The Wanderer Autumn 2019

Edition 122 Autumn 2019

The Wanderer

News from the Wanderer Class Owners’ Association UK

d Bernard Crowned National Champs n a i !

Am

The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

John’s Jottings A message from the Chair of the Wanderer Class Owners’ Association UK John Renouf When it comes to the weather, sailors are difficult people to please, and this year even some of our events had “too much” wind or “not enough” wind.

The Inland Championship at West Oxfordshire Sailing Club was visited

by Storm Hannah that created some very lively conditions. The National Championship at Bewl Water saw the other extreme of barely a breath of wind.

This did not prevent our intrepid competitors completing enough racing at both events for winners to be decided and congratulations go to them and all who took part. Even WandererFest provided a variety of conditions from not much to challenging for some, and the forecast for the Salcombe weekend predicted scary conditions which, in the end, were not as bad as predicted!

Our sailing programme has settled into a manageable series of racing and cruising events that are generally wellattended with equal popularity and its success is due largely to the tireless enthusiasm of Philip Meadowcroft in his Role as Events Coordinator,

together with excellent organisation and hospitality provided at the Clubs that willingly host our events.

Nonetheless, we are trying to introduce the occasional change of venue and we recognise that the programme is heavily biased towards events in the south of England and we are looking to remedy this.

One event that will, for the time being at least, remain firmly at its established venue is WandererFest as we have yet to identify another venue that provides a similar combination of camping and launching facilities together with water that provides enough sailing interest for both beginners and experts. This year’s event was again well-attended and it was pleasing to welcome a significant number of “first timers” – we hope it won’t be their last! The dates are already becoming set for next year to match the best available tides. As always, the strength of this event comes from activities off the water as well as from the sailing. The camaraderie of Wanderer sailors and their willingness to share information with those who want to learn makes this event the envy of other class associations and so is worthy of your support and participation.

During the year we have been pleased to welcome a number of new

members to the Association. We hope you enjoy your time with us and get value out of what we offer, both in terms of events and also information exchange either via the Forum or simply by talking to other Wanderer sailors. Also, the Committee has a vacancy for Minute Secretary following Rebecca’s decision to stand down. We are sorry to lose her from the Committee after such a short time in the position but it is for a good (and happy!) reason and we send her our thanks and best wishes for the future.

Of course, it (almost) goes without saying that volunteers to join the Committee are most welcome!

Plans are already developing for next season’s programme and we look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, if you continue sailing throughout the winter then I wish you a safe and enjoyable time on the water. If, instead, your attentions turn to maintenance and all those little jobs that got put-off because sailing took priority then I wish you every success with their completion.

Lastly good wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

I look forward to meeting you at events in 2020, starting with the AGM - JR

Editor’s Message Welcome, dear Wanderer, to the next edition of the magazine.

You’ll find it slightly thinner than my previous three editions for three reasons; we’ve lost some adverts, I’ve made the wording slightly more compact and some of the stories are more succinct than previous.

We have some excellent content for you to peruse in the dark evenings: Adam’s entertaining prose brings the nationals to life on Page 4. Derrick describes an overnight adventure sailing and camping on the shores of lake Constance.

I’m afraid I’ve waffled on to fill some pages in the hope that I can bring the Wanderer Fest to life from my perspective.

Again, as John eludes, a fantastic event in what is surely a most idyllic playground for Wanderers.

These are a versatile design, one owner describing it as “the Swiss Army Knife” of dinghies. And John describes a modification to the forestay which, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be most interested in if it makes getting on the water quicker and easier – the least amount of time spent on shore the better.

May I take this opportunity to again extend my gratitude to Jenny who has provided many of the wonderful images you see amongst these pages.

Thanks also to Jill Meadowcroft who snapped some of the pics for the National Champs.

And finally thank you to all the wonderful contributors.

Meanwhile Philip Meadowcroft, husband of the afore mentioned photographer, has been tirelessly working on next year’s sailing program which you will find on the back page.

As the evenings draw in and the rain pours I can’t help but think about this strange year of mixed conditions.

It started so bright and well, fair winds and sunny weekends in April begat a most detestable Autumn which was best spent in the club house. So I’m mostly looking forward to the WandererFest not being a racer (in case you couldn’t guess).

I’m afraid that the deadlines for next magazine probably aren’t going to work for me as Beccy is expecting our first baby at the end of December.

I ask you in advance to forgive the lack of effort on my part for the next edition. - SE All members and associates are invited to submit stories and again all I ask is that you take lots of pictures and write an interesting story.

Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

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2019 WCOA (UK) National Committee CHAIRMAN JOHN RENOUF 01628 476929 1953jgr@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY JENNY RENOUF 01628 476929 jrenouf57@gmail.com

MAGAZINE EDITOR SIMON EDSFORTH 07825 735993 simon.edsforth@gmail.com

TREASURER & ADVERTISING SECRETARY ROBIN GABBITAS 07946 730314 robingabbitas@yahoo.co.uk

EVENTS COORDINATOR PHILIP MEADOWCROFT 07771 814630 philip@brandmasters.co.uk

RICHARD LEWIS ricklewis200@ntlworld.com

TECHNICAL SECRETARY MIKE BENNETT 01483 424175 mjb1416@gmail.com

WEBMASTER MIKE HAMILTON 01425 612611 hamilton.w992@gmail.com

In this issue: 2019 National Championships

5

2019 National Championships

13

Forestay Modification

8

WandererFest Continued...

