so few Brits were competing in the 10 disciplines. Nonetheless, for those who did attend, there was plenty of drama, as on the eve of the medal race, the builders of the newly foiling catamaran, Nacra Sailing, advised 47 crews not to sail their Z-foiled Nacra 17’s until new daggerboard bearings were supplied, after three daggerboard breakages.

This advice was issued to all teams sailing the foiling version of the boat sparking concern the class would be not be able to stage their own World Championships in early September. But, as we go to press, Nacra Sailing has been able to produce, test and distribute replacement parts. For British Olympian, Ben Saxton’s assessment of the foiling Nacra 17 turn to page 50.

Age of the youngest skipper to win White Group at Cowes Week - see our interview on page 42

125

Years of Burnham Week, the 125th running of the regatta took place in August

8 Out of 11 classes won

by French teams in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race

THEY SAID… “It’s going to be a very cool boat; imagine coming into the finish, in a harbour in 20 knots of breeze and you are going to see this thing fully airborne, foiling, at 35 to 40 knots.”

Nick Bice, Volvo Ocean Race director sets out a clear vision of the new Volvo Ocean Race boat, which has now been designed and for which the moulds are under construction.

“In this edition you can only sail with seven but if you can bring two extra pair of hands on board that’s a no brainer... We just use the rule to the maximum for our own benefit and I have learned there is no difference to be a male or female, we are all team members on the same level.”

Bouwe Bekking on the selection of Annie Lush, the first of two female team members for Brunel in the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race.

“I so badly wanted to prove that I was worth my Olympic title, and to do it in my home country, to show our sport, to show myself, for the nation… It’s just an incredible feeling.”

Marit Boumeester celebrates her victory at the Laser Radial World Championship in Medemblik, Netherlands.

“It’s going to be awesome racing against Tukey. We have huge respect for each other’s skill and talent and we are each other’s biggest supporters. We are both in a position to gain amazing experience to bring to our future sailing goals. I look forward to sharing a few stories and beers with him in port.”

Peter Burling prepares to take on his 49er crew and America’s Cup team mate, Blair Tuke in the Volvo Ocean Race after they both signed for different teams - Burling for Brunel, and Tuke for Mapfre.

“I think he might have the offshore bug - apart from the freeze-dried food...

And the lack of sleep... And the cold...”

Concise 10’s Ned Collier-Wakefield seems hesitant about Olympian Giles Scott’s apparent new-found passion for offshore racing.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

7

Ô IN BRIEF Middle Sea building

Moved The Round the Island Race in association with Cloudy Bay has changed dates and will now take place on 7 July 2018 to avoid a clash with the Isle of Wight Festival.

Partnered Kingfisher Yacht Ropes has announced a partnership with the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra Class Associations, offering discounts and bespoke product development.

Hamble The first ever Spinlock IRC Autumn Championships to be run in the Solent will be held 30 September to 1 October by Hamble River Sailing Club, with five races. Entries are open.

Keelboats The British Keelboat League final will take place in Cowes from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 September, with a plan to have 24 teams completing 48 races over the two and a half days.

8

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Boat Show ticket offer Preparations for the 49th annual TheYachtMarket. com Southampton Boat Show, which takes place on the waterfront of the famous maritime city from 15-25 September, are well underway.

The much-loved show is britain’s biggest festival of boating and features hundreds of boats lined up along Europe’s largest purpose-built marina.

The Yachts & Yachting team will be there too, so make sure you pop past the stand (J109) to say hello, pick up a free copy of Y&Y and take advantage of our special show subscription offers.

Those of you who have yet to purchase your tickets can take advantage of our special Yachts & Yachting ticket offer, which provides a £15 discount on the usual gate admission fee. To claim your discount, simply enter code YAY17 when prompted during the online booking process at: southamptonboatshow.com.

Polish solitaire sailor, Szymon Kuczyński, set off from Plymouth on 15 August 2017 hoping to set a new record for achieving the solo non-stop lap of the planet in the shortest ever boat. This will be his second circumnavigation, though previously with stops, and he will once again be sailing his Atlantic Puffin, a 6 meter Maxus 22.

The boat is normally used for inshore racing and has required significant alteration to be ready for the ocean. The hull and rigging have been strengthened and the interior of the yacht has been limited to just the essentials. The cabin can be hermetically closed, and the hull can still float even if completely full of water. Most of the changes made in the Puffin were based on Mini class used in the Mini Transat.

Szymon is aiming to complete the classic route south of the Great Capes in 9-11 months.

GREAT READING BIGGER AND BETTER Extra pages, more boats, more destinations

This month our sister magazine, Classic Boat goes sailing on The Who’s Pete Townsend’s yacht, examines the historical accuracy of blockbuster, Dunkirk and tests out the Marlin 23 Herreshoff trailer-sailor. Meanwhile, Sailing Today’s East Coast special brings you all you need to know about cruising up the beautiful coast. Plus they get to grips with rafting up and take a look at navigation apps.

OCTOBER 2017 | sailingtoday.co.uk | £4.50

FREE Boat Show tickets to give away HOME WATERS

East coast special

OFFICIA L MEDIA PARTNE R

Deep draft on the Thames Estuary Gull's Eye guide to Fambridge Yacht Haven ON TEST

Contest 67

Luxury bluewater cruiser

Black Pepper Elegance, speed and practicality

SEAMANSHIP

Rafting up

Stay tangle free with our essential guide

INTERVIEW

SOUTHERLY YACHTS

BUYER'S GUIDE

Navigation apps

Sean Langdon on the resurgence of an iconic brand NORWAY

Intrepid vicar Bob Shepton sails north

SONAR

How you can help chart the oceans

COVER_OCT.indd 1

We find the right one for you

TOM CUNLIFFE

Beating the odds to make it back to the pub

NEW GEAR

All the new kit at the boat show reviewed 15/08/2017 15:56

Classic Boat OCTOBER 2017

30YEARS 1987-2017

T H E W O R L D’ S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S 350th/30 year logo.indd 6

19/12/2016 11:45

The Who

Pete Townshend’s ‘wind-driven locomotive’

DUNKIRK What the film got right OLD IS GOLD!

Classic wins Cowes Week DAVID BOYD

COWES CLASSICS 170 small boats go racing

His unknown influence on Fife MODERN CLASSIC

Herreshoff in GRP CB352 Cover Standard.indd 1

PRACTICAL

Scribing a boot-top

BAILLI DE SUFFREN

Med’s greatest race

www.classicboat.co.uk

22/08/2017 14:29

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

KURT ARRIGO/ROLEX; SPORTOGRAPHY/BART’S BASH; PAWEL MOTAWA; ONEDITION

Reunited Danish-based sail manufacturer, Elvstrøm Sails AS has acquired French sibling Elvstrøm Sails Sarl in a move to bring the company’s disparate parts closer together after 50 years of separation.

Puffin record attempt

£4.95

Tickets Tickets for the RYA Dinghy Show will go on sale in October, be sure to pick yours up early! See yachtsandyachting.co.uk for details

Each year, more and more crews have been taking on the event in recognition of its challenging nature, particularly weatherbased routing.

Past experience suggests the number of entrants is set to rise significantly before registration closes on 6 October and the organisers say they believe the final entry list may surpass the record of 124 starters set in 2014.

i

Bash At Lendy Cowes Week Charity Day all competitors were automatically entered in to the inaugural ‘Cowes Bash’. The overall winner - calculated using the Bart’s Bash results system - was Roger Bowden’s King 40, Nifty; read our full Cowes Week report on page 18.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race looks to be in the ascendancy as middle-long distance races gain popularity.

With a little under two months until the start of the 38th edition on 21 October, 53 yachts from 20 countries have already entered.

The race is often referred to as taking place at the ‘crossroads of the Mediterranean’ due to its geographical location; and the course is undeniably scenic.

Main image by Patrick Bennett @ Uncommon Caribbean

INTELLIGENT YACHT OWNERSHIP

15-24 September 2017 Southampton Boat Show Visit us on stand J057B

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, SAIL WHERE YOU WANT AND OWN WITH THE BEST. Join Sunsail Yacht Ownership today and discover some of the best sailing grounds worldwide. Choose to receive a monthly guaranteed income or pay a significantly reduced purchase price and we’ll take care of the all the management, operating costs, marina fees, and maintenance. Our dedicated owner care team will assist you throughout the programme with all your ownership needs.

OWN WITH CONFIDENCE +44 (0)23 9222 2225 YACHTSALES@SUNSAIL.COM WWW.SUNSAILYACHTOWNERSHIP.CO.UK

OWNERSHIP

LIONHEARTED

T

he first-ever J-Class World Championship has been contested in Newport, Rhode Island. Appropriately for a class so summarily tied to the America’s Cup, the location is where the legendary Ranger cleaned up 4-0 in 1937, which was the last time J-Class yachts raced for the Auld Mug. Displaying solid consistency across all seven races sailed by the six boat championship fleet, Lionheart, steered

10

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

by Dutch owner Harold Goddijn, won the world title by three clear points.

Throughout the week, the Lionheart team displayed impressive skill, but it was its conservatism that perhaps won them the regatta along with a well-drilled close-knit crew, which has mostly been together since 2011. It is telling that the team won only a single race over the course of the week but had no results outside the top three.

It was this consistency that saw

Above Slick crew work on board Lionheart Right Jim Clark’s Hanuman had to settle for second

them eclipse the highly fancied Hanuman, skippered by North Sails’ Ken Read for owner, Jim Clark, which returned to J-Class racing only this season after a three-year hiatus.

Over recent years the Palma, Mallorca-based Lionheart has probably sailed at more regattas than her rivals, J-Class or otherwise, in the pursuit of improvement, training and optimisation.

“It is a special title, one for the owner who gives us so much confidence in

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

IMAGES: ONNE VAN DER WAL/J-CLASS ASSOCIATION

Consistency was the key for Lionheart as the J-Class took on its first ever World Championship in Newport, Rhode Island

NEWS SPOTLIGHT

J-CLASS WORLDS

We always started cleanly and we always, except in one race, could sail our own course... We keep it simple tactician Bekking smiled: “I said before the championship that if we could finish top three in every race we would most likely win and it has worked out. We always started clean and we always – except in one race – could sail our own course. I think we did a nice job of letting the boat work for us and letting our excellent crewwork prevail. We just keep it simple.

“We made the boat a little heavier after Bermuda [J-Class Regatta during the America’s Cup in June], a little too heavy, maybe, but we were expecting stronger sea breezes. We were a little sticky downwind. All in all we were going just nice. One of the key points is that Harold, the owner, has come such a long way, even this season, we have made steps. Everybody has their responsibilities, their own jobs to do and there are no rock stars, no prima donnas. We just believe in each other.

That may be a little bit the Dutch style but mostly it comes from our owners, that is the way they like it.”

Lionheart’s victory also meant that

it won the Terry Kohler Trophy, as the 2017 J-Class season champions.

The recently introduced trophy goes to the winner of a series comprising St Barth’s Bucket, the America’s Cup J-Class Regatta and this first-ever J-Class World Championship. “We started out five years ago, a little bit low key and the owner said ‘I want to race and I don’t want to make a fool of myself ’. Five years later this is the result,” said Bekking.

Appropriately enough, given her history in Newport, Ranger completed the world championship podium after a close match with the newer Topaz, throughout the week and in the final race, with both teams vying for third.

“Going into today we were fighting for third and today it was a bit sticky for us, but we have a great team and we are sailing the boat well. Murray Jones did a great job with Matty Mitchell on the bow in getting us off the startline,” said Ranger’s skipper-helm Erle Williams.

The World Championship concluded with the prize-giving at the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court.

ourselves and who gives us carte blanche in how we set the boat up and how we sail. It is great for him now that he lifts the trophy today,” enthused tactician, Bouwe Bekking – who will now head back to Europe to rejoin his Team Brunel Volvo Ocean Race programme where he will compete for the eighth time.

Serving as the antithesis of Lionheart, Hanuman won three races from seven, but a fifth place on Thursday and a sixth on Friday sealed their position on the second step of the podium.

“Congratulations to Lionheart, they sailed better than us this week. We left too many points out there on the racecourse,” commented Ken Read. “We are ticked off about that.

At the end of the day winners win and Lionheart did a good job.”

Of their world title winning conservative philosophy Lionheart’s

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

11

At Hyde Sails we understand what it takes to get you to the front of the fleet.

With many years of expertise in a wide range of classes, we make sails to suit you.

Many of our team compete regularly and use this on-the-water knowledge to continually develop our sails to get you results.

Choose Hyde Sails – get class results!

CONTACT US NOW One Design Sales & Accessories: Jack Grogan tel: 07525 178 908 email: jackgrogan@hydesails.co.uk UK Sales: Wooderz tel: 07764 933 894 email: wooderz@hydesails.co.uk Own Label Sales: Luke Yeates tel: 07703 831 859 email: luke.yeates@hydesails.co.uk Sales Consultant: Mark Wilkinson tel: 07801 574 270 email: markwilkinson@hydesails.co.uk

WWW.HYDESAILS.CO.UK

MAKING SAILS THE WAY YOU WANT

e

st. 965 1

Bob Fisher OPINION

It would be hard to top the biennial Cowes Week - Fastnet Race combo, that is unless the Admiral’s Cup returns. And The Fish is all for bringing it back

PAUL WYETH/COWES WEEK

T

here was something missing about Lendy Cowes Week and for most of the week I could not identify exactly what until I briefly met Tony Higham (past Admiral’s Cup and Whitbread Race winner). He reminded me what was missing from an otherwise perfect week’s regatta. It lacked the jewel in the crown that has been missing for some years – the Admiral’s Cup. What was once known as the unofficial world championship of offshore racing, was last held in Cowes in 1999, when it comprised racing for three-boat teams over the Channel Race, two inshore races in Cowes Week, and the Fastnet Race.

It was a magnet for teams from USA, Australasia, and Europe, and would be still today, if the arguments over which classes should compete could be settled along with sponsorship clashes.

The latter has to be resolved because of the valuable sponsorship of the Fastnet Race by Rolex. I cast my mind back to when an offer to sponsor the series came from another quality watchmaking company, Corum, but this had to be rejected even if it did produce an ‘Admiral’s Cup’ watch and sponsored races within the series. That, minor clash, was not seen as a conflict by the organisers.

Today the sponsorship of sailing events has diversified to companies and organisations that no one would have given a second thought – motor manufacturers among them. It is no longer solely the province of the finance companies and the luxury goods manufacturers, even the supermarket chains are knocking on the door. Maybe Champagne Mumm should be asked if it would like to take it on again.

The Australians have already indicated their interest – in Sydney a 50th anniversary regatta is planned and according to my contact, Peter Shipway, is creating considerable interest. They are hoping to have as many of the yachts that took part in their trials competing, but as he admits there are many that have disappeared or are undergoing

The big boat class must be relatively free with foils allowed, as one must look to the future major refits. But at least they are making deliberate efforts to celebrate the event that Australian sailors enjoyed. Maybe we should follow suit, but in a more practical manner by organising an Admiral’s Cup event in 2019, when the Rolex Fastnet Race will next be held.

Back in 1981, when RORC threatened to pull the Cup away from Cowes (which was beginning to be regarded as ‘dirty’), one of the Cowes Harbour Commissioners stated succinctly that it could be “a catastrophe for local traders”. The RORC threat however resulted in a major improvement in the facilities available afloat and ashore for the competitors.

The Admiral’s Cup had clout.

It should still have that aura about it. But it should be kept simple, at least for the re-start. Just four races – the Channel Race to kick it off; two inshore races in Cowes Week – the Britannia Cup on Tuesday and the New York Yacht Club Cup on Thursday; and finish with the Fastnet. If later it is seen to lack races, these can be added in the week before the Channel Race.

And which boats are to be used is a problem for the organisers, but they must look at the success of the recent IRC World Championship for a rating formula that works. The Fast 40+ class has disqualified itself with its top wind speed restriction. Perhaps a

Above Class debate: the TP52s could step in for the Admiral’s Cup one design classes of the past

One of the biggest names in yachting journalism, Bob Fisher has a passion and depth of knowledge that’s second to none

class of TP52s with no rating allowance could ape the one-design classes of the past, but the big boat class must be relatively free with foils allowed (the IRC can rate these), as one must look to the future for development.

Boats therefore are not a problem; it is simply up to the organisers to make the choice (with the wisdom of Solomon). Discussions with teams from other countries might be revealing, but there are just two years before the next Admiral’s Cup should take place. That is not a lot of time, but by the end of the year, it should be possible – electronic communication is fast. It needs, however, for the Commodore of the RORC to give it his approval and for the staff to beaver away at those ‘in charge’ of other countries’ offshore sailors.

There is certainty of a “yes” from Australia and I would imagine the USA will not be far behind. Then just think of the areas of activity in Europe – Italy and France are certainties while Spain and Germany will not be far behind. My bet is that New Zealand, whose sailors are still on a high from the America’s Cup, will be among the countries entered. So too will Holland and Ireland find the challenge too hard to refuse.

Admiral’s Cup 2019 would have something for everyone – sailors, sponsors and even spectators. What is there to stop it being a success?

September 2017 Yachts & Yachting

13

Andi Robertson YACHTS

As the Mini Transat class embraces full foiling capabilities, next month’s pinnacle event promises a thrilling showdown between the top sailor and the top design

A

14

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Lipinski is bidding to become the first sailor to win the Mini Transat in both the Series and the Proto sailor to win the Mini Transat in both the Series and the Proto classes. In 2013 his dream was thwarted when he capsized off Portugal when leading. The following winter he was offered the chance to participate for the Prepa Nautic yard on the first Ofcet 6,50, designed by Etienne Bertrand. With this boat he won the first stage into Lanzarote and the overall Series ranking. After that the French company Griffon came on board and his current boat 865 is designed by David Raison. With this boat he won seven out of seven races last year including the Les Sables-Azores-Les Sables race.

The jury is still out on foils in the Mini class, the now ‘conventional’ scow shape such as Lipinski’s seems to deliver a more all-round performance across the wind range, upwind as well as downwind – compared with the likes of Simon Koster’s Eight Cube and Quentin Vlaminyck’s Arkema Mini.

The Arkema Mini is the most radical of foilers, so far finishing second in the Pornichet and third in the Marie Agnès Péron race. Eight Cube was designed before the Mini rule was relaxed to allow foils to extend beyond the 3m max beam measurement, but the Arkema boat – designed by Verdier collaborator Romaric Neyhousser, one of those behind the Emirates Team New Zealand foiling systems – was finalised last winter with outward facing foils.

Above Ian Lipinski in his David Raison designed Mini with the scow shaped bow, now commonplace

Few people can match Andi Robertson’s insight into the big boat world, both in the UK and globally

Arkema’s rounded stem is similar to Lipinski’s 865, but the foils tilt fore and aft, the keel cants, the rig has a soft two element wing shape (solid wings are not permitted), the forestay is adjustable and the bowsprit articulates. So far the Arkema Mini has maxed out at over 20 knots, on the foils, but Vlaminyck has yet to get the most from it. It is very much optimised for the fast downwind trade winds of the Mini Transat and I’d still put a few euros on this Arkema combo halting Lipinski’s whitewash.

Meanwhile, from Mini to Maxi 72.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Maxi 72 class race for the world title in Porto Cervo at the Rolex Maxi Worlds, in early September. Honours seem to be very even after Momo prevailed at the Copa del Rey Mapfre; the new Cannonball, the only Botin designed Maxi 72 in the fleet, won PalmaVela; Proteus won the breezy Corfu Challenge; while most consider Bella Mente the best allrounder. Owner-driver Hap Fauth was not in Palma and it took Alex Roepers, Farr 40 World Champion owner-driver, a couple of races to settle in to his first experience of helming the Maxi 72.

Just as with the Minis where one event, the Mini Transat, is everything, in the Maxi 72 the only event the teams talk about and optimise for is the Maxi Worlds - and that certainly means the pressure is on.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI

s Mini class champion in 2016 and 2015, it is hard to look past the indomitable Ian Lipinski when searching for a favourite for this year’s Mini Transat race, which leaves for Martinique from La Rochelle, France, via Gran Canaria, on 1 October. Sailing his 2014 David Raison design, Lipinski won the Mini Championship last year, which was decided across three events - the La Pornichet Sélect, the Trophée Marie Agnès Péron and the Les Sables-AzoresLes Sables races. Already this year Lipinski has won the Pornichet Sélect, Marie Agnès Péron and the two handed Mini Fastnet with designer David Raison, more recently adding overall victory in the two stage Transgascogne Race across the Bay of Biscay.

The second leg of the Transgascogne between Avilés and les Sables d’Olonne was almost completely sailed upwind and while tactics came into play, it was a particularly exhausting race. There were no big surprises, but it was very close at the finish with victory going to Lipinski (865 - Griffon.fr) in the prototypes. Kéni Piperol (788 – Région Guadeloupe) and Simon Koster (888 - Eight Cube Mojo) were only seven minuutes or so behind although they had taken the opposite option with 90 miles separating them from Lipinski at one point.

Lipinski’s easterly option paid off and he achieved another victory, his fifteenth in a row since 2015 and his second in the Transgascogne, which he also won in 2015 on a production boat.

After finishing Lipinski said: “Early on, I thought I’d stick with the others, but I saw they were way off my routing, so I took the decision to go my own way, I had a lot of doubts about it. The wind didn’t come around to the east as expected, so I was to leeward and I thought it was over for me. I said I’d try to keep first overall. In the end, I won the leg, which was great; another win, which is always pleasing. This was a great way to prepare before the Mini Transat.”

Lipinski is bidding to become the first

S vis O it B UT us S OA HA a E M tt P T S T P h E H T e M O O B W N E R 2 0 1 7 1 5 -2 4

MAKE YOUR KITBAG WORK HARDER! Our layering system is designed to provide a range of flexible options while complimenting your existing kit bag, making it work harder for you, whatever the weather. In particular, our AquafleeceÂŽ has revolutionised the traditional spray top and has won much acclaim for its versatility and warmth. View the full range online at www.roostersailing.com

visit us online at ROOSTERSAILING.COM or call 01243 389997

A LEGEND IS REBORN 29 · 32 · NEW 34 · 38 · 42 · 46

rfo Pe st Be

hle De

er

ruis

C ce

an

rm

2017

r3

4

NEW

THE SAILING WORLD HAS ITS LEGEND BACK! 30 years ago, world champion yachts served as the inspiration for the first real performance cruiser: the legendary Dehler 34. She now returns – as ground-breaking and distinctive as its predecessor. She comes with a carbon-reinforced hull, an innovative space concept and a superior sailing performance, which can be enhanced by a carbon rig, competition keel, and many more upgrades.

Inspiration Marine Group Ltd. Southampton / Scotland / Windermere · Phone: +44-2380 457 008 · contact.us@dehler.co.uk

SEE THE DEHLER 42 AND DEHLER 34 AT SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW 15TH - 24TH OF SEPTEMBER 2017

dehler.com

Andy Rice DINGHIES

This month has seen the updated Nacra 17 foil straight into hot water. The boat itself may be a sensation - but the concept and construction are raising questions

PEDRO MARTINEZ/ SAILING ENERGY

T

he recent product recall of the foiling Nacra 17 just weeks after the relaunch of the Olympic catamaran is a worrying sign that the sailors campaigning for Tokyo 2020 could be in for an expensive three years in the build-up to the Games.

Twelve months ago at the medal winners’ press conference in Rio 2016, I asked the Nacra medallists what they thought about the prospect of going full foiling at the next Games. The newly crowned gold medallist Santiago Lange predicted that converting the Nacra 17 to a full hydrofoiler would be a “disaster” for the sailors already in the class.

The first four years of the Nacra 17 had not gone well; with many components of the boat simply not robust enough for the job, it proved expensive for the sailors, amidst allegations of cheating. There are worrying signs that Lange’s fears could be coming true, just when the class might have had a chance to settle down into some kind of stability.

Another question is whether or not the full-foiling version of the Nacra will prove sufficiently seaworthy for most regatta venues, bearing in mind the semi-foiling version was already struggling with lumpy conditions.

Historical weather data for the regatta venue for Tokyo 2020 suggests that it is likely to be windy with a large swell.

Are the foilers going to handle bigwave, high-wind conditions? I’m not sure what evidence exists to suggest they can. This could put the race officer under severe pressure. Caught between the commercial obligation to deliver racing for TV schedules at the Games (a major revenue stream for World Sailing) on one side, and on the other the risks of sending sailors out to sea in conditions that might require more than a crash helmet and body armour to keep them safe, the race officer could find himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Back to the measurement issue of single manufacturer one-designs like the Nacra 17, and there is a much

Lange predicted that converting the Nacra 17 to a full hydrofoiler would be a “disaster” wider problem to address. I had a chat recently in Sweden at the RC44 World Championship when Iain Percy showed up for a flying visit. Iain used to give me a hard time for being so critical of the outrageous costs of running a Star campaign when he said there were bigger problems to address in single manufacturer onedesigns (SMODs) like the 49er during the build-up to London 2012.

Iain had some valid points, which came home to roost at the Weymouth regatta. There was controversy around the equipment used by the Australian team to win the 49er gold medal, which I wrote about at the time. Hopefully those problems are behind the 49er class now, but the bigger issue exists that not all SMOD equipment is built equal. At least, not to the exacting standards required

by Olympic competitors. It might be sufficiently equal for weekend racers where the standard is not so exacting, but Olympic-level sailors can detect the smallest difference in performance between one piece of kit and another, and they’re prepared to go to great lengths to find what they’re looking for.

Iain Percy says: “Most of the top 49er sailors test multiple sails and masts to find the right combination. When you’ve got to go through that much kit to find the one bit of equipment that’s good enough, you can’t tell me that

Above Crash and burn action at the recent Nacra 17 Euros, the first full-foiling event

Musto Skiff sailor Andy Rice has unparalleled knowledge of the dinghy sailing scene, from grassroots to Olympic level

campaigning these boats is cheaper.”

Iain acknowledges that the SMOD approach works well for low-tech boats like the Laser where slight variations in tolerance don’t matter so much.

“But it has to be provided equipment too, like it is for the Laser and the RS-X boards,” he says. “If you expect people to bring their own boats, like the 49er and the Nacra 17, they will push the rules to the limit.” Iain also points out that in high-tech boats like foiling Moths or cats, a millimetre of variation can be worth hundreds of metres on the race course. For those boats, he believes the only way is for a class to have a measurement rule, and for sailors to develop and supply their own equipment.

I used to be a fan of the simplicity of SMODs, and still am for the vast majority of racing. But at Olympic level it creates problems. The Finns and 470s are no longer the sexiest boats, but with their model of having a rule with small tolerances and a choice of licensed builders, the sailors can push the edges of development - as they always will - within legal boundaries.

As a result the technology edge in these older classes is in many cases smaller than in the pure one-designs, and that’s not how it should be.

For more on Nacra 17s see Ben Saxton’s account on page 50.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

17

T

his year’s Lendy Cowes Week will be remembered for big winds, bright sun, broken records, plus a new sponsor in peer-to-peer construction industry financier Lendy.

A number of changes and new initiatives for the week included the Sevenstar Triple Crown, which saw extreme action on the water and a new Around Isle of Wight speed record. There

was also a new official sailing charity, the Andrew Simpson Foundation.

It was predominately a week of big winds – little racing took place in less than 10 knots and several days saw gusts above 20 knots in bright sun and a classic southwesterly breeze.

