Considering joining the class

Hi all,
I'm moving to Aus next July, either to Geelong or Torquay. I currently sail 'monoslugs' as you call them as there's very little support for cat's in England at the present moment in time, I sail at a club on a small inland lake which doesn't allow cats, that obviously doesn't help.
Anyway I've been looking at what I want to sail over in Aus and the Mossie has caught my eye.
If I had a Mossie I would be sailing it cat rigged, without the spinnaker at first. But I'm not sure if it'd suit me.
I'll be 16 when I move over there.
I'm currently about 10 stone, but over the next few months I'm trying to bulk up, I reckon I'll be at least 10 and a half, maybe even 11 stone by the time I'll be in Aus.
I'm 5'9 I don't know if heights an issue with cats.
I'm a pretty competent sailor, and sail regularly.
Just seeing if I would suit the boat.
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks

Hi Rob,

Your weight and hight should be fine for a Mossie, there is also a couple of Mosquitos sailing at Royal Geelong Yacht Club, with more on the way so you could get some good racing.

Thanks alot,
Just one more thing, are there many mosquito exclusive races across the calender?

The only truly exclusive Mosquito races are the state titles (Victoria and South Australia) and the Australian Titles, but at some regattas like the Sauna Sail in VIC we get our own division.
It's fairly common for any class that can get 10 boats to a regatta to be given their own division, and in Vic the Mosquito has been achieving that more often than most classes. That's not to say there's more Mozzies than anything else, but many other classes don't travel much these days.

Thanks Tim,
Sorry I'e neer sailed in Aus before, what is the sailing scene like out there?
Do any 'youth' sailors sail the mozzie?

Hi Rob,

The sailing scene is alive and thriving around the Australian coastal cities. The drought back in the mid to late 2000's put a big dent in the inland yacht clubs but some of them are recovering. The ISAF world championships are currently being held in Perth Western Australia. The link is provided here. http://www.perth2011.com/

Most youth sailors who sail Mozzies sail with dad's, mum's or friends then either move into their own Mozzie when they are big enough or into other classes.

Regards,

Peter

Thanks very much,
do you have any active traveler series in Victoria?

Thanks

Hi Rob,

There are no advertised traveller series listed as such however there are many who attend different regattas where Mozzies race.

As Tim said in an earlier posting the state titles are the major series where most attend. The Victorian catamaran championship, the Torquay marathon, the Yarrawonga weekend regatta and Sauna Sail weekend are just a few of the other races where there are usually strong fleets of Mozzies.

When there is an upcoming event it usually has a thread on the forum to raise some interest.

Naturally you will be made most welcome at any club where Mozzies race.

Regards,

Peter

Thanks Peter,
Out of interest which clubs sail Mozzies around the Geelong are?

Hi Rob,

(Peter I hope you dont mind me answering on your behalf as I know you are a fair way from the Geelong area)

The only club I am aware of that sail Mossies around Geelong is the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, having said that you dont have to travel far (in Australian terms) to vist an inland club where you can find some Mossies.

Ross

Cheers Ross

Hi Rob and all,

I've been very quiet for a while on the forum, but still have my old moz. I live in Geelong, it lives at Anglesea. There are a couple of mossies have shown up in the yard at royal geelong yacht club in the last few months (maybe they've been there longer and I just didn't notice...) I was chatting to one of the young skiff girls who said that there are a father and son who are each sailing one at the moment, and a general bit of interest in cats resurging at the club. I plan to find out more and bring the boat back up in the new year.

In the meantime, there is a "hobie centric" fleet (7-8 boats) down at anglesea where I plan to get out a bit this summer. (Thanks to Darren in SA for the "new" main, and a new kite rig from a bloke in NSW) Hoping to keep improving my "Rookie" skills, adn may see you all at a states at some stage in the future.

Feel free to contact me if you come to Geelong mdripps@tpg.com.au