14

Salcombe Laid Back Weekend

10

West Country Cruise 2019

15

WandererFest

12

Two-Day Sail on Lake Constance

16

Front Page - Ami Hopkins and crew Bernard Taylor lift the Trophy at Bewl Water - Jill Meadowcroft

Page 4

Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

2019 National Championships Some wind would have been nice!

Race report by Adam Wickenden 9 Wanderers gathered at Bewl Valley in Kent on 14th/15th September for their 2019 national championships, hosted by Bewl S a i l i n g Association.

The forecast for both days was not promising at all.

Hopes were raised on the Saturday morning as the first view of the lake saw some quite positive ripples.

That, alas, was just fate tempting us.

Race 1 saw the Race Officer set a rectangular course. Well, that was the initial idea.

The wind begged to differ. The forecast gradient w i n d was a gentle north-

Light airs make starting line tactics very difficult indeed - Jenny Renouf

easterly. It was a warm weekend, so a light sea breeze arrived from the South at just the inopportune moment. Bewl is set in three arms of a valley, so the classic ‘valley wind’ effect took hold.

There was a nice patch of wind just under the dam from the north easterly gradient and a nice dark patch up the south east arm from the sea breeze.

There was also a hole in the middle of the lake where the two met head on.

After a short postponement however all looked good, the sea breeze wind looked to be taking hold.

This required the windward mark shifting to the right so the beat was towards the south east arm of Bewl.

Ami Hopkins finds the drive to take her into the lead - Jenny Renouf

Not so much a rectangle, at best now a wonky quadrilateral.

Still, the decision looked good, and every time a gust filled in there was a slight veer in the wind.

So off we started. We should have known better. Rule 1: Don’t get too far away from the line on a light wind day.

It all died, leaving Philip Meadowcroft in 1541 and Paul Cross in 1099 a little stuck. Still, they got there eventually, and Wanderers being a gentlemanly lot Meadowcroft even let Paul Cross in round the back of the committee boat – not that he really had anywhere else to go (or any ability to steer for that matter).

The reason for all this soon became apparent. The gradient wind had staged a comeback. The beat was now a gentle port tack fetch to the mark. Ami Hopkins in 1810, Ian Simpson in 1004 and Philip Meadowcroft in 1541 all made it to the windward mark in a bunch in that order. The wind from the south east arm was hovering temptingly just by the mark. Meadowcoft even bore off, hoping for the header it would bring, followed by nice starboard layline across the front of the other two. Alas no – the wind sat just out of reach.

At this point it became one of those frustrating races where the boat a couple of feet from you got the gust, and you didn’t. Ami Hopkins crewed

by Bernard Taylor rounded, first and crept away to build a huge lead. Ian Simpson and Dave Bardwell sat for a bit, then they were off. For Meadowcroft and Wickenden in 1541 the gust sat teasingly just out of reach and the boats behind started to catch up. Familiar stuff for someone who is

Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

Page 5

The field spreads out trying to find the wind - Photo from Jenny Renouf

a Salcombe regular. Eventually though 1541 got a gust and set off in pursuit of the two leaders.

Progress to the second and third marks was painful. The leg from marks three to four saw every point of sail. By this point Rick Lewis and Neil Bridge in 1443 had caught Meadowcroft, however one was beating and the other running, while only two boat lengths apart. Ian Simpson was also dangerously close to catching Ami Hopkins, but not quite. Fortunately, the RO finished the race after one lap. Hopkins was first, Simpson second. Meadowcroft was just able to draw away from Lewis to finish third. The wind then decided to fill in – with Scarborough Sea Cadets Hamish Steel and Kian Price able to carry their spinnaker over the line on a tight reach. No mean achievement.

Race 2 – every leg optionally a beat – was held after lunch. The conditions had not really changed much.

However the course was changed to a simple windwardleeward sausage.

This time there was going to be something of a beat to the first mark.

But no, the wind was only kidding. It backed as the leaders approached the first mark. So much so that – yes – the second and supposedly leeward leg

Page 6

was now also going to be a beat. Ami Hopkins spotted this and headed up on to port as she rounded the mark, before tacking to the second mark after a couple of boat lengths.

Ian Simpson in 1004 tacked almost immediately. Dave Bardwell, his crew, seemed to be suffering from separation anxiety regarding his spinnaker, having not been able to use it in the first race. In fact, he’d probably not seen it since Whitstable in June. As 1004 exited the tack the spinnaker was hoisted. Not good for boatspeed as they were now sailing upwind. Good for Meadowcroft in 1541 however. Despite his crew’s protestations Meadowcroft had tacked directly underneath Simpson (memo – he should check with his 420 sailing grandson about ‘lanes’). As Simpson ground gently to a halt with spinnaker backed, Meadowcroft was able to sail through underneath into second.

The beat back through what would become the finish line was held in a reasonable breeze. Enough to fool the RO into thinking it would stay and provide a good second lap. Ami Hopkins and Bernard Taylor crept steadily away and was able to make most of the second lap in wind, rounding the second and third marks before the wind died.

Simpson managed to pass Meadowcroft on the beat to the third mark – yes, that

became a beat as well - and just crept round in the last puff. Meadowcroft was now stopped tantalisingly close to the mark, surrounded by a fleet of Catapults who were having an open at Bewl the same weekend. The rest of the Wanderer fleet now caught him up.

To make matters worse, the large inflatable mark appeared to have its own gravitational field. Meadowcroft now suffered the further indignity of drifting gently onto it. So did Paul Cross in 1099, so there must have been something odd going on.

Meadowcroft was now forced to do a 360 which placed him flat last of nine.