Damp conditions, accompanied by a shut down of wind on the opening day were therefore largely forgotten.

Monday was the official Charity Day,

with a focus on activities organised both afloat and ashore by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. An overall winner for the day – Nifty, a King 40 in IRC Class 1 and skippered by Sam Cox – was calculated from the winners of the 36 classes competing using the Bart’s Bash results system. The day finished with Mark Covell hosting the Foundation’s ‘Big Bash’ party on the main stage in Cowes Yacht Haven; a

XXXX

COWES WEEK 2017 18

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

REPORT

COWES WEEK

COWES WEEK/PAUL WYETH

The new Triple Crown saw extreme action on the water and a new Around the Island speed record

XXXX

REVIEW

RUPERT HOLMES rounds up as

records topple in the Solent

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

19

COWES WEEK

REPORT

gusts over 40 knots and one of 48 knots in the area off Norris. The sun was back within 10 minutes and the delay to the starting sequence was minimal, although the squall produced yet more work for local sailmakers and riggers.

As ever, there were a number of notable celebrities both on the water and in town, ranging from America’s Cup sailors Nick Hutton, David ‘Freddie’ Carr and Matt Cornwell racing on Tony Langley’s TP52 Gladiator, to HRH the Princess Royal, who started the first race on Tuesday, plus TV’s Jodie Kidd and James Norton. The Sunsail Gutterboat Racing Challenge, in support of

big, wonderful party with fabulous prizes and on-stage entertainment.

The ebb tide for the early starts on Tuesday created an issue for the J/70 fleet on its first downwind leg, where a large group of the front runners, who were trying to stay in the favourable tidal eddy close inshore, sailed through the Daring fleet’s startline and were all disqualified.

Wednesday was another breezy day in which gusts reached over 25 knots and crews invariably came ashore soaking wet, but grinning from ear to ear. Thursday was the only day in which a significant number of classes didn’t

Above The Squib class hopes to beat the XODs next year as the largest fleet Below Breezy XOD action from day three

race – only the three classes competing in the Triple Crown were sent out thanks to gusts of well over 30 knots. Friday saw a return to more settled conditions, with continued sun and another westsouthwesterly breeze of 15-22 knots.

The final Saturday carried a low risk of shower activity, but by the time of the Redwing’s start at 1215, a powerful squall line could also be seen working its way up the western Solent. While none of the central Solent weather stations sampled winds over 25 knots, boats in the area, including Ian Miller’s Sun Fast 32 Dabra in IRC Class 6, saw multiple

A tantalisingly close race, with 18 boats crossing the line in less than 100 seconds

20

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

The Sevenstar Triple Crown was deemed a resounding success by owners, crews and organisers. This comprised three days of competition (Tuesday to Thursday) for IRC Class 0, along with Ludde Ingvall and Sir Michael Hintze’s 100ft DSS foiling supermaxi CQS, the Volvo 60 Team Jolokia and the entire fleet from the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race. The first day saw the biggest boats complete a 43 mile race, with a shorter 30 mile course for IRC Class 0. Tony Langley’s Gladiator won IRC 0 ahead of Igor Yakunin’s Ker 46 Lady Mariposa R, and Christian Zugel’s Mat 1180 Tschuss.

The next day was a race around the island in spirited conditions comprising 40 knots against tide conditions on the south side. CQS had sail damage at the Needles, which foiled her hopes. But the Volvo Ocean 65 Mapfre shot round in 3 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds, slashing 6 minutes 58 seconds off the outright monohull record set by Mike Slade’s Leopard in 2013, and beating the record for a monohull without powered winches by 36 minutes. In IRC 0 Gladiator retired with gear damage, the only time she failed to take the winner’s gun all week, leaving it for Lady Mariposa R to win the three day series. With it Yakunin won some of the most prestigious trophies in yachting, including the Duke of Edinburgh Triple Crown Trophy, the Royal Yacht Squadron’s King’s Cup 1920 and the Sevenstar Triple Crown Trophy.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

IMAGES: COWES WEEK/PAUL WYETH; RICK TOMLINSON

SEVENSTAR TRIPLE CROWN

Gladiator, TP52, winner in IRC Class 0

Alegria in the foreground in IRC Class 2

XXXX

Mapfre and Brunel during Day 4 Triple Crown Race around the Isle of Wight

Mapfre on the way to a new around the island record

REPORT

the Andrew Simpson Foundation, also attracted big sporting names including Sir Keith Mills, Olympic gold medallists Hannah Mills, Saskia Clark and Iain Percy, along with rugby legends Phil Vickery and Ollie Phillips.

WHITE GROUP HIGHLIGHTS The smaller dayboat fleets this year consisted of 15 one-design dayboat classes, plus an IRC rated Sportsboat division with entries ranging from a 707 to four Farr 280s. There were upsets at the top of a number of classes that have had consistent overall

22

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Above Racing under a rebranded Lendy Cowes Week 2017 Below Sunshine, Malcom Roberts’ 9m Ker, took third in the Sportsboat fleet

winners for a number of years.

Racing all week was extremely tight in the Dragon class, with four different race winners and half the 14-strong fleet scoring at least one podium result and three boats in contention for an overall class win. The final race saw places two to six separated by only 27 seconds, with past multiple overall winner Graham Bailey’s Aimee in fifth. Despite winning four races, a retirement on Sunday meant he also had to count a disappointing ninth place on the opening day. Oliver Morgan’s Christianna won the final race, lifting him into first overall, one point

ahead of Aimee, with Martin Payne’s Full Speed one point behind in third overall.

In the 21-strong Daring fleet John Corby’s Doublet won with a day to spare, knocking past overall White Group and Cowes Week winner Giles Peckham’s Dauntless into second overall.

In the XOD class John Tremlett’s Lass went into the last race as overall leader 14 points ahead of Simon Russell’s Swallow.

However, Tremlett’s discarded 18th place from his result on the opening day left his overall lead in this big fleet vulnerable to a lacklustre result in the final race.

This was a tantalisingly close race, with the first 18 boats crossing the line in less than 100 seconds. Rory, Amanda and Stuart Paton’s XL, successfully port tacked the fleet at the start and went on to finish first, five seconds ahead of Roger Yeoman and Mike Moss’ Xcitation, with Paul Woodman’s Ibex third two seconds later. Tremlett finished seventh, sealing yet another overall win, ahead of Swallow and Ibex, while James Meaning’s Gleam took fourth overall.

Rob Elliot’s Bonne Vivant won the Etchells class with a day to spare, two points ahead of Shaun and Emily Frohlich’s Exabyte. Rob Tyrwhitt-Drake’s Desperate was eight points further back in third overall. However, this vignette belies just how tight the racing was through the week. Throughout Wednesday’s windy race for instance, there was much place changing and, despite Elliot extending to a good lead mid race, he, Frohlich and Tom Abrey’s Jolly Roger all finished within 27 seconds.

A minute later Murray Chapples’ Silver Lining and Desperate finished within just a second of each other.

The Italian team on Piero Panccia’s IRC optimised Farr 280 Adriatica dominated the leader board of the Sportsboat fleet, winning with a day to spare. David and Kirsty Apthorp’s J/88 J-Dream took second place overall, ahead of Malcolm Roberts’ modified nine-metre Ker, Sunshine. Georgina Hill’s Hunter 707 Strom Crew won the opening and final races, but a string of mid fleet results in the middle of the regatta dragged her down to ninth overall.

Although the Squib class has strong local fleets, notably at the Royal Victoria YC on the Isle of Wight, the podium places were shared among competitors from around the country. Steve WarrenSmith’s Aquabat won six races to win with eight points. David Wines and Keith Davies’ Plymouth based White Magic and east coast based Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey’s Lady Penelope, finished

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

COWES WEEK/PAUL WYETH

COWES WEEK

REPORT

the week tied on 16 points, with the tie break resolved in favour of White Magic thanks to a race win on Wednesday.

The class, traditionally among the largest at Cowes Week, is planning to have its national championships next year in Cowes and hopes to get enough boats to Lendy Cowes Week to knock the XOD fleet off its long-held perch as the largest at the regatta.

SB20s and J/70s again had an eightrace short series over the first four days of the regatta, with both classes attracting more than 30 boats. John Pollard’s Xcellent won the SB20 Grand Slam, counting only podium results, with Elliot Noye’s Porco Rosso second and Michael Cooper’s Export Roo

Gwaihir was overall winner, counting only four points, ahead of Anthony Lunch’s Solitude and Charles Fisher and Richard Thompson’s Migrant.

In the Sonar class two boats – Alistair Barter’s Bertie and Andy Cassell’s Jenny – scored only podium results all week.

Barter was overall winner, by a margin of seven points, with Barry Byham’s Dolphin third. Malcolm Stewart’s Isabel won the Victory class with an almost perfect score of first places, other than a second in the opening race.

Team Scammell’s Zinnia was second overall and Geoff Dixon’s Zelia third.

Roger Wickens’ Sunbeam Danny won the series overall five points ahead of Becky Wickens and Oliver Gilchrist’s

Above XODs finishing off the Royal Yacht Squadron

INGRID ABERY

Isabel won the Victory class with an almost perfect score of first places – just one second third. Noye went on to become overall winner at the end of the week, ahead of Richard Powell’s Marvel and Hussain Al Jabri’s Oman Sail 3. Paul Childs’ F’in Magic 2 won the J/70 series, ahead of Ali Hall’s Sceptre and Jack Davies’ Yeti, the latter going on to win the class overall at the end of the week.

The organisers are always happy to accommodate requests from classes wherever possible. This year, although the Swallow fleet raced on all eight days, only the races from Sunday to Friday counted for their series. Mike Wigmore’s

Sky, which finished tied on points with Stewart Reed’s Firefly. Christina Moncur’s Ffoenix won the Flying 15 class ahead of Tony Beddingfield’s Durban Fflyer. Charles Apthorp’s Foof and Sam Chan’s Freefire20 both tied on 27 points, with Foof taking third overall thanks to a win in the final race.

Noel Dobb’s Bluebell won the Mermaid class, ahead of Hugo Mills’ Sheen and Ben Few Brown’s Cynthia.

In the 20-strong Redwing fleet Ed Nainby-Luxmoore’s young crew on Snowgoose ll, took first overall by an

COWES WEEK

impressive margin of 14 points and gained the regatta’s Under 25 trophy.

Serena and Rosie Gosling’s Gosling was second, ahead of Annie, Joe and Bel Robertson’s Red Gauntlet II. The overall winner among the White Group dayboats was 14-yearold Freddie Peters, who also won the RS Elite class, the Newcomers’ trophy and Young Skipper’s Trophy – check out our feature on page 42 for more about Freddie. The RS Elite is renowned for close racing, but Peters’ Riff Raff dominated the leader board, winning all but one race. Ossie Stewart’s More T Vicar took second overall and Colin Smith’s Shaken Not Stirred third.

BLACK GROUP HIGHLIGHTS The yachts racing in Black Group again encompassed a huge variety of entries, ranging from Jo Richards’ much modified and immaculately prepared 19ft Alacrity from 1964, through a variety of cruiser-racers spanning more than four decades of yacht design, to the Sevenstar Triple Crown fleet.

This included Tony Langley’s TP52 Gladiator and the seven Volvo Ocean 65s competing in the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race (see box out on page 20).

In addition to the eight IRC classes, three cruiser divisions represent a growing number of boats that want simpler racing and easier courses that avoid more complex manoeuvres such as gybe sets. The five further classes

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

23

REPORT

were made up of Quarter Tonners plus four one design fleets – Contessa 32s, Sigma 33s, J/109s (which still maintain a turn out of 20 boats in one-design configuration), and Sunsail Match F40s.

The Fast40+ fleet again had worldclass racing for the fleet of 12 boats, most of which are almost level rating – 10 of the boats are within four points of the 1.270 maximum rating limit. More than half the fleet scored at least one podium result, while a measure of the quality of the competition is that, had newcomer Jamie McWilliam and Matt Hanning’s Signal 8, the 11th boat overall, raced in IRC 0 she would have been close to a podium position at the end of the week. In a thrilling final race, to the Nab Tower and back, Peter Morton’s Carkeek 40 Mk4 Girls on Film finished first to win the series and the New York Yacht Club Trophy (see our interview on page 38). Sir Keith Mills’ Ker40+ Invictus took second overall, and Bas de Voogd’s Carkeek Mk3 Hitchhiker (last year’s Girls on Film) third.

The Fast40+s were just one of many IRC fleets that went to the wire in terms of the final results. The competition for the top spot in IRC 4 could barely have been tighter. David Franks’ JPK 10.10 Strait Dealer started the final day with a two point margin on both Peter and Sarah Hodgkinson’s X362 Sport Xcitable and Oliver Legrain’s Archambault 35 IBA Sailing Team. Legrain took line honours the final race by three and a

24

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

half minutes, but was nine seconds short of saving his time on Franks.

The fight for first place in the Quarter Ton class also continued to the end, with Sam Laidlaw’s Aguila taking the title one point ahead of Tony Hayward’s Blackfun. Louise Morton’s Bullit had been consistently in the top three, but retired on Wednesday and broke her mast on Friday, so finished on 24 points, one adrift of Oliver Ophaus’ Bullet, which took third overall.

Two boats dominated the top of IRC 7 – Jo Richards’ 19ft Alacrity Eeyore and Paul Dunstan’s Marieholm Folkboat Mandarin either won or took second place in every race. They were separated by only one point at the start of the final

Above Fast40+ heavyweights Zephyr and Tokoloshe (white hull) battle it out

other First 40s, Alex and Andy Moore’s Tilt, and David Rolfe’s Shadowfax.

All those who won with a day to spare were contenders for winning Black Group overall, but this title invariably goes to a boat that counts an unbroken string of first places.

In IRC 5 a second place for Harry Heijst’s Sparkman and Stephens 41 Winsome on the final day put an end to his quest for that title, even though his class win was secure the day before.

Similarly Adam Gosling’s JPK 1080 Yes! was forced to count a second place in IRC 3, dashing his hopes of retaining the overall title for the fifth year in succession.

In IRC 6 Giovanni Belgrano’s classic 38ft Laurent Giles design Whooper

All those who won with a day to spare were contenders for winning Black Group overall day, in which Richards made a perfectly timed start and went on to win by a comfortable margin, to seal his class win.

Tony Langley’s TP52 Gladiator won IRC 0 counting a straight run of race wins, which also saw him take second overall in Black Group. As well as winning the Andrew Simpson Foundation’s Cowes Bash on the Monday, Sam Cox’s King 40 Nifty won IRC 1 overall, counting only first and second places. Andrew McIrvine’s La Reponse went into the final day having won IRC 2 overall with a day to spare, ahead of two

finished the week counting a clean sweep of first places, to win his class, Black Group and take the title of Overall Lendy Cowes Week winner. It was an almost flawless performance by a team that has taken many titles this year, including the IRC Nationals. “It is something I thought we could never achieve to be honest,” said Belgrano. “When I bought the boat 17 years ago we gradually realised her potential so got into racing more and more. We have been enjoying learning more every year – it’s incredible how we keep making steps forward.”

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

PAUL WYETH/LENDY COWES WEEK

COWES WEEK

T I P

TO P

est.1986

Clean your sails and covers this winter...

WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF SAIL AND COVER CLEANING TO THE SAIL AND COVER INDUSTRY. USING THE BEST AND INNOVATIVE CLEANING AND COATING PRODUCTS Seal & glide... Nano coating spinnakers and furling sails. Makes the fabric ultra slippery and water resistant. Helping to furl tighter and fly faster. Specify this treatment for amazing results. m5... our own formulated, anti mildew and green algae limiting system keeps your sails whiter and cleaner for longer.

www.tiptopsails.co.uk Find your nearest trade partner...

South ADrift Covers

adriftcovers.co.uk Arthurs Chandlery arthurschandlery.co.uk Banks Sails banks.co.uk Batt Sails battsails.com Bond Sails bondsails.co.uk C&J Marine Ltd cjmarine.co.uk Comfort Afloat comfortafloat.co.uk Covercare Ltd covercareltd.co.uk Covercraft ltd covercraftltd.co.uk

Dell Quay Covers dellquaycovers.co.uk Doyle Sails Ltd doylesails.co.uk Elvstrom Sails UK elvstromsails.com Flew Sails flewsails.co.uk GP Sails gpsails.com GR Proclean grpro-clean.co.uk Hamble Covers hamblecoverservices .co.uk Chandlers Ltd harbour-chandlers.com Hyde Sails Service flewsails.co.uk Kemp Sails kempsails.com Lucas Sails lucas-sails.com

Mastercovers Ltd mastercoversltd.co.uk Nickys Canvasworks nickyscanvasworks.com Njosails Njosails.co.uk North Sails northsails.com OneSails South onesails.com Quay Sails quaysails.com Sail Style sailstyle.co.uk SO31 so31loft.com Shoresails shoresails.co.uk Tec Sew tecsew.com Ultimate Sails ultimatesails.co.uk

IOW Ratsey Sails

ratsey.co.uk Solentsails solentsails@cowes.uk .com Sailcare Co Ltd sailcare.co.uk

East Jeckells the Sailmakers jeckells.co.uk Lonton & Gray lontonandgray.com Northrop Sails northropsails.com Suffolk Sails suffolksails.net Wilkinson Sails wilkinsonsails.co.uk OneSails East onesails.com

Northrop Sails northropsails.com Sailmedic sailmedic.com Suffolk Sails suffolksails.net Wilkinson Sails wilkinsonsails.co.uk

West Armada Sails

armadasails.com Dart Sails dartsailsandcovers.co.uk John McKillop Sails classicsails.co.uk Penrose Sailmakers penrosesails.co.uk Moatt sails moattsails.co.uk Sailtech sailtech.co.uk

Solo solosails.com Tamar Sailmakers tamarsailmakers.co.uk Ullman Sails ullmansails.co.uk

North

Douthwaite Sails douthwaitesails.com Ecossails ecossails.co.uk Trident UK tridentuk.com OneSails East onesails.com

Scotland

Nicholsons Hughes Sails Ltd nhsails.co.uk

Saturn Sails saturnsails.co.uk Stitch it and fix it stitchitandfixit.co.uk

UK McWilliams uksailmakers.com/ ireland.html Quantum Sails www.quantumsails.ie

Ireland Downer International Wales downerint.com The Boatshed Fin Goggin North Sails Ireland ie.northsails.com Olimpic Sails olisails.ie

theboatshedwales. co.uk JKA Sailmakers Ltd jkasailmakers.co.uk

Call Today!

FASTNET

FEATURE

From superstars to amateur race teams, the largest ever fleet took part in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race.

JAMES BOYD spotlights the winners and shares stories from on board

XXXX

FASTNET FLYERS 26

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

CARLO BORLENGHI/ROLEX FASTNET RACE

XXXX

W

hat is it about coming across and destroying the British on their home waters that you enjoy about the Rolex Fastnet Race? is a question I’ve been dying to ask French competitors in the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s biennial 600 miler.

For a third consecutive occasion, our cousins from the south side of La Manche handed it to us: of the 11 class

prizes (including the Fastnet Challenge Cup for overall IRC victory), French boats claimed all - but three. This year, they didn’t win IRC Zero, which went to American Ron O’Hanley and his canting keel Cookson 50, Privateer. A French-led Chinese team also claimed the VO65 title. And, ironically, it was a usually French-dominated class which provided Britain’s lone win, Ned Collier Wakefield, Giles Scott, Paul Larsen and the crew on Tony

Lawson’s MOD70 Concise 10 winning the multihulls, both on the water and under MOCRA rating rule.

RECORD BREAKING FLEET Once again this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race attracted a record-sized fleet, with the majority in the IRC fleets, plus the ‘non-IRC’ classes, such as the multihulls, IMOCA 60s and Class40s.

Significantly the race was also the first occasion boats competing in

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

27

Race, most competitors enjoy being part of the same event as the stars that this year included luminaries of the Volvo Ocean Race to Vendée Globe skippers such as Alex Thomson, Sam Davies and Dee Caffari to several crew fresh from the America’s Cup, including Peter Burling, having a comfy and surprisingly speedy ride on the supermaxi Nikata – at 115ft, the largest boat in the fleet – while his fellow gold medal winning 49er crew Blair Tuke slummed it on the VO65 Mapfre.

Weather-wise the race did what it said on the tin. Aside from a significant right hand shift into the north that some competitors used to their advantage

Previous page The overall winner, JND 39 Lann Ael 2 Above Solent startline - a record 362 boats took part Below Rambler 88 was the first monohull to round the Rock

outbound in the Celtic Sea, winds remained generally in the prevailing west. This made for a beat down the Channel and, thanks to a shallow front located across the West Country, most competitors experienced a short lull in the wind with some forced to kedge.

When the wind filled in it was from the northwest, continuing the upwind slog all the way to the Fastnet Rock.

The outbound crossing was worst for the medium-small boats which endured 25-30 knots on the nose.

Some also found the wind going light at the Rock. However all this misery was subsequently forgotten with a high speed, ‘yeehaa’ run back to Bishop Rock and a reach into the Plymouth finish.

FIRST AROUND THE ROCK For the line honours jockeys, a shutdown at the Scilly Isles, the upwind slog to the Rock and the wind rarely exceeding 15 knots, meant that no records were broken. Nonetheless Concise 10 romped around the course, and spectacularly defied ye olde notion that ‘multihulls can’t go upwind’. The blue trimaran took 8 hours 42 minutes less to get to the Rock than George David’s larger, state of the art maxi, Rambler 88, the first monohull round, ahead of Ludde Ingvall’s radical 100ft maxi CQS, just ahead of Nikata.

Despite the Volvo Ocean Race boats

28

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

ROLEX FASTNET RACE; SHAUN ROSTER; JAMES TOMLINSON/RTP

the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race lined up, using the Rolex Fastnet Race as the second leg of ‘Leg Zero’, the official non-scoring practice prior to October’s main event. Seven of the potential eight VO65s competed.

Meanwhile the IRC fleet was impressive for its sheer scale. When registration opened its cap of 340 boats was reached in just four minutes and 24 seconds! While the combined IRC and non-IRC entry list had been close to 400 ultimately 362 boats started, 312 under IRC. This size of fleet makes the Rolex Fastnet Race the largest of the world’s classic 600 milers by a considerable margin. And like the Round the Island

FEATURE

sailing their first race, there was enough past VO65 experience on the newbie teams, such as Dee Caffari’s Turn the Tide on Plastic, that the fleet remained tight for the duration of the race. At least three boats led with the Simeon Tienpont-skippered Team AkzoNobel (sailing the only brand new VO65), ahead at the Lizard and leading around the Fastnet Rock. However the standout teams were the Xabi Fernandezskippered MAPFRE and Dongfeng Race Team, skippered again by Charles Caudrelier. These two ended up in a

Above Giles Scott was amongst the crew on Concise 10

– Yacht Club de Monaco sailed by Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi.)

Illustrating how poor the upwind performance of the new generation of foil-assisted boats is compared to those with more conventional straight boards, Paul Meilhat and Gwénolé Gahinet aboard the 2012 Vendée Globe winner SMA reached the Rock 48 minutes ahead of the first foiler, Malizia – Yacht Club de Monaco. Jean-Pierre Dick and Yann Elies on St Michel-Virbac reduced the 3 hours 4 minutes they trailed SMA at the Rock to just 1 hour

Concise 10 romped around and defied the notion that multihulls can’t go upwind neck and neck sprint into the finish line ultimately won by Dongfeng, by less than a minute. As Fernandez explained: “We were stretching away at the very end, but then a big squall came with 20+ knots. It was way too much for the sail and we had to peel and they overtook.” Ultimately all seven boats finished within 39 minutes.

In the IMOCA 60 class the top five finishing boats from the last winter’s Vendée Globe were taking part, three under new ownership (Banque Populaire is now Louis Burton’s Bureau Vallée 2; Maître CoQ is now Sam Davies/Tanguy de Lamotte’s Initiatives Coeur and Edmond de Rothschild is now Malizia

15 minutes at the finish, elevating them to second. Nonetheless the performance of SMA was exceptional, finishing in a similar time to the larger VO65s, despite being sailed doublehanded.

The Rolex Fastnet Race is a perfect length race for the Class 40s; their crews were already familiar with the course which they covered in May’s Normandy Channel Race. That race was won by Jersey’s Phil Sharp on Imerys who was Rolex Fastnet Race favourite as he leads the 2017 Class 40 championship by a considerable margin.

In the event, the race proved a three horse affair with Franco-Anglo duo

FASTNET

Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron on Campagne de France (a design by veteran offshore racer Mabire) leading at the Fastnet Rock only to be overhauled by the more powerful reaching machines, victory going to Maxime Sorel’s V and B with Imerys second.

IRC BATTLES The Class 40s finish among the upper end of IRC 1, where a tough on the water battle for the lead took place between James Neville’s HH42 Ino XXX and the beautiful Mylius 15e25 Ars Una of Italian Vittorio Bissarini. These two pulled out a massive lead on the water with Ino XXX winning, but it was Lann Ael 2, the JND 39 of Parisian Didier Gaudoux, that came out on top, the La Crouesty boat’s time correcting out to more than two and a half hours faster than the Lombard 46 Pata Negra, campaigned by Dutchman Herman de Graaf and his family.

In IRC 2 Gilles Fournier and Corinne Migraine’s J/133 Pintia managed to fend off Nick and Suzi Jones’ First 44.7, Lisa, skippered for the race by RORC Commodore Michael Boyd and present leader (for a second year) of the RORC Season’s Points Championship. These two boats led IRC 2 into Plymouth both on the water and on corrected time with the lower-rated Pintia’s time correcting out to 1 hour 13 minutes in front.

According to Boyd one decisive

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

29

FEATURE

moment came at Portland Bill. “Pintia went in and we probably should have followed her as they just managed to get through the gap. We went outside and lost quite a few miles.

However we gained them back in Lyme Bay when an awful lot of boats went in and many had to anchor.”

FRENCH DOMINATION For IRC 3 the JPK 10.80s again prevailed, repeating Géry Trentesaux’s 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race victory on Courrier Du Leon. This year Trentesaux was crewing for a friend in the Multihull class and it was the turn of two French boats to fight for IRC 3 honours. Arnaud Delamare and Eric Mordret’s Dream Pearls came out on top, winning by a mere 1 minute and 11 seconds on corrected time from Marc Alperovitch’s Timeline. This outcome might have been different had Alperovitch and his crew not spent six minutes extricating themselves from the Shingles bank as they tried to exit the Solent.

Again these two boats led on the water as well as on corrected time, leaving third to British duo, Rob Craigie and Deb Fish on the Sun Fast 3600, Bellino. Another boat to do well was the Russian 10.80, Bogatyr skippered

by Melges 20 champion, Igor Rytov.

IRC 4 was another all-French affair between two JPK 10.10s. Here Pascal and Alexis Loison aboard Night and Day won, the Cherbourg-based father and son team showed the same prowess as caused them to claim the Rolex Fastnet Race honours in 2013. Just two up, père Loisin, an orthopedic surgeon and Alexis, a successful Figaro sailor,

30

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

beat their long term fully crewed rivals aboard Noel Racine’s Foggy Dew. These two boats led at the Fastnet Rock on corrected time, not just in IRC 4, but overall across the entire IRC fleet.

Racine described how they lost out: “We were close, but we fell into a wind hole 100m from the Fastnet, stopped for two minutes and they disappeared.” Night and Day rounded 20 minutes ahead on corrected time and extended away: “A patch of light wind was coming from astern, so the boats behind had more difficulty than us, but the boats ahead were gone.”

