Hello all, I have recently traded in my wife for a Mozzie in an effort to contribute to the growth of the fleet in VIC.
I am picking her up from SA this Saturday and will be testing the waters this weekend. Been out of it for a decade, but used to sail Javelins and recently a B14. I'd be grateful if there was any one local who could spare some time in the next few weeks to give me some pointers on sailing this fine beast as opposed to a mono-hull. (I've heard that they go better if you keep the mast dry!)

Simon,

Welcome to the Mozzie fleet. Hope you get years of enjoyment racing your new Mozzie.

Great to see that you will be mixing it up with the Paper Tigers, Hobies and A Class yachts at McCrae. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Why not bring it over the hill to Somers for a Saturday afternoon race before the end of April (end of season <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />). There will be plenty of Mozzie enthusiasts willing to help you with the finer points of Mozzie racing.

Regards,

Peter

Thanks for the welcome Peter. I'll get over before the month is out. As for the end of the season, fear not! McCrae run a winter series in July. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

Simon

Hi Simon,

good move, hope the Mossie gives you less trouble <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />.

Hey if you are a ex B14 sailor, you should fit a kite, it's so much easier on a cat <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. Then you can realy give the Taipans and A's a hard time, they hate it. Plan to go to the Sauna Sail in June should be heaps of Mossies. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

If I can answer any questions, just ask.

Hi Gary,

Your right, less trouble and a bit cheaper to run. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Think I'll focus on making sure I beat all the paper tigers befor I go hunting A's and Taipans. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I'm a little bit rusty after the long break. My plan is to use as much winter sailing as is available, and next season to get settled in on the boat as is, and then fire up. From what I've heard about kites on mozzies though, it'll be interesting to see how long I can stick to my sensible plan before thowing caution to the wind and putting one on.

Thanks for the offer of advice.

I'll be at the Sauna Sail if I can.

Regards,

Simon

Simon,

I just checked the tides info on the Somers Sailing program. This Saturday and the Saturday 28th April are good for tide heights and times <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

Saturday 21st will have a monster high tide of 3.15 m at around 4:00 pm <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> so if you're not used to launching or beaching in big swells and beach breakers it may be better to choose either of the other Saturdays.

Regards,

Peter

Thanks Peter.

I was aiming for the 21st as I'm a single dad and I wont have my young fellas that week end. Having not had the experience of "Somers with a shore break" I would err on the side of caution. However, I am planing to pop the little ones on my boat at McCrae tomorrow for their "first sail" if the weather is light enough. If it blows up and I have to abort (don't want to scare them off!) I might wander on over minus the boat to at least say hello, and show them a few mozies in action.

Cheers

Simon,

The weather would have been just perfect for putting the boys on the Mozzie last Saturday for their first sail. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Did you get out at all ? Somers had very light winds and reducing as the afternoon progressed. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

Peter

Hi Peter,

I did indeed get the young lads out. Conditions were perfect for the task. They were nervous to start with but by the end of the afternoon they were wanting to go faster. Looks like I'll be upping my membership to "family" for next season.

Hopefully we'll get some wind for next weekend so I can get some serious learning done. I'll probably do McCrae on Saturday given your advice on the Somers tides and mabey Safety Beach on Sunday (their race day). I really need to spend some time getting the feel of the boat in a bit of wind. (haven't had the pleasure of tipping it over yet!)

I'm planning to race the winter series at McCrae in July, then do a paint job,<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> and be ready to go for next season.

Cheers,

Simon,

Hope your racing was successful this weekend however with the lack of wind on Saturday it would have been very similar to last weekend. Did you race both Saturday and Sunday ?

Somers was slightly better than I thought mainly due to the light winds not building up big seas in Bass Strait in the preceding couple of days. There was very little beach to launch from and the sets were still coming in but with less intensity. There was enough wind prior to the start to get out on trapeze but the wind dropped out during the race and the race was shortened. Luckily it wasn't too hot; we got about 10 mm of rain during the race.

Regards,

Peter

Hi Peter,

I did get out both days. Sat at McCrae was about the same as yours without the wind before the start. Very cold and WET.

Raced at Safety Beach on Sunday. After my first 3 outings being drifters, I checked the wind on the web (10-15 gusting to 20) and couldn't resist. Got their late, left the shackle key at home, missed the briefing, and was generally disorganized.

Did however make the start. Conditions were great for getting the feel of the boat. Mozzies are a LOT of fun on a reach aren't they! Didn't take the racing too seriously as I really wanted to learn some things.

And I did! I need to be a bit fitter, falling of is ok as long as you've still got the mainsheet in your hand,its amazing how close to capsizing you can go without actually going over and I seem to bruise easier than I did when I was 20. All in all, a great afternoon.

Looks like I won't get over the hill before seasons end as I'll have the Kids next weekend. Perhaps I can entice you to do some winter sailing @ McCrae . There is racing each weekend in July. Failing that, I'll definitely come over at the start of next season.

Cheers


Simon

Hi Simon

When it gets nearer to the time, put up some details on those July races (times, days etc) here. You may well get some Mozzies to come along.

Hi Simon,

I have to agree - even at my age, there is no such thing as fit enough, and by the end of a race you can forget about the fit - I have just had enough!

Bruises appear more frequently and hang around longer than they used to - I still have a massive tender spot on my leg from 2 weekends ago.

But as Maxwell Smart used to say - ...and loving it!

Simon,

Why not bring the kids over to Somers on Saturday anyway. They can play on the beach <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> and you can have a look at a few Mozzies before the start and get some new ideas. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

We should have 7 or 8 Mozzies racing in the last race which is a yardstick pursuit format.

Regards,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Had the same thought myself.

See you Saturday.

Cheers

Simon,

Great. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> You can either bring your own lunches or buy them at the yacht club. I will be there around midday.

Yep the Mozzies are great on a reach and I only sail cat rigged. Others will be able to tell you what it's like flying a spinnaker. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I don't know whether I would sail during the winter but I know there is at least 1 Mozzie sailor from Somers who would venture out. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

Peter

Depressing News!

After the fun of last Sunday I seem to have a frame come away, or broken, midway between the rear beam and centre board case . (Thought I heard a noise so went looking this morning.) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I think this would be well beyond my skills to repair. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I would be grateful for any advice on who I might speak to about a repair Job. Guess than means I'll have to get the repaint done sooner than anticipated. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Simon,
No problem, please give me a call. I know a couple of good fibreglass people or if the hull is timber we can work our way through fitting it.
Peter
0427 352972

Hi Simon,

as well as Peters suggestion. It may be worth contacting Victorian Sailing Supplies. They are at Seaford (Frankston) not too far away. ph.97736155 ask for Matt, he is the boat building part of the buisness, has built everything from Mossies to 50' Cats so knows his stuff, just a matter of timing and cost <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. Good Luck.

Thanks for the replies.

Mattaipan also suggested Victorian Sailing Supplies and I've sent off an email enquiry today.

Peter, The boat is a "Ginnings" ply form SA, about 10 years old. I'll let you enjoy the rest of the Holiday and give you a call tommorrow. I have many skills in life but woodwork has thus far not been one of them!

Thanks again to both of you.

Cheers