Ami Hopkins and Ian Simpson had by now had finished in first and second respectively.

The wind had not finished with its tricks. It now filled in behind. This was great for Meadowcroft.

The spinnaker on 1541 was quickly hoisted and they carried the gust past Nigel and Maria Lamb, Paul Cross, Nick Hawkins, Richard Austin and startled Sea Cadets Hamish Steel and Kian Price in 1746 by pipping them a metre from the line. But they could not catch Rick Lewis and Neil Bridge in 1443 who finished 4th.

Sunday, and Bart’s Bash day and Race 3. The forecast was a little more promising. The gradient wind and any

Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019 sea breeze were now roughly from the same direction, so hopefully no repeat of Saturday’s shenanigans. In an agreed change to the NOR, the Wanderer fleet was given a separate start 5 minutes behind the club’s Bart’s Bash handicap and Catapult fleet start.

The course was a triangle with a longish beat up the western arm, one broad and one close reach. For once the beat was a beat and the reaches remained reaches, although they were a little patchy.

The shifty wind produced a somewhat starboard biased line, the start being won by Ami Hopkins squeezing in cleanly between Meadowcroft, who had arrived at the line five seconds too early, and the Committee boat. The first mark saw Hopkins lead, followed by Meadowcroft and Simpson.

The wind filled in from behind and Meadowcroft was able to reel in Hopkins in 1810 by the second mark.

1810 opted to gybe with their spinnaker up, but 1541 spotted that the wind had veered and that the second reach was now too close. The

spinnaker was doused at the gybe and 1541 sailed past into the lead.

Positions at the end of the first lap were Meadowcroft first, Ami Hopkins second, and Ian Simpson third.

The club fleet ahead looked to be in more wind on the left side of the beat, with a couple of catapults in a nice port tack lift to the mark.

Meadowcroft in 1541 thus headed off on starboard. Ami Hopkins and Ian Simpson tacked off to port into what at first looked like a hole. It didn’t remain a hole for long, but instead turned into a nice starboard tack lift to the mark. Hopkins rounded in first only having had to put in a couple of tacks. Simpson in 1004 was able to tack in under Meadowcroft and the pair rounded in second and third. A decent broad spinnaker reach followed, with only a club RS Venture to provide any distraction.

This time no one tried to carry spinnakers on the last leg. Simpson rounded the gybe mark inside Meadowcroft. He was however so determined to shut the door and force

Jenny Renouf presents the runners’ up trophy to Ian Simpson and Dave Bardwell - Photo from Jill Meadowcroft

Meadowcroft around the outside that 1004 ended up virtually stalled.

Meadowcroft in 1541 carried his way through underneath and into second.

Ami Hopkins had by this time sailed off to a third win, the finish being at the end of the second reach.

All was not over for second and third places however.

As they approached the line the wind died on 1541 and Ian Simpson and these two looked as though they were going to dead-heat but Simpson was judged to have crossed the line 0.2 seconds after Meadowcroft.

The fleet then decided that enough was enough and no more races would be held. With three wins and no discard Ami Hopkins and Bernard Taylor from Swarkestone SC thus became the 2019 Wanderer National Champions and holders of the magnificent Ian Proctor Trophy.

Ian Simpson and Dave Bardwell, the eternal bridesmaids, with three seconds won the Ted Shephard Cup. The prize giving, in a brand new beach gazebo, was held as part of the Bewl Bart’s Bash BBQ. Jenny Renouf, WCOA Membership Secretary, presented the two trophies and decent bottles of wine to everyone else.

At which point the wind finally filled in!!

As ever, the stalwarts of Bewl Sailing Association did us proud with their organisation of this event.

Front Page: Amicia Hopkins and Bernard Taylor with the National Championship Trophy - Jill Meadowcroft

Pos No Helm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Crew

Club

R1

R2

R3

Pts

1810 Amicia Hopkins

Bernard Taylor

Swarkstone SC

1

1

1

Dave Bardwell

Tudor SC

2

2

2

Adam Wickenden

Henley SC / Salcombe YC

3

4

3

1443 Rick Lewis

Neil Bridge

Shoreham SC

4

3

4

1604 Nick Hawkins

Mike Judson

Isle of Sheppey SC

5

7

8

1099 Paul Cross

David Marsh

Whistable YC

7

9

5

1746 Hamish Steel

Kian Price

Scarborough Sea Cadets

9

5

7

1542 Richard Austin

Sue Humphires

Broxborne

6

6

9

477 Nigel Lamb

Maria Lamb

Chipstead SC

8

8

6

3 6 10 11 20 21 21 21 22

1004 Ian Simpson 1541 Philip Meadowcroft

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Forestay Modification

A most beneficial way to improve the forestay tension system on your Wanderer John Renouf provides directions: Short Forestay Shackle Trapeze Cleat

Plastic Loop (supplied with cleat)

5mm rope

A common problem with self-furling gear on the Wanderer is preventing the jib tangling with the slack forestay during furling. There are different solutions to this problem that can be seen when walking around the boat park at a Wanderer event; spreaders, spacers, CDs, some even purport to remove the forestay altogether - not recommended.

The method described here is rather more 'high-tech' and requires some expenditure but is worth the effort in terms of reliability and providing an alternative way of tensioning the Highfield lever that requires less effort and is kinder to the fingers. This is not the author's original idea and has been described in Wanderer publications in times past.