The nearest British competition in IRC 4 was, Xara, the Swan SR 38 of Jonathan Rolls which finished fourth, three hours and 23 minutes behind Night and Day, which also cleaned up in IRC Two Handed, where there

Above Dongfeng rounds the Rock en route to VO65 victory by less than one minute

to the Scilly Isles was perfect for us – the wind angle, the size of the waves, etc.

It was windy and these boats enjoy big waves. We were doing over 20 knots - a new record for us!” Having rounded the Rock 29th overall, this latter part of the race won them back their time.

Last year when new, Lann Ael 2 put in a disappointing performance in the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup, but since then the boat has been heavily optimised with input from her navigator, Figaro veteran and sailmaker Fred Duthil.

So France cleaned up again, but the good news is that Britannia is putting up a better fight these days, even if it has yet to translate into results. In the 2013 and 2015 races it was argued that French competitors had better hardware for IRC in the bottom to mid-size range, most notably the JPK 10.10 and 10.80 which won these races overall. But since then French tech has been exported and, while the trio of 10.10s that took the IRC 4 podium were all French, in IRC 3 there were five 10.80s– two French ones (Dream Pearls and Timeline), two British (Bluenote and Sunrise), even one Russian (Bogatyr) although the two French boats still claimed honours on corrected time by almost an hour.

In addition to the British JPK 10.80s, where Stephen Hopson and Nigel King on Game On were fourth and Tom Kneen’s Sunrise 11th, the competitive British boats were Sun Fast 3600s with an especially notable performance by Rob Craigie and Deb Fish on Bellino, with Ian Hoddle and Olivier Wyatt on Game On and Ed Fishwick and Nick Cherry seventh and eighth in class respectively.

As Marc Alperovitch, the French skipper

Alperovitch and his crew spent six minutes extricating themselves from the Shingles bank were a record 58 entries. Here British boats faired better with Bellino coming home third behind Dutch two handed champions Robin Verhoef and John van der Starre aboard their new J/122e Ajeto!

CAN BRITANNIA RULE AGAIN? Ultimately it was the IRC 1 winner Didier Gaudoux’s JND 39 Lann Ael 2 that came out on top across the IRC fleet, winning the coveted Fastnet Challenge Cup. “We had a fantastic race,” said Goudoux. “We were lucky with the weather. Conditions were good for the team and the crew. From Fastnet Rock

of the JPK 10.80 Timeline and class winner from 2009, observed: “We knew even before the start it would be much more competitive than the two previous times. We knew there were ten boats capable of winning (IRC 3), including five British boats, which is not something I would have said eight years ago.”

Alperovitch also noted that of these five, all but one was doublehanded. “Bellino and Game On were sailed well and Redshift Reloaded was impressive, clean, and all doublehanded. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Bellino or Game On was sailed fully crewed.” With two years until the next race, the potential is there.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

SHAUN ROSTER

FASTNET

8

201

KIN

O BO

W!

O GN

YACHT CHARTER & FLOTILLA 1 week from

£1441 BEACH CLUBS 7 Nts from

£546 YACHTING HOLIDAYS & BEACH CLUBS Lefkas Marina | Vassiliki | Horto, Pelion | Porto Heli | Greece

Incl: Flights, Watersports, RYA Tuition, Biking, Excursions, Kids Clubs & More!

For a holiday quote and info:

020 3468 3649 sales@oceanelements.com oceanelements.com

ABTA No.Y3374

UK & Caribbean Race Yacht Charter • Professionally Maintained Race Yachts Full Boat Charters • Individual Race Crew Places • Corporate Sailing Events • RYA Training

VISIT US ON STAND J008

CHARTER I RACE I TRAIN With full training provided and individual crew places, we offer an uncomplicated solution to getting out on the water. If you are looking to race your own full yacht we have over 50 boats available for the major regattas worldwide, either bareboat or skippered.

For the highest quality racing experience choose Sailing Logic.

www.sailinglogic.co.uk • info@sailinglogic.co.uk • +44 (0) 23 8045 6360

Learn & Race With The Best

DEE CAFFARI

INTERVIEW

I

32

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

As the Volvo Ocean Race start looms, TOBY HEPPELL talks to Dee Caffari about life since the last race and building her new team

COUNTING DOWN

XXXX

love being offshore and I love racing offshore. Just being out there is a whole different challenge. You’re playing the big game, the long game, and I have been enthralled by that from the first time I went offshore,” says Dee Caffari, as she stepped ashore after racing her Volvo Ocean 65 from Plymouth to St. Malo as part of the ‘Leg 0’ qualifier for the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race.

The British PE teacher turned offshore legend is in the process of preparing for her fifth lap of the planet, once again taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race, which she raced last time around on board Team SCA. This time, however, she is spearheading her own team, Turn The Tide on Plastics.

It has been a pretty hectic couple of years for Caffari since the last race concluded for the all-female Team SCA, who disappointed in many of the offshore legs but excelled in the inshore series.

She has been one of the driving forces behind the Magenta Project, which was to a degree born from the conclusion of SCA. The project is a collective of passionate, female sailors on a mission to accelerate women in sailing and industry by creating pathways, empowering leadership and driving change.

Under this banner, she has been sailing on a GC32 foiling cat in some of the Extreme Sailing Series events and others beyond. “It took me quite a few sails to get used to the GC32,” Caffari recalls. “There is so much to do, and short course racing can be so hectic that, to be honest, to start with I was just heads down doing stuff and probably could not have told you where we were on the course, let alone where other teams where. After a while though we were into the groove and I did have a bit of time to look around.”

Events like the Extreme Sailing Series have actually been relatively good for female and youth representation – in that it is not exclusively a field made up of established male sailors – but it is the offshore environment where the Magenta Project and Caffari have been primarily pushing to gain experience for women.

“Away from the Magenta Project I

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

XXXX JEN EDNEY/ VOLVO OCEAN RACE

To start with I was just heads down... After a while though we were into the groove and I had a bit of time

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

33

FRIDAY 15 – SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2017

BUY NOW & SAVE! ADVANCE TICKETS FROM JUST

£15

*

15 YEARS AND UNDER GO FREE† LOOK FOR LOOK THEFOR LOGO THE LOGO

SOUTHAMPTONBOATSHOW.COM Our proud Oursponsors proud sponsors and partners: and partners:

#TYMSBS17

A £1.95 transaction fee applies per transaction not per ticket. †With paying adult, max 2 per adult ticket.

Terms and conditions apply. See southamptonboatshow.com for details. All details correct at time of going to press. E&OE. *

DEE CAFFARI

SHAUN ROSTER

was lucky enough to do a few Fastnet Races and regattas with Sidney Gavignet.

And Brian Thompson offered me a lot of deliveries, so I have had the chance to sail a few big offshore multihulls.”

However, even for someone of Caffari’s calibre, these opportunities are few and far between. “It is great to just get some miles in driving a big, offshore trimaran and it is handy to be sailing them with people who trust you to do so.

“Steering a tri across oceans is a bit like everything in this sport. The first time I did it, I was really white knuckled on the wheel with the boat flying along at 35 knots or so and I really felt the need to keep pushing for speed. Eventually, you realise that fast surges tend to be followed by slower bottom outs. The skill is in aiming for the high averages and remaining consistent. Eventually you get a bit lighter on the helm and can focus on keeping the boat in the low-mid 30s for really long periods of time.”

BUILDING A TEAM Now heading up her own team for this year’s Volvo Ocean Race, it is Caffari’s turn to give people a shot at gaining the experience necessary to become viable offshore prospects. From the first announcement, her new team, Turn the Tide on Plastics – which is backed by a range of foundations and corporations,

without headline sponsorship over and above their environmental message – Caffari has been clear in her focus on providing opportunities for youth and female sailors. As such, the crew – which is still being finalised – is to be made up of 50 per cent females and males, with a large number of under-30 sailors.

Under the new rules for the race, teams may take seven men and two women (or fewer of either should they wish), or five men and five women, or 11 women. So aiming for an equal gender split should give the team a numbers advantage over most (the majority

Above The VOR practise racing (Leg 0) has been a good chance to trial potential crew

INTERVIEW

first of her crew to be announced.

“I was a bit daunted at the idea of building a team and making selections for spots on the boat when I first realised I was going to be responsible for deciding who would get the nod.

“In particular I am aware that it is all too easy to fall into the trap of familiarity and ending up taking only people you know. But that is not the point of this project; we are trying to reach beyond the field of regulars.”

But in trying to discover new talent, one of the inevitable problems is that much of the crew will have to try out,

Now heading up her own team, it is Caffari’s turn to give people a shot and gain experience have opted for seven males and two females) but the team will be short on offshore experience. To date Caffari has named Brits Henry Bomby and Bleddyn Mon - along with Francesca Clapcich (ITA), Lucas Chapman (ITA/ AUS), Bernardo Freitas (POR) and Frederico Melo (POR) - in addition to herself and Liz Wardley, but there are several more names still to come.

“The first thing to say on building the team is that I would not be able to do this without the help of Liz Wardley,” Caffari says of her boat captain, the

and many of those triallists will not make the cut. “I have spoken to a few people who have built teams before and have chatted a fair bit with Ian Walker [winner of the race last time round] so know what I am looking for. And then I am just trying to be as constructive as possible in my feedback.

“It is pretty amazing the response we have had. We announced the team and the intention to pick up new talent but we never put anything out calling for applications. Yet we had about 180 applications from people pretty quickly.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

35

INTERVIEW

Someone did ask why we had not put a call out for crew, but if there is someone out there that wants to be a part of the team but doesn’t try to get in contact, well then that is a bit self-selecting.

“Beyond that though, there are only so many places you have on the boat and every selection you make has an effect on who else you need. Clearly the girls are going to struggle with the really intensely physical tasks, but that does not mean they are not involved in that, so everyone has to be extremely strong and fit.

“People usually think the physicality is all about turning the handles [grinding].

Although that is part of it, in many ways it’s a small part. When you think about the weight of the sails and moving the stack for each tack or gybe, that is a huge physical task and everyone will be doing that. So whether male or female, a high level of fitness and strength are essential.”

Adding to the difficulties in terms of fitness is that, with final crew selections taking place now, and fewer than two months to go until the start, there is not really the time to train crew up to the level required. So where someone might have all the necessary skills but not quite have the fitness required, or vice versa, and could be trained up to the right level, there is little opportunity for that here.

36

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

“One of the things that did surprise me with a few of the applications was that you would get people – Olympic level sailors even – saying ‘the Volvo has always been a dream of mine’ but who had not taken steps themselves to ensure they would be an asset. The Race now requires all crew to have an offshore Yacht Master qualification, which is not simple or easy to get.

The number of applicants who have not even started to take steps towards that was a bit surprising.”

Above Honest and constructive feedback is an important part of team building

skill. But then just as important are skills like sail repair, engineering or mechanics, those are all things that will make you a more desirable candidate.

“Perhaps just as important in the context of the race is personality.

You want a couple of people on the boat who you know will be able to lift the mood when people are tired, stressed and angry – and there will be plenty of those moments.

“Finally, one of the big things about taking great sailors offshore with limited

You want a couple of people on the boat who you know will be able to lift the mood Caffari says that in some of the stages in Leg 0 they have been racing around at the same time as doing effective live revision for the Yacht Master the crew will need to pick up if they are to be allowed to compete!

So what are the attributes she is hoping to draw out from her team for this race?

“It is a bit difficult to answer really. Like I said you are not really aiming to have everyone able to do everything to the same level. But there is a lot more to an offshore racer than just the racing.

Obviously fitness is key and so is sailing

experience, is that they tend to want to prove they can be helpful by pushing themselves too hard. There have been times where I have had to demand that someone goes and sleeps when they are off watch. It is so important in this race to keep yourself together and that means getting as much rest as you can when you can. The race is nine months long and you need people that understand that, just like helming that big tri we talked about earlier, it is the high averages that win you the race, not the bursts of speed.”

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

JEN EDNEY//VOLVO OCEAN RACE

DEE CAFFARI

RORC/Paul Wyeth

Lewmar Race Winch & Pedestal Systems

Lewmar have designed and manufactured high-performance winch & pedestal systems for over 40 years. Working closely with each specific project our design engineers will develop a bespoke solution, tailored to your exact requirements.

Our 60/3GPST winches are the ideal solution for primary winches for the Fast 40+ class as demonstrated on the water where Lewmar equipped boats have won Rounds 1, 2 & 3 of the 2017 Fast 40+ Race Circuit.

Pedestal

Lewmar Southmoor Lane, Havant, Hampshire, P09 1JJ UK

| Tel: +44 (0) 2392 471841 | Email: info@lewmar.com | www.lewmar.com

TOP CLASS PERFORMANCE WORLDWIDE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE UK IN 2018 2018 EUROPEANS LAKE GARDA 2019 WORLDS DUBLIN BAY

For a Test Sail in a Flying Fifteen contact

Photo:David Harding

secretary@flying15.org.uk publicity@flying15.org.uk www.flying15.org.uk

P

eter ‘Morty’ Morton has been racing at world class events since the 1980s. Over the last 30 years, Morty has won the Quarter Ton Cup, the Half Ton Cup, and the Three Quarter Ton Cup; he has competed in the Admiral’s Cup seven times, winning in 1989, and has been in the afterguard for two overall wins in the Fastnet Race.

Morty has lived on the Isle of Wight with his wife Louise, for many years.

Louise has had tremendous success in the Quarter Ton class, winning the Quarter Ton Cup on three occasions.

Last year, at the fifth attempt, Morty finally lifted the One Ton Cup, racing his Carkeek C40 MkIII Girls on Film, and was also crowned winner of the inaugural 2016 Fast40+ Race Circuit.

This year, keen to see the Fast40+ fleet grow, Morty sold his 2016 winning boat to a Dutch team led by Basde Voogt who wanted to get into the class, which they now sail as ‘Hitchhiker’.

Meanwhile, Morty’s new Girls on Film, launched in April 2017 - a CF40+ also designed by Shaun Carkeek, and built at PCT in Dubai – has already proved its pedigree as the winner of the Fast40+ class at Lendy Cowes Week.

XXXX

A CLASS ACT It’s hard to believe that the Fast40+ class is only in its second season. The class exploded onto the Solent scene in 2016, with 14 carbon fibre flyers driven by their owners, and raced with a pro-am crew. The action is fast, intense and thrilling, with quality and depth in the competition. Whilst it’s not one design, the class has tight parameters ensuring that the boats are very evenly matched yet still allowing development through design.

38

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

MORTY’S GOLDEN RULE

INTERVIEW

PETER MORTON

LOUAY HABIB talks to Girls

XXXX

ALL IMAGES: PAUL WYETH

on Film owner, Peter Morton about his success so far in his new CF40+ and about the future of the Fast40+ fleet

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

39

PETER MORTON

INTERVIEW

“New teams have joined the class this year, and boats are in-build to swell the numbers,” comments Morton. “Signal 8 from Hong Kong joined the class for Cowes Week, and besides Hitchhiker, a new Swedish team is entered for the One Ton Cup, plus there is a new boat being built in China. It looks like fourteen Fast40+ boats will compete for this year’s One Ton Cup. Looking into the future, I have heard that there are one or two Dutch teams looking at the class, and there are some British teams that are showing interest. The deck mould for Girls on Film is available at PCT in Dubai, and I have no problem with someone building from it. I would be very surprised if an all-new design came along and crucified everybody, but I know that at least Judel/Vrolijk, Mark Mills and Farr Yacht Design, have all made designs for new Fast40+ boats. So there are plenty of options for boats out there, and plenty of owners with the resources to do it.

He also points out that within the Fast40+ class, a number of existing owners are talking about upgrading

Above The new Girls on Film (01) took the class win at this year’s Cowes Week Left Morty’s team working hard on board his previous boat at the One Ton Cup, 2016

existing boats or getting new ones.

“You don’t need to be revolutionary, there is plenty of scope with the existing boats to make changes and upgrade them,” he says. “Take 42 South, which was really struggling in the first season.

Mark Rijkse the owner, has invested in the oldest boat in the fleet, and is now right at the top of the class. Many people do not realise how long it takes to get a boat sorted and going well, the Fast40+ fleet is not one where you can just step in and go straight to the front. There are some really good teams and drivers.

40

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

“The Fast40+ class is not one design, and I like that. You can push the boundaries on set up and design, and that has always been a fascination for me, ever since I started racing. I don’t want to get into a boat that I can’t do anything to, because half of my fun is trying to eek that half percent here and there. If you look at yacht racing classes, the one designs come and go, it is the development classes that last. How many one designs has the Quarter Ton class seen off? I reckon the competition in the Fast40+ fleet, front to back, is

closer than many one design fleets.”

He refers back to the 1980s Half Ton and One Ton scene, which is where he says he learnt so much, describing the competition in grand prix racing as “off the scale”. He says: “In 1985 there were 20 brand new One Tonners trying to make the three boat British Admiral’s Cup team. We were changing keels, rudders and rigs, just to find that extra half a boat length. To win you have to do all those little things and I love that unique aspect of development classes. It is all about being patient, and figuring out strengths and weaknesses.

I don’t want to drive the same car as everybody else, let alone the same boat.”

CLOSE COMPETITION The new Girls on Film is from the same hull mould as Rebellion and Hitchhiker.

For Morton maximising upwind speed has been a really important focus, and time spent perfecting foil and rig position and configuration is clearly paying off, giving an edge to their pointing ability upwind.

But has that come at the expense of performance in other areas? “We now have a boat which is faster upwind than probably all the fleet, but we are a little vulnerable reaching and downwind,”

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Morton acknowledges. “We are a bit nervous about our speed reaching, as the Ker40+ yachts, such as Invictus and Pace, are fast on a reach. Looking at our results you might think it is a bit of a domination, but on the water it is not like that, the racing is incredibly close, and when any team sails well, they do well.”

Another factor crucial to Girls on Film’s success is a strong ethos of teamwork and nurturing talent. “I have been sailing for years with some of the guys on Girls on Film, Darren Marston

massively important – we enjoy each other’s company, we eat together, have a beer together, and that all helps.

“It is also really great to see young talented sailors coming into the class.

I think it would be a good idea to promote this more. I think we need to have a couple of events where youth sailors are required by the rules. The competition is at a level where you can’t afford any passengers and it is hard to find young sailors who are good enough. We have Ben Cornish with us

On the water the racing is incredibly close, and when any team sails well they do well and I sailed together 20 years ago on Farr 40s. It is hugely important that we have a stable crew, and we have brought youngsters in, like Toby Mumford and Ben Cornish. For me it is important that you bring guys that fit in. It’s about attitude, and not purely about talent. I like people that grunt up when things are not good. There is never any shouting on the boat, or bad words. If someone makes a mistake, everybody gets behind them, and I very much encourage sailing that way. We don’t have a blame culture on the boat at all, and that is

trimming the main for the season, he is a very promising young Finn sailor, and he is now fully into the Fast40+ class and a fantastic sailor. Also Olympic medalists like Luke Patience and Giles Scott are now racing in the class.

“Getting young talented sailors to race is so important, they are the future of the sport. I have always been an advocate for bringing young guys on. In the 1990s, I got John Merricks and Ian Walker to come and race in the Admiral’s Cup. When they were young I had Ado Stead, Andy Beadsworth, Simon Fry, Andy

Hemmings, and the late Glynn Charles, on a One Tonner called GBE, and they were all straight out of dinghies.”

With the Fast40+ class now in its second year, how does he see the future of the class unfolding? “You can say that nothing has changed in the last 40 years, except that the boats are faster.

To get a winning performance you need attention to detail, it’s the little things that make the difference between winning and losing. It is never one thing, it’s lots of little things that all come together to get a winning performance, out of the boat and the crew.

“The most important thing to remember to nurture the Fast40+ class, is to look after the owners. If they are not enjoying it, they won’t invest in the sport. The class must do want the owners want, not what the sailors and organisers want. Maybe we should get the Admiral’s Cup out of the cupboard and race for it with a TP52, a Fast40+, and a one design, with an under-25 team?

“We need to keep the existing owners and get new ones. We’ll do that by people seeing it’s fun to be in the class.

If you want to get a 40-year old hedge fund manager excited about sailing, you need to promote boats which are fast and fun to sail. It’s the golden rule.”

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

41

FAMILY FORTUNES 42

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

XXXX

At 14 years old, Freddie Peters has made history as the youngest helmsman ever to win White Group at Cowes Week. SUE PELLING reports yachtsandyachting.co.uk

INTERVIEW

FREDDIE PETERS

Peters defied all odds including lack of experience in a keelboat, and sailing with a broken arm

ALL IMAGES: PAUL WYETH/COWES WEEK

XXXX

F

reddie Peters, a 14 year-old from Hayling Island Sailing Club is more used to racing his 29er than an RS Elite.

Incredibly, racing not only for the first time ever at Lendy Cowes Week, but also for the first time in a keelboat, he scooped an impressive haul of trophies and with it the honour of winning the hugely acclaimed White Group overall. A quick flick through the record books also confirms that he is the youngest ever helmsman to do so.

Sailing with his father Russell – a serial champion dinghy and team racing sailor and current RS Elite National Champion originally from West Kirby SC – plus big sister Emily (21), and close friend Ellie Burrows

(21), Peters defied all odds including lack of experience in a keelboat, and sailing with a broken arm!

Winning a race at Cowes Week is huge, and to win the class overall is often a lifetime sailing ambition. For Peters, who appeared to take the whole Lendy Cowes Week experience in his stride, there was no sign of stress – just lots of smiles and appreciation of being able to compete at the biggest regatta in the world. He was also racing against some highly talented sailors, including Olympic bronze medallist Ossie Stewart, but that didn’t seem to worry him either. Peters eventually finished 12 points ahead of Stewart in second place.

Even the fact that he was sailing with a broken arm failed to faze this

young, talented yet hugely modest sailor; he confesses his scariest moment of the regatta was actually collecting the prizes. “I was very nervous at the prize giving standing in front of so many top sailors. I knew we had won the Elite class, but I had no idea we had won so many other awards.”

He also admitted disappointment at having his 29er sailing curtailed this season, explaining: “I fell off a friend’s shoulders in June. I broke both my ulna and radius and had an operation to re-align them with flexible pins.

Mum says I wasn’t the easiest to live with the following three weeks. The sun shone and I sulked.” Having to sit down and rest his arm was a real struggle; as well as sailing, Peters is a good

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

43

FREDDIE PETERS

INTERVIEW

most scary time of all though, was when I threw the roll of duck tape overboard and dad gave me a good talking to – won’t do that again in hurry!”

What gave them the edge over others in the RS Elite fleet? Peters puts it down to having a “dream team”, as he says: “Winning in all sailing is down to teamwork and spreading responsibilities between the team. I have done as much crewing as helming and I feel there is no role that is more significant – they all play their part in a winning team.”

SPEED SECRETS Setting up the rig and being able to point well, with speed, was also a huge advantage. “Dad had just won the nationals in the Elites (sailing Wombat) which was a big help. We were pretty confident we would be fast enough but all-round field sportsman; he won the U14 national championship title with Winchester Hockey Club, and also excels at cricket, scoring his first century for his school, Canford, earlier this year.

There’s a long-line of sailing tradition in the Peters’ family, and although Freddie wasn’t that keen on sailing initially, he took part in his first nationals at the age of eight in the RS Tera class.

Two years later he finished third at the worlds. Moving onto the Feva, crewing for Piers Nichols, he finished second at the worlds in 2014, aged 11. He then moved on to helming and won his first Feva nationals in 2016, and was second in the worlds in Santander that same year – both at the age of 13, with Louis Johnson crewing.

This year marked the beginning of his 29er sailing and a creditable third under 19 result with crew Elliot Wells at the Youth Championships at HISC in April, is a good indication of his talent.

Although Peters says he has not really sailed with his dad that much, Russell has nonetheless been the mainstay of his coaching. “It has been a huge advantage to have a dad who loves sailing (and is quite good at it) to coach me and my helm/crew when I am free to sail.”

DREAM TEAM At Lendy Cowes Week, Peters was fortunate to have not only his dad on sail trim and tactics but also his sister Emily on bow and navigation together with Ellie Burrows. Commenting on his dad’s input, Peters said: “He is massively enthusiastic and always gives useful advice, and it’s easy to

44

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Winning in all sailing is down to teamwork and spreading responsibilities between the team talk to him about tactics and set up – you could even call him boring!”

The last minute decision to race together at Lendy Cowes Week came about as a result of Peters’ broken arm.

“As it looked very unlikely I would be back in the 29er this summer, dad had the idea of entering us for Cowes Week, which meant at least we could do some sailing. However, because someone else was using our boat [Wombat] we had to borrow Riff Raff at the last moment.”

Recalling the first start at Lendy Cowes Week, Peters admits it was a big learning curve. “I nearly had a crash on the first startline but I learnt quickly because I had dad to advise and concentrate on tactics and Emily and Ellie on nav, tide and course so I was able to focus on steering fast and not having to worry about these aspects, which are always essential but even more so in Cowes Week.”

As a 29er sailor, the sort of winds and big seas experienced during the week certainly led to some breathtaking moments. “I have only ever sailed dinghies before and it is rare we would race with gusts of 30 knots, so that was quite an experience, which I really enjoyed. It was also scary at times especially when we got rolling downwind with the kite up.

“Another scary occasion was when dad got injured when the end of the spinnaker pole almost ended up in his eye, and we had blood everywhere. The

Above It was a first taste of keelboat racing for Peters, who is more used to Fevas and 29ers

it was down to me not to make any mistakes. Also because I am not used to such long races, I had to learn to concentrate for long periods of time.

“In dinghies it is all about sailing flat so it was very strange to sail a keelboat with plenty of heel. As with dinghies though, it was about sailing fast as much as possible and focusing on never letting the speed drop, whether that be upwind or down.”

Peters said that with good teamwork, trust and communication, all he had to focus on was sailing fast. “I spoke mainly to dad during the race. I knew he and the girls had the rig settings and trim right, and he is good at putting us in the right place on the race track – if they got that wrong I could blame them!”

Finally, in summing up what he learnt [fairly early in the regatta] Peters says: “To be nice to my sister off the water if I want an easy day on the water!’

INSPIRING YOUNG SAILORS Freddie Peters’ result at Lendy Cowes Week will hopefully encourage other young sailors to participate in the future.

Although there was one prize Peters was unable to claim – the Musto Under 25 Trophy (because the entire crew has to be under 25) – there is always a lot on offer for young teams. This year that included discounted entry fees and a competition to win Musto kit and preevent coaching. Entry for 2018 Lendy Cowes Week is already open, see lendycowesweek.co.uk for more.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

MEET THE FAMILY They come in all shapes and sizes MEET THE FAMILY They come in all shapes and sizes

PUT THE LIFE BACK IN YOUR JACKET. Register your Crewsaver lifejacket or liferaft to receive your free servicing reminder.

Why Register? ✓

We will send you email reminders to get your lifejacket or liferaft serviced

✓

Your product details will be held on our system. This will be very useful if you ever need to contact us with an enquiry or if your lifejacket or liferaft is found

✓

Receive #LifejacketSafe safety tips

Registering your lifejacket or liferaft is easy!

Simply register at: www.crewsaver.com/uk/product-registration

Performa Winch

GRIND OUT THE WINNING EDGE

WINCH

COMPOSITE BEARINGS Reduce friction under load with excellent corrosion resistance and no lubrication

INTERCHANGEABLE GEARING KITS give the SANDBLASTED GRIP Diagonal ribs optimised for use flexibility to create the perfect blend of speed and with high-tech racing sheets power for each day’s weather and crew configuration.

POWER-GRIP JAWS Superior CERAMIC-COATED DRUM and aholding nearly power empty and even grip weight. on small diameter high-tech line, middle to reduce with or without load

MULTIPLE SPEED OPTIONS Seven interchangeable first-speed six second-speed options.

ONE-PIECEoptions DRUMand & SKIRT Strong aluminium Would you trust your life in the hands of this lifejacket?

Don’t take the risk.

Look after your safety equipment so it can look after you.

drum with integrated skirt

200MM DRUM allows fewer wraps, fast trimming and faster easing.

Visit www.harken.co.uk to meet the rest of

the family and fi nd out more information

about Harken AND winches.

STANDARD COUNTER-ROTATING VERSIONS for correct lead angles from either side.

Harken UK •

@HarkenUK • www.harken.co.uk

BART’S BASH

PREVIEW

Young participants at Weymouth

IAIN PERCY shares his thoughts ahead

A Bart’s Bash 2016 Laser start

of this year’s global sailing spectacular, now running for the fourth year

BART’S BASH 2017 Iain Percy

B

art’s Bash this year, and in previous years, has a special place in my heart as it is incredible to see hundreds of thousands of people taking to the water in memory of my great friend and sailing partner, Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson. The sense of camaraderie and the bringing together of the sailing community is something extremely special and it is an honour to fly the flag of Bart’s legacy for this event. I love seeing people of all ages, abilities and from

across the world taking part in sailing together as one. One of the highlights for me is that we have people taking part who are not regular sailors; perhaps they are shore support crew usually, but they always make the effort to enjoy the race.

The best thing about this race is that it doesn’t have to be taken competitively, you don’t even need your own boat if you sail with us in Portland Harbour! We just want to encourage everyone to go and sail together to remember Bart and raise money for a great cause.

Bart’s Bash, launched in 2014, is the world’s largest sailing event and is run by sailing clubs, community sailing programmes, class associations, sail training centres, yacht clubs, scout groups, sea cadets and even groups of sailors, all around the world. From Olympic medallists to America’s Cup heroes to complete beginners, anyone and

46

Yachts & Yachting August 2017

everyone can join in and everyone who sails in a race gets a result.

This is your chance to take on the best and have a great day with your friends and family at the same time.

The Andrew Simpson Foundation continues to promote the sport and all the benefits it brings to people of all abilities, and this year is no exception. The aims

of Bart’s Bash in 2017 is to increase international awareness of participation in sailing, encourage sailors and their friends and family to take part and have some fun whether on or off the water, and to raise funds to support the Andrew Simpson Foundation, the charity that is improving the lives of disadvantaged young people.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

SPORTOGRAPHY.TV.TV/BARTS BASH

ONE EVENT – NOT TO BE MISSED!

Sammy Fell, at Burghfield SC

A great excuse to introduce friends and family to sailing

Iain helps fundraisers at Cowes Week

Big boats also take part; fundraising at Cowes Week

XXXX

Get creative with fundraising ideas

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

47

BART’S BASH

PREVIEW

CAN WE BEAT 2016’S BASH?

Above Hamish Simpson sails with his grandfather (left) and Alex Porter ASSC manager

across 12 countries which is incredible and we couldn’t have done this without our supporters, so thank you.

An example of a project that has benefited from funds from the ASF is Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Sailing Association. This project was selected as they run a very successful and inclusive water sports charity, offering training and competition opportunities for juniors, youths and adults with a range of special needs. The students will not only learn a new skill but will be enjoying a healthy outdoor activity while gaining in confidence and self-esteem.

We have fantastic support from across the world and especially with my fellow professional sailors; it’s not every race where you get to compete against some of the best sailors in the world. It creates an inspiring playing field for all abilities

Get involved - updates for 2017 Bart’s Bash 2017 is about each club or sailing venue creating a fun atmosphere for the day, or even the weekend.

If you are already holding an event on the 16-17 September, why not incorporate Bart’s Bash into that? Any race that’s happening already; simply submit your results to the team and they will do the rest. Then add some fun – cake sales, cardboard boat races and fancy dress can all be used as added incentives for fundraising. And this year, any club or venue that raises over £250 will be

48

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

entered into a draw for 12 of their members to go along to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre and have a half day experience on an Extreme 40!

The Bart’s Bash team has made the signing up process easier than ever this year. Just visit bartsbash.com and log in to your profile to set up your 2017 event information.

And do make sure to share your photos, videos and stories from the day. We will highlight the best in next month’s magazine: email editorial@ yachtsandyachting.co.uk, tweet us @YandYmagazine,

or post to Facebook. com/SailingMagazine. #sailonbart #bartsbash

DON’T FORGET...

It’s for a very good cause!

Up to and including 2017, the Andrew Simpson Foundation has supported 45 individual worthwhile sailing projects and pledged funds totalling £736,000 across 12 countries.

2017’s funds will specifically go to help disadvantaged young people. Grant applications open 16 September. Visit andrewsimpsonfoundation. org for more information.

as the results are compiled from all events and you can see where you placed against everyone in the world. Creating this welcoming atmosphere to everyone in the sailing community is especially important as we want to encourage as much participation as possible. Sailing is an accessible sport and I am proud that we can encourage participation across all levels, from first-time racers to America’s Cup sailors. This year I will be sailing in Portland Harbour. This is where Bart and I trained together and where we won our last medal together in the Star.

It’s a special location for me for obvious reasons but it is also the home of the Andrew Simpson Foundation and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre. We always host a large event in Portland Harbour with the local sailing clubs combining to sail together for the race; it brings together the sailing community of Weymouth and Portland in a very special way.

Wherever you are in the world, please join us on 16-17 September to celebrate sailing and have a fun day out on the water. Bring your friends and family and help us to raise funds to allow more people to enjoy this sport that we love so much.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

SPORTOGRAPHY.TV/BARTS BASH

I cannot thank the participants and volunteers enough for helping to make this a reality. Four years ago we were at a loss for what we could do to carry on the passion Bart had for encouraging youngsters into sailing, and I strongly believe that we have created something very special with Bart’s Bash and the Andrew Simpson Foundation.

I see this race becoming a tradition now and for years to come, to go for a sail each year to celebrate everything that we love about sailing.

The vital funds raised from this event all go towards projects aimed at breaking down the physical, social and economic barriers into this sport and we have helped many projects across the world to achieve this. Since the Foundation’s grant programme started in 2015 we have already supported more than 40 projects,

Furthest distance: UK sailors sailed a total of 15,884,139 metres Biggest fundraisers: The America’s Cup teams, Artemis Racing, Oracle Team USA and Softbank Team Japan donated a combined total of £7702 on the day. The top UK fundraiser was Hayling Island Sailing Club, which raised £2435 Biggest fleets: Southport 24 Hour Race had a combined entry of 738 sailors over a 24 hour period. Kiev Racing Yacht Club in Ukraine was the second largest fleet with 236 sailors Largest classes: Lasers (432), Toppers (322), Optimists (281) Firsts for this year: Includes the first ever French sailing club to sign up, Pôle France Voile La Rochelle. Fiji has also signed up again this year and is likely to kick off Bart’s Bash. Other new clubs for 2017 include Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hong Kong, and Darwin Sailing Club, Australia

allspars

Head Office: Plymouth + 44 (0)1752 266766 Solent: Swanwick +44 (0)1489 876876 www.allspars.co.uk

sales@allspars.co.uk

e, c i v r e S t a e r “G ” t r o p p u S t G rea

The Major Dealer for ALL your Seldén Parts www.allspars.co.uk

sales@allspars.co.uk * Awarded Retailer of the Year in 2015

R

NEVER LOOK BACK

24/08/2017 11:01:58

Image Credit: Hannah Cotterell Media

Y&Y Horizontal Half page Allspars Advert 2017 - NEW IMAGE.indd 3

A sail for every application. From the hard out harbour to coastal cruiser, when you’ve got Stratis GPX Performance Sails on board, the finish line is a whole lot closer.

Visit doylesails.co.uk

Doyle Y&Y Maverick ad - 137x205mm.indd 1

25/08/17 8:44 am

NACRA 17

DESIGN UPDATE

NEXT GENERATION It’s the first Olympic class to fully foil. BEN SAXTON gives his personal viewpoint on some of the highs and the hurdles of sailing the Nacra 17

I

t is a very exciting time because now the Nacra 17 Olympic class is foiling, we have just had our first event – the European Championships at Kiel, Germany – and it was great. And I don’t just say that because myself and my new crew Katie Dabson came away with a great bronze medal!

Katie and I have known each other for a long time, and her experiences crewing many boats, most recently a 470, have obviously made her very ready for the challenge ahead in the Nacra.

What are the technical developments, and the challenges we all face? Who’s looking strong at the moment, and what is next?

50

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

XXXX

FOIL UPDATES The Nacra 17 Olympic class has just ‘evolved’ into its full foiling MkII style. For the last Rio Olympic style we had MkI ‘C’ shaped boards and normal rudders. This meant we had

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

51

PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILING ENERGY XXXX

PEDRO MARTINEZ/TOMAS MOYA/SAILING ENERGY

DESIGN UPDATE

some lift but by no means could we foil steadily. Now the rudders have a ‘T’ shape which means we have a lot of lift from the horizontal lower section of the foil. The MkII boards have a ‘Z’ shape meaning the top third is vertical then it angles in towards the centerline, before heading vertically down again at the tip.

We have lift from the middle third of the board and the rest is to prevent leeway.

The biggest difference compared with the MkI Nacra 17 is the rudders.

The ‘Z’ main foil is designed to work with all four foils in the water, so we do not lift the windward one like some foiling catamarans do.

Does it work? We got our boats only a few weeks ago and we are still learning so much, but at a glance the answer is yes. Downwind they work well. We foil steadily in 6kt of wind and in 20kt of wind. It is really impressive how little wind it takes us to foil downwind. In over 15kt of breeze the boat is really fast and extreme downwind! The other impressive aspect is how we are able to manoeuvre the boat on the foils. The easiest wind to sail on the foils is 12-15 kts. We have achieved foiling gybes, however many people have not completed one yet; it’s a very difficult boat to sail compared with other foiling ones.

Personally I think this is a good thing. Foiling hoists and drops are easier than gybes, and certainly make for a good spectacle. Being able to hoist on the foils makes the races much better as before we used to be really slow exiting the windward mark.

TEETHING PROBLEMS The class is having some teething problems with the new foiling boats, but this was always a risk, and personally I am confident that they will be overcome and the class will provide a great spectacle.

Before the Europeans we all did a lot of practice foiling upwind, and compared with others who were trying to foil, Katie and I were flying. However, to our disappointment at the recent Europeans it turns out the most optimal VMG was often to not foil. This is because of the low angle we have to sail in order to get the boat to foil upwind. Compared to a Moth that heels to windward when foiling, the Nacra 17 has a lot of leeway (slipping sideways) when on the foils. So we found that foiling was better used as a tactical tool rather than a VMG mode.

Often the gain of foiling was outweighed by the loss if we got foiling wrong.

Skimming in and out of the waves at the moment seems the best mode for us. Don’t be disappointed as we were still achieving high speeds, and I’m sure that with more practice the whole fleet will be mastering foiling a lot more.

Going back to my earlier point I think it is good that as an Olympic class that this boat is hard to sail perfectly – I just hope Nacra haven’t gone too far, and the foiling upwind is best in the future.

Foiling in large waves will always be difficult though! The foiling Nacra is definitely harder, and more dramatic than its predecessor and I have no doubt that this class will be the pinnacle of our

Top The Nacra 17’s foils on display Above Despite teething problems, the boat gets a thumbs up from Saxton

NACRA 17

sport of sailing. Olympic sailing always has been the toughest and purest racing in the world, which is why as a whole it is the pinnacle of our sport too.

UPWIND SPINNAKERS There are two other major updates to the Nacra 17 compared to the boat I sailed at the Olympics in Rio 2016.

The spinnaker is a new flatter design, and the boat has a carbon inner skin.

The flatter spinnaker is because of the higher speeds that we are now sailing downwind, and it is a great development. Also it means we are sailing with it upwind in light winds.

Words don’t describe how much of a great thing I think this is. Suddenly the sport is athletic and physical in light winds, and we are much faster,

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

53

DESIGN UPDATE

plus it looks great! But it does mean the lifespan of a spinnaker is pathetic now. The class soon will have to decide if it likes us sailing with spinnakers upwind. Maybe it just needs to be changed a bit so that it fits the purpose better. It would be a shame to ban it.

The great thing is that, unbelievably, we sail with the spinnaker upwind until 9kt. It is still quicker to have it up and be overpowered than take it down and be underpowered. Also it makes the racing pretty exciting. The tactics are pretty volatile as there are so many modes that can be chosen – used as VMG modes or tactics. For example, getting off the startline is hard because it’s quicker potentially with the spinnaker up but lower sometimes, however you lose two boat lengths forward on the hoist. The speed gain of sailing with three sails is not enough to punch through a front line of boats. One thing I know so far, is that carefully assessed bravery is best, with this kind of racing you can’t be shy.

This crossover means we change straight from kite up to sailing upwind both trapezing. I do not know the numbers, but I guess we are doing about 8-9kt boat speed at the crossover. It only takes a few more knots of wind speed for us to foil upwind! Finally, at times we are higher upwind with the kite up compared to boats sailing without it.

At the Europeans we won a race because the German boat in front of us dropped its spinnaker at the leeward mark so we sailed around them to leeward and then came up to

54

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Above Experimenting with what makes the difference in a tight fleet

windward across its bow and ended up directly on its breeze. Why is this?

Putting it simply, this was possible because we were sailing faster so our foils were working better meaning that we were making less leeway.

The addition of the carbon inner skin to the hulls simply makes them stronger as the fleet were having problems with them splitting in the last few years, and the loads are now obviously much higher. It has not added too much weight to the boat.

the duration of our races. Traditionally our final ‘medal’ race has been 20 minutes. However, that is not that different from our normal 30 minute races. For the first time at the Europeans we sailed three 10 minute races on the last day, instead of one final 20 minute race. The racing was frantic and we had lots of boat on boat decisions to make.

It was great to race for spectators. We had awesome coverage at the Europeans.

So many people got involved watching it. I was happy we raced normal

At times we are higher upwind with the kite up compared to boats sailing without it FOILING FORMATS The next year of racing in this class is going to be fascinating. There are lots of great established sailors racing, some experienced foiling experts, as well a new younger generation, and the established Nacra 17 big guns. Consistency will be very hard especially as the foiling boats are new to us all; for example, we won six out of 14 races at the Europeans but had to count a few races outside the top ten.

Another change looking forwards is

RECALL UPDATE

After a series of breakages at the World Sailing Test Event led to an equipment recall, Nacra Sailing was able to supply all teams with new daggerboard bearings in time for the Nacra 17 Worlds, which was underway in France as we went to print

windward-leeward courses, and did not do something crazy for the cameras. It seems there is a fine line to be judged.

We have one major event left this year.

Going to press, the World Championship will be taking place in the south of France in La Grande Motte in early September. Then we’ll train as much as we can so in summer 2018 at next year’s world championships we can qualify the country to have a slot at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 at the first opportunity – very achievable. Put simply, by this autumn we will still be feeling like we have just got the boats. This winter we will be training, and hard, to ensure we come back in 2018 with a bang!

The season starts in Miami in January before moving to Europe for the spring and onwards. Everything is about the end goal, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILING ENERGY

NACRA 17

W L. C O .U K

Places available on Dufour 45 Performance ‘Scarlet Island Girl’ ARC 2017 We have individual places available onboard a very well specified and prepared Dufour 45 yacht for the ARC 2017.

‘Team Scarlet’ have an unmatched record in the ARC, taking class wins in racing division in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016! Join us as we endeavor to add 2017 to this tally!

2017 Dates

Life Jackets, and in particular WKH LQñDWLRQ PHFKDQLVP VKRXOG be checked at least annually

Training Las Palmas 15th-18th November Start Las Palmas Sunday 19th November Arrive St Lucia approx 14-18 days Event price

£3,950

For more information, contact Ross at info@scarletoyster.com or 07944597329 Events for the winter 2017/18, include RORC 600, and several Caribbean regattas www.facebook.com/scarletoyster v4_Rigit_advert_205x137mm_24-08-17.pdf

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

1 www.scarletoyster.com 24/08/2017 11:09

M

The ARC is the most established Transatlantic Rally, with fantastic events in both Las Palmas and St Lucia, truly a ‘bucket list’ trip! Skipper Ross Applebey will be onboard for his 9th ARC and 18th Atlantic crossing!

.U W

UML

W

Scarlet Oyster

Check the expiry date on your cartridge and replace with a new cartridge from your local chandler or service agent.

It is no defence to sit there doing nothing until she has drifted so close she is unable to keep clear

56

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

HOW TO WIN

STARTS: WINDWARD BOAT

WINDWARD! ON THE LINE

It’s fraught, frantic and you’ve got to fight for it – but using the windward boat rule wisely on the startline can ensure you lead from the off. MARK RUSHALL breaks things down

W

indward boat! It’s a common hail and refers to one of the oldest rules in the book. Rule 11 of the Racing Rules of Sailing provides plenty of options for making boat on boat gains. It states: “When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.”

Getting to know the ins and outs of how best to use this rule can put you one step ahead, quite literally from the word go, as one of the most common ways it comes into play is on or around the startline. This feature looks at some of these tactical opportunities in the pre-start and immediately after the starting signal, and clarifies some windward boat rules situations that are often misunderstood.

Ok You had room

Control the start approach (fig 1)

Approaching the line to start, Red is in complete control, whether it is an upwind or downwind leg. If Red is early, she luffs to slow, keeping Yellow trapped to windward at all times.

If Yellow slows, Red slows too to maintain the overlap. If Yellow starts to edge forward, Red shadows the move then luffs, to slow both boats down. As windward boat, Yellow must keep clear at all times. When Red changes course, RRS 16 (changing course) requires Red to give Yellow room to keep clear, but Yellow has to act at once. If Yellow has to sheet in and sail over the line to keep clear, that’s what he must do.

If Yellow allows the boats to become so close that there would be immediate contact if Red changed course either way, Yellow has not met the definition of keep clear. It i no defence for Yellow to sit there doing nothing until she has drifted so close to Red that she’s not able to keep clear.

Red’s tactic is to hold Yellow up until ready for her trigger, then bear off and accelerate to the line, leaving Yellow wallowing.

1

Too close: Protest!

PAUL WYETH

‘Initially’ means ‘initially’ (fig 2)

Yellow becomes keep clear boat when Blue gains the overlap to leeward (position 2). Initially, Blue gave Yellow room to keep clear: Yellow could have sheeted on and sailed forward, or

2

Windward

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

57

Gun’s gone: please sail your proper course

Windward tacked out. Yellow does neither, and by position 4, Blue is not able to change course in either direction without immediately making contact. Yellow has broken rule 11 at this point.

3

The proper course rule (fig 3)

It is important to remember how the overlap was created.

After the start gun, Yellow must continue keeping clear, but Red’s opportunity to stay high may be restricted by RRS 17 (proper course). If Red had gained the leeward overlap from behind, within two of her hull lengths of Yellow, Red must not sail above her proper course once the start gun has gone. (There’s no proper course before the gun.)

That’s the course she’d sail to finish as soon as possible, if Yellow was not there. If the overlap was created in any other way, Red can stay high for as long as he likes.

Oh! No room!

Shut them out (fig 4) Windward!

4

Fig 4 shows an extreme version of controlling the approach.

Blue is keep clear boat, overlapped to windward of Green.

Section C (marks and obstructions) rules don’t apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water from the final approach to the start till they are passed. Green luffs to force Blue the wrong side of the start mark: Blue is keep clear boat and must do just that. If Green closes the gap by changing course, she must do it in a way that gives Blue room to keep clear (RRS 16 again): she can’t wait until Blue has nowhere to go, then luff to crush her against the committee boat!

Avoiding the hook (fig 5)

Windward!

Incoming!

Orange sees Purple approaching from behind: he knows what Purple is up to. Orange accelerates to prevent the overlap, then dials down across Purple’s bow to achieve the controlling leeward position. Orange takes care to avoid creating an overlap when she dials down though: normally a boat that gains right of way has to initially give the new keep clear boat room to keep clear (RRS 15), but if Purple gains right of way as leeward boat because of Orange’s actions (in dialling down and creating the overlap), Orange loses that initial protection.

Not the windward boat (fig 6)

5 58

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

A classic keelboat starting situation. Big Red is fully wound up and approaching the line at speed. Cool blue is hanging around by the committee boat, killing time. Red’s hails count for nothing: until the boats are overlapped, she is clear

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

HOW TO WIN

STARTS: WINDWARD BOAT

Now you have an overlap and must give me room to keep clear

Clear ahead still!

Windward boat!

Clear ahead!

Windward boat

astern, and therefore keep clear boat. Blue must be aware and ready to react, but need do nothing until the boats actually become overlapped and Red gains right of way.

Even then, Red must initially give Blue room to keep clear.

6

Exceptions to rule 11 (fig 7)

Rule 11 continues to apply to an inside overlapped keep clear boat while rounding a mark (or obstruction). But there are a couple of special situations where rule 11 is overridden, and both are possible starting situations.

Green has come into position with speed, and pushes her sail out hard to slow down and ‘crab’ to windward and close the gap on Red. While she’s moving sideways to windward by backing the sail, she is keep clear boat: the same would apply if she was reversing through the water by backing a sail.

I’m keeping clear

7

RICHARD LANGDON/OCEAN IMAGES/RYA

It is important to remember how the overlap was created... Yellow must continue keeping clear

You are now keep clear

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

59

Y&Y Ad quarter 210915.qxp_Layout 1 25/11/2015 17:19 Page 1

Award Winning Dinghies and Catamarans

12R

£89.95 Rechargeable

14R

14R

£99.95 Rechargeable

www.toppersailboats.com

3

Telephone: 01233 629186 email info@toppersailboats.com

£65.95

AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD CHANDLERIES

Y&Y half CFD.pdf 1 26/05/2017 16:18:57

Newlyn, Cornwall

+44 (0) 1736 366004

info@solosails.com

• World class sails • Local loft service ...

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

www.solosails.com

DINGHY PLAYBOOK

STARTING

ADVANCE YOUR TECHNIQUE:

STARTING

TOBY HEPPELL takes a step-by-step look at how to get

off a startline with the best ways to hone your skills

T ALL IMAGES: SPORTOGRAPHY.TV

he startline is arguably the most intimidating part of the course for those new to racing or with limited experience. Away from racing, it’s rare to be amongst as many other boats as you will be on a racecourse – and nowhere are they more compressed than on the startline.

The principal components of a good start remain the same no matter what.

The aim is to be at the correct end of the line, moving at maximum speed, and crossing the startline precisely when the gun goes. With no other boats around, the exercise would merely be one of working out which end is favoured and then timing your run into the line – admittedly this is a skill in itself.

PICKING THE FAVOURED END On many if not most occasions, you will want to start towards the end of the line that is skewed closest to the

wind. There are three commonly used techniques for working this out. If the committee boat is displaying a wind direction you can sail directly along the line subtracting (or adding depending on the tack) 90 from the compass, the discrepancy between this number and the wind direction is the bias in the line.

Less accurate but broadly simpler to do and keep testing are slightly more ‘by eye’ techniques. If you sail along a startline and then turn exactly head to wind, the end of the line your bow is pointing at is the favoured end of the line and so is the end at which you should start.

A similar technique is to look at your burgee and/or the flags flying on the committee boat. If the tail of the flag is pointing at one end of the line, the opposite is the favoured end.

Clearly the above is only true should the course be roughly even in terms of which side of the actual beat is favoured – there may be a lot more tide on one

Above Good boat control is a starting essential

Watch the video online at yachtsand yachting.co.uk

side, for example. If the left of the beat is favoured significantly but the right of the line is favoured a small amount then it will probably be best to start towards the pin or left end. Making this call is something that gets easier with time.

MAKING SPACE Learning exactly which end it is favourable to start at on the line is an important skill but, in truth, you may not be be at a significant disadvantage starting elsewhere on many occasions.

Perhaps then, the most important thing in a start is to get the first beat underway with clean air, allowing you to make your own decisions and not spend the first few minutes of the beat tacking, desperately trying to find a decent lane.

In an attempt to ensure clear air, even the best sailors don’t always try to start exactly at the favoured end, where there is usually a significant amount of congestion. Instead it is often better

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

61

STARTING

DINGHY PLAYBOOK

to start towards the favoured end, but far enough down to find a gap. This way, you may not be immediately ahead of those pulling off a perfect start, but get your time on distance right and you will certainly be ahead of the vast majority.

Wherever you are on the startline, space is key and this space usually has to be earned – unless you are very lucky and stumble across a huge gap at the favoured end! Space to windward on the startline is good but is not a necessity.

Any boat close to windward of you will essentially start being leebowed by you and will often be forced to tack away. The bigger concern is if there is someone to windward who has developed a gap between you and them as they will be free to bear off and accelerate over the top of you.

The aim is always to build a gap below you while ensuring no one comes in from behind to fill that gap and no one above you has the opportunity to accelerate over the top of you. Key skills to practise in order to be able to build and hang on to this space are: down-speed boat control, accelerating and stopping in a confined space, and double tacks.

1 1. Learning to keep a boat stationary is a vital skill to practise. The key is in managing both crew weight and the balance of power in the sails. Heeling to windward will help pull the bow down, as will sheeting on the jib.

Here the slight windward heel is helping bear away.

3 3. As the boat begins to accelerate sitting out hard with boat sails trimmed will give you a boost of speed across the startline. Here, any gap you have built to leeward will come in very useful to accelerate down into and thus keep the boat moving at speed.

2 2. Heeling the boat to leeward will help her to round up as will sheeting on the main. Be cafeful not to overdo the mainsheet tension or leeward heel lest you get stuck head to wind. The crew needs to be ready to sheet on the jib to counter if the boat is rounding up too quickly.

4 4. Once you are at maximum speed with both sails trimmed, you can slowly squeeze up to windward. If you have a boat threatening to roll over the top of you or close to leeward, you can use your speed to pinch a bit. But don’t overdo it and kill all your speed.

STRATEGY

ADVANCED SKILLS: Fighting for the start Understanding when to accelerate and when to hold position is key. Reacting to the boats around you is a skill that takes practise.

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Here the leeward boat is clearly in the control position. She is ahead and to leeward and should be able to squeeze up to prevent the boat to windward rolling over the top. She is in a controlled slow mode.

62

2. Having been well in control, the leeward boat’s windward heel, sails out and aft crew position are all slowing her and the windward boat has drifted over the top of her. Leeward now looks precarious.

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

3. With the windward boat heeling to windward she is clearly setting up to accelerate and the leeward boat should be reacting to this. If the leeward boat rolls to leeward and sheets the main she might still be ok.

4. Leeward has not reacted quickly enough to the windward threat.

She is still stationary and drifting further to leeward due to her windward heel.

Windward has spotted this, heeled to leeward and begun accelerating.

5. Here the acceleration advantage from a roll to leeward, sheeting on and sitting the boat upright is clear. Leeward having reacted too late has simply sheeted in and will not get the same speed boost as windward.