This article re-vists the solution and provides photographs of an actual set-up that has served me well: Parts you will need: 1. Cam cleats CL253 “Trapeze and Vang Cleat” 2. Small shackle 3. Sea Sure SKU 00.07 “OO 25mm single block with clevis pin” or similar (clevis pin not required) 4. About 1.25 metres of 5mm plaited rope 5. Forestay, overall length about 4.3 metres

Sea Sure block

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Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

Setup: 1. Attach the Sea Sure block to the bow fitting using the clevis pin of the bow fitting (if present)

3. The shortened forestay is attached to the mast in place of the original. The Trapeze Cleat is attached to the lower end of the forestay using an appropriately-sized shackle.

4. The mast is raised. The rope is fed through the block on the bow fitting then up through the black plastic loop then into the back of the cleat. It leads out through the jaws so that it jams under load. A stopper knot provides security against the mast falling after the large mast pin is removed.

2. Splice the 5mm rope onto the trapeze cleat ensuring the plastic loop is captured in the splice:

5. When rigging the Wanderer, attach the jib to the furling drum and the jib halyard. Place the Highfield lever in its lowest position and rise the jib until the soft eye in the jib halyard can be looped over the hook of the lever.Pull down hard on the free end of the forestay rope and jam it in the cleat so that it tensions the rigging. The set the Highfield lever to the desired position. With the rigging load temporarily being taken by the forestay setting the Highfield lever is much easier.When the Highfield lever is set, slacken the forestay rope until the rigging tension is taken up by the jib halyard. The forestay should be straight (i.e. not slack) but not under tension.

6. When de-rigging the jib, take up the rig tension on the forestay before releasing the Highfield lever. This reduces the required effort and the risk of damage, e.g. to fingers!

In the next edition an article about the cascade system is planned which to replace the Highfield. Until then good luck with this and any other additions you might want to make - JR

Pictured top left: Gentle Joy, John and Jenny Renouf’s boat, afloat at the “Try-a-Wanderer” event in 2019 - Jenny Renouf

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Page 9

Salcombe Laid Back Weekend with its magnificent views and others to sail up to the Crabshell Inn at Kingsbridge for a particularly tasty lunch before floating back to Batson on the ebbing tide.

Event report by Philip Meadowcroft 17 Wanderers gathered for their annual Salcombe Laidback Weekend from Friday to Monday October 4 – 7.

They travelled from Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire.

In the week beforehand the Salcombe weather had been remarkably unsettled and unpredictable but Saturday’s tour of the creeks with a lunchtime high water was agreeably achieved in a gentle breeze but which became a grey drizzle by the time we had a picnic lunch beneath the trees on Fisherman’s Beach.

Saturday afternoon was meant to have been, as usual, the final race in the Salcombe YC schedule of club races.

However, there was a Lark Masters race event and a Laser race event and somehow our start was retimed and unexpectedly squeezed into the afternoon

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Our thanks are due to the Harbour Board staff at Batson for their helpfulness and cooperation. Support boats were provided by John and Jenny Renouf in Lady J and Philip Meadowcroft in Silver Surfer.

Presentation of a “Trophy” to Peter Melling

schedule rather than at the end. Not surprisingly there was no end of confusion especially since the preagreed course was not posted on the race box.

Our race was thus forfeited. Rather a shame….but one of those things.

We enjoyed a first class SYC supper served up by Jo and her brigade in the Chart Room on the Saturday evening, having filled our boots in The Victoria the p r e v i o u s e v e n i n g .

S u n d a y morning‘s high water timing provided an opportunity for some to walk round Snapes

Taking part were: Richard Austin and his wife, Alasdair Simpson and Irene, Chris and Vicky King, Peter and Irene Melling, John and Jenny Renouf, Simon, Mark and Cathie Edsforth, Philip & Jill Meadowcroft

A welcome rest in the Crabshell Inn -

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The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

Two Wanderers made it to Kingsbridge....

Left to right: Peter and Irene Melling and Mark and Cathie Edsforth on the balcony at Salcombe YC

Chris King at the helm - Vicky King

...whilst another group explored Snape’s point.

Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

Page 11

WandererFest A weekend of mixed sailing and socialising Meeting report by Simon Edsforth Around five years ago a neighbour of mine asked me if I’d like to sail his Albacore with him. When I said yes, I had no idea that this would launch me on a trajectory which would culminate in me editing this magazine. Nevertheless, his boat, Emma-Chizzit (get it), was kept in the garden of Cobnor House, a privately owned estate with a slipway and permanent parking for a hundred or so dinghies. My wife, Beccy, and I recognised immediately the idyllic position in the Harbour (without looking at a map which confirms it is an AONB and SSSI) and noted how much of a play-ground for sailors this place is.

Fast-forward a few years and here I am attending WandererFest 2019 at the very same location and my boat is now berthed in the same “garden of Eden” or should that be Cobnor?

Some might say it is coincidence that we were attracted to the Wanderer class without realising the signature event is actually at the location we keep her but others say it is fate.

This year it was imperative we had somewhere comfortable to stay as Beccy is expecting our first child.

“There’s nowhere decent left to stay!”

I pleaded in January, “It’s clashing with the Festival of speed…. What about this?” I held up my phone with a picture of a camper-van.

“Is it comfortable?”

“I’ll go and see it.” I promised.

And so, six months later, we arrived on Wednesday evening in stately fashion in the largest mobile home I can legally drive. Sleeps 6. A small crowd gathered outside to see why the whole campsite had been cast into shade. “Fear-not,” I said to the assembly. “We have hot and cold running water!”

internet connected anemometer.

Force 1… hmm.