6. Leeward has been roundly outfoxed and is going slower, has fewer options and will be in dirty air. Her only option now is to tack off and try to find clear air.

This race is all but over before it’s really begun.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

T: 01752 600454 E: sales@technicalmarinesupplies.co.uk W: www.technicalmarinesupplies.co.uk

The Ezi launcher twin spinnaker pole system for dinghies makes hoists & gybes simple, launch and return the pole with ease using a single line, reducing the capsizing risk and making smaller lighter crews more competitive.

STAND No: J242

TWIN SPINNAKER POLE SYSTEM

The best distance-to-line tool ever.

PROSTART GPS Compass with: • Speed • Heading • Line Distance • Data Logger

• Two years warranty

The easiest cleat to release under load.

Compact roller action cam for easy release of high performance control lines.

Provides a perfect solution for spinnaker halyards and pole launch lines as once released it will not re-cleat.

PXR

CAM CLEAT Visit us at the SO UTH AM P TO N BOAT S H OW

Carefully designed, developed & manufactured under strict quality control & attention to detail that are the hallmark of Sélden.

Blocks, Cleats & Traveller Systems STOCKED IN CHANDLERIES NATIONWIDE; FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO FIND YOUR LOCAL STOCKIST PLEASE CONTACT US.

15 - 24 th SEPTEMBE R 2017 S TA N D B 0 1 4

www.chatham.co.uk | 01392 822981

XXXX

64

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

TRAVEL

ALEX THOMSON’S CARIBBEAN

BUSMAN’S HOLIDAY

After spending three months at sea, battling singlehanded for 24 hours a day, solo round the world sailor ALEX THOMSON took a well-earned family holiday in the Caribbean

with everyone still smiling. Once at the Dream base at English Harbour we were met by Thierry, who had our Catana 47 Manao ready for action, and we quickly made her home.

I chose a Catana 47 catamaran simply because she was a good sailing boat and I was not disappointed. A big difference is when racing on board Hugo Boss in the Vendée the boat is mostly driven by the autopilot whereas on holiday helming is shared between us all. Downwind in the flat water we were happily averaging nine knots with occasional bursts to 11, and my 6-year old son Oscar was easily able to steer in a straight line.

Oliver and I had chatted through

XXXX

MAIN IMAGE: ISTOCK/CHRISTIAN WHEATLEY; INSET: LLOYD IMAGES

A

few weeks after I arrived back in France after finishing second in the Vendée Globe, it was time for a well deserved holiday. I asked my wife Kate to arrange something for ourselves and our two children (Oscar, 6, and Georgia, 2), and she booked us a month-long sailing holiday with Dream Yacht Charter in the Caribbean. She also invited another family (The Edwards: Oliver, Clare, and their two children, Isabella, 6 and Mia, 3) we have known for many years.

We found the journey to Antigua to be really straightforward, quick and easy, and we made it to the Antigua Dream Yacht Charter base

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

65

GP RACER BIGGE

iSUP STOST RE

The new BR31 Grand Prix Racer from BRYD. An exci�ng, highly compe��ve contender for the HP30 Class 2018. www.br31.uk

info@bryd.uk

High quality UK build Light weight carbon fibre construction Fast competitive IRC & ORC racing

Performance Yacht Design info@bryd.uk

+44(0)7723025140

STAND J077

FUN FAMILY HOLIDAYS SKIPPERED CHARTER CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL OFFERS

NEW MODERN & VERY WELL MAINTAINED YACHTS & CATAMARANS

BAREBOAT CHARTER INFORMAL FLOTILLA

PRIVATE OR GROUP SAILING COURSES

WWW.SAILGRENADINES.COM | +44(0)800 321 3800 | WWW.SAILIONIAN.COM

TRAVEL

ALEX THOMSON FAMILY

our passage plan for the holiday; after Antigua we would go north to Barbuda, St Barths, St Maarten and the BVIs, then keep an eye on the forecast and find a light patch in the weather to avoid a bumpy upwind ride back.

The last thing either of us wanted was sick or tired children or wives!

I was really looking forward to the trip.

It’s great being on the water with all my family and having people to interact with face to face, to share the experience with.

It’s totally different from solo sailing where I am sailing in very isolated and remote locations. Although I don’t really get lonely, one of the biggest challenges in solo sailing is getting enough sleep.

Racing in the Vendée you are always on edge, and you are competing 24 hours a day for over 70 days. It’s an amazing race, but is quite stressful. Cruising with the family is very relaxing, in great weather conditions, warm temperatures, beautiful islands and with no time pressure.

PACKING Before we left to go to the airport it all felt a little familiar! Since we were going on a boat I took the payload gear bags from Hugo Boss. However, when racing

we reduce any non-essential weight so luxuries are left at home. On holiday, it’s a very different story! We ended up struggling to fit all our bags in the taxi to the airport, let alone knowing how we would fit all our bags and nine people onto a 47 foot cat for a month. I’d like to blame Kate, Oscar and Georgia for the mountains of luggage, but it’s mostly comprised of kites, kiteboards and my precious Slingshot hydrofoil.

I’ll admit I’m not one for relaxing on holiday and I was planning on spending as much time as I could kitesurfing.

PROVISIONING My dad, Pete, and his wife, Anne, who had spent the winter cruising in the Caribbean, were on the final leg of their journey and met us at our boat. They had been to the supermarket and stocked our boat for a few days, which was a welcome relief. This is a service that Dream Yacht Charter can provide, and one I would highly recommend using.

During the trip we stopped every day for fresh food. Again, this was a far cry from the Vendée when all provisions are taken on board from the start, as the race is non-stop with no assistance. And

Above A different kind of sailing and lifestyle for Vendée Globe veteran Alex, his family and friends

ALEX THOMSON’S CARIBBEAN

these provisions are mostly freeze dried!

Having fresh fruit and seafood every day was a real luxury by comparison.

FAMILIARISATION Once we had arrived and settled in, I went through the boat’s inventory and was given the official handover of Manao; this sort of thing always takes longer than I would imagine as I always have a lot of questions.

I am not used to chartering yachts and rarely sail any other boat than Hugo Boss so I always want to know as much as possible.

Better prepared than not!

I later realised that during nearly five months at sea - first on the Vendée and then on holiday - I had hardly opened the tool box at all.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

67

EXPLORE & DISCOVER

GREECE

YACHT OWNERS | CHARTERING | MANAGEMENT OFFSHORE SAILING SCHOOL

WE GUARANTEE BEST PRICES EXCELLENT MAINTAINED YACHTS 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE WE PROVIDE DINGHY & OUTBOARD WELCOME AND STARTING PACK ON BOARD MADE BEDS QUALIFIED AND FRIENDLY STAFF 24/7 SERVICE IN PORTS AND MARINAS PROVISIONS ON BOARD

Based in Lavrio and Lefkas

OFFICES : 97 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9JG UK 7, M. A. Papakonstadinou 19002 Paiania GR

charter@hdmsailing.gr www.hdmsailing.gr tel : +30 21066 44769 fax: +30 21066 45971

TRAVEL

ALEX THOMSON’S CARIBBEAN

ALEX THOMSON FAMILY

The non-stop sailor’s favourite stops GREEN ISLAND, ANTIGUA We sailed east out of English Harbour and spent our first night at Green Island, a beautiful island and lagoon on the eastern side of Antigua which also happened to be a first class kitesurfing location. The beaches on Green Island are idyllic, with lovely calm water, so there was lots of swimming and snorkelling. Despite regular application of sun cream we were all slightly charred by the end of the day, and after a BBQ and some rum we were all in bed pretty early.

DEEP BAY, ANTIGUA Next stop was Deep Bay, which was a downwind sail halfway around the island.

There is a semi-submerged wreck at the entrance to the bay and a beautiful deserted beach with what looked like a huge beach bar at one end, that turned out to be near-abandoned. We did manage some takeaway sundowners to have on the beach and we watched the first of many amazing sun sets. Clearly I see a lot of sunsets and rises in my job but it’s difficult to appreciate them when

you are focusing on something else. Sat on the beach with my family to hand and a boat a few yards off the beach was the first time I felt truly relaxed in months.

BARBUDA I have sailed in the waters around Antigua many times, generally racing.

Now I wanted to visit all those places that I had sailed right on by. Barbuda is just a short sail north from Antigua and is one of the least populated islands.

As we approached we had a real ‘wow’ moment. It looked like the most perfect tropical beach with the clearest waters and the softest sand, and once we got ashore we were not disappointed. We soon found a local beach bar, which served us our best seafood meal of the holiday.

Kids love nothing more than a day on the beach picking up shells, building sand castles and playing in the gentle surf and by 1900 they were all fast asleep.

SAINT MAARTEN The ladies initially wanted to stop in St Barths and my credit card heaved a

Above Clockwise from top left: unspoilt BVIs; local resident; beach life; Thomson and Edwards family: the next generation

huge sigh of relief when they decided we should instead stop in St Maarten. I have competed at five St Maarten Heineken Regattas and it is one of the few islands I know well. We went through the bridge at Simpson Bay and took a berth at the Palapa Marina where everything you need is right there. It was great to sink a few rum and cokes at the Soggy Dollar Bar and remember the old days!

VIRGIN GORDA Having never been to the BVIs I was very keen to get down there and stay in one place for five days or so and really chill out. We decided that Virgin Gorda was going to be that place so we set sail.

Check in there is at Gun Creek, a quiet little village that serves as a port for workers going to neighbouring islands.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

69

From there, we discovered the nearby Bitter End Yacht Club and we could not have been treated better. Immediately the kids were straight off to the sailing centre where Oscar and Isabella enrolled into sailing lessons.

The Bitter End Yacht Club has it all, lovely beaches, great food, attentive staff, and lots and lots of sports. They have the Caribbean Kitesurfing School on site as well an extremely well equipped sailing school. Oscar was having a ball learning to sail an Optimist on his own, trapezing on the Hobie cat with me and kitesurfing between my legs in the huge lagoon between the Bitter End and Necker Island. Truly, I had found my paradise, and we stayed for more than a week.

ANEGADA It was difficult to leave the Bitter End but we really wanted to visit Anegada to the north where, according to the pilot book, we would find the Caribbean’s best lobster dinner. We left early and arrived shortly before 10am and, after securing to a mooring buoy, we went ashore and managed to find transport to a stunning quiet hotel on north side of the island. I still find it amazing when you can find beaches that are completely deserted and you can walk for miles without seeing another person’s footprints. We all agreed that if we were going to come

70

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

TRAVEL

back for a shorebased visit, The Beach House in Anegada would be the place.

Above Bluewater Bay, one of Antigua’s many gems

NECKER ISLAND One of my partners is Slingshot who supplied the kites to use in my ‘Skywalk’ stunt. They had just equipped Necker Island with some new hydrofoils and they put me in touch with their watersports manager who was super kind and gave us a tour of the island. Everything you could ever wish for is on this beautiful little paradise and I can really see why Richard Branson lives there.

in a little boutique hotel called Juliana’s.

There was plenty for the kids to do and we even found a couple of excellent playgrounds to keep them entertained.

We wanted to stay a few days but the trades would re-establish themselves and I did not want to risk a family mutiny!

So we set off via St Kitts for Antigua.

BIRD ISLAND, ANTIGUA Bird Island is an unspoilt, uninhabited little islet about two miles north east of Antigua. It has plenty of day trippers but is the only home to the Antiguan racer snake and the island is very well

The locals went off to get supplies and asked us what we needed... ice and rum of course!

SABA ISLAND I have raced around Saba Island in the RORC Caribbean 600 but having read that there was not a single beach on the island, this time I was a little concerned. But I needn’t have worried.

We had a little tour of the island which ended at the main town high in the hills called the Windward Side. I don’t think I have been to a more relaxed place and the normal heat of the Caribbean was tempered by the height above sea level and the light breeze. We perused the little shops and had a wonderful meal

13 NEXT MONTH Caribbean regattas bucket list On sale 13 October

looked after. Last time I was there it was very quiet but this time it was the Easter holidays and a group of Antiguans had camped on the island. I thought this may detract from the experience but they were all so friendly. We stayed for three days and when the locals went off to get supplies they kindly asked us what we needed... ice and rum, of course!

We had a few barbecues on the beach and climbed to the top of the island where we could see the huge blow holes below.

It was a great way to finish the holiday before getting back to civilisation.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

DREAM YACHT CHARTER

ALEX THOMSON’S CARIBBEAN

Yachts & Yachting May 14.pdf

1

24/03/2014

12:55

Traction Made Beautiful...

The high performance non-skid deck coating.

for the finest British Alpaca socks

Made In New Zealand

Unit E4 Fort Wallington, Fareham, PO16 8TT. Tel 01329 232360 sales@vitessemarine.co.uk www.vitessemarine.co.uk/kiwigrip

www.perilla.co.uk tel: 01886 853615

BAREBOAT CHARTERS • CREWED LUXURY CHARTERS • BY THE CABIN CRUISES • YACHT SALES & MANAGEMENT

Dream without limits

NEW POWER CATS IN BVI, PUERTO RICO, MEXICO AND THE BAHAMAS

VISIT US ON STAND J008

DREAMING OF A YACHT CHARTER HOLIDAY? 850+ Yachts and 47 Destinations With the largest fleet of yachts in the most locations, explore your Dream destinations from the widest selection of world leading manufacturers.

Your Dream, just keeps getting better.

www.DreamYachtCharter.co.uk

Call 02380 455527 or E-mail sales@dreamyachtcharter.co.uk THE AMERICAS • BAHAMAS • CARIBBEAN • UK • EUROPE • ASIA • INDIAN OCEAN • PACIFIC OCEAN

S1 RACE

BOAT TEST

NO SOFT OPTION

This Italian-built, singlehanded catamaran certainly had TOBY HEPPELL questioning life as a monohull devotee

D

esigned by Michele Petrucci and built in Italy, the new S1Race (or S1R) singlehanded catamaran shares both its design pedigree and build factory with the S9 foiling cat – currently a hot-seller throughout Europe – not to mention many of the same features.

But you would be mistaken if you considered this merely a de-tuned or soft version of the S9 – as I had ahead of testing on Rutland Water. In fact, it is better to think of this as a shorter A-Class cat, though with the addition of a 14.5sq m spinnaker or ‘screecher’ downwind, and designed specifically with UK-based Outlaw Sailing to fill what they see as a gap in the market.

CONCEPT 9/10 In the increasingly congested small boat market it can be somewhat tricky for new manufacturers to find their niche but the S1R seems to make a decent case for doing just that. With the A-Class moving to foiling, those wishing to stay in Archimedean mode – or looking to avoid the development cost within the A-Class – have relatively few options for singlehanded cats. And with singlehanded boats more generally being one of the biggest growth areas within sailing right now, this new design would seem to tick many boxes.

There is no doubt that this is an outand-out top-spec racer with everything made from carbon, aggressively toed out hulls and reverse (dreadnought) bows

72

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

SPECIFICATIONS

Main + wing mast: 12.5sq m Code zero furling system: 14.5sq m Mast height: 8m Boat lenght: 4.7m Boat width: 2.38m Weight: 85kg

all giving her a very racy look ashore – though the lime green paint-job of our test boat may not be to everyone’s taste!

Certainly the boat will appeal to the prospective singlehanded cat sailor, but it also has the potential to open up a whole new option for monohull sailors after something in the vein of a Musto Skiff, who may well be convinced by the inherently higher form stability of two hulls. I suspect that the chances of the class really hitting it big will hang on how well it does in this latter category.

DECK AND RIG 8/10 Simplicity has been a key driver in the S1R’s development and this is evidenced from the off with the decision to put the gennaker on a roller furler, which

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

remains hoisted upwind and down. This does little to help the racy look of the boat, but once out on the water it makes spinnaker work fantastically simple.

It is not hard to imagine rounding a windward mark on the wire, deploying the chute with a simple tug on the sheet and powering off downwind.

Of course the trade-off is all that windage upwind and there is always the danger of an accidental unfurl in breezy conditions leading to a swim.

The main is powerful enough and in combination with the small wing mast and associated mast rotator, offers a

satisfyingly tweaky system. As became clear throughout our test, the boat in general terms seems to be surprisingly easy to sail, but will almost certainly have her own quirks and thus be tricky to coax to the absolute optimum round a course.

The daggerboards on our test boat came with carabiner clips, which, attached to the shrouds, are a nice touch given how easily they could go overboard during launch and recovery.

I would be inclined to add some elastic to hold the boards up when raised as the demo boat’s were lose enough in the case that the windward board on

2. Most control lines exit the mast and lead to either side of the boat

one tack would drop if I tried to raise it.

Equally you could pack the case tighter but that would make raising the board a touch slower out of the tacks and gybes. Rudders are easily locked down with a familiar bar locking system.

The Cunningham cleats at either side of the mast and on the demo boat the tail had been led out to either side of the tramp, so too the tail for the mast rotator, which is on a single swivel cleat. Outhaul cleats off on a swivel block under the boom and, in most conditions is likely to be something of a ‘set and forget’.

Matt Bell from Outlaw Sailing, which

2

ALL PHOTOS: TOM GRUITT

1

1. The bar locking system on the rudders will be familiar to most multihull sailors

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

73

She is instantly responsive and easy to keep in the groove is selling the S1R in the UK, told us the intention would be to allow the class to remain fairly open in terms of running control lines and sheets in differing ways.

Were I to purchase one, I’d certainly be interested in moving the Cunningham further outboard as this seemed as though it would be pretty regularly used – I suspect the mast rotation a little less so, but I would need further sails to confirm this. Other options would be to run the kite sheets under the tramp, principally to get them out of the way when furling – I stood on them a number of times when furling the chute, which would quickly become distracting in the cut and thrust of competition.

UNDER SAIL 9/10 Conditions for our test saw a light breeze delivering perhaps 10 knots at the top end but sitting more around the 5-7 knot zone generally. As such flying

74

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

a hull was possible in the bigger puffs, which lasted several minutes at a time – enough to get into a groove and get a decent impression of how she performs in a straight line. I should probably ‘fess up’ to being predominantly a monohull sailor; I have done a fair amount of cat sailing but not particularly seriously. I feel pretty sure that a better cat sailor than I would have been flying a hull much of the time and managing the transitions between when to trapeze and when to sit in rather better – certainly it was something I improved at over the course of the day. But the very fact I was able to jump into the boat easily despite this clear need for improvement on my behalf, shows it should deliver for it’s potential monohull demographic.

Upwind, the first thing you notice is just how responsive she is to both tiller and helm weight. As soon as you lift a hull the acceleration is marked and she is instantly responsive and remarkably

Above Upwind the boat feels stable and nicely balanced

easy to keep in the groove – even in the variable winds of our test day. A word of warning, however, the hulls both have big, flat planing surfaces aft (about which more later) and as such weight too far aft is a speed killer, as I discovered throughout the day. A small improvement here would be to run the grip tape further forward as you really do want to be trapezing up around the shrouds in lighter weather where our demo boat had no grip. It’s an easy enough fix but would make a big difference in those conditions.

As mentioned, I’m pretty sure the S1R will be a tweaky boat and of interest will be exactly how high you fly the windward hull, in combination with the raised daggerboard. I was told before heading out that the asymmetric hulls sit on their planning surface with the windward hull some 30cm out of the water and this seems to be about right. But with the rudder foils and daggerboards both slightly canted too, the drag reduction in getting as much of them out of the water as reasonable must be significant – though, as ever, the

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

BOAT TEST

higher out of the water the windward hull, the lower the righting moment.

I suspect investing the time into experimenting here will be rewarded on the racecourse. Unfurling the spinnaker is even easier than I’d initially thought, with a tug on the sheet enough to unfurl the whole thing, particularly as it is helped by the breeze. As with upwind, the S1R remains sensitive to weight and even in these relatively benign conditions I was getting pretty far aft in the bigger gusts. Volume-wise the bows are quite narrow for the first 60cm or so and then volume increases significantly.

If a puff catches you out the bow is likely to bury – I managed this on a couple of occasions even in the light winds and flat water of Rutland – but it pops out easily enough. I suspect she would sail through chop fairly easily but would be intrigued to see how she handles properly big waves.

It is downwind with both sails pulling that the planing hulls really came into their own and in the gusts she was a real pleasure to sail. Again, as upwind, it was fairly easy to keep her in the groove once up and running.

The team are still finalising the spinnaker cut. The one on our test boat is a bit flatter than the eventual spinnaker will be; principally this is being tweaked as part of the SCHRS handicap measurement in order to get a kite that is quick and provides a decent handicap.

Tacking is not bad for a multihull but, again, in this lighter weather staying well forward was key. It is easy to end up crossing aft and killing speed.

Having sailed a Musto Skiff a few times gybing, as you would expect, is, comparably, a doddle. With the main

sheeted fairly well on and the traveller down a bit, the sole focus through gybes other than steering is the spinnaker – though a bit of a pop of the main was required to get the battens across.

VERDICT 9/10 As someone who sails most regularly at a pretty wavy venue, I would be interested to sail the S1R again in a big seaway to see just how hard you can push it before pitch-poling. I’m going to give the designers the benefit of the doubt here and assume that the mid-bow volume is sufficient to get you out of jail in all but the gnarliest conditions – though if I have one question mark it would be:

Possibly the most popular singlehanded trapeze boat with a spinnaker. The Musto Skiff has a lot going for it, but it can be a bit of a handful!

why not put a T-foil on the rudders?

That is my single reservation with the boat. Clearly I have stated a few tweaks I would make to the S1R should I own one, but they are mostly preferences and it should be telling that I was thinking in terms of ownership!

For those wanting a relatively easy to sail boat that offers high performance and will reward skill and time invested racing, then this is for you.

Yes, at this price point you are looking at competition from a variety of areas, (it is pricier by some way than a Musto Skiff or a Waszp, though cheaper than a top-end Moth or A-Class), but I can see where the money is going - in the build quality and enjoyment factor.

ANSWER BACK

COMPARISONS

Musto Skiff

Above Simplicity in set-up – but I’d be inclined to tidy ropes with elastic take-ups

S1 RACE

Matt Bell of Outlaw Sailing says:

Shadow

In many ways the S1R is an updated version of the Shadow by Topper.

It is still popular, but being 20 years old is naturally lower-tech.

When we first met with Michele (Petrucci) in 2015 to sit down and specify the S1R we had several key objectives in mind initially.

The boat should be easy to manage on and off the water, fast, perform in a mixed fleet and be usable in a wide range of weather conditions.

Toby’s review confirms the feedback we have received from most of the people who have tested the boat and our own thoughts, that we have broadly achieved our objectives.

You can see the S1R in action at upcoming cat opens (Stokes, Weston, Grafham) and a test sail can be arranged for interested parties at either Rutland or Stokes Bay. For more information contact Outlaw Sailing at info@outlawsailing.com or call 0800 6124721.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

75

TECH FOCUS

HULL FINISHES

HULL FINISHES

From paints to varnishes and vinyl wraps, RUPERT HOLMES looks at the options available to achieving the perfect finish

A

great paint finish will both make a boat look stunning and provide a more slippery surface that will help to improve performance on the racecourse. Vinyl wraps are also an increasingly common alternative and allow for a wider range of artwork and graphics to be easily applied.

TYPES OF PAINT By far the easiest paints to apply, and the cheapest to buy, are one-pot products that rely on the evaporation of an oil-based solvent to set. The two most common forms are alkyd (a synthetic binder soluble in white spirit) based, such as International’s Toplac and Hempel’s Brilliant Gloss, or polyurethane based, such as International’s Brightside.

Alkyd paints are generally quite soft, so have relatively poor resistance

76

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

to abrasion. This makes it a less good choice for a boat that’s kept alongside a pontoon, although a fender blanket will help to reduce abrasion. On the other hand, if it’s dry sailed or kept on a swinging mooring this will be less of an issue. Single-pot polyurethanes fare better in this respect, but have less of a high gloss and can fade relatively quickly when exposed to sunlight.

In two-pot paint systems the two elements undergo a chemical reaction that locks the ingredients into a hard chemical formula. These have greater scuff resistance, while some, such as Awlgrip, are harder than the gel coat to which they are applied and benefit from a top-quality deep gloss. The downside is that application is more difficult.

After mixing they have a limited pot life before setting, but the more important aspect is that the working time in

Above A vinyl wrap is a good way to bring colour to your boat

13 NEXT MONTH Winter dinghy kit On sale 13 October

which any imperfections or runs can be brushed out is very short – as little as a minute or two in warm weather.

This makes the application of two-pot products a more skilled process.

It’s worth noting that two-pot paints, whether primer, undercoat or topcoat, cannot be applied over single-pot paints, as the solvents in the two-pack paint will tend to partially strip the existing coating. If you’re unsure of what was used for the existing paint system test a concealed area with a rag with some thinners for two-pot paint.

VARNISHES Varnish is also available in alkyd and (single- and two-pot) polyurethane types, with the same pros and cons as the respective types of paint. An additional advantage of alkyd varnish types is that, being quite soft, it’s relatively

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Epoxy-based pigmented paints offer abraision resistance and a low drag finish

IMAGE: SHAUN ROSTER

DOES THE BOAT NEED TO BE PAINTED?

Don’t discount simply buffing the original gelcoat – on many boats this will restore the finish to an 'as new' condition. If it has been badly oxidised you may need to start by sanding with 600 (or even 400) grit paper in a decent random orbital sander, moving progressively through finer grades to 1200 grit. At this stage the finish will already have a shine, but further buffing with polish, followed by wax compound, will produce a deeper and longer-lasting sheen that will repel dirt and grime and can be rejuvenated with only a few hours of work every couple of years.

Existing gelcoat repairs that are not fully faired in and not colour matched are a key reason owners don’t opt for polishing tired gelcoat in this way. However, getting a boat builder to re-do these repairs to a proper standard and then polishing the hull is invariably the quickest and most economic route to an excellent finish.

flexible which is good for traditionally constructed wooden boats in which the timber expands and contracts. Standard polyurethane varnishes have much better wear resistance than alkyds, but lack flexibility. Two-pot polyurethanes can give a faster cure, allowing multiple coats to be applied in a single day.

Flexible polyurethanes such as Coelan are a two-pot material that combines the benefits of traditional polyurethanes with the flexibility needed for long life.

Several coats can be applied in a single day, with the finish lasting last twice as long as traditional varnishes. As well as being more expensive, a key downside is that preparation must be done to a high standard. Another alternative to a conventional varnish that’s more forgiving is International’s woodskin.

This breathable microporous product is a flexible oil/varnish hybrid that’s easy to apply, easy to touch up and doesn’t need sanding between coats.

Whatever varnish type you use it’s worth remembering that maintaining brightwork is best not left as a once a year task. The problem is that the system quickly breaks down once it has been penetrated by water. This process can be dramatically slowed by touching up any problems immediately, which greatly reduces the long-term amount of maintenance needed.

EPOXY When used as a coating, epoxy resins such as Gurit’s SP320 and West System 105 can significantly out perform conventional varnish, fully sealing the wood, and have the advantage that an entire system can be applied in a single day. The biggest downside is a poor resistance to ultra-violet light – the coating will tend to turn yellow over time. For this reason a few coats of varnish need to be applied over the top. A clear epoxy can also be used to laminate a weather (and impact) resistant layer of fiberglass cloth on to timber, creating a permanently weather proof system.