I know, from experience, the strength of the tidal flow in the Channel where the boats launch. We were bang on springs as well; a 4.0m tide means about a 2.5kt flow in the Bosham channel at the steepest part of the curve a couple of hours before HW at 13:00.

I moseyed to the safety brief, slightly late to hear Ray “… so we’ll be on the water at about 10:30 and we’re going to aim to get to Dell Quay for lunch.” Interesting - I thought - what could go wrong?

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John and Jenny lazed in the sunshine watching, snapping photos, and I thought I detected a hint of amusement on the face of our Chariman, but I couldn’t be sure.

Mike Bennet demonstrated his now famed backwards-sailing trick inches from a withy and a ripple of applause could be heard across the water; and a breath of relief.

The Sun was beating down as the intrepid group set off close hauled into a 2kt wind over a 2.5kt tide…

Mike Bennet demonstrates the “reverse” Jenny Renouf

Beccy and I attempt to beat the tide with Chris following - Jenny Renouf

Paddles were immediately deployed… occasionally a puff of wind filled a sail, someone would make some way. And then nothing. If only we could get to the corner we could float up and back on the tide.

I think Andy Peter was put out as he mooched back to his own justenough-room-for-one van. “It’s for sale,” he declared to the group. I wasn’t 100% sure if this was in reaction to our own mobile home or if he’d simply had enough of sleeping in the foetal position. Straight away though Robin was under the bonnet.

“Don’t tell Gill,” he warned; “she’ll buy it! And I’ve already got a drive full” Thursday morning was bright and fresh. And no wind at all. I checked the Cambermet.com website – one of the marks in the harbour has an

know,” I returned; “it’s just causing drag on the tide.” We had retracted everything except a touch of centre board and the paddles were in full swing. The flow was so strong it was washing us upstream towards Bosham.

Suddenly the fleet turned about.

“Forget it – lets run down to Bosham” someone called, or perhaps we collectively though. Now we had the tide behind us off we went. “Perhaps we could tie up to the railings at the Anchor Bleu,” I imagined hopefully as the Wanderers streamed by. At high water you can simply step off onto the pub’s balcony and stumble into the bar, normally six feet above the beach. Today we had 4.0m. I could taste the refreshing pint of ale on the back of my tongue. So In I went towards the pub. Looking around no one was following – they were all sailing up to the end of the “Lake” at the top of the tidal section. “Beccy,” I Beccy and I looking for pubs in Bosham - Jenny

Chris Codling demonstrates the solo paddle Jenny Renouf

Mike Hamilton shouted at us across the water from his boat: “You’ve got your rudder up!” – “I

Copyright © 2019 WCOA[uk] All Rights Reserved

The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019 asked hastily, “did we bring the sandwiches?”

channel, to count the boats out and back in again.

A quick glance under the foredeck – yes, we had packed them and I could relax.

What a fantastic sail we had, the whole Harbour to ourselves, Beccy had to pinch me, was I dreaming…..

We’d been floating about, mainly uncontrolled, for 1.5 hours.

Chichester is famed for sailing hosting umpteen sailing clubs, schools, quays and even a sailing academy. They don’t put sailing academies where there’s no wind. I have had at least half a dozen experiences of being completely becalmed sat floating in the channel, but as soon as the midday sun is up, and up she was on this day, the on-shore breeze undoubtedly fills in.

Today was no different and suddenly – yes! – there’s pressure.

Good pressure.

Sailing weather.

Superb sailing weather! And for a moment there we were, somewhere in the Mediterranean, a sea temperature of 20˚, an air temperature of 30˚ and a perfectly consistent F3 from the SW. The sun reflecting off the teeth of the members whose smiles were so wide it made me glad I’d put my sun glasses on. Champagne sailing, I think they call it… if only we could get to a bar.

Champagne sailing - Beccy

Ashore now we settled down for a selfie outside our palatial truck with a cup of tea to take a selfie:

Low and behold there was Philip, last seen on a frantic tack avoiding half a million pounds worth of fibre glass and aluminum in the Bosham channel, cruising past our truck – don’t drink and drive kids!

Sailing out of Bosham Lake - Jenny Renouf

The fleet, reaching the upper environs of the Bosham Creek, returned to the start on a fun and exciting beat through the moored boats in the non-drying areas of the channel. Of course, we were just cruising, but everyone beat Meadowcroft back.

A pit-stop was necessary back at the slip at Cobnor where rest and recuperation can be had on shady benches.

With such a fantastic day it was declared – free sailing! Beccy and I jumped straight back in the boat and headed for East Head. John and Jenny tied up to a buoy at the Deep End; the mark at the south end of the Bosham

T h e n Andy Peter and Mike Hamilton walked by; “Where were you?” t h e y enquired.

“Erm, well we Philip Meadowcroft enjoys a beer - SE ended up in Bosham. We didn’t have much choice really,” I said.

“Oh, we were waiting for you in the Crown and Anchor.”

only to find the pontoon completely empty. And they were later joined by Dave Bardwell and crew.

“Oh we headed down the channel” I said, awkwardly. Were we supposed to go East? I’m still not sure.

Friday: day five featuring Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams in a thrilling fight… errm. Wait. Wrong sport. That was Wimbledon. So leaving Beccy in our trailer to watch the tennis in the “Cinema room” I set off solo with about five other Wanderers. We were heading up Thorney Channel today.

Quite simple really, head south, turn right at Camber, keep going. The day was overcast and the wind building and building to a F4-5. Unusually marking the back of the fleet was Lindsey Weatherall, who’d arrived the night before and had a delayed start owing to “rigging the boat”.

Lyndsey Weatherley and Hilary Handley in Thorney Channel - Jenny R

Reaching the end of the Channel up at Prinsted. “What now?” Chris Codling bailed at me across the water.

“Shall we stop?” as I watched the back of the fleet disappearing a pang of hunger crossing my stomach.

Can we get across there? The fleet collectively thought… there is a narrow route through the second world war boat traps between Bosham channel and Thorney channel, but you have to know it or the bottom of your boat is likely to disappear. At high water, of course, it looks easily passable but alas you have to beat back out and south of the vintage gun emplacement at the end near which John and Jenny could be found, this time standing to just opposite Pilsey sands. From here the action shots of the day were taken.

They’d made it to Dell Quay, departing slightly later than the rest of the fleet they’d gotten on the water once the wind had filled in and, by all accounts, planed all the way to Dell Quay expecting to find another 8 Wanderers tied up there Jessie and Caroline Codnor

in Thorney Channel - Jenny R

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It was an easy run in back in 20 minutes and, wow, was I ready for lunch.

Or was it dinner? We

Page 13

WandererFest Continued... the pontoon and in the beer gardens.

We had an hour to peruse the high street and I’m sure I saw all but a couple of members succumb to the delights of Heidi’s Bakery. I went in purely for research purposes, you understand, and can selflessly report the jam filled donuts are excellent. As is the beer in the Blue Bell Inn. Well you have to keep your strength up!

980 - Dave Hewitt & Phil Barber. 1242 - John & Sarah Cooper- Jenny Renouf

walked out in time to see the sun setting; what do they say about shepherds?

Sun setting over the harbour - SE

Saturday; the shepherds were right. The sun was up again. Warm weather and good wind; we elected to go on the longer sail to Emsworth, once we’d heard from Ian Porter, who again presented to the group on all matters of Wanderer set up and rig.

An excellent opportunity for questions

Ian Porter answers questions - Jenny

and answers.

Saturday sailing was Bosham Masters of course – or what could be better described as a load of old boats going in circles and getting in the way – sorry – racing. I thought I saw our very own treasurer Robin Gabbitas crewing a clinker built, gaffe rigged tub but I could have been mistaken.

Mind you he hadn’t been seen since Wednesday morning.

Coming back through the harbour the wind started to build again up to a F4G5. At the south end of the Emsworth Channel we turned onto a broad reach and set off into the now increasing swell coming in through the harbour entrance. A small head popped up 50 yards from the starboard bow in the lee of a wave. “Is that a swimmer?” I exclaimed to Beccy grabbing at my handheld – we were a few hundred yards off the south shore of Thorney Island. It ducked back under seconds after and then I realised. It’s a seal.

Excitedly we watch the patch of water where we had seen it, but it was a fleeting glimpse.

The waves picked up and we had a rocky sail across the harbour mouth. The Wanderer, as you know, being stable and confident in the knowledge that the support boat just a few hundred meters away should we need assistance, we kept the full sail and pressed on; our tails over the gunwale and the dog getting more damp as the waves broke over the bow. Feeling out the gusts the fleet navigated safely line astern onto the Chichester channel and back up through the Bosham Masters finishers. The radio filling the boat with chatter about bringing the fleet back in, and collecting marks.

The remaining fleet partook an expedition to East Head. Now the Bosham Masters in full swing half way out the fleet had to keep a good look out:

It was a busy day on the water and everyone made it to the beach and back for lunch unscathed.

Paul and Amanda Barton avoiding the “Masters” - Jenny R

A ginormous curry was ascertained by Robin that night. There were 42 attendees for dinner, luckily the order was for 142 so there was plenty for all the hungry sailors. I went back to try every dish, there were five. And delicious they all were. The beer flowed and the conversation was easy as the chat turned to the near misses through the race fleet and views of seals. And was it just me or had it clouded over….

Sunday. Drizzle. I walked down to the slip leaving Beccy under the duvet. Chris Codling already had his sail up and Rick Lewis was helping him launch for a single-handed sail.

“Is he mad?” I asked Rick. We agreed, possibly, slightly.

It was a damp end to an otherwise good weekend. The weather was variable but the two good days made it really worth attending. But we packed up early on Sunday and headed home. I think the rain eased and a few Wanderers went out again un-supported.

Pressing on it was an interesting sail, the fleet of 8 crews spreading out against wind and tide trying to feel out the way and looking for the right line to round Pilsey, just opposite East Head. Once past this point it was a straight forward starboard reach into a run all the way up to Emsworth where, thankfully, we found ample room on

Page 14

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Another excellent year and a wonderful time was had by everyone, except Bran, who hates getting a wet head - SE

Next year WandererFest will be on the 9th to the 13th July at Cobnor Estate.

Left: Peter & Annie Griffiths - Jenny R

The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

West Country Cruise 2019 Relaxed sailing in the Fal Event summary from Rick Bowers

The Wanderer has two benefits: 1. It is an agreeable and seaworthy boat, and 2. The huge bonus of having such a friendly and interesting owners’ association.

These benefits, combined with excellent sailing conditions on the Carrick Roads (Cornwall), made a great 2019 West Country Cruise.

We sailed from Percuil boatyard, which is accessible even at low tide.

Nearby there is the choice of camping or staying in holiday chalets at Trewince. Once again, thank you to David and Jill Davies who discovered this excellent base for sailing.

Seventeen people attended.

We met up on Monday evening (15th July) at a chalet in Trewince

for food, drink and to plan the week.