It’s also possible to buy epoxy-based pigmented paints, such as Durepox that offer superb abrasion resistance and the possibility of a great low-drag finish, but with a slightly satin appearance.

APPLICATION Your chosen method of application will also have a significant bearing on the

nnHempel offer a range of epoxybased high performing paints

nnInternational's Interdeck is a tough polyurethane coating

nnAwlgrip are best known for their deck finishing

nnCoelan is a flexible twopot coating varnish

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

77

TECH FOCUS

HULL FINISHES

nnGurit's SP320 epoxy resin can be used instead of varnish for a stronger finish

nnInternationals' Toplac is an easy to apply one-pot product

most appropriate paint products for the job – while many can be sprayed, rolled or brushed (when appropriately thinned) others are formulated specifically for one type of application. Some top-end products, including much of Awlgrip’s range are primarily intended for professional spraying, which produces amazing results. However, the boat will invariably need to be put in a shed, or at least inside a substantial all-over tent, which significantly increases costs.

On the other hand there are other high end paints, such as Epifanes’ Poly-urethane, that are more tolerant of application by roller by a reasonably skilled DIY owner. Other products, such as Hempel’s PolyGloss, are twopart paints specifically formulated for application by brush.

A good approach for an amateur application is to work as a team of two people, with one applying the paint with

78

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

nnEpiphanes is easier than some for DIY application

nnWest System is probably the best known Resin

a four-inch roller, and the second using light vertical strokes with a wide brush to tip off the roller marks, leaving a smooth surface. A variation of this that can work well with two-pot paints is to use the ‘empty’ roller with very light pressure to tip off before reloading it with paint to cover the next area of the hull.

ALUMINIUM COMPONENTS Aliuminium components tend to look quite tatty once the anodising has been damaged, but paint does not readily stick to alloy components so some work is required. After thoroughly sanding the metal with medium grit paper, thoroughly cleaning and degreasing the surface you can apply an etch (or adhesive) primer as soon as possible.

This helps to bond subsequent coats of paint to the metal and can be followed with the first coat of aluminium oxide primer after about 90 minutes.

VINYL WRAPS Vinyl wraps have the potential to be a quick, inexpensive and long-lasting alternative to a professional paint job.

Until recently they were largely the preserve of sponsored race boats in which the graphics were often changed on a regular basis. However, vinyl wraps are now increasingly common of boats of all descriptions, including cruising yachts, and are routinely offered as options on new yachts.

Benefits include reduced preparation time and quick application without the need to put the boat in a shed.

This helps to both reduce costs – which may be as little as one-third the price of a professional respray – and minimises the time during which the boat is out of action.

A wrap also allows a huge range of artwork and graphics to be applied at a fraction of the price of attemptong to achieve the same effect with paint. Vinyl tends to be less forgiving of abrasion and scratches than the best paint systems, but specialists have, over the years, developed techniques to neatly repair dings and scratches without replacing the entire wrap.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS?

It’s certainly possible to paint your boat yourself and achieve decent results if using the right paint – I’ve used Epifanes Poly-urethane two-pot to great effect, for example, achieving a result that looks brilliant from a couple of metres.

Even then it’s a time consuming process, especially in the preparation stages, and is a job that can easily go wrong – we’ve all seen plenty of examples of boats whose finish does not do justice to the time and money their owners have invested in them. A professional spray job on the other hand results in a perfect mirror-like finish that few people who are not in the business have a sufficiently well trained and practiced eye to achieve. It’s rightly seen by many as an essential element of a well prepared race boat.

WHERE TO GO FOR TECHNICAL ADVICE The big marine paint suppliers, such as Eastleigh-based Marineware, stock a wide range of brands and have knowledgeable staff. They are usually from a boat building background and know the products well. Before making an order they will give valuable advice on which coatings will work best for your boat and what products will be needed at the preparation stage. Such outfits can also supply paints mixed to a range of colours and in larger cans that are considerably more economic than buying a stack of standard 750ml tins from a chandlery.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

edating e p o

e lm lid e fi s G a c relea

c s oprelease r P g

M ling

Fo

u

Fo

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO RENEW OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PRO-SET, THEIR TECHNICAL AND LOGISTIC SUPPORT HAS BEEN OF GREAT HELP IN OUR PAST CAMPAIGN PERFORMANCE.”

uli

n

SEE US ON STAND J401

Grant Simmer, ORACLE TEAM USA General Manager

PRO-SET® epoxy is an official supplier of ORACLE TEAM USA, the America’s Cup defending champions. PRO-SET epoxy: chosen by winners. www.westsysteminternational.com | +44 (0) 1794 521111 @westsystemint

Search West System International

For inspirational projects and expert epoxy advice visit www.epoxycraft.com.

Photography: Guilain Grenier / ORACLE TEAM USA.

Pro-Set-HalfPageAd-Y&Y-205x137-Ad-October-2017.indd 1

23/08/2017 15:58:53

kit fo outd r oor kids

The Spinlock IRC Autumn Championships

5 scheduled races over the weekend 30th September & 1st October

The Hamble One Design Championships

14 scheduled races over two weekends 7th/8th October and 21st/22nd October

_.

The Sth Round of the Fast 40+ Race Circuit

6 scheduled races over the weekend of 14th & 15th October

J

/ďż˝-

You can enter ALL FOUR EVENTS online, download the forms or email/call the HRSC sailing office.

Hamble River Sailing Club

Telephone: 023 8045 2070 Email: admin@hrsc.org.uk Facebook : hamblewinterseries

Ill\

QUALITY CLOTHING & SAFETY KIT FOR SAILING KIDS & ADVENTURERS TO 10Y

www.nipperskipper.co.uk Paul Wyeth

\Cl,)marinephotography

Photo: pwpictures.com

BA Watersports Management

Make your passion your profession!

With miles of stunning coast line and high quality sailing areas, all within a close proximity to the university, UWTSD Swansea is the perfect place to pursue your career in watersports, gaining a degree and your NGB qualifications.

If watersport is your way of life and you are looking for long term career prospects in the industry then get in touch to learn more about the course.

uwtsd.sport @UWTSDsport

Contact Neil on 07818443884 or neil.hapgood@uwtsd.ac.uk

SPEEDSIX Speedsix Sail and Speedsix HydraPRO are two new lubricant options for sailors.

Speedsix Sail aerosol (pictured) is designed as a lubricant for moving parts, such as blocks and cleats.

Also available is the Speedsix HydraPRO – in a white can – which can be applied to your hull to help maintain a clean surface using superhydrophobic technology. Crucially, both are ‘legal’, and Speedsix Sail has environmentally friendly ingredients. speedsix.co.uk £10.95

Sailing Today is the magazine for hands-on cruising sailors WIN VIP tickets to La Grande Motte multihull show

unt ticket disco your London OFFER Claim OW SH AT BO YEARS

KIT INNOVATIONS TOBY HEPPELL takes a

look at the latest kit for all your sailing needs

CREWSAVER 3D BUOYANCY AIDS TRIED & TESTED

ROOSTER KIT We recently put to test the Rooster ThermaFlex longjohn and top during an open meeting in Weymouth. Mother nature threw everything at us, with rain squalls and top temperatures of 15 degrees!

The ThermaFlex provided great flexibility due to its 1.5mm super-stretch neoprene and was extremely comfortable. It provided plenty of warmth for the conditions and the duraflex wear resistant knee and seat provided great protection.

The weather also provided a great opportunity to try the Pro Lite Aquafleece, which acts as a semi-dry top, with tight seals around the waist and wrists. This paired with the fleece lining makes the top very dry and cosy. roostersailing.com £110 (longjohn); £69 (top); £70 Aquafleece

20

Crewsaver’s new range of buoyancy aids has just been launched, and features the company’s new Fusion 3D technology which they say provides a uniquely unrestricting and comfortable fit. The range consists of five designs suited to different users, from entry level to pro, and features lightweight and soft contoured buoyancy foam and a ‘designed-to-fit’ profile. crewsaver.com From £34.95

YEA RS

19

GO FURTHER I SAIL BETTER I BE INSPIRED GO FUR TH May 2017 | sailingtoday.co.uk | £4.50

April 2017

INSPIRED I BEHOME WATERS SAIL BETTER

ER I GO FURTH today.co.uk | £4.30

North ds Faroe islanWales

February 2017

HOM

Dartin River ent ure

| sailing

ITUDE

boom brakes your tested for d peace of min

How to latitudes boat for high

ER_RP.indd

ST238_001_COV

or take a tow in safety

GEAR

How to lash it up and carry on

SHOES? NON-SLIP d

fell overboar How Heiney our VHF SAFETY ndic harb into an Icela

ST241_001_COVER v5.indd 1

AMERICA

Sail round the US on lakes, rivers and open ocean JACKETS

P SAI 31 boats set to make Four ways r sail on the Oysteasie er Worl er and d Rally furling quick

INSIDE IMRAY

Meet the family behind the world-famous charts

TO

Tried and tested Next generation wet weather clothing

45%

NGAM DRE TRI L HANDLI

that’ Fast cruiser boatbuilding shaking up

Coastguard contact channels set to change

1

DE TO

YOUR GUI MARINA NEYLAND

DEHLER 34 s

CANAY TO THE RIES

S AVE UP

NEW

SKILLS

Engine repair NUS RASSY

T NEW BOA SKILLS

5 wing 46To Arcongna eden’s Flyi in Swcruth isere line all-carbon How to give

BOATS What multihull for you? &

12/12/2016 OVER final.indd 1

APRIL_C

ED

MAR LANZARINA OTE GATEWA

Great Loop

Fast cruiser comfy rac , er

2 hulls or 3

17

I BE INSPIR

YOUR GUIDE TO

NEW BOA T TEST

Seaworthy cat full of innovative design

IP

Ionian charter

X4

Bali 4.0

ilor r Ice sa prepare you

.co.uk | £4.30

Lazy family in low win sailing ds

MULTIHULLS

SEAMANSH

MAG famous Scion of the family boatbuilding

Timeless adv st ay to the we the gatew

A mythical mix of tides and scenery

7

19 9 7-2 0

ER I SAIL BETTER

| sailingtoday

GREECE

E WATERS

HIGH LAT

the far A taste of ser north is clo nk than you thi

at the Düsse

20

1 9 9 7 - 2 0 17

RS YEA 9 7 - 2 0 17

WINDFINDER APP The newly updated Windfinder App now has a number of new features. The developers have improved the ‘single view’ mode to make it easier to find the windiest locations at a glance. They say they have also managed to significantly reduce the app’s data consumption, making it ideal for mobile usage on smartphones and sailing offshore. windfinder.com £2.99 (Pro version)

NEW BOAT S Launched

20

16:12

SHORTLIST

The best new technical deck shoes for 2017

SPIRIT YAC HTS

Wooden hulls vogue for cruisare back in ing boats

SNA

TCH 9 reasons to BLOCKS carry this

NEW ELECTRICScrucial bit of kit

Esper gets new wiring and nav gear in Thailand

15/03/2017 14:24

INSIDE EVERY ISSUE A wealth of practical advice to enhance and improve your sailing experience Detailed marina guides from the world’s top harbours, with insider tips on everything from berthing costs to where to eat Sailing stories from the best cruising grounds in the UK and beyond Rigorous, impartial new boat tests and expert reviews of must-have sailing kit

ORDER NOW chelseamagazines.com/ CSTOYY77

+44 (0) 1858 438 769 quote CSTOYY77

DAVITS

How to retro fi handling to yo

BOAT NEWS

lassiic B at CBoat Booaat B iClassic Boa Classic i

MAY 2017

30YEARS

i

FAREAST 19R

ii

LAUNCH

Classic Boat is essential reading for thousands of wooden boat enthusiasts worldwide 30YEARS 1987-2017

Following the success of their three previous designs, the Fareast 23R, 28R T H E W O R L D’ S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S and the 31R, Shanghai-based Fareast Cruising FifeCruisingMUTINY Behind Design TV Still in the family Boats has launched the Fareast 19R. a modernthe g series nson swa after 92 years gaff er Fred Shepherd’s The new boat is smaller than their New build, old ways last yacht turns 70 WIN LAVISH previous offerings and is pitched more VARNISH towards the entry-level sportsboat for Which is best for your boat? clubs, and sailing schools market.

MULTIHULLS ancient With the typical Fareast reverse bow From Polynesia to the America’s Cup and wide transom, the 19R is designed to be sailed by three people, but the HISTORIC CUTTER 157 YEARS ON PLUS company says can also be sailed by Caught out in a 20ft gaffer Norway’s greatest designer THE two bigger or four smaller sailors.

2017 ALL Best boat photo wins £1,000!

Awards WINNERS She has no backstay, and her modern single spreader rig allows for a squaretop mainsail and big fore triangle, but without runner lines she should be handled easily through manoeuvres.

MARCH 2017

1987-2017

APRIL 2017

350th/30 year logo.indd 6

BEAUTIFUL BOATS T H E W O R L D’ S M O S T

30YE

198

19/12/2016 11:45

T H E W O R L D’ S M O S T BEAUTIFUL BOATS

19/12/2016 11:45

350th/30 year logo.indd 6

350th/30 year logo.indd 6

Events Guide 20 Plan yo season

SQUADRON HISTORY BOOKS

PLUS Restoring a 7-Metre The fastest BMW on water All the latest boatyard news

CB345 Cover Options RP.indd

EAST COAST RELICS

INTERNATIONAL GURU

Big schooner racing

Inside deserted forts

Mr Metre yacht

www.classicboat.co.uk

£4.85

LIFE BEFORE THE MAST

OLDEST YACHT SAILING?

FROM THE MIRROR TO J-CLASS

YACHTING’S CARTOONIST

Dunkirk lifeboat

www.classicboat.co.uk

14/12/2016 14:17

$19,800 ex VAT fareastboats.com

seth

Classic Boat 2017 awards logo.indd 4

CB347 Cover May.indd 1

28/03/2017 17:19

UP TO

50%

BEAUTIFUL BOATS

Stunning traditional boats, showcased through beautiful photography and expert editorial coverage

EXPERT ADVICE

In-depth examination at a practical level with credible advice above deck and below: hulls, paint and varnish, rigging, sails, and traditional tools

STUNNING FEATURES

LLOYD IMAGES; FAREAST BOATS

NEWS

Off-the-shelf Imoca 60

Designers of the nine new Imoca 60s that took part in the last Vendée Globe (which finished earlier this year), VPLP have announced plans to build an off-the-shelf Imoca 60 for the next race in 2020.

Previously, VPLP were commissioned by teams on an individual or small group basis as the solo round-the-world racers fought to find a design edge; thus Alex Thomson’s Hugo Boss was radically different to Armel Le Cléac’h’s Banque Populaire VIII despite coming from the same design house. The Vendée Globe and more broadly the Imoca 60 class has always been a design race with a high cost to compete. Skippers are thus faced with the choice to purchase a new boat for eyewatering sums or pick up a proven secondhand boat. But now VPLP will be manufacturing copies of the winning Banque Populaire design, available at significantly less than a bespoke boat.

Purists may argue that this is yet another step towards one design racing at the very top of the sport, but with the majority of participants short on cash it will be interesting to see the take-up for this offering. vplp.fr

www.classicboat.co.uk

Mike Peyton RIP

CB346 Cover Standard.indd 1

£4.95

SPONSORS

RESTORED LITTLE SHIP

SAVE Top 10 classic classes

24/01/2017 17:59

1

PL Life afloat in the 187 A wooden Dragon reb Gardner – the classic die

Featuring classics of all types, from J-Class yachts to traditional work boats and everything in between

ORDER NOW

chelseamagazines.com/ CCBOYY77 +44 (0) 1858 438 442 quote CCBOYY77

21/02/2

CLUBS & CLASSES NEWS

Submit your news reports to club@YachtsandYachting.co.uk

CLUBS CLASSES

NEWS In our new regular section, Paula Irish turns the spotlight on to clubs and classes, with news reports from around the country Name an award to win!

The Larks are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a series of events which will culminate with a Masters regatta at Salcombe on 14 October.

Events so far this year, sponsored by GJW Direct, have included Carnac in France, an inlands at Rutland and the nationals at Brixham.

And as three-times national champion Tim Fells explains: “With many top sailors having sailed a Lark at some time, and the Lark class reputation for great socials, the Masters will be a highlight of the dinghy sailing calendar.”

Despite its longevity, the class continues to evolve and look to the future, this year trialling an innovative mix of course lengths

and types within each event. Lark chairman Nigel Scott believes the young-at-heart class is as important now as it was in its heyday, attracting like-minded sailors of all ages.

“We have great venues and close racing,” he said, “while second-hand boats are competitive and very affordable for young people.”

Nigel adds that the class is equally suited to men and women, is keen to work with clubs to develop Lark fleets, and is always looking for crews.

“Many top Lark sailors started crewing and moved to helming – it provides a good way to get cheap sailing while learning from some great sailors. ”

Sunrise challenge as Optimists smash round the island record

An intrepid trio of friends from Bewl – Ella Lance, Josh Davies and Ollie Hill – have broken a 30-year-old world record for sailing around the Isle of Wight in an Optimist.

The record was previously held by Olympic medallist Nick Rogers who set a record of 13 hours and 55 minutes in 1987 when he was an Optimist sailor.

The three friends set off on their record attempt at 4am on 9 August and, battling unexpectedly low winds and monsoon conditions, Ollie, Ella and Josh completed the 60-mile challenge in 11 hours and 29 minutes.

84

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

GARETH FUDGE; TIM OLIN; TIM DAVIES AND MARK LANCE; GILLY LLEWELYN; COLIN FAULKNER

Golden 50th for ‘young-at-heart’ Larks

Allen Brothers will once again be supporting the GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series, sponsoring an award for the ‘Most Improved’ team across the series. It follows a successful pilot of the award during the 2016-17 series, which was won

by Laser sailor Craig Williamson.

Now, the search is on to rename the Award with a suitably inspiring name.

We are giving Y&Y readers the chance to name the award! Not only that, £25 of Allen Brothers vouchers will be awarded to the winner to spend at allensail.com.

Send your suggestions by email to editorial@yachtsandyachting. co.uk. Closing date is 29 September; full T&Cs can be found online.

Juniors Whitstable YC’s first ‘Cadetfest’ has taken place thanks to sponsorship from Barton Marine, which provided prizes and a VIP tour of its HQ. The week-long junior sailing event is part of a new programme of activities planned along with neighbouring Herne Bay SC, to invest in the next generation.

Tresaith Mariners celebrates with special anniversary regatta Tresaith Mariners Sailing Club celebrated its 30-year history with an Anniversary Regatta and one of the club’s legendary parties, with a marquee on the beach, live bands and the bar open until the early hours.

Pip Alexandre, founder member and trustee, said the club had in fact started in 1987 over a few beers: “At that time there was a buoy which was known locally as The Black Pig, which was moored to the

east of Aberporth Head. It seemed a good idea to race round it. A few local helmsmen, crews and their boats got together, put out two other buoys, and raced a triangular course around them.”

The club grew and after several years of monohulls, saw the introduction of catamarans.

Its annual regatta in August is the high point of the club year.

Four handicap races over the 30th Anniversary Regatta saw

Falmouth Week victory for young sailors in IRC1

Five children joined the crew of Black Dog and went on to score a win on the opening day of Falmouth Week in the hotly contested IRC1 fleet.

The team from Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust (HRCST) charity – which provides free sailing lessons for local school children – was guided by the owner and skipper of Black Dog, Stuart Sawyer, and the rest of Team Gul. It gave the children a chance to put into practice the skills they’ve developed with HRCST. “The children got stuck in from the moment they came on board,” said Stuart.

“Hiking out over the edge at speed was incredible,” said Ross Payne, 12, while 13-yearold Ollie Heffernan added: “It was challenging but really exciting. We had to work as a team.”

Also on board were Jacob Midgley, 13, and Rowan Skingley, 15. For Gabriel Faulker, who had just turned 11, it was a chance to progress from singlehanded sailing to working as part of a dynamic racing crew; he went from being over-awed as he boarded Black Dog to by the end of the race feeling his “confidence and sailing had jumped to another level”.

“It taught me to aim high,” he said.

cruisers from New Quay YC and Aberaeron racing down to the bay for the start; Pete Jones-Fraser McMillan and Liz Kempton-Alistair Sibley battled for the top spot in F18s followed by Kristian Davies in a Laser Radial and Justin Pachebat with son Samuel (12) in a Dart 16. Pip added: “It’s wonderful to see new youngsters and some older members bringing new ideas and fresh blood into the club.”

CLUBS & CLASSES NEWS

Ô IN BRIEF

Alligator A Bristol Water engineer found a small alligator on the shores of Chew Valley Lake in Somerset. A staff member “bumped into it” doing a routine survey; happily for sailors it was captured in a container and collected by the RSPCA! Topper One of the biggest cheers at the Volvo GJW Direct International Topper National Championships, Pwllheli, went to Andy Peng who fought his way back into the prizes after his boat went missing for almost 24 hours before being found by the coastguard.

Blind A British team has flown to the USA to compete in the World Blind Sailing Championships. Teams will race Sonars on Lake Michigan for the Squadron Cup, currently held by GBR. Trophy A new perpetual trophy was presented at the 29er Harken GP8, held at Hayling Island SC, in memory of Nick Simes. The trophy will go to the top GBR boat at the 29er Eurocup series, a fitting tribute to Nick who actively encouraged British 29er teams to compete overseas.

Award The GJW Direct Abersoch Dinghy Week at South Caernarvonshire YC had 162 entries across 12 fleets, and saw a special GJW Direct Achievement Award presented to Linda Williams for her 20th year as results compiler. Next year’s date is already decided: 21-27 July.

TELL US ALL ABOUT IT!

Do you have any club or class association news? These pages have been launched just for you and we’d love you to make the most of them!

Email us at: club@yachtsandyachting.co.uk

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

85

CLUBS & CLASSES NEWS

All aboard for Middle Nene’s 70th Middle Nene SC in Northamptonshire – which started out in 1947 on a disused gravel pit with just five boats – is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

From small beginnings it quickly became an established base for dinghy and keelboat racing.

President Tony Watts said: “Among our members we can boast a lady world champion, European champions and several national champions. And we have two members who together sailed the Atlantic! Today we have 350

members, and we run RYA approved training programmes, expecting to train over 50 youngsters this year.”

A fleet of 74 sailing boats took part in a 70th anniversary Parade of Sail and joining the familyfriendly club’s two-day celebrations were the Mayor of Thrapston, Sam Cribb, and The Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, David Laing. The event concluded with a three-hour pursuit race for the Anniversary Cup, won by commodore Matt Yallop.

at this year’s Learning & Skills Solutions Pyefleet Week at Brightlingsea SC. A total of 145 boats took part and the first prize presentations were special participation medals for every competitor aged 12 or under. The fleets included a Parent and Child Class to encourage

BECKY DAVISON

KEN LONG

Junior weeks go from strength to strength Two junior events have reported record breaking numbers this month. The first was Cadet Week held

by Solway YC in Scotland.

As recently as five years ago, just 12 young sailors took part, but this year 70 signed up for a week of training and racing.

The young sailors are now provided with a development pathway and captains were appointed to help take responsibility for running the week.

Commodore Ian Purkis said: “Five years ago Willie Patterson took over as the club’s Cadet Officer; the growth and success achieved is a tribute to his vision, leadership, drive and enthusiasm. Sadly, this was to be his final year as he retires from the role at the end of this year. A truly wonderful job!”

Meanwhile on the east coast, a record number of young sailors raced

young sailors to try racing - won by father-and-son Stuart and Tom Phillips.

The Mirror class likewise saw many grown-up/child combinations and included the week’s youngest competitor, three-year-old Josie Heppell sailing with grandfather Stephen Heppell, the oldest helm.

Cadet Week at Solway YC

C/O MISS ISLE

Champions squeeze back into Oppies for 70th special

New record for Natasha

Over 40 past and present champions took part in an invitational race to mark the 70th anniversary of the Optimist at the Volvo Gill British National and Open Championships.

The start line in the marina at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy gave arena spectating and the hotly contested two-lap race was won by 2012 Optimist national champion Martin Wrigley (now sailing a 470 for GBR), who held off 420 sailor Adele Young (Optimist Senior Girls Champion 2015), with Finley Dickenson (2016 RS Feva World Champion) third. Older competitors jumping back into Optimists had great fun although for some it proved a little challenging. There was one capsize and international race officer Peter Saxton had told competitors during the briefing that if this happened, it was probably a signal to retire; he also said beats had been kept to a minimum in case anyone struggled to get under the boom!

Land Rover BAR America’s Cup sailor Paul Campbell-James (Optimist champion 1995 and 1997, pictured centre below) found himself slowly going backwards through the fleet but said: “It was great fun and good to see a lot of old faces – to celebrate 70 years of Optimists is pretty special.”

86

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

PAULA IRISH

Disabled Cowes adventurer Natasha Lambert, aged 20, has completed her Sea and Summit Ireland Challenge despite appalling weather conditions.

Natasha, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, controls her 21ft yacht simply by breathing through a straw and walks using a customised walking brace and frame.

Natasha sailed her boat Miss Isle Too across the Irish Sea from Portpatrick in Scotland to Carrick Fergus, Belfast, continuing down Ireland’s east coast through strong winds and torrential rain before finally sailing into Dublin; she then exchanged her boat for her walking aid and climbed five miles to the summit of Mount Kippure in the Wicklow Mountains.

Follow Natasha’s adventures at missisle.com

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

CLUBS

Join the Clubs Be part of this new section and promote your club’s activities by booking your advertisement today For further information call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734 or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com

ROYAL CORNWALL YACHT CLUB

Poole Yacht Club

The Royal Cornwall is a very sailor-friendly club, running as it does a number of dinghy and bigger boat events.

The clubhouse is set very much in the centre of Falmouth, which provides a great venue for events especially in the summer with plenty to do and lots of accommodation.

“The best sailing in the North”

“The best sailing in the North” Visit www.yorkshiredales.sc “The best sailing in the North” Visit www.yorkshiredales.sc

“The best sailing in th

Visit www.yorkshired

“The best sailing in the North” r ip te h in rs le W be lab i em a M Av

Visit www.yorkshiredales.sc

MYA

Off the water the club offers a range of social activities for all members, young or old – whatever their interests we have a full programme of events throughout the year..

New Harbour Rd W, Poole BH15 4AQ, UK

Visit www.yorkshiredales.sc

Radio And Free Sailing in the UK

Welcome to Datchet Water Sailing Club The family-friendly racing club West of London. Datchet Water Sailing Club is a modern club set on a large inland reservoir (Queen Mother Reservoir) providing a complete package for every type of sailor. It is set with magnificent views overlooking Windsor Castle, with easy access from M3, M4, M25 & M40 and close to Central London.

Welcome to Datchet Water Sailing Club

Fun, Tactical and Competitive...

RadioSAILING mya-uk.org.uk

MYA YandY 100x137.indd 1

The family-friendly racing club West of London. Datchet Water Sailing Club is a modern DWSC can offer you: club set on a large inland reservoir (Queen Mother Reservoir) providing a complete Conference Racing – Wednesday evenings and package for every type of sailor.

It is set withCorporate magnificentmembership views overlooking Windsor and partyand facilities Sundays Castle, with easy access from M3, M4, M25 & M40 close to Central London.

Excellent shore facilities – all within Sailing – 5 days a week easy reach and M4 / M25.

Boat Hire – modern fleet DWSC can offer you: of LondonWater The family-friendly racing West The family-friendly racingonclub club Westorof of London.