Tuesday: we sailed down the Percuil river to St Mawes for ice creams and then to Moluan beach for lunch and a swim. That evening, we had a pub supper at the Rising Sun in St Mawes. It was a beautiful evening with the bonus of witnessing a lunar eclipse.

Wednesday: a satisfying longer sail to the Helford and lunch on the beach by the Ferry Boat Inn. The sail home was brisk, planing much of the way. That evening we had fish and chips at the Boathouse

Restaurant in Portscatho.

Thursday: to the Pandora (a pub with a pontoon on Restronguet Creek). That evening, we all got together for pizzas at the chalet for the farewell meal.

A good time was had by all. -RB

Just one picture of Vicky and Chris King in W1575 and Nick and Dickon Buckland in W81; sailing off St Anthony Head lighthouse in the Carrick Roads.

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Page 15

Two-Day Sail on Lake Constance Overnight Wanderer adventures Hints and tips for better cruising with Derrick Nash As some readers may remember; I have written in the Wanderer Magazine a couple of times before (Summer and Winter 2018 editions) concerning a few modifications I made to my Wanderer W1233 post purchase and how this helps my single-handed sailing on Lake Constance (Bodensee), which is not far from where my wife and I have lived for the past four years.

As I generally need a small challenge to focus on in life; I decided last year to sail somewhere near the top of the lake, camp overnight, then sail back again. Not a great adventure possibly, but my first toe in the water dinghy cruising wise, the details of which I thought might prove of interest to other Wanderer owners who have similar ideas. During a week’s holiday this autumn, I kept my eye on the weather and decided to give it a go over Thursday the 19th and Friday the 20th of September.

Preparation consisted of a test run on the lawn to make sure I remember how to erect my two-person tent and making a compact bundle of tent, sleeping bag and ground mattress small enough to fit on the pillion seat of my motorbike. I prefer to travel to the marina where my boat is kept via motorbike if possible because I then do not have to pay for parking, but it was also a good exercise in making sure I only took the essentials, as space was at a premium. I also made

Everything is tied down in case of capsize

sure the battery for my electric outboard motor was fully charged and of course, the all-important weather and available water depth information (on Lake Constance it’s called the “Pegel”) had been monitored over a few days prior.

Wind strength forecast was an average of 12 knots, with gusts of 16 knots (so circa Beaufort force 4 / 5) on the Thursday, reducing to 5 knots with gusts of 7 knots (circa 2 / 3) on the Friday with no rain on either day. All of which sounded good to me.

Travelling light. Everything is stowed neatly.

Prior to the trip, I had given some consideration to where I would stow my various items on the boat and was conscious of achieving good weight distribution. I had read somewhere, it is best to concentrate weight of camping equipment etc., as near to the centre of the boat as possible (so under the thwart). Therefore, I was considering modifying the two open storage areas, just aft of the thwart and buoyancy tanks, with some kind of zig zag of bungee cord or net arrangement, which would hold things like tent etc. in place, should the worst happen and I capsized.

These two areas are currently utilised for the ends of a clipped on paddle on one side and a clipped on extending boat hook (just one of the things Lake Constance authorities insist every boat carries) on the other side, so there wasn’t a vast amount of space. In the end, I didn’t utilise these spaces, but stowed the heaviest item, the tent, underneath the foredeck on one side (tied on of course, like everything else) and my sleeping bag etc. in a water proof bag in the rear locker. The space under the foredeck on the other side is where I stow the spinnaker and fixed to the foot plates is a fixed, but quick release, lattice design plastic box in which I secure my anchor and kept other essentials like my sandwich bag, a few bottles of water and a ready supply of boiled sweets! This arrangement appeared to work fine and, even in what turned out to be a bit of a blow, I did not

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The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

The boat is launched and ready to go

long enough for me to slab reef the main. I was however very glad I had previously threaded bungee cord in the reefing cringles of the sail, with intermittent plastic hooks on one side also threaded through the cord, with which I could tidy up whatever sail was now hanging below the boom. I know some people use small lengths of cord, knotted on each side of the sail, to do the same job, but personally I found the bungee cord and hooks much quicker and easier. The only thing that didn’t work so well were the two plastic clamcleats fixed to the boom which were supposed to hold the reefing lines when pulled through them, but didn’t. This meant I had to tie the lines back in front of the cleat, in order to hold the reef in place and prevent the end of the boom dropping into the boat. I intend to look for some better cleats and replace the ones fitted this winter. notice any adverse effects of the weight on board (see pictures).

So…. off I set at 08.15 on the Thursday morning, in a gentle force 2 North Easterly, out of the marina entrance near Kressbronn and headed North West’ish, on a starboard tack, heading for a place called Birnau (see below).

After about one hour sailing, the wind increased enough for me to consider reefing the mainsail.

Strange, but true, this was the first time I had reefed afloat in this particular boat, something which I really should have practised beforehand, but by employing my electric outboard and self-steering modification (both of which I wrote about in the aforementioned magazine issues) I was able to hold the boat head to wind and into the increasingly large waves

u a n r i B

A reefed main was good enough for about the next hour or so, until the increase in wind strength and wave height got me to thinking – I’m not in a race, I just have to get there! I do not know the exact strength of the gusts, but it felt to me like the forecast force 5 was a bit of an under estimate. The other concerning factors were that I was in the middle of a huge stretch of water, there were no other sailing boats in sight, just the odd car ferry or passenger boat and I do not own a hand held VHF (something else I might rectify for next time) so if I did tip over, it could get interesting.