London. Datchet Datchet Water Sailing Sailing Club Club is is a a modern modern Training –Adult and Junior dinghies A club house with a comfortable upstairs Corporate membership Conference Racing – Wednesday evenings and club set on large inland Mother Reservoir) providing a complete cats, clubalso setpower on a a boat largecourses inland reservoir reservoir (Queen (Queen Mother Reservoir) providing a complete lounge offering great views of the and party facilities Sundays Facilities for Hulls, Cats, Keel It package forMono every type of with views overlooking package every type of sailor. sailor.

It is is set set with magnificent magnificent views overlooking Windsor Windsor reservoir and Windsor castle Excellent shore facilities – allbeyond. within Sailing – 5 for days a week Boats, Windsurfing, SUP, Radio sailing Castle, with easy access from from M3, M3, M4, M4, M25 &ofM40 M40 and close to Central Central London.

London.

Castle, easy access and close to easyM25 reach& London and M4 / M25.

Boat Hire –with modern fleet Training –Adult and Junior on dinghies or A club house with a comfortable upstairs cats, also power boat courses WWW.DWSC.CO.UK offering you: great views of the DWSC lounge can offer Facilities for Mono Hulls, Cats, Keel reservoir and Windsor castle beyond.

Datchet Water SailingSUP, Club, Queen Mother Reservoir Horton Road, Horton Berkshire SL3 9NT Boats, Windsurfing, Radio sailing Corporate Racing – Wednesday evenings and Corporate membership membership Conference Conference Racing – Wednesday evenings and

Welcome to Datchet Water Sailing Club

Telephone: +44 (0) 1753 683872

14/01/2016

Email: manager@dwsc.co.uk

and party party facilities facilities Sundays and Sundays Excellent Sailing – –5 Excellent shore shore facilities facilities –– all all within within Sailing 5 days days a a week week WWW.DWSC.CO.UK easy reach of London and M4 / M25.

Boat Hire – fleet easy reach ofBerkshire London and Boat HireWater – modern modern fleetQueen Mother Reservoir Horton Datchet Sailing Club, Road, Horton SL3 9NTM4 / M25.

Training –Adult –AdultTelephone: and Junior Junior on dinghies or +44 (0)on 1753 683872 or Email: manager@dwsc.co.uk Training and dinghies October 2017 Yachts & Yachting upstairs 87 A house with a A club club house with a comfortable comfortable upstairs 22:07 cats, also also power power boat boat courses courses cats, lounge offering great views of the lounge offering great views of the Facilities Facilities for for Mono Mono Hulls, Hulls, Cats, Cats, Keel Keel

CLUBS & CLASSES

Submit your event reports to club@YachtsandYachting.co.uk

CLUBS CLASSES It’s been an incredibly busy month with national, European and world championships across all the dinghy classes making for an action-packed summer. Paula Irish reports

GP14 Nationals won by one point Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe won the 2017 GP14 National Championships by a single point after a tense week at Looe SC. Consistency and staying out of trouble were the key to a good place in the final standings and those new to GP14s were left with a taste for more.

Conditions were ideal with the wind averaging a Force 4 for the 64-boat fleet – the best number for a week-long GP14 Nationals for over a decade.

Champagne sailing welcomed the fleet to the event, part of the Craftinsure Super 8 Series, then on day two, the combination of port bias, tide and the GP14 fleet, saw 23 boats black flagged and will now forever be known in GP14 folklore as Black Flag Monday.

Day three saw a return to gate starts but became known as Protest Tuesday; Mike Senior and Chris White (South Staffs) emerged as overnight leaders with a consistent 2,1,2,1,1 scoreline.

Entering the penultimate day the fallout from Black Flag Monday and Protest Tuesday was still the talk of the boat park; race wins went to John Hayes-Joel James and DobsonTunnicliffe (Burwain).

On the final day Peter Gray-Richard Pepperdine (Staunton) won race eight, but Dobson-Tunnicliffe worked their way up into first in the final race to take the championship from Senior-White by just one point.

AMY FORBES

Winner takes it all in Weymouth

88

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

At the final day of the Gul Scorpion National Championship hosted by Castle Cove SC in Weymouth, the points were tight, with the top six boats all having the opportunity to win the overall series.

Alan Krailing and Simon Forbes found form and took their best result of the championship with a second in the final race.

Andy McKee and Stevie Graham were the overall winners, taking it all, with 2016 champions Chris Turner-Alex Hayman handing over their Scorpion crowns and settling for second.

Tom Jeffcoate and Tim Hartley climbed from fifth to third, while Pete Gray and Rich Pepperdine slid to fourth.

With nine lady helms this year, it was Janet Ritchie who came out on top.

RICHARD CRAIG SAILPICS.CO.UK

Hansa UK Nationals

The Hansa UK Nationals were held over three days at Spinnaker Sailing Club in Hampshire with eight races and close racing.

In the 303 two-person class, local 12-year-old Natalia Hillman with crew Alan Hillman took the national title. Second overall were Chris Atkin and Peter Lawence (Hanningfield) ahead of Peter and Peta Etherton (Frensham).

The Liberty class saw Pat Crowley (Rutland) take the title with Tessa Watkiss (Frensham) second and David Durston (Whitefriars) third, while in the 2.3 and 303 one-person classes Lindsay Burns (Frensham) and Rory McKinna (Clyde Cruising) consolidated their leads to become national champions in their respective classes.

Loch Long OneDesign Nationals

A 24-strong fleet competed at the Loch Long One Design Nationals at Aldeburgh YC. Competing for the Clyde Cup, a trophy dating back to the 1950s, the series had mostly 8-14 knots, making for good tight racing and five different race winners.

The Cup was won by Aldeburgh sailor Simon Fulford, crewed by brother Tim in Whim, who recorded half a dozen first places to finish up with an impressive score of just 10 points.

Runner up was Cove SC’s Alan DeVenny and Kirsty Robertson with Robert Mulchay sealing third, crewed by Julia Ransome.

Etchells Gertrude Cup James Badenach’s team representing the Royal Hong Kong YC won the

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

STEVE GREENWOOD

The Volvo Gill Optimist British National and Open Championships in Weymouth saw Jamie Cook take his third consecutive national championship title.

More than 380 Optimist sailors representing 16 nations competed. Second overall in the Senior main fleet was Duncan Gregor (HKG) with Thomas Kerrigan (USA) third.

Second overall in the British standings was Haydn Sewell (Royal Lymington) with third overall going to William Pank (Norfolk Broads).

Emily Mueller (Royal Lymington) took the girls’ national title victory and first senior girl overall.

Champagne sailing in France for RS Aeros It was champagne sailing all the way for the 96 RS Aeros from 16 nations competing for inaugural world championship honours at Carnac in France.

In the 21-boat RS Aero 9 fleet, Marc Jacobi (USA) led the championship from the off and claimed the title, while Liam Willis (GBR) secured silver and first RS Aero 9 Youth (U19) and Greg Bartlett (GBR) defended his bronze.

George David’s Maxi, Rambler 88 won the 160nm RORC Channel Race, taking Line Honours and after IRC time correction, the overall win out of 109 entries. Piet Vroon’s Dutch Ker 51 Tonnerre 4, was second, and Pascal Loison’s JPK 10.10 Night and Day, was third

PETER NEWTON KRISTINE PAGE-WOOD

Neville Rose (Skud18), Rutland Sailability, Open Fast; Tim Scarisbrick and Janet Whyte, Chesil Sailability, Hansa 303 Double; Rory McKinner, Clyde Cruising Club, Hansa 303 Single; Paul Phillips, Frensham Pond Sailability, Hansa Liberty; Val Millward, Rutland Sailability, Challenger; Daniel Wilson and Roy Hall, Hanningfield Sailability, RS Venture; Meg Pascoe, Weymouth, 2.4mR.

10th RYA Sailability Multiclass Champs

Paul Phillips (Hansa Liberty) was crowned RYA Sailability Multiclass Champion of Champions at the 10th RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta at Rutland Water, which saw more than 50 boats competing across a variety of conditions – concluding with sunshine and breeze.

The fleet winners were: Lindsay Burns (Hansa 2.3), Frensham Pond Sailability, Open Slow; Allan Smith &

RS Tera Worlds

At Yacht Club Carnac in France, RS Tera world titles went to Jake Thompson in the Sport fleet and Jack Lewis in the Pro fleet.

104 Tera sailors competed over five days. Lewis won the Pro fleet by an impressive 27 points with Blake Tudor second overall and Robbie McDonald third.

Second overall in the Sport fleet was Phoebe Peters with Tom Ahlheid third.

Topper Nationals at Pwllheli

Page-Wood wins girls’ Oppie Euros GBR’s India Page-Wood claimed the Optimist European Championship girls’ title after five days and an exhausting 30 hours on the water in scorching weather at Bourgas on the Black Sea in Bulgaria.

Page-Wood, of HISC and GWSC, is the first British girl to win this title.

The championship had 261 sailors from 44 countries.

Donna Mazzuchhelli (ARG) dominated the girls’ fleet while Page-Wood took the title of European champion after sailing to finish 24 points ahead of third place overall and second European Natascha Rast (SUI).

International Optimist Class Association UK President Andy Felton said: “We have an extremely strong fleet of Optimist sailors in Britain with much to look forward to for British sailing.”

The Volvo GJW Direct International Topper National Championship at the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Pwllheli had 225 competitors, with the main fleet title taken by Samuel Cooper (West Lancs) and the 4.2 title by Giles Baker (DWSC).

Second overall in the 5.3 fleet went to Scott Wilkinson (Rye Harbour) with Andrew Homer (Dalgety Bay) third. Sam and Scott also took the top two places at the Topper 5.3 Worlds held two weeks previously, albeit in reverse order: one title each! Second overall in the 4.2 fleet was Cameron Sword (Papercourt) with Tim Evans (Priory) picking up third place in the final results.

JEREMY ENTWISTLE

RORC Channel Race

racing two handed.

In IRC One, Mark Emerson’s British A13 Phosphorus II, was the class winner while IRC Two saw Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster victorious; IRC Three was won by Delamare & Mordret’s French JPK 10.80 Dream Pearls; Pascal Loison’s JPK 10.10 Night and Day claimed IRC Four; and Peter Harding’s Phor-ty the Class40 Division.

.SPORTOGRAPHY.TV

fourth edition of the Gertrude Cup – organised by the Royal Thames YC in conjunction with the Cowes Etchells fleet – after holding off a challenge from Connor Needham’s USA Youth Team.

Bruce Huber’s team, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron, recovered from a show-stopping collision to claim third. Two youth teams tied on points for fourth, with the Grieg City Academy YC, led by Montel Fagan-Jordan, winning on countback from the Royal London YC Youth Team, led by Ted Blowers.

The 60-strong RS Aero 7 fleet saw a goliath battle between Rooster’s Steve Cockerill and Peter Barton, both GBR, with the former just winning.

The 22-boat RS Aero 5 fleet saw Andrew Frost (GBR) secure the title and first RS Aero 5 Youth (U19) too, with Sander Puppart (EST) taking silver from fellow Estonian Andrias Sillaste. Kate Sargent (GBR) took the world lady RS Aero 5 title.

CLUBS & CLASSES

Optimist Nationals

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

89

barely-there and decreasing winds. Robbie Claridge (Lymington) and Tim Davison (Medley) finished on equal points so it came down to countback.

Claridge, with three firsts to Davison’s two, was declared national champion, with Edward Higson third. Women’s champion was Abby Freeley and Vintage Boat winner Elaine Gillingham.

PAULINE ROOK

Staunton Harold SC provided testing conditions at the British Moth National Championship. High winds and planing meant ‘proper’ Moth conditions, with playful moderate winds showing in between. For some, there was more swimming than sailing.

The four-day event had 27 competitors from 15 clubs and the title came down to the final day in

Lonsdale and Graham dominate Albacores The Peak-Ryzex sponsored Albacore Internationals, incorporating the UK National Championship, attracted 53 teams from the UK, USA, Canada, the Shetlands and even Gozo.

The first three days of racing at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy saw Tom Lonsdale and Steve Graham (Northampton) crowned the UK National Albacore Champions.

JENNIFER HEWARD-CRAIG; PETE STYLES

CLUBS & CLASSES

British Moths put to the test

Cockerills claim 2000 title Steve and Sarah Cockerill – with Steve fresh from his win at the RS Aero Worlds – won the five-day Noble Marine and North Berwick Gin-sponsored 2000 National Championship at East Lothian YC with a day to spare.

Team Cockerill (Stokes Bay) came out for the 10th and final race, demonstrating why they are this year’s national champions with their seventh bullet.

Simon Horsfield and Jess Hunter (Army Sailing Association) had likewise sorted second place overall the day before while the battle for third remained very tight with just one point between the two family boats: Matt Sargent (Army Sailing Association) sailing with his children Johnny and Gwen; and Richard Hudson and his son Ian (Bough Beech). Team Sargent clinched third overall.

Topper Worlds Heading into the final day of the Rooster Topper World Championship all places were still up for grabs, with more than 200 sailors competing at Le Cercle Nautique de Loctudy in France. The wind filled in at 10-15 knots.

In the 5.3 fleet the Topper world title went to Scott Wilkinson with Samuel Cooper in second place and Dan McGaughey in third. In the 4.2 fleet, Sean Woodard took top honours, followed

by Xinran Chen and Yikang Su in third, with all three sailors on 24 points!

Entrants came from Ireland, Great Britain, France, China, Macau and South Africa.

Chinese sailors made up almost half of the 4.2 fleet.

ERIC ROBERTSON, ELYC

4000 Europeans

90

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

Nine British teams made the trip to Quiberon, joining French, Italian and Belgium teams for the 4000 Eurocup, which saw close racing for the 34-boat fleet in daily Force 4 plus winds.

By day four it was still all to play for; Steve and Sarah Cockerill (GBR) had to make sure they beat Michael Duflos and Nicolas Saillard (FRA) to take the win.

Team Cockerill ultimately took a well-earned title, demonstrating great boat speed and decisionmaking, while second British boat was father and son team Keri and Theo Harris, finishing fifth overall, with the other four places all taken by French boats.

Kestrel Nationals

A 36-boat fleet for the Kestrel Nationals at the Royal Tay YC included two past national champions and two overseas entries – David Smith flew in from Cyprus and sailed a borrowed boat, whilst Larry King and his crew Mike Kitner, who usually sail at Saratoga Lake SC in New York State, had flown over from the USA and taken delivery of a new boat in Dundee just 24 hours before racing commenced.

The seven-race series over four days saw competitors coping with a range of challenges. Overall Andy Long and Richard Roberts secured their first Kestrel national championship, with Malcolm and Danielle Worsley second, Stewart and Mhairi Murdoch third.

Most improved over the 2017 series were the American visitors.

USA’s Barney Harris and Dave Smith did enough to claim second overall with Chris Turner and Alex Hayman (Lyme Regis/Lymington Town) third ahead of John Greenwood and Alex Colquitt (West Kirby). Lonsdale and Graham then completed their domination of the regatta by winning both races on day four to secure the Internationals title with a day to spare.

70th anniversary Flying Fifteens

The Flying Fifteen Southern Championship at Cowes Corinthian YC had a 38-boat fleet celebrating the class’ 70th anniversary at the Commodore’s House – the last residence of legendary boat builder and Flying Fifteen designer Uffa Fox. A fresh breeze on day one saw a race win for Greg Wells-Andrew Jameson and two bullets for Richard Lovering-Matt Alvarado, who held a seven point lead overnight from Simon Kneller-Dave Lucas. On day two the wind moderated and Lovering-Alvarado continued their dominance, winning both races.

Kneller-Lucas could only manage a 10,12 so Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett took advantage with a 2,3 to take the runner up position with Hamish MacKayAndrew Lawson third.

Miracle Nationals

The Miracle Nationals at Netley SC saw Dave Butler and Ross Fleming taking the title counting all podium finishes from 10-races.

Conditions varied across the week but Welton’s Butler-Fleming had it sewn

up with a day to spare.

Runners up after a brilliant campaign were Andrew and Michaela Mifsud (youngsters from Malta in a borrowed boat) just ahead of Tracy Amos-Hannah Mumford from Redoubt in third overall and first Lady.

Meanwhile, the Miracle Inlands at Leigh & Lowton had light airs and challenging conditions with the title going to David and Rebecca Southwell.)

RS Eurocup at Como

At Gravedona, Como, the RS200 Eurocup was won by Hamish Walker and Emma Hivey on countback from Maria Stanley-Rob Henderson with Ben Palmer-Claire Walsh third.

In the 20-boat RS400 Eurocup the leading two boats went into the final race on equal points; Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin were able to hold off Stewart and Sarah Robertson to steal the final race win and so too the event victory, with Steve Restall and Chris Stubbs third. In the RS100s meanwhile, Mark Harrison became European champion for the third time, winning by two points from Nils Jolliffe.

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Mirror champs at Restronguet

The Byte Nationals lost the first day of racing but then a new packed schedule saw four back-to-back races on the Saturday followed by three on the Sunday.

Louis Saunders took the title, his fourth, counting five firsts, while Richard

The UKLA Sailboats.co.uk National and Open Laser Championships saw 21 Standards, 74 Radials and a 47-strong fleet of 4.7s welcomed by South Caernarvonshire YC. Three breezy days were followed by a two-day wait for the weather to calm down before racing resumed for the final day.

In the Standard fleet, Matt Howard and Craig Williamson shared the line honours in the final two races. But Howard retained the lead he’d had all week to become the new Laser Standard national champion, with Williamson second and Joseph Drake third. The final day in the Radial fleet belonged to George Povall who collected both bullets, but a second in the first race of the day gave Ben Whaley the championship. Povall was second overall while a solid final day for Milo Gill-Taylor pulled him up to third overall. The results in the 4.7 fleet were close and it all came down to the last race. In the final reckoning Matt Beck retained his lead to become the new 4.7 national champion, with Thomas Parkhurst second and Nick Welbourn third (first under-16), Eve McMahon fourth and Tom Mitchell fifth.

Whitehouse took second and fastest C1 rig boat. Stuart Moore was third overall and Emma Pearson fourth and fastest lady with a C1 rig.

History made at OK Dinghy Europeans

RS Elite Nationals

Lars Johan Brodtkorb became the first Norwegian ever to win a major OK Dinghy championship after taking the European championship title in Faaborg, Denmark.

Britain’s Charlie Cumbley took silver in the 130-strong fleet and defending champion Bo Petersen the bronze, competing in his home town.

Cumbley said: “It’s always a shame when we don’t get the last day’s sailing in especially as we were into the first instalment of the gold fleet racing. But that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Massive congratulations to Lars Johan. He sailed really well and slick and fast and I had to sail as well as I could just to keep in the mix.”

Breezy conditions for the Zhik RS Elite Nationals at Hayling Island SC saw Wombat (Russell Peters, Greg Wells, Mark Darling) claim the title by just one point from their nearest rivals. The first day had seen three bullets from three races – Foudafafa were looking invincible.

Wombat took three wins to take overall vicotory counting 12 points to Foudafafa’s 13.

Beebe crowned Contender champ

Light winds on the final day of the Contender Worlds at Sønderborg YC in Denmark saw Australians Jason Beebe and Mark Bulka posting relatively poor results, immediately discarded, leaving Beebe topping the podium.

The race committee tried to get a final race 10 started for the 107-strong fleet but the winds were in the favour of Beebe, the new World Champion.

Chameleon-i are 18ft Skiff champions Chameleon-i – Graham Bridle/Eddie Bridle/Ed Gibbons – claimed victory at the 18ft Skiff National Championships.

The three-day event hosted by Mount Batten Watersports Centre and Plymouth Youth Sailing was a close affair, with four boats getting first places.

But the consistency of Chamleon-i gave them a

comfortable margin on the rest of the fleet.

The points gap further down was much closer, with the remaining podium places up for grabs by a number of boats going into the final day. Second overall was LED (Steve McLean/ Scott Bonner/Ali York) with AC Boatworks (Ant Chapman/Josh Wilce/Matt Hollis) third.

ROBERT DEAVES

Breezy Bytes

Final day decides Laser championships

DANIEL GIBBONS

Devon Yawl Nationals

A 27-boat entry for the 20th Devon Yawl Nationals was hosted by Yealm YC; to mark the 20th anniversary this year’s entry was subsidised by the Devon Yawl Association and held at the 1997 fee of £20. Andy and Vicky Williams in their new boat took an opening race win and the next bullet as well, with the third race won

by Dan Fellows-Clare Dudley.

Overnight, Team Williams led on countback from Tim Petitt-Tony Callcut. But the next day Fellows-Dudley picked up where they left off for another win and at the start of the fifth and final race, the championship was still wide open – the top three within a point of each other. A second in the race for Fellows-Dudley secured them the national title ahead of Andy and Vicky Williams while Petitt-Callcut had done enough for third.

ANDY GREEN

Two back-to-back Mirror championships had 51 entries in each and six countries represented, with both the national and world championships held at Restronguet SC, with some typically varied Cornish weather and lots of wind.

Competitors ranged from aged six to 78; three-quarters were children; and the top three boats in each event were sailed by a parent and offspring. Full-on conditions saw Northampton SC’s Dave Wade and daughter Imogen claim the Gul Mirror National Championship title counting just 12 points from the 10-race series. Simon and Tyson Barwood (AUS, Royal Freshwater Bay YC) likewise counted four wins and a string of podium results to finish just one point behind in second overall, with Richard and George Bullock (Itchenor SC) second British boat in third overall.

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

91

PAUL WYETH

The dinghy park was buzzing on the final day of the RS Feva World Championships presented by PA Consulting and Allen Sailboat hardware, with Henry and Rupert Jameson (GBR) leading by just one point from Eli Liefting and Rose Dickson (NZL).

In 8-10 knots, the New Zealand team nailed a bullet in the first race of the day (with Team Jameson third), and now had a one point advantage. So after seven gold fleet races it came down to the final one.

The Kiwis stayed out of trouble and got up into fifth place, which they held to the finish to claim the title as Team Jameson finished the race in 10th and second overall, with GBR’s Pierce Harris-Alfie Cogger third.

Sian Talbot-Eloise Clapson McBride (GBR) were the Ladies World Champions.

Forelle Estates crowned SB20 UK Open Champ The FSE Robline SB20 Open UK National Championship, organised by the Royal Southern YC, came to a dramatic conclusion after three days of intense racing.

Boasting 38 entries from Australia, Belgium, England, Ireland, Oman, Russia, and Scotland, the SB20 class battled medium to heavy conditions in the central Solent over eight races.

Joe Llewellyn’s Forelle Estates with Nigel Wakefield and Jeremy (Pasty) Vigus took the title after a competitive and somewhat stressful final day; their engine broke down on the way out and even with the spinnaker up, they were two minutes late for the first start!

Llewllyn said: “We managed to claw our way back to 10th, and in the end we counted that score, and discarded our last race, so perseverance got us through a rough patch.”

Jerry Hill finished second by just four points.

PETER NEWTON / WWW.PETERNEWTON.ZENFOLIO.COM

CLUBS & CLASSES

RS Feva World Champs

UK Canoe Nationals

92

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

At the Gul B14 Nationals at Whitstable Yacht Club it was all to play for on the final day after four days of testing conditions, with only three points separating the first four teams.

With a maximum of only four races on the day, the championship effectively started again with only one discard available. A swinging Force 2-3 provided snakes and ladders for race nine, won by local team Mark Barnes-Charlotte Jones.

Races 10 and 11 were then won by Restronguet’s Peter Knight-James Wilkinson, putting them into contention for the podium.

Going into the final race Barnes-Jones had a two point lead but got buried in the fleet, while Nick Craig-Toby Lewis (Frensham/Burghfield) turned it on to win the race and the championship.

Barnes-Jones finished the final race in fifth and second overall while KnightWilkinson were able to squeak third overall on countback from Mark Watts-Chris Bishop (Weston). The Classic fleet was won by Team Horlock, Iain and Alex (Exe).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

PETER NEWTON

A windy Weymouth delivered plenty of thrills and spills for the UK Canoe Nationals. Two races on day one at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy were followed by a postponement on day two as the fleet hurtled all over the harbour.

The wind continued to blow on day three, with capsizes and gear failure seeing only 10 boats making the finish. By the second and final race of day four, more boats were packing away than fighting it out in the finale.

Alistair Warren (Aldeburgh) won the final race but Robin Wood had done enough to regain the title on tiebreak, with Philip Robin third. In the One Design fleet Mark Goodchild scored a clean set of five bullets; the Asymmetric fleet saw Terry Curtis leapfrog Phil Allen for the title.

Craig & Lewis claim B14 Nationals at Whitstable

Consistency pays for final 29er Grand Prix at Hayling The final event of the 29er Harken GP series was at Hayling Island SC and consistency was the deciding factor for the 49-boat fleet.

Nick Robins and Billy Venis-Ozanne set the pace on day one with 1,1,3,1. James Hammett and James Eales took the other race win; Hannah Bristow-Emily Covell, back after a break,

showed their class. Max Clapp and Ross Banham pulled up from fourth to take the overall win.

Robins and Venis-Ozanne were second with BristowCovell third and first ladies, Ormerod-Darling fourth and first mixed pair, and the first Juniors prize going to Morgan ArcherHakan Digby.

7-8 October nn

Skiff Fest, Brightlingsea SC RS400 & RS800 Inlands, Grafham Water SC Flying Fifteen, Waples Wines Northern Traveller and Prize Giving, Notts County SC Blaze Inlands, Bala SC Squib Inlands, Rutland SC Sportsboats Nab Cup & Sparkes Trophy, Hayling Island SC 7-10 October nn RS Aerocup, Fraglia Vela Malcesine, Garda

14 October nn Solo EoS, Grafham Water 14-15 October nn Laser Qualifier, Hayling Island SC Endeavour Trophy, sponsored by Allen Brothers, Royal Corinthian YC, Burnham 28-29 October nn RS Aero UK Inlands, Northampton SC 29 October nn IRC Yachts & Sportsboats Winter Series (inc GBR IRC Inlands) Windermere Cruising Association

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

CLASSES

Class Connections Be part of this new section and promote your class association by booking your advertisement today

Find us and sign For further information call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734 or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com up for a demo day at STAND B32

NEW BUILDS NOW AVAILABLE

yo1r-r-

-

www.sailvortex.org

Fireball. 50+ years in the making

VIBRANT AND ENERGETIC ORGANISATION, GREAT NEW BOAT. The exciting new National 18 designed by Phil Morrison, built by White Formula.

We are expanding fast, so come on and join the fun!

Tel: +44 1206 302724 www.whiteformula.com

Photos © Robert Bateman & Craig Macbeth

www.youtube.com/user/SailFireball

www.fireballsailing.org.uk

Join the GP14 Association and enjoy the following benefits:

A friendly team dedicated to maintaining the true onedesign features of your GP14 and available at an affordable rate which will maintain its intrinsic value.

www.gp14.org

DEVOTI D-ONE CLASS

OPEN RACING

Win

£5ou0ch0ed

Sunt hers Vouc

at STAND B32

White Formula UK Ltd.

2017 Championships - Hayling Island Sailing Club, 23rd - 28th July 2018 Championships - Royal Torbay Yacht Club, 8th - 13th July

www.facebook.com/UKFireballClass

National 18 Class

Web: www.national18.com Find us and sign /national18ers up for a demo day /Nat18Prototype

Oxford Weir Wood TRAINING Weir Wood OPEN Paignton (POSH) Europeans (Lipno CZE) Gorleston REGATTA Torquay NATIONALS Lymington REGATTA Lyme Regis REGATTA Thorpe Bay Gold Cup (Garda ITA) Northampton Inlands

Going placesin in 2017!

2017!

Going places

VIBRANT AND ENERGETIC ORGANISATION, GREAT NEW BOAT. The exciting new National 18 designed by Phil Morrison, built by White Formula.

We are expanding fast, so come on and join the fun!

National 18 Class

Web: www.national18.com /national18ers /Nat18Prototype

Going places places in in 2017!

2017!

Going

2017 Championships - Hayling Island Sailing Club, 23rd - 28th July 2018 Championships - Royal Torbay Yacht Club, 8th - 13th July Photos © Robert Bateman & Craig Macbeth

White Formula UK Ltd.

Tel: +44 1206 302724 www.whiteformula.com

2nd-3rd April 16th April 17th April 7th-8th May 17th-19th June 25th-26th June 8th-10th July 30th-31st July 6th-7th August 3rd-4th September 15th-18th September 22nd-23rd October

http://www.d-oneassociation.org/unitedkingdom CLASS SECRETARY: ben@d-onesailing.org

QUARTER PAGE LANDSCAPE.indd 1

www.laser.org.uk

JOIN US TODAY & SEE WHERE

THE VOYAGE

WILL TAKE YOU!

22/01/2016 12:05

Teign Corinthian Open - 2nd April Olton Mere K1 Open - 15th April Windermere Long Distance K1-Open - 13th May Teign Corinthian Open 2ndApril April TeignTeign Corinthian Open - 2nd Corinthian Open - 2nd April Rutland Water K1 Open, 3rd 4th June Olton Mere Mere K1 K1 Open Open -- 15th 15th April April OltonOlton Mere K1 Open 15th April Oxford Open - K1 15th July - 13th May Windermere LongK1 Distance Open Windermere Long Distance Open 13th May Laser Windermere Long Distance K1K1 Open --13th MaySeptember Datchet Water:Rutland The 2017 K1 Nationals and Open - 8-10th Association Water K1 K1 Open, Open, 3rd 3rd -- 4th 4th June June Rutland Water Rutland Water K1K1 Open, - 4th June Broxbourne K1 Open -3rd - 15th 28th October Oxford Open July Oxford K1 Open - 15th July - 15th Datchet Water: Water: Oxford The 2017 2017K1 K1Open Nationals andJuly Open -- 8-10th 8-10th September September Datchet The K1 Nationals and Open Keel Dinghy is fast and forgiving, Datchet Water:The TheK1 2017 K1 Nationals and Open 8-10th September Broxbourne K1 Open 28th October Broxbourne K1 Open - 28th October Dinghy Class Association

UK

Heron

withBroxbourne a friendly class and-full programme.

K1 Open 28thrace October Join the fun! www.k1association.org The K1 K1 Keel Keel Dinghy Dinghy is is fast fast and and forgiving, forgiving, The with a friendly class and full race programme. friendly class and full and race forgiving, programme.

Thewith K1aKeel Dinghy is fast Join the the fun! fun! www.k1association.org www.k1association.org Join with a friendly class and full race programme.

Join the fun! www.k1association.org

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

93

DIRECTORY

Directory

To book in the Directory call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734 or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com, COPY DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE IS 27/09/2017

Covers

COVERS

DINGHIES & SKIFFS “FIREBIRD” MID SIXTIES FLYING 15 Red Fibreglass Hull with ply decks, in excellent condition. Cover and good road trailer. Reasonable offer wanted. Sale due to health. 0208 3670117 (MIDDLESEX) “MERLIN” LASER 85669 Excellent condition, silver grey hull with white deck. New fittings, rudder, daggerboard, boom and cover, no rig Price: £2500.

0208 3670117 (MIDDLESEX) MIRROR 70783 GRP by Trident. Good condition, 2-part mast, racing + cruising sails. Boom Up Cover Oars. £2000 ono at MBSC CM3 6AL. 01245 352108

Banks Dinghy Covers High Quality & British Made Overboom, Flat top, Trailing and Undercovers More than 200 classes Range of high quality materials

DINGHIES & SKIFFS 505 GBR9156 JULY 2015 CARBON / EPOXY RONDAR HULL Milanes foils,Superspar M2 mast with cover,Selden carbon boom with twin carbon poles Sails by P&B 2 sets,1 championship standard, 1 club race standard,North 3DL main,unused North J14 jib,2 other North jibs,2 North spinnakers (1 unused),P&B Max spinnaker NorthU Cover,boomup cover,Creation Covers flat-trailing cover Mersea combi-trailer Spare unused Superspar M2 mast in cover (partially rigged) Professionally maintained in excellent condition ready to race TRADE. £18000 Tel 07980 798220 (TRURO) LASER STRATOS 1100 CENTREBOARD VERSION New in 2008. One owner since new. Good condition.

Comes with combi trailer, outboard bracket and new boom up cover. [Price is ONO]. £3500 Tel 01473 211730 / 07763 385757 (NORFOLK BROADS)

Banks Sails 01489 582444 www.banks.co.uk enquiries@banks.co.uk

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

INSURANCE

NEW INFLATABLE RACE BUOYS (IN PACKAGING) 3 Brand new Lazilas inflatable yellow race marks 900x1500mm. STILL IN PACKAGING Can ship to anywhere in the UK at cost. £220 Tel +4477 45781047 / (SOUTHAMPTON)

New Aero Cleats 3 sizes available No tools needed

www.clamcleat.com

dinghyinsurance.com is a trading style of WH Insurance is authorised RS800 2NDConsultants HAND MAST which 2nd hand RS800 Seldon Mast,Conduct repaired by Ashdown Marine. partially rigged (all and regulated by the Financial Authority wire rigging, but no Trapeze wires). Ashdown Varnished in 2007 and stored in Mast bag since 2008. £650 Tel 07790 495372 / (SOUTHAMPTON) HARKEN LASER KICKER Complete kicker. Used Twice. £120 Tel 07967 480590 / (NOTTINGHAM)

Yacht & Dinghy insurance & overseas holidays at theUK touch of a button Includes New for Old cover

CATAMARAN ROAD TRAILER Fully Galvanised Road Trailer, with adjustable outriggers, mast rest and light ● 24 hour board. Large galvanised box Would suit a variety of claims help line and simple online claims tracking Catamarans as fully adjustable. £500 Tel 07584 ● 321Multi-boat 348 insurance discount - insure two or more boats for less / (KENT) ● Underwritten by Navigators & General

trading name of Zurich Insurance plc RAPIDE DOUBLE ROAD TRAILER (DINGHY) Very A good condition. Good solid, stable trailer. Light use, spare wheel, we have used it for Mirrors, Lasers, GP14. £450 Tel 07830 073917 / 01539 445082 (WINDERMERE)

www.craftinsure.com or call: 03452 607888

94

LASER RADIAL SAILS Barely used racing sail - £200 Authorised and regulated by* the * 2 Good racing sails - £150 Each * * 2 Training sails £80 Each * * Beginner Sail - £50 * (Plus postage) . £50 Tel 07872 128353 / 02891 888679 (BANGOR, NORTHERN IRELAND) Yachts & Yachting October 2017 ROOSTER 8.1 RIG Includes sail and mast extension. Rig used 4 times only and has been stored rolled. Selling

Financial Conduct Authority

SOLO 5713 OVINGTON Ovington Solo, January 2017. Complete & ready to race - only used 12 times. £6990 Tel 07738 984826 (TYNEMOUTH) SCORPION 2037 Very fast boat in excellent condition. White epoxy hull, launched May 2015, runner up at 2015 and 2016 nationals. Includes 1 string raking system, twin self launching poles, 2 mains, 4 jibs and 3 spinnakers. Price also includes under / over covers, mast and rudder bags, combi trailer and trolley. £9250 Tel 07951 826769 (SHOREHAM)

LASER 4.7 SAIL AND MAST SECTION Genuine laser sail, never used, no numbers, as new condition.

Including 4.7 lower mast section, genuine laser part.

(RRP £550.). £250 Tel 07737 186512 (MARLOW)

Instant on line quotes and cover I Tel: 02392 754000 Quality Policies for all kinds of Dinghy, Yacht and Multihull, from Sailors to Sailors.

KITE BUGGY Peter Lynn Folding XR Kite Buggy. £489 new. Fantastic condition, hardly used. Flexifoil kites for sale also. Rage 4.7 - (new £296) £200 ono Rage 2.5 (new £230) £140 ono condition - like new. £320 Tel 01491 613873 / (WATLINGTON) N ON T OAXLE TWIN GALVANISED YACHT TRAILER Keep down RIS NO PAmarina those storage fees and buy this trailer. Hayling M CO Trailers fully braked, twin axle, galvanised yacht trailer with gross weight of 3,500kg (unladen wt 500kg).

Trailer in excellent condition and not been in the water.

Built for Laser 28 but supports fully adjustable. £2250 Tel 07958 482435 / 0117 9806271 (TAUNTON)

FIREBALL K14065 Wooden boat, built by Severn Sailboats in 1989. Good condition. Green hull with sapele varnished decks. Boom up cover.

Combination trailer. 2 suits sails (P+B/Speed. Pump action spinnaker hoist. Professional encapsulated foils. Competitive boat at club level. Ready to sail. Photos available. £550 Tel 01939 272984 (ELLESMERE)

RS500 Very Good Condition, well looked after boat.

Great boat to sail & race. Includes: Launching Trolley, Spinnaker, Rudder which is stored in a padded rudder bag, Rigging Manual, Jib & Main & righting lines. New Cover August 2016. Sensible offers considered. Will be sadly missed but progressing to Dart 18. £3500 Tel 07960 360471 (WIRRAL)

Other equipment SAILING BOOKS Day skipper Pat Ourry/Navigation Manual RYA david & charles/Yachtmaster guide mick bowyes/Small boat sailing percy blandford/ Allso Assortment of books & items to do with navigation rules symbolols used at sea.Buy all at price stated or offers by eny item ring me for prices & info . £25 Tel 0151 284 8329 / (LIVERPOOL)

LASER 1 - 201907 (2016) Only launched 3 times.

Std MKII sail unused. Full Harken XD fit out. Only thing you will need is a tiller extension. Gunwhale hung launching trolley – used but in good condition. Road trailer – used but in good condition. Under and top cover – used but in OK condition. £4750 Tel 07554 232035 (MILFORD ON SEA )

GRADUATE 2950 Alpha Grad, professionally built wooden boat, new design main, flyaway pole, Muscle box, Kitted out for racing, combi trolley/trailer, certificate, boom-up cover, undercover, one owner from new, good racing record. £950 Tel 020 8393 4816 (CHEAM)

GP14 SAIL NO. 11297 Garage stored for the last 10 years. Sound hull in good sailable condition. Includes road trailer and launching trolley, spinnaker, mainsail X3bags.

Old£800 but intrest andOLD jib, overSAILING boom coverBOOKS and buoyancy Tel 07976 748790 (LECHLADE, NR SWINDON) racing

by Peter Copley 1981/ Sailing Yachets

Coles 1959/ The Spur book of chart & comp

RS100 GBR128 Cover,Launching/ Hunter. £13 10.2 OR rig,Top OFFERS All in good condit combi roadads base. owned from new 2010. other forHave saling books open to offers co Good condition, viewing in Gosport PO12.

Ex cost . £13 Tel 0151 284 8329 / Part (LIVERPOOL) for a Laser considered. . £3200 Tel 07837 473868 / (GOSPORT) WANDERER 1668 Built 2011. Little used. Excellent cond. Racing spec. Spinnaker, centre main.

Galvanised launching trolley, Over boom cover. Blue / white. £4500 Tel 01733 242221 / 07544 166735 (HUNTINGDON) LASER XD 181343 FULL KIT TWO GOOD SAILS T&T Race ready, two good full sails. Serviced trailer and Trolley. Cover. No soft spots or damage. Never had water ingress. Foil case spar rack, sail tubes. Title Docs from new - handbook. Exceptional Cond.

Buyer collects. £2150 Tel 01590 672496 (LYMINGTON) 29ER XX COMPLETE RIG Complete 29er XX rig.

Used less than half a dozen times due to change of circumstances. Excellent condition, good as new.

Rockley atersports centres are based £2499 Tel 01865 862151 (OXFORD)

in some the most beauti ul locations in urope giving you the choice o a rela ing amily holiday or learning new skills on an inspiring, challenging course RYA dinghyyachtsandyachting.co.uk sailing, windsurfing and powerboa courses or children and adults and or beginne to advanced

DIRECTORY INSURANCE

KEELBOATS KELT 29 1986 Kelt 29 white hull, Lifting keel, headsail roller reef, lazy jack system for main, Yanmar 18HP, VHF radio. £14000 Tel 01590 683909 / 07966 137617 (LYMINGTON) 1/6 SHARE CATALINA MORGAN 45 1993 45 foot centre cockpit yacht. Two cabins,large saloon, fully equipped galley with air con, sprayhood bimini and aft sundeck. The yacht is owned by a long established friendly syndicate and currently based in Corfu. In recent years the yacht has undergone professional service and repair and new equipment. £11000 Tel 07862 226124 / 07587 158955 (CORFU)

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

TRAILERS

FREE MAINLAND DELIVERY OF LAUNCH TROLLEYS IN KIT FORM

BIANCA 107 (35FT) Very well maintained, full refit of all sails, Osmosis and copper coat treatment 2011 (warranty 2019). The BIANCA 107 is in good condition and is a fast sailor! https://sites.google.com/view/ bianca-107-sailboat-f or-sale. £34200 Tel +3161 2304492 (THE NETHERLANDS) FOUNTAIN PAJOT VENEZIA Nice family boat with 8 to 10 sleeps, year 1996. 4 large double cabins, In the square, the benches can be used for 1 beds per side.

2 bathrooms/toilets with shower. 1 large comfortable square for 10 people. U-shaped kitchen. Spacious cockpit with table Located in French Polynesia. £150000 Tel +6898 9750123 (PAPEETE, TAHITI)

0870 909 9887 or 01206 255276

Tel:

sales@merseatrailers.com

www.merseatrailers.com Bosco House, Harwich Road, Great Bromley, Essex, CO7 7UL

KEELBOATS

VICKERS 347 ( FISHER 34 ) This is a Vickers 347 built to the UK design Fisher 34. She has a BMW marine 40 hp motor which is virtually brand new.

Our SA Rand being worth nothing you could virtually upgrade her with your pound at a fraction it would cost in the UK.ONCO. £109000 Tel 27762 558257 / 27399732490 (DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA)

SAINT CLASS YACHT Rare and much sought after 1978 Classic Saint Class Yacht with folding mast system. Length:26ft, Beam 6ft, Draft 3ft 2ins 2012 6hp ultra longshaft tohatsu outboard 10hrs from new So £6k of boat and engine for: £2750. £2750 Tel 07759125602 / (HICKLING )

PRIME NUMBER, MARBLEHEAD 5 RIGS From A through to C2. Also comes with a 10r rig for duel rating. RMG winch, rig bags and sail box, See on arya.com.au. buyer to pay freight. Will look at IOM as part payment, Britpop, V9 or similar. $4500 Ausi dollars Contact Phil. £4500 Tel 04111 65451 / (NSW AUSTRALIA)

J24 HEADCASE 4247 Excellent race record. Lightly used over the last 4 years. Always dry sailed. Two full suits of sails. New suit used in one regatta only. Full inventory. £10000 Tel 07854 705392 / (FOWEY)

SB20 GBR3710 Chill Pill+: White hull, built 2013, excellent condition, 3 sets of sails (newest set lightly used), euro spec road trailer (never immersed). £21500 Tel 07718 920536 (HAMBLE)

• Combination Trailers • • Double and Triple Stackers • • Yacht trailers to 3.5 tonnes • • Power boat trailers to 3.5 tonnes •

15 FOOT SAILING DINGHY Polysier Raquero 5 mtrs white. Ready to sail. Documentation in order. Used during 2 months a yr in summer, rest hibernated (1996). Homologated for 7 people. Model recommended by the Spanish Sailing Federation.

Mooring available. . £3245 Tel +3460 8665054 / (TORREVIEJA)

SAILS DUTCH JACHTWERT CENTAUR DROP-KEEL DAY BOAT White hull 6.2m. Year built 1992. Professionally fitted new Torqeedo Electric motor in stern well.

Many new fittings, Simplex roller reefing, jib Crusader Sails, standing rigging. GRP Winter cockpit cover/ canvas over boom cover, brake back trailer. Can be viewed ashore, pictures & further details. £6500 Tel 01425 273811 / 07715 851953 (CHRISTCHURCH ) DARING Deva no18, refit 2017, now as new, 5 sails, 2 unused. Can deliver, trailer at extra cost. £10000 Tel 00316 50222290 (AMSTERDAM) J24 ROGERS 1987 DRY SAILED J24 4064 Legal Alien IRC certificate, Corrector weight and measurement certificate, Dry sailed with polished hull, Great racing history, Trailer double axle, New midship bulk head 2017, regatta and club racing sails, Engine, Ready for the season. £6500 Tel 07972 308922 / (FOWEY)

T: (01929) 554308 The Sail Loft, 16 Sandford Lane Ind Est, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4DY

www.kempsails.com yachtsandyachting.co.uk

October 2017 Yachts & Yachting

95

TECHNICAL DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY

Technical Directory

KEELBOATS

SANDHOPPER S33 Sea Phantom.

Recently resprayed burgundy. Cream decks. Brand new rigging. Hyde Sails.

Kept at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. £2900 Tel 07583 378055 (SOUTHEND-ON-SEA) VANCOUVER 32 Built by Pheon 1980.

Present (2nd) owner since 1997. Full history of ownership, equipment and maintenance on request. Afloat until 04/11/17 then ashore until March 2018.

Come for a sail. £50000 Tel 01235 523769 (SOUTHAMPTON)

MULTIHULLS

RUSTLER 24 - NUMBER 16 (2009).

LIGHTLY USED Beautiful Rustler 24 - Navy Blue Hull. Spinnaker, Ensign and flagstaff, Anchor chain & warp, varnished coaming, wood slat flooring.

Winter and summer covers and mainsail cover. Sail bags. Wheeled cradle. Torqueedo Travel 1003 L 3 HP outboard electric motor - hardly used. . £25000 Tel 07801 418407 (ST MAWES)

MARINE TAPES

SPRINT 15 CATAMARAN Sail number 1237, 2 piece mast, Coloured main & jib (with battens), White main & jib with red batten pocket stripes to match hulls (with battens), Trapeze wires, Standard & Long tiller extensions, Trolley. . £1200 Tel 07881 379416 / 01422 706867 (HALIFAX)

To book in the Technical Directory call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734 or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com, COPY DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE IS 27/09/2017

DRY SUITS

2

OTHER EQUIPMENT

MADE TO MEASURE

BERTRAM 46,6 FLYBRIDGE Vessel in extremely good (excellent) condition. Lots of extras. Bertram hull warranty for life. Total interior-exterior rebuilt duration 2 years, 2004-2006!! Engines: 530 hours Extensive service 2013,hull completely striped, then reinforced with additional fiberglass layer and 10mm thickness epoxy resin of excellent quality. Thus fully protected-free of osmoses. New, double, fire extinguishing system. Price negotiable. £110000 Tel +3069 44563444 / +3069 46242026 (THESSALONIKI, GREECE)

BESPOKE DRYSUITS DRYSUIT REPAIRS

www.hammond-drysuits.co.uk 01474 704123 / 708123

ENGINEERING

8’ FIBREGLASS ROWING DINGHY WITH ROWLOCKS & OARS. 8’ White fibreglass rowing dinghy with rowlocks & oars. Very good condition. Trolley. £125 Tel 07836 269202 (CAMBERLEY)

PROPELLERS OVER 2000 PROPELLERS

SILLETTE

CK

IN STO

• 2 & 3 Blade • Alloy & Bronze • Fixed & Folding • Shafts & Seals • Prop Protector Rope Cutter

MATERIALS

MARINE PROPULSION

sales@sillette.co.uk www.sillette.co.uk 020 8337 7543 Rigit_advert_99x50mm_24-08-17.pdf

1

24/08/2017

11:08

RIGGING C

RIGGING

M

allspars

Y

CM

SPECIALIST RIGGERS & SPAR MANUFACTURERS

MY

CY

Dinghy - Keelboat - Yacht Mobile Rigging Teams

CMY

K

96

Plymouth + 44 (0)1752 266766 Swanwick +44 (0)1489 876876

www.allspars.co.uk Yachts & Yachting October 2017

* Awarded Retailer of the Year in 2015

e, “G reat Se rvGicreat Su pport” m m en d “I wou ld repacors to an yo ne” Alls

* Some of the customer comments from Allspars Facebook page.

sales@allspars.co.uk yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Specialists in the supply of ‘Mooring Equipment’

Stainless Steel V Series

PRO 800F Horizontal

£399.00

(8mm S/S Gypsy)

VS600 £499.00 For vessels up to 30ft 8mm S/S Gypsy

Yacht Legs

EC1000S

Stainless 12v CAPSTAN

Small 600 - 900mm

(For Rope Only) c/w Foot Switch

£389.00

£69.00 each

Mounting Bracket

£39.95

EC1000J S/S Capstan

Aluminium casing for bulkhead / surface installation.

VS1000 £549.00

(8mm S/S Gypsy) For Vessels up to 35ft

VS1000C

£449.00

PRO 900M Horizontal

£495.00

(8mm S/S Gypsy) For Vessels Up To 45ft

Pro 710 Series Suitable for vessels up to 20ft (Horizontal)

For vessels up to 42ft 8mm S/S Gypsy

For vessels up to 42ft 8mm S/S Gypsy

5 mtr Cable

£749.00

VS1500 24v

£799.00

710FS £249.00 (6mm S/S Gypsy)

VS1500C 12v

£849.00

VS1500C 24v

Flexible Corner

£29.50

£899.00

With Capstan

For vessels up to 60ft 10mm S/S Gypsy

Set Offer

Fender 2 Step

2 x 110cm Bumpers 1 x Flexible Corner

Offer Price

£99.95

PVC Boarding Step

Fender Step

Available in White, Navy & Blue

£39.95 Railway Wheel Sinkers 250kg to 500kg These are offered c/w 1mtr of 38mm tail chain welded through the centre.

Please call for details

£399.00 Hand Remote

(6mm Nylon Gypsy)

£39.95

Only

£649.00

710F £199.00

Dock Bumpers

c/w Foot Switch & Fuse

With Capstan

VS1500 12v

£54.95

Used Chain Used Chain is often available from 25mm to 50mm.

It is ideal for use as ground tackle.

Call for details

Mail Order Tel: 01473 655541 Email: sales@boatgeardirect.co.uk

To order on-line, please visit our website for full range of mooring products.

www.boatgeardirect.co.uk

For Vessels Up To 30ft

PRO 900E Horizontal

“Moor for less”

£29.95

Deck Foot Switch

£17.50

‘TITAN GRADE 40’

Galvanised Calibrated Chain Suitable for use with Windlass

6x18.5 DIN766 £2.95 mtr 7x22 DIN766 £3.40 mtr 8x24 DIN766 £4.50 mtr 10x28 DIN766 £8.95 mtr 10x30 EN818-3 £7.75 mtr 12x36 EN818-3 £9.90 mtr 316 Stainless Chain 6x18.5mm £7.95 mtr 8x24mm £12.50 mtr 10x28mm £18.95 mtr 8 & 12 Strand Polysteel Risers

From 24mm to 36mm, made to your specification Longer lasting, Light weight & extremely strong!

Please call for advice & prices.

Medium 900 - 1400mm

£99.00 each

Large 1200 - 1900mm

£129.00 each Trefoil Anchor (Bruce Pattern) 2kg £17.50 5kg £29.50 7.5kg £36.95 10kg £45.75 15kg £57.50 20kg £89.75 30kg £119.00 Cruising Anchor (Danforth Type)

2.5kg 4.5kg 7kg 10kg 14kg 20kg

£12.75 £19.90 £29.50 £39.75 £49.95 £54.75

316 Stainless Trefoil Anchor (Bruce Pattern)

5kg 7.5kg 10kg 15kg 20kg

£99.95 £149.00 £199.98 £249.00 £399.00

Delta Type

Galv Anchor

6kg 10kg 16kg

£29.95 £43.75 £57.95

Admiralty Pattern Mooring Anchors 30kg to 250kg from

£89.00 316 Stainless Delta Type

5kg 10kg 16kg 20kg

£99.00 £169.00 £249.00 £399.00

The New

Channel Anchor (Rocna Style)

Introductory Offer Prices

6kg £35.00 10kg £59.00 15kg £79.00 20kg £105.00 25kg £139.00 33kg £175.00

Mushroom

(Mooring Anchor)

11kg 22kg 33kg 45kg

£35.00 £59.00 £75.00 £99.00

All prices include vat Carriage = £9.95 up to 10kg & £12.50 up to 30kg at 20% and correct Carriage charge is to most UK mainland destinations only. Please email or call for at time of print.

Scottish Highlands & Isles, English Islands, N Ireland & Eire, Plus European destinations.

SUPPORTED BY

POSITION

noblemarine.co.uk | 01636 707606

No. 540 Cresting the wave Keeping the next generation interested in sailing may require change

98

Yachts & Yachting October 2017

DIFFICULTY RATING: 4/5

Appealing to youth from other sports with the so-called cross-sport programme is an interesting concept PETER NEWTON

B

arely a weekend goes by without sailors discussing the future of the sport and we all have ideas about what may be the best way to increase the number of youngsters interested in sailing, willing to spend a Sunday away from the Playstation and messing about on the water.

It is with this in mind that the Topper class has instigated several new ideas which, it hopes, will help broaden the appeal of our sport to children who may never have otherwise considered it.

Here we see a youth competing in the newly devised ‘Gymnastic Floor Topper Cup’. Entrants into this new category are judged on technique, skill, how their movement echoes the environment (the move currently underway is supposed to evoke waves) and, of course, music choice (the music here, is the ever-popular Enya’s Orinoko Flow).

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

rts Boat one design design Sports Sports Boat Boat one

Sails, fully retractable lifting swing keel and mily or blasting around the race course.

Trailerable, sleeps four crew members, OSR cat 4 compliant, North Sails, fully retractable lifting swing keel and Trailerable, sleeps four crew members, OSR catin4comfort compliant, Sails,or fully retractable lifting keel and easily slip launched.

Equally happy cruising withNorth the family blasting around the swing race course. easily slip launched. Equally happy cruising in comfort with the family or blasting around the race course.

“They all cannot be wrong, best check out what all the fuss is about�

854773 / www.thinkseascape.com 02/11/2016 15:41 16/12/2016 12:56

Seascape Distribution UK / seascape18@hotmail.co.uk / +44 1822 854773 / www.thinkseascape.com Seascape Distribution UK / seascape18@hotmail.co.uk / +44 1822 854773 / www.thinkseascape.com

OPERAT IONS ANALYS T NURSE

DOCTOR MARKE ENGINE TEER ER

ACHIEVE SOMETHING REMARKABLE

Join the only global yacht race crewed by people like you, no experience required. Sign up for a single leg, combine several or complete the full circumnavigation.

APPLY NOW clipperroundtheworld.com/apply | +44 (0) 2392 526000