Therefore, I decided to drop the main completely into the boat and sail on foresail alone. The problem with this was, obviously the bow of the boat wanted to bear off said strong wind and the compensatory rudder angle was acting as a bit of a brake, so I employed the outboard again to enable me to “motor sail” in

Kressbonn

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Page 17

Life’s a beach.

a reasonably straight line. The other consideration was that I was approaching the area between Konstanz and Meersburg where there are regular car ferries sailing between the two towns, so having the ability to increase speed via the outboard and get out of their way would be a definite advantage.

Further up the lake, after I had passed the island of Mainau, the wind strength seemed to decrease a little, which may have been due to a change in land topography or just wishful thinking – I’m not sure. I was keen to preserve some battery power for the return journey, so I hoisted a reefed mainsail again. This, of course, was the cue for the wind to return and there followed an “exciting” hour or so of sailing, where I was planing even without the gusts, exercising long forgotten thigh and stomach muscles and punishing my rear end mercilessly jumping on and off the gunwales. I regretted not having worn a pair of sailing gloves at this juncture because, despite being able to cleat off the mainsail at times, parts of my hands were getting a bit sore.

I also enjoyed some rare company, in the form of two twin masted sailing school boats, “sans sails”, containing a number of orange buoyancy aid clad children and their instructors, which motored across in front of me, all frantically waving at a fellow sailor braving todays exciting elements, so I felt obliged to wave back during what I hoped was a bit of a lull.

Page 18

I eventually reached the camp site at 14.30, having over shot it a bit, and everything became strangely calm, meaning I actually had to paddle onto the beach – which was odd.

Whatever breeze there was came from the shore, so this meant I didn’t have to anchor and drift back, paying out rope (warp) until I was in shallow enough water to get out the boat.

Rather, I could just land, pull the boat up onto a bit of dry land and sink the anchor into the beach on a very short line. Perfect!

Leaving the intervening camping bit aside; the return journey began at 08.15 in a gentle force 1 or 2, as forecast, which meant I was able to hoist the spinnaker a couple of times to help me along by again using my self-steering device and some judicial balancing to steer the boat. The river Rhine flows through the middle of Lake Constance and my return journey was against the flow so, in contrast to the day before, at times I needed all the help I could get.

Indeed, occasionally it was like sailing against a tide, where you think you are going quite nicely thank you, but the buildings on the land either stay stubbornly where they are, or sometimes even seem to be getting ahead of you.

In common with I think other lakes in mountainous areas, the wind on Lake Constance can also make enormous shifts, sometimes even appearing cyclonic. At one point I was being “headed” on whichever tack I took, which was frustrating, and

the burgee couldn’t make its mind up which way to point either. This was another time when I was glad for a little help from the outboard motor, otherwise I would have been much later making it back to base and psychologically it’s nice to get beyond a headland you have been staring at for hours, which previously seemed never to be getting any closer.

Having left the camp site at 08.15, I finally made it back to the marina at 15.00 on Friday. Thanks to a smart little integral device on the Lithium Ion battery, I could see I had used 73% of the battery power over these two days, so I still had a bit in reserve.

Having put the boat to bed, I rode home tired and sore, but glad I had achieved what I set out to do.

Lessons learnt: 1. Choose days when the forecast wind is more moderate. A force 3 to 4 would do nicely.

2. Practise reefing afloat and make sure all fittings work as they should, holding when it’s windy.

3. Be qualified to use and have a hand-held VHF on your person, tuned to the emergency channels – just in case.

4. Take a battery charger to top up the outboard motor battery.

5. Include some kind of cushioning, either as part of your clothing or around the seating area, to minimise discomfort during long periods of sailing, especially if sailing hard.

6. Take sailing gloves.

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The Wanderer Edition 122- Autumn 2019

a i l a g e R Yo

Modelled here by John and Jenny Renouf:

lo o P

y u B o t s ur

5 2 £

5 1 £ t r i T-Sh Soft-shell £40

Pol o£ 25

Please email Jenny Renouf with your orders: jrenouf57@gmail.com

5 1 £ t r i T-Sh

Complete with your choice of item(s), size and colour.

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Page 19

2020 Calendar of Events and Program Day / Date Venue FEB 29TH 12:30PM

RYA DINGHY SHOW 2020

Event

Contact

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

John Renouf 1953jgr@gmail.com

WCOA RACE MEETING

Philip Meadowcroft philip@brandmasters.co.uk

APRIL 18TH AND 19TH

WEST OXFORDSHIRE SC

MAY 9TH AND 10TH

BEWL WATER

WCOA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Philip Meadowcroft philip@brandmasters.co.uk

MAY 17TH

MARLOW SC

TRY A WANDERER

John Renouf 1953jgr@gmail.com

JUNE 6TH AND 7TH

WHITSTABLE YC

GAVIN BARR TROPHY

Richard Maltby richardmaltby9@gmail.com

Racing and cruising at Whitstable

JUNE TBC

ROSELAND PENINSULA

WEST COUNTRY CRUISE

Richard Bowers richbowers1@aol.com

JULY 9TH TO 13TH

CONBNOR POINT

WANDERER FEST 2020

Robin Gabbitas robingabbitas@yahoo.co.uk

SEPT 5TH AND 6TH

COTSWOLD SC

WCOA INLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Philip Meadowcroft philip@brandmasters.co.uk

SEP 26TH AND 27TH

GLAMPTON SC

RIVER DART LAID BACK WEEKEND

Philip Meadowcroft philip@brandmasters.co.uk

OCT 3RD AND 4TH

SWARKESTONE SC

RACING EVENT

Bob Rastrick rrastrick@gmail.com

Instead of Salcombe for 